Deadly Deed: A Fixer Upper Mystery

7/10 - not as good as the others, but still worth watching again

I've given up on a lot of the Hallmark Mystery movie series especially Aurora Teagarden because all of the amateur detectives do ridiculous things and practically ask to get killed. In the few Fixer Upper Mysteries, at least Shannon has exercised some common sense despite her father's worry. Jewel just appeals to me and it's not for inappropriate reasons.

The plot isn't great, but there is a bit of mystery. I guessed the killer early but only because that person looked guilty. There were some decent misdirects.

The enjoyable part of this series is Colin Ferguson and Jewel. For me they connect and I'm rooting for them.

But overall the acting isn't great. Seems like Lilah Fitzgerald has enough experience to look a little more casual and not overdo her facial expressions. Several others are a little subpar also.

I like the interaction between Shannon Hughes (Jewel Kilcher) and her temporary boarder/boyfriend Mac Sullivan (Colin Ferguson) who has partnered with Shannon in solving the mystery murder of the grumpy old banker. I thought the number of potential suspects who murdered the banker were meant to confuse the audience and the writers certainly accomplished this task if this was their intent.

As far as mysteries go, this episode was much weaker than the two prior franchise films. The attempt at trying to maintain suspense with the background music was simply irritating and I found the music was the audience's warning to ignore what happens next because as the music continued nothing ever happened.

Jewel and actor Colin Ferguson did their best working with a very weak script. My message to the writers....if you want us the audience to keep watching we deserve less putrid background suspense music and more of an in depth mystery plot. Don't be so lazy the next time you writers.

I give the film a 6 out of 10 for the good on screen chemistry between Jewel and Colin Ferguson. The writing needs to improve a lot!

It's the small town of Lighthouse Cove. A mansion is being renovated by community volunteers led by Shannon Hughes (Jewel). The apartments are to be occupied by struggling families with donations saving it from demolition by the bank. When the banker is founded murdered inside, Shannon and reporter Mac Sullivan (Colin Ferguson) have to solve it before the demolition begins.

It's a Hallmark mystery. Even considering that, this needs more. The lead pairing needs some more chemistry. The mystery needs to be more compelling. There needs to be some sense of danger. This strikes me as falling a little flat. It's a borderline case but I have to leave this marginally under the line.

I've really enjoyed these movies. I like the background of restoring homes, and even more so done by a strong, knowledgeable female contractor. Girl power! I love the chemistry between the two main characters as well.