Unwinding with Hallmark TV Mysteries: Four Favorites
Our website is supported by you, our readers. We sometimes earn a commission when you click through the affiliate links on our website. We appreciate your support.
By Lida Sideris
The pandemic resulted in lifestyle changes for some of us, including me. One such change occurred in the type of television mysteries I watch. In the past, I’ve favored a variety of shows, everything from Midsomer Murders to Only Murders in the Building. Now, it’s Hallmark Mysteries. Why? I’ve found most of them to be perfectly enjoyable tonics for sleep. Here’s a sampling of the Hallmark mysteries on my viewing list:
1) Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, based on the books written by Charlaine Harris, feature intrepid and clever librarian, Aurora Teagarden. Fearless “Ro” has a keen mind for murder. Every episode revolves around a “Real Murder Club” meeting where members study a true crime, which leads to solving a real crime in their small town. Ro gets help from her best friend, kooky journalist Sally, and a slew of dedicated Club members that includes Ro’s ex-boyfriend, Arthur, now a police detective. Arthur’s married to the police chief who doesn’t take kindly to Ro’s meddling, or to Ro’s former relationship with Arthur. Add to the mix, Marilu Henner playing Ro’s proper and upstanding mother (Ms. Henner makes any Hallmark movie shine), beautiful scenery, well-appointed homes, and, suddenly, solving a murder can actually be a pleasant experience. I read a few of the books after watching the show and was surprised to find them darker and edgier than the TV series.
2) The Hannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanna Fluke provide the fodder for this series revolving around a talented baker, an amateur sleuth, who stumbles upon dead body after dead body in her small town. The dynamics between Hannah, her spunky sister, and their matchmaking mother provides comic relief in between Hannah’s case-cracking. To shake things up, two men are vying for her attention: New arrival, homicide detective Mike and good-natured dentist Norman, whose egos always take a back seat to Hannah’s expertise at crime-solving. Then there’s the wide array of delicious desserts. I’m inspired after each episode to bake whatever Hannah’s showcasing, be it double chocolate chip cookies or a lemon meringue pie. In fact, just thinking about it makes me want to bake right now.
3) Morning Show Mysteries, based on the Billy Blessing novels by Al Roker, stars an African American chef and restaurant owner with her own, regular segment on a TV morning show. Billie (Hallmark opts for a gender flip in the lead role) is a cool headed, top-rated anchor. Sounds simple, right? Not when she’s framed for murder, or when a dead body turns up in the trunk of a guest’s car or…well, you get my drift. Billie soon discovers a new set of skills as an amateur sleuth. Once again, there’s a police detective slash potential love interest, just to keep things interesting. I’ve only recently discovered this series and plan to watch more.
4) Gourmet Detective Mysteries , based on the series by Peter King, slightly alter the usual Hallmark formula. This delicious mystery trades in the small-town scenario for San Francisco where gourmet chef and food industry insider Henry Ross lends his know-how to police investigations. He readily falls into the role of amateur sleuth when he teams up with tough, no-nonsense homicide detective Maggie Price to investigate murders in the culinary scene. Witty banter lightens up the dark topic and helps keep the pace moving. How Maggie (and all the Hallmark heroines) run in high heels while maintaining perfect coiffures is a mystery to me.
There you have it: my bedtime recipe for comfort food for the mind. What do you watch when you’re looking for comfort food for the mind? I’d love to know.
Photo by Phillip Goldsberry on Unsplash