Stars: 4 out of 5
Pros: Good mystery
Cons: Hallmark cheese
The Bottom Line:
A murder fan clubs
Stalked by a real murderer
Delightful puzzle
Murder Hits Really Close to Home
I don’t know that I’ve ever heard of a club of people who
meet to discuss real life murders, but that’s the premise of Real Murders, the second Aurora
Teagarden Mystery movie from Hallmark Movies and Mystery. The premise is executed perfectly, too, and
anyone who enjoys a light mystery will enjoy this one.
Aurora Teagarden (Candace Cameron Bure), Roe to her friends,
has long been a member of the Real Murders club, a group of true crime lovers
who meet to discuss the details of long ago famous cases. However, this particular night the meeting
never happens because one of the members has been found murdered. When Roe hears about it, she immediately
recognizes the similarities to the case they were planning to discuss that night.
The coincidence is too much for Roe, who is certain that
someone in the club is the killer.
However, when she and her mother Aida (Marilu Henner) are sent a box of
poisoned chocolates the next day, she realizes that the members of the club
might also be the next target. Can Roe
figure out the next target in time to stop the killer?
Okay, so the type of group might be original, but the basic
plot of a group being targeted by one of their own isn’t exactly new. Still, it is very expertly done, and I was
completely stumped on who the killer might be until Roe figured it out. There are several suspenseful scenes before
everything is wrapped up, and we get a laugh or two as well. I also liked the fact that the first murder
really impacts the group. Yes, I read
and watch a lot of murder mysteries for fun, but it is nice to see some real
emotion connected with the death upon occasion.
I actually watched the two films on back to back days, so I
was able to see how some characters and their relationships grew. I enjoyed that, especially since it meant Roe
was getting the recognition she deserved for figuring things out. On the other hand, I did notice some
strangeness since Roe seems to have not moved in to the house she got in the
first movie. Probably has something to
do with the fact that the books these movies were based on were published in a
different order than the movies are being made.
Don’t ask me why, but it’s a minor detail as far as I am concerned.
It might also explain why Roe has a different love interest
in this movie. While a brief mention is
made of things not working out with the minister from the first film, new love
interest Robin Daniels (Robin Dunne) gets plenty of screen time since he is a
mystery writer who plays a big part in helping solve these murders.
I do have to issue the standard disclaimer. This is a Hallmark original movie, and there
is a certain amount of cheese to be found here both in the dialogue and the
acting. Keep that in mind, and you’ll be
fine.
The movie is based on a book originally written by Charlene
Harris. If you are paying attention,
some of her books get a pretty prominent display at one point in the movie, but
you do have to be watching for it.
This movie won’t be for everyone, but those who enjoy light
mysteries will certainly enjoy Real Murders. It’s a twisting mystery
that will keep you engaged until the end.
I didn't like that they made the movies out of order and then tried to have the continuity make sense either. I'll have to watch for Harris' books! Now I'm betting that they might show up in the other Roe movies. Harris might have made it a condition.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if Harris made it a condition, or it was a fun nod since the scene was in a library. I saw some displays of other best selling authors in other scenes.
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