Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

I have loved all the Murder She Baked movies but this one was one I had to force myself to finish. Alison and Victor have no onscreen chemistry whatsoever. His character is too stiff and smug. They have Alison acting like a silly teenager just hoping he will ask her out. But the worst and what makes you want to stop watching is Barbara Niven. Usually a favorite character of mine; they have turned her into an over the top ridiculous drama queen. She must have insisted on having half the lines because you could almost have called it the Barbara Niven Mystery series. They have turned her character into such a completely obnoxious annoying overacting scene stealing caricature of herself it just ruined the whole show. Put Alison back front and center and tone down Barbara for the next one please. Barbara is fun as a small side character but not a main one. One can only take such nonsense in small doses.

This is the latest in the Hannah Swensen Murder She Baked series based on the popular books by Joanne Fluke. I appreciate that they have kept the majority of the stars in the series from Hannah herself (Alison Sweeney), to her mom (Barbara Eden), to Hannah's best friend and fellow baker Lisa (Juliana Wimbles), to best side-kick/wingman and dentist Norman (Gabriel Hogan).

I'm not sure that I like Lake Eden being upgraded from a small town in Michigan to a big city and likewise the Cookie Jar is starting to be more impersonal thanks to its latest upgrade. Although it does make sense to add coffee to a bakery.

Still not used to the new sister, although I am warming to her and Lonnie's relationship.

I disagree with some of the other reviewers around the chemistry between Chad and Hannah. I think they have great chemistry. I am not crazy about the fact that Chad still won't eat any of Hannah's baked goods. It clearly gets under Hannah's skin and it's starting to get under mine. I hope they either a) are going to find something that is his Achilles' heel in the baking department or b) going to have a darned good explanation for why no baked goods. I appreciate the slow build they are doing between Hannah and Chad...and I appreciate the little nuggets that we learn about Chad as he drops details that he is paying attention to about Hannah. I don't mind the slow burn and I am appreciating the covert looks at this point. (Also, I know the two have chemistry because I really enjoyed them together in the wedding veil series.)

Hannah's new swanky Cookie Jar is closed temporarily for a celebrity chef Connie Mac to film her show live. The event is scheduled last minute, but Hannah and Lisa are very excited because they are big fans. After some surprises with the first day of shooting, Hannah finds their young producer, Hunt dead. When the police determine that he has been poisoned, Hannah is determined to figure out who and why. Meanwhile, Chad is bringing to trial a jewelry thief suspected of multiple home invasions around Lake Eden. Chad even personally invites Hannah to his opening arguments in court which Hannah finds very interesting.

Norman is integral in helping Hannah work out who the killer is and maintains his position as best wingman ever for Hannah. Her mom is over the top, in her usual meddling, quirky way. I kind of wish she would pick a profession and stick with it like Aurora Teagarden's mom.

Overall an enjoyable entry in the Hannah Swensen Murder She Baked series. I am looking forward to more and I think cosy mystery fans will be entertained and pleased with this film.

I saw a lot of people complaining about "new" authors. In fact this episode was written bu Alison Sweeny herself so all complaints about not enough or different Hannah should be addressed to... Hannah herself.

Although I agree that her mother is annoying, meddling and completely irrelevant.

BTW, how many careers she had: boutique store owner, ditzy nobody, successful (sic!) author, PI, actress (if you can even call it that). Barbara Niven deserves better.

Actually, all the characters are over the top. And what Norman is still doing around. He supposedly has a girlfriend, practice. Why he doesn't have a life?

Another poorly written Hallmark mystery and as usual it's the script and dialog that are the problems. Barbara Niven's affected Dolores Swenson character is over the top and dumb, she's not funny. She played a similar snooty character in a holiday movie and her character was also dumb. Her character should be dropped or toned down.

And Hannah not Dolores is the lead and Hannah should be solving the crimes. I enjoyed the series more when Cameron Mathison played the detective, you don't need a DA. I don't know why Mathison left the series or if his character was written out. It's never been a great series, but it was less annoying in past movies.

Having read many poor reviews I braced myself for something truly terrible. Guess what - it was another decent instalment of Murder She Baked (cannot get used to new name).

I don't mind Chad, because I never really cared for Mike. Even though I still find it odd that he's doing more police work than actual police.

Alison took a trip to the Oz world and it works for the better.

Hannah's mother was her usual self, nothing over the top. New sister is still new to me and sticks like a sore thumb.

The real star is Norman (as usual). He's smart, cute, and not just Hannah's admirer. I'd watch a Dentist Mystery!

Still don't like Lake Eden turning into a big city, and Cookie Jar is almost as big as Starbucks now.

The case itself was OK. I've seen better, but still it was a solid 6-7. Thanks to Norman I'm giving it an 8.