Chronicle Mysteries: The Deep End

Instead of going back over a cold case as was done in the previous season crime podcaster Alison Sweeney is covering a current murder case involving an estranged couple. The two were going through a bitter divorce when the husband is found dead in a pond on their estate. At first it is thought to be an accident, but then the wife is arrested and charged with his murder.

Sweeney is covering the trial and she starts to believe the wife innocent. So she and her podcast team of Benjamin Ayres and his daughter Olivia Steele Falconer go to work.

The deceased was popular in the country club set and he was hiding assets which many do during divorce proceedings. He also had a number of interesting sidelines. It was one of those that got him killed.

This Chronicle Mystery was pretty good and I guessed the sideline, but not the suspect. I think you will too.

A TV murder mystery it may be but it leaves little to being an intriguing thriller of any sorts. I know it is just another cookie cutter story line made for TV but I just hate when I invest 90 minutes of my TV viewing time only to be disappointed in a dumb ending in how this particular murder mystery gets solved. They throw in a little romance between the two main characters as well.

No need for a spoiler alert because the spoiler is this entire made for TV murder mystery.

I give it a so-so 5 out of 10 IMDB rating.

There's good chemistry between the two leading characters, so move this along a little faster! I like both of them. In some of the Hallmark portfolio, the female lead is annoying as possible. This cast are all appealing. I enjoyed the mystery aspect, but the criminal was definitely a surprise. I also like the storyline that doesn't include a "falling out" with each other and then a last minute reconciliation! I just think the romance could move along a little faster. They seem to suit each other well, and are appealing as well. Supporting characters make for a good ensemble cast. Looking forward to future episodes.

6/10 - still not the best, but a noteworthy upswing in the Chronicle Mysteries series

This was probably my favorite entry in the Chronicle Mysteries so far, but Aurora Teagarden, Hannah Swenson, and Mystery 101 continue to be my favorite mysteries series on Hallmark.

I do like the two lead actors and I appreciated the team of helpers they have circling around them. The pod cast is an interesting and modern touch. My least favorite part is the awkward re-enactments which seem a staple on the chronicle mystery series.

I am not sure if they are trying to build a live interest or not...but if they are this must be the slowest burn on the planet, because I am not feeling anything yet.

Also they are still toying with her staying or unpacking her boxes...I can see why the potential love interest is such a slow burn!?!?

For me these are still on the watch and delete list.