A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

First the good: Strong ensemble cast returns and is as strong as ever. Lots of energy and some laughs. They clearly have fun together with these movies and it comes across on screen. I'd say ladies in particular had the strongest chemistry I've seen. And I did legitimately laugh a couple of times. It was very cozy which is frankly most important here.

What I liked less: Hannah herself came off a bit one dimensional and, in many scenes, seemed to be mailing it in a bit acting wise. Also her schtick of bribing with cookies should only be done once per movie. She did it like six times in this film. It gets old.

The mystery itself was just ok although did have some interesting twists. I agree with other reviewers on how Norman's absence takes away from this film.

We watch this series because we like mysteries and enjoy watching Alison Sweeney. That being said, what in the world were the writers thinking when they made her mother's character such a total joke. In previous shows she was always worried about Hanna getting mixed up in murder cases. Now she's a private detective/actress the pokes her nose into everything, including murders. And her acting and costuming is ridiculously over the top nuts. Doesn't anyone screen these shows before they air to get some sense of viewer reaction?

Also, too bad the bakery got bigger because its' lost the small town feel and charm. It would be nice if the writers would read some of these reviews because I'm not the only one feeling this way.

Hannah is at it again, this time trying to clear a cop friend, Lonnie, of murder. After driving a woman home from a reunion, she winds up dead. As the last person to see her, he's the main suspect.

I love Allison Sweeney and take the series for what it is, a Hallmark cozy mystery series. A lot of time is given to Hannah's crazy over-the-top mother, played by Barbara Niven. She has become a private eye, and now she is an actress, having been discovered when an actress in a commercial she and Hannah are watching being filmed walks out.

I'd say it's too much, but she is very funny.

I like that Hannah's two sisters are involved in the bakery, and that Hannah has extended her business to brew her own coffee.

With Mike gone, it looks as If Hannah is going to have it involvement with the new DA, played by Victor Webster.

Enjoyable.

I knew it was bad when I decided to clean my place DURING the movie. The focus is too jokey and there is no suspense. Hannah is less involved in solving the mystery - it's all about Delores, her mother. I'm not sure why Lisa Durupt is even in the movie - what a waste of a good actor. The pace is slow. I liked the previous episodes because they had interesting plots and the pace was good. This is worse than the Zest for Death episode, which was worse than the previous one. The trend seems to be heading in the wrong direction. If this trend continues, it'll be my last viewing of Hannah Swensen mysteries. I hope they are not going to do more like this.

This is the same formulaic movie that Hallmark churns out. But that's why they're enjoyable. I do have to agree with another reviewer that the mom ruins the movie. She is so pushy, bossy, annoying...you name it. I absolutely adore Barbara Niven and she's better than this.

It's different with Cameron Matheson being gone. But with his move to a rival network, they had to bring in another "love interest". Victor Webster is a great replacement. Not sure if they'll become romantically involved but he makes a good DA.

I'll continue to watch the movies but please tone down the mom. I do like the sisters, too.