Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Something New

I am a huge fan of the Aurora Teagarden Mystery series on Hallmark and after seeing a trailer for this reboot of the series, I tuned in with some trepidation. I was really happy to see Marilu Henner back as Aurora's mom Aida...but that was all that was back. They even changed out all the sets in the fictional town Lawrenceton. The police station is new, Aida's home is new... the college campus is new. Everything is bigger, newer and sleeker...taking away that small town Washington feel. They didn't even show the stock footage with the waterfall from upstate New York they fans have grown to love.

Ok...so the sets are all new and the town is completely modern and different, what about the entire new cast?

Well, I was disappointed. I am going to start with the star, Skyler Samuels, who plays Aurora...she was definitely not Candace Cameron Bure. I didn't really feel that she embodied the character either. Her acting at times was campy and she didn't really connect with the fellow cast members. I understand she came from a Disney background and maybe that explains her overly bright and unrealistic approach to the character. Side note here.... the wardrobe was also very odd. This is supposed to be a prequel yet no attempt was made to have an older style of clothing or to keep the characters preferred colors or styles. Now on to the "new" Sally, who in the past has been the best friend to Aurora. She has been portrayed as a bit mousy or timid and unsure...she also is a reporter. Now the old her has a blog and is an amazing perfectionist party planner? It didn't really ring true to her character and the new actress Kayla Heller didn't seem to connect with Aurora on that best friend level in addition to coming across as far more bossy than Sally has been portrayed by the wonderful Lexa Doig (i would love to hear her thoughts on her character's personality change. The only returning character that I appreciated was the young Arthur, played by Evan Roderick. Although I am not sure the "just friends" rings true because I am fairly certain that they did date prior to his marriage to Lynn...in addition to being friends. I did think the character was played pretty closely to what I expected otherwise.

I do really like the actor Steve Bacic, I hope he will continue to be an excellent asset to this new series as Detective Cook.

The emphasis on library science was interesting...but I think unnecessary. Think the true crimes leaning is a better way to go (like the later series), but that is just my opinion.

And where is a younger version of our local librarian Lillian? Missed opportunity there.

The story follows Aurora who is home from college working at a diner and helping her best friend Sally with her wedding preparations, when Sally's fiancé disappears after an altercation with a mysterious stranger. When the stranger is found dead below the fiancé balcony, Aurora becomes concerned that Sally might be marrying a murderer...she and beat cop Arthur try to piece together who did it.

I have really enjoyed Hallmark's cosy mystery series with Aurora, Hannah Swensen and Mystery 101 being my favorites. I have always appreciated the large supporting cast that gave Aurora a small town community feel and I appreciated the writing. This taking the series back to a younger age I am finding a little disassociating. I am disappointed, but at the same time don't want to be discouraging. I know a lot of actors have left Hallmark...which is sad and may prevent some of my favorite series from ever continuing. But did they loose writers as well? If the writers are still there, I have hope because they have brought us some great material before and I am hoping they can do it again. This may need a fresh rewrite. Not a recommendation yet from me...but maybe in the future it will be? I hope.

So, to start - Aurora is younger and while the actress that plays her is probably a good actress, she is not what I think of when I think of a young Aurora. Original Aurora was played, perfectly, by Candace Cameron. The original Aurora was bubbly and cute with a cute little voice and when she was exploring a crime she had emotions both in her face and her actions/reactions. I have the same to say about the rest of the cast. Sally was ok, and to anyone who decided to bring weight into a review, that was not a factor and advise was not necessary or needed. The actress was over the top for Sally. Arthur was tall and now as a young man is average height. Now, out of all of the actor's on this particular Aurora, he is the best. The story itself was mediocre. It was like everybody was pretending to like their characters. The person involved in the plot was no surprise and honestly all of the character's had figured it out. No surprises. I feel like Hallmark is trying to get back in with those of us who loved the original mysteries. Those actor's are gone. The mistake has been made. However, if they want to try again with young Aurora, they need to get one that reminds us of the original character who actually had emotions.

I was disappointed in this new show. The actress playing Aurora was not my idea of a young Aurora. And the actress playing Sally was not anything like the real Sally. I was happy to see Marilu Henner back. I did like the actor who played the young Arthur and I do like Steve Bacci. If it doesn't get better I won't be watching. I noticed the town looks different and I miss the opening waterfall that was in the previous show. This was one of Hallmarks best series and I hope it will continue with maybe some adjustments so it will be a continued success. I hope with time the show will develop into the great show it was before.

I must began by saying that I really did like it. I do agree with another reviewer that they do need another Sally. She's a good actress but not tall enough. That makes a difference. Lexa Doig's daughter was good in the last Aurora Teagarden: Haunted by Murder. It was great to see Sally's aunt Gladys, Karen Kruper. She was a great addition. Also, seeing a young Arthur was also a treat. Marilu Henner was also a great touch, there was really no need to change her she looks young enough to be her mom. In summary it was a nice addition to the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries. I can't wait for more episodes in this series.

I love Aurora Teagarden. The Original. It was very original.

This version is completely miscast from all of the characters in the book.

CCB had so much appeal as Aurora. This young woman, who is a very lovely person, is just not Aurora. And Sally? Are you kidding us? Definitely not a step up. And don't even start on the love interest for Aurora. Arthur is just so different from how someone who watched the original would think.

I love that Marilu is back as Aurora's mother but she even looked confused by all these strange new characters.

There are so many different mystery stories they could turn into movies. Leave Aurora alone. Unless you can get CCB back.