Mystery 101: Killer Timing

Professor Amy Winslow (Jill Wagner) is meeting FBI agent Travis Burke (Kristoffer Polaha) for a restaurant dinner when a bomb hits. 33 hours earlier, Burke is in the Chicago FBI office getting ready to testify in a big case. The killer escapes and possibly out to get Burke. In the process, Amy meets his ex-wife and fellow agent Kate Coulson (Erin Cahill).

I actually really like this one. I like the ex. The pairing actually improves with the addition of the ex. I like the twists and turns of the case. I wouldn't mind if Cahill continues on with the franchise. I'm fully admitting that I'm grading on a curve here with Hallmark Mysteries. My expectation is low and this exceeds it.

Romance story 10 stars Murder mystery #1 6 stars Murder mystery #2 0 stars Unrelated Cliffhanger - really???

I love the story about Jill Wagner and Kristoffer Polaha. Great chemistry from veteran Hallmark actors. Throw in Travis' ex played by Erin Cahill and it's even better. (Cahill should get her own Signature Mystery, even if there are already too many of them. Maybe she'll be the third wheel in future episodes here.)

The crime drama is very messy. They throw so many pieces into that part, that you need luck figuring it out.

The first murder mystery itself has two parts which is fairly clear from early on. I thought the person who turns out to be guilty was suspicious looking, but I had no idea how that package would work out.

There was a foreshadowing of the second mystery also, and I did think something there was suspicious. But the motive????? Is this the most stupid murder motive ever? It's up there. Because it is so ridiculous, I can't imagine anyone guessing it before it was revealed, but if you did, good for you. The final attempt by this person was almost as stupid as the motive. In short, the climax of this movie was absolutely horrible.

For me, the mystery part of these series is just gravy, it's the relationships I watch for, so my overall score is not nearly as bad as it should be. But take out the double stupidity and this movie could easily have had an extra one or two stars from me.

Overall the movie was really good. Erin Cahill was a good addition. I was ready to give this movie a 10, but the handling of the Wolfman at the end was disappointing.

Okay, there are several things happening at the same time and it's kind of messy: Travis has to testify in Chicago for a case he was involved in and his ex-wife, Kate is there. Amy is offered to be head of a committee to select a new dean for the students. While getting together to have dinner, a house explodes, leaving Travis hurt. 3 different mysteries are woven together.

I think I have said this in every Mystery 101 review I have ever done but I just LOVE these movies. The most important thing for me is the story itself, and the most important element: the chemistry between Kristoffer and Jill. I don't care if things are accurate of not, specially the procedures and stuff, they are only a mild annoyance.

I love how flirty Amy and Travis are, they don't even pretend anymore. And I love the fact that Graham (Amy's dad) is their number one fan.

We have new characters! The first one was Maria Valdez, Travis new's partner. And Travis' ex wife, an FBI agent called Kate. I like her. When I first saw the trailer, I didn't know what to expect but i'm glad that she just was there to do her job and didn't have any intentions towards Travis. (It would have been a terrible cliche)

Amy fighting the bad guy in high heels? Unrealistic. Uncomfortable. Badass. There wasn't enough Bud in this one, I like him.

THE ENDING? I did NOT see that plot twist coming. (maybe I should have) I was pleasantly surprised. Also, the final moments of this one?W They came out of the blue but that means that we will definitely have a 7th movie and I'm SO HAPPY!

Pros: Great characters, high production quality for this type of movie, enjoyable relationship storylines.

Cons: Everything about the crimes, especially the ridiculous finale.

Overall: It's perfectly watchable, but I still want the writers to tighten up the mystery plot for the next one in this series. They could make a dozen of these, but we'll all enjoy them more if the crimes make a little more sense.