Three Bedrooms, One Corpse: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery

I somewhat enjoy the mysteries. I'm a bigger fan of the earlier ones than the more recent but that's mainly because I like the Aurora/Martin dynamic so it lost something for me when he left. This movie is his first and I don't see what he saw in Ro other than looks because she is so rude to him and self-centered even before he ends up on her suspect list. It was the other characters (note that I say characters not actors because I have no problem with Candace Cameron Bure, just with the way Ro is written here) that were strong enough to keep me watching. I especially appreciate Lynn, probably the least bumbling cop on these types of mysteries and, despite her dislike of Ro, still respects her capabilities. The mystery itself was good but they must've pissed off Ro's aunt at some point because no one would want their bridesmaids looking like that.

Candace Cameron Bure is back as Aurora Teagarden, this time trying to solve the murder of a real estate agent. She eventually figures out the murder ties into some stolen art and then it's just a matter of her (and us) figuring out which of the suspects is guilty. As with the previous Aurora Teagarden movies, I will remind anyone reading this review that I have not read the books this series is based on. So I don't have any preconceived ideas of how Aurora or any of the supporting characters should look or act. I enjoyed the previous two TV movies in this series, largely because of Candace Cameron Bure's irrepressible charm and likability. This third movie, however, I like a little less than the others.

For starters, while this is still a somewhat lighthearted murder mystery with a little bit of humor, this one seems to take itself more seriously than the last two. Some viewers will probably like this one more than the others for that very reason. But I wanted the quirky fun more than another humdrum murder mystery that anyone who's seen a couple of episodes of Murder, She Wrote could figure out relatively quickly. Another negative is the potential love interest in this one. It's the third male lead for Candace in as many movies and this one is a big step down from Robin Dunne's enjoyable character in the last film. This new guy, played by Yannick Bisson, is a middle-aged metrosexual with a One Direction haircut and way too much spray tan. His chemistry with Candace is tepid, to be charitable. Honestly the guy seems like he should be hosting a game show or an infomercial about dog grooming supplies.

On the plus side, Candace is Candace and while she doesn't have as many cute lines or moments in this one, her screen presence carries the movie. The adorable Lexa Doig returns as Aurora's friend but sadly gets little to do. The few scenes she does have are great, though. One note I would give Hallmark is that perhaps in future movies focus on these two solving crimes together rather than inserting another love interest who's just going to disappear anyway. Marilu Henner, Bruce Dawson, and Miranda Frigon all return from the previous movies and are all fun to watch. Also making an appearance is the clichéd gruff police captain I complained about in my Real Murders review. He shows up just to tell Aurora to stop meddling. Keep trying, Hallmark, but it's not going to get funny anytime soon. Finally, the town they filmed in is really beautiful. So big points for the scenery. Look, if you like Candace and like the other Aurora movies, you'll like this I think. If you didn't like the other ones, maybe this one will be more your cup of tea since it is a little different than the previous two.

This is the Aurora Teagarden mystery where Candace Cameron Bure meets her intended Yannick Bisson. She finds he's a man with quite a past and for a while the subject of the murder of two real estate agents.

In fact that's what drives Cameron in this murder mystery. She meets Bisson who is looking to buy a house and he's supposed to meet up with Marilu Henner, Roe's real estate agent mom. But Henner is running late and Cameron takes Bisson to the house where they find the body of another real estate agent.

Then at another site another female real estate agent is found dead. Roe's concern is that someone is targeting real estate agents of the female variety though nothing sexual is done.

In fact both murders were done to cover up another crime. What that was and who did it you have to watch for. But rest assured it's not Bisson.

I guess we have to wait and see if our mystery loving librarian and her man of mystery get hitched in another of these films in the series.

Three Bedrooms is my favorite out of the Aurora mysteries so far. I thought with a title like this I would have nightmares for weeks but it was a fun ride as always. Candace is magnetic and brilliant in the lead role and the mystery left me guessing until about the last 15 minutes. Keep this series coming and keep up the great work.

This is our introduction to the character Martin Bartell, who Aurora meets when she agrees to show a house to a client on behalf of her mother Aida. While showing Martin the house, they discover the body of another real estate agent in the backyard.

This begins a very personal mystery as it brings suspicion to the employees in Aida's office...and brings suspicion on Martin.

The mystery was well done, the cast is tight, the writing is great and this is why this is one of my three favorite mystery series on Hallmark (along with Hannah Swensen's Murder she Baked and Mystery 101). I love how strong, curious and plucky Aurora is as a character. I think Candace Cameron Bure does and amazing job embodying the character. (I loved her wardrobe...especially the red skirt, white print blouse, and navy blue sweater!) I really appreciated how the character of Martin handled Aurora's suspicions...it was well written and an excellent way to bond these two strong characters together with mutual respect. Yannick Bisson is an excellent addition to the cast as Martin. He and Candace have wonderful on screen chemistry...and I really enjoyed watching the progress of their relationship. I love how this show keeps the same actors for its series and this stable of supporting actors is phenomenal. It helps that they have good writing and wonderful small town sets for the fake town of Lawrenceton, Washington. (I do love the upstate New York waterfall that they show for the town...it is beautiful and sort of believable for a mountainous Washington State town.)

This continues to be one of the best things on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and I really hope they get back to making more shows like this in 2023.