Murder in a Small Town

I liked it as I like the hallmark mysteries and this reminded me of one of those - a romance battling with a murder to be the top story. The sets even reminded me of hallmark movies - very folksy. No, it's not going to be a critic darling show, one that gets the attention of the critics, but I like murder mysteries of all kinds so if you do too, you might like this. It has the vibes of a small town, if the small town was Cabot Cove. I find pilots to not always be the best and I do think there are things that can be improved but will let the first few episodes cook to give them a chance to develop.

Murder in a Small Town piqued my interest due to Kristin Kreuk, and lo and behold, she is paired with another Sutherland lad. I love small-town settings, and a murder mystery makes for a great combination. The first episode started out nicely: there's a murder, and the next-door elderly neighbor seems to be the culprit, but how and why? I liked that they elaborated on the characters and gave them a good backstory. I also liked that the show doesn't feel like the usual flashy, slick murder-mystery theme. But what intrigued me the most is the chemistry of the two leads: two 40-somethings with past experiences and baggage, trying love for the second time. Kreuk's Cassandra is feisty and bubbly, while Sutherland's Karl is this two-shirt type of detective. Together, they turn this small-town mystery into a slow-burn romance that's worth every twist.

I don't give any real consideration to the notion that "sleepy" when it comes to TV and movies means "boring". Yes there's a small town slow moving vibe to the pilot but what's wrong with that? American TV and films are often frenetic and loud. That also doesn't mean "exciting" or even good. I never pass up a slow moving film, it's gotta brew so the nuances rise to the top. I'm certainly happy to give this one some time. A nice blend of Canadian actors and a somewhat typical plot but I'm intrigued. The Sutherland progeny, well he has the perfect demeanor for this. I knew he was related just from the voice. If you like sleepy at its finest, check out the Jesse Stone films with Selleck. Those are the gold standard.

I feel like this show has a lot of potential! It already feels pretty solid at the start. I love the characters (& actors), the setting, and the premise. It's got charm, and plenty of heart.

I've read a lot of people saying that this show reminds them of a hallmark movie. I'm not someone who watches hallmark movies - too cheesy, not my thing. This show doesn't feel hallmark-y to me. It feels optimistic, but also honest. It sprinkles in some lovely humorous moments throughout the episodes as well.

I really hope we get more of this show because I am already invested in seeing where these characters take us. It's a show that makes me feel good while watching - makes me smile. And in the end, I think that's probably what a lot of us need in a show right now. I know I do.

Review: Murder in a Small Town - A Missed Opportunity

I wanted Murder in a Small Town to be a great series. The premise had so much potential-a gripping murder mystery set in a quiet town where nothing ever happens, until it does. But after watching it, I couldn't help but feel that the writers missed a crucial opportunity to make this show truly engaging.

The biggest flaw? The pacing and believability of the murders. Instead of crafting a season-long, intricate mystery that keeps viewers hooked, the show opts for a new murder every other week. The result? A small town with an absurdly high crime rate that completely undermines the show's realism. How can we be invested in a "small-town murder mystery" when bodies are dropping at an unnatural rate? It starts feeling more like Murder, She Wrote on steroids rather than a compelling, believable drama.

What Murder in a Small Town should have done is build a single, well-developed murder case over the entire season. This would have allowed for deeper character development, better suspense, and a more immersive storytelling experience. Imagine the tension of slowly uncovering layers of a mystery, the red herrings, the twists, and the final shocking reveal-all building to something truly satisfying. Instead, we get a new case wrapped up every other episode, which makes it hard to care about any of them.

The show has potential, and it could be so much better. The writers need to step back and rethink their approach. A great mystery isn't just about the number of dead bodies-it's about making the audience care about solving the crime. Hopefully, they course-correct in the future, because there's a great show hidden somewhere in here.