Kim Heniadis
I've watched three different Hallmark mystery series recently, and Aurora Teagarden is the one I've enjoyed the most. And it's mainly because of the main character, who is adorable, and I think fits this part perfectly. You may remember her as D.J. Tanner from Full House, or have recently seen her on Fuller House. I also feel as if the mysteries themselves are a bit deeper than the other series, with more twists and turns.Another reason why I enjoyed this movie so much is that she's a librarian, is part of a True Murders book club, and solves mysteries. All three of those are things that appeal to me. If I could choose a book character's life, hers would be very high on my list.One thing that amused me greatly is the cameo of Charlaine Harris's books in a library scene during the movie. Charlaine Harris is the author of the Aurora Teagarden mysteries, and it was actually her first series, long before Sookie Stackhouse (aka True Blood) or her Midnight, Texas Trilogy.If you enjoy reading Cozies, or like watching mysteries without blood or gore, you should definitely check this one out.
sherryminou07
I've noticed an influx of so called "Cozy Mysteries" in print, being churned out by the dozens. They all have one thing in common....they all work by a formula and don't need much imagination to figure things out.I've read that this one is based on such a book series.While the actresses and actors are decent enough and somewhat funny, it's way too predictable. Heroine gets involved in a mystery (usually a murder), and seems to have a knack to getting herself into trouble, usually with the real killer and the law. While traipsing thru the evidence, which the police obviously overlook, she gets the bad guy. End of story.The scenery is gorgeous, the actors are all attractive but the movie lacks depth. It also lacks a real identity. Since this is on the Hallmark Channel, I don't expect great drama, but they have made better mysteries based on books.I love mysteries and read them all the time. I also watch them. This one is just too lightweight for me. Someone wrote that there's just too much "cute" in this movie. I have to agree. It's also annoying that the heroine, Aurora, doesn't give a second thought that this was a real person who was murdered. And the skull of a real person she carries around.
utgard14
Librarian and amateur sleuth Aurora Teagarden's elderly friend dies and leaves Aurora her house. After a break-in, Aurora starts poking around the old house and discovers the skull of a murder victim. She begins investigating the crime but this puts her at odds with the police, including the detective assigned to the case -- who just happens to be the pregnant wife of Aurora's ex-boyfriend.This is based on a book from a series written by Charlaine Harris, the author of the books True Blood is based off of. Don't worry (or get your hopes up?), this is nothing like True Blood. Haven't read the books so I can't compare but this is a light, upbeat mystery with some humor and even a hint of (completely sexless) romance with a minister. It's Candace Cameron Bure and Hallmark. You didn't expect Hannibal Lecter to show up, did you? A cop pointing a gun at someone says "get your dang hands in the air." So yeah, I think it's safe to call this 'family friendly.'Candace is likable and pretty as usual. The rest of the cast is good. Fairly typical for TV movies -- mostly little-known Canadian actors with a couple of recognizable standouts (TV vet Marilu Henner and the lovely Lexa Doig). Henner is enjoyable as the mom meddling in her daughter's love life and Doig is fun as the sidekick who gets most of the good lines. The scenes between Candace and Lexa are the movie's highlights. Altogether it's a fun movie. Nothing challenging but entertaining. I imagine fans of the books will be more critical than those like me who aren't familiar with the source material. If you're a fan of the kinds of movies Candace makes, you'll most likely enjoy this.
boblipton
Candace Cameron Bure, a librarian with a taste for true mysteries, inherits a house. Some one breaks into the house. This leads her to a hidden skull with blunt force trauma in what promises to be the first in a Hallmark Channel series.It's based on Charlaine Harris' Aurora Teagarden series and is of the "Cozy Murder" variety of mystery. I am familiar with Ms. Harris through reading a couple of her Sookie Stackhouse series, which combines murder, vampires and Southern Gothic, and are cleverly written. Miss Bure is a charming actress, able to play an intelligent ditz; and although this particular movie seems to be mostly concerned with setting up the characters and relationships for future, the mystery story is well set up and executed. I look forward to future efforts, this latest Hallmark Channel mystery series bids fair to be a pleasing one.
AD
