Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery – Review

Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Hannah and Lisa show Daryl cookies for Lake Eden’s masquerade ball. Daryl is the new manager of the hotel, and his boss, Kurt, expects everything to be perfect. He looks through Hannah’s ideas. He loves them while adding some treats to the list. Hannah asks to see the hotel’s kitchen before the party so they can survey the equipment. Daryl agrees. Later, Hannah arrives at the hotel with a box of cookies for the concierge, Bobby. He reminds Hannah that the staff is under a lot of pressure. Bobby introduces Hannah to Brandi, who shows Hannah the kitchen. Brandi assures Hannah that the team will finish serving the hot food so she can have the kitchen to herself. As Hannah gets to know the layout, Kurt arrives to shake her hand. He admires the work she does at her bakery. Then, Kurt’s wife, Cheryl, joins him with a snide comment to match her stylish walk. They leave after complimenting Hannah’s sugar cookies. 

Hannah and Chad arrive in the costumes that Hannah’s mother, Delores, bought for them. Delores arrives with Sheriff Ron proudly on her arm. Hannah and Lisa go back and forth between the party and the kitchen. Hannah introduces Delores to Kurt and Cheryl. Cheryl remains cold while Kurt is inviting. As Hannah and Lisa prep the cookies for the oven, Hannah sees Bobby and Brandi arguing in the corner. Brandi jots notes in her pad before asking a question. Kurt passed over Brandi for a promotion after she dedicated 8 years to his hotel. She wants to be assertive and contribute more ideas. She asks how easy it will be to change the kitchen into a breakfast bakery. They believe it can be done with minor changes. They suggest making it a pass-through for to-go customers, too. Brandi loves their input and writes it down. 

Hannah’s timer sounds, and she runs to the kitchen with Lisa. Before they reach it, they hear a loud thud coming from an office. They enter the office and find Bobbi with a knife in her back. Hannah rushes to alert Ron and Chad. They survey the area, take pictures, and lock down the room. They summarize that the killer murdered Bobbi and waited to ensure she was dead. When they heard Hannah knocking at the door, they ran away. However, the 2nd exit leads to the kitchen. So the culprit is still at the party. They tell Lisa to act normally and serve the guests. Then, they instruct Hannah to find Kurt and quietly alert him to the situation. Kurt arrives at the office and admits he’s using it while his is being renovated. During their interrogation, Hannah notices that he doesn’t ask who passed. Hannah, Ron, and Chad must keep everyone at the party. Can they unmask the murderer before they kill again?

Based on ‘Sugar Cookie Murder’ by Joanne Fluke, this mystery expands on the private lives of the Swensen women while captivating the audience (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The writer had Hannah work the party while investigating a crime. And for the first time, Lisa is there for the hard part. This installment helps Hannah make an impression on the sheriff while embarrassing her mother. The jokes are sharp while the clues are subtle. Fans will miss the biggest clue until the big reveal. While Hallmarkies don’t get a monologue, they receive a hit to the face and a classic murder board. Hannah Swensen films can only be compared to others. But this installment of the classic series will be at the top. The dialogue, costumes, and mystery are first-rate.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars

Never been here for this part before – Lisa

I want fabulous without the risk to my new carpets – Daryl

The Swensen women shall do no less – Delores

You put her up to this, didn’t you – Hannah

You hear that – Chad

I like your costume – Cheryl

You’re right about that – Brandi

Of course, they did – Kurt

I’m sure she didnt mean to – Ron

Like mother said, trust but verify – Michelle

We’re all going to miss Brandi – Bobby

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A Mother-in-Law’s Obsession – Review

A Mother-in-Law’s Obsession – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes

After a C-section, Stephanie eases into motherhood with her husband, James, and their son, Andrew. She assures James she is okay before he runs an errand. Minutes later, the police tell her that James passed away. Newly widowed, Stephanie watches the bills mount. She only has her best friend, Ally, to talk to about it. Stephanie tells Ally that she got a foreclosure notice in the mail. Stephanie wants to work but has difficulties re-entering the workforce after having a baby. Ally promises to help in any way. Later, a realtor named Sheila knocks on Stephanie’s door. Stephanie slams the door in her face. When Stephanie hears another knock at the door, she answers it with a head full of rage. However, it’s an older woman, Katherine. Stephanie apologizes as Katherine introduces herself. She’s James’s mother. Stephanie assumed that James’s parents had died because he spoke of them in the past tense. Katherine explains that they had a falling-out, but she wants to reconnect with James’s only child. Stephanie welcomes Katherine into her home, and she quickly becomes a godsend. However, Katherine is evil. Will Stephanie save her family before Katherine takes everything?

Katherine is a fun and entertaining villain. She will kill others and hurt herself to reach her goal. Viewers will think her body count is low, but stay tuned. It gets higher when the writers add her backstory. She didn’t become crazy; she was born that way. Stephanie marvels at the assistance while Ally sees through Katherine’s fake smile. She asks the questions the audience does. One scene will stand out in your mind as the director made expert-level edits. As Stephanie slowly walks toward the house. Someone rushes to exit because they are fighting for their life. Just as the person makes it to the front door, Stephanie turns around because she left something in the trunk. She casually strolls back as the victim is forced away from the door. Finally, as the victim struggles to survive, Stephanie’s trunk beeps as it slowly rises. The juxtaposition is a master class that makes the viewer either rage or laugh. This film isn’t a classic, but it’s compelling and complex.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

Andy has the best mom, and you got me – Ally

Obstacles are just opportunities we don’t recognize yet – Katherine

She’s family – Stephanie

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Murder at Highland Manor – Review

Murder at Highland Manor – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Kate leaves her teaching job in the United States for a fresh start. She moves to Scotland to tutor Hannah. Kate arrives on the property and meets Hannah’s mother, Annie. Before taking Kate to the stables, Annie takes Kate around the property. Kate meets Hannah and Hannah’s horse, Victory. However, Annie states that the horse isn’t Hannah’s because she plans to sell it. Hannah leaves the stable in a huff. Later, Annie shows Kate the CCTV system, but swears the property is safe. At night, the alarm goes off, and they can’t find Hannah. They search the grounds and discover her in the stable. Hannah feared someone was trying to steal Victory. During the confusion, Kate meets Fraser, the stablehand.

During Hannah’s first session, Kate sees a drawing of a young woman. Hannah says it’s her first tutor, Olivia. Olivia left without warning. Kate asks Annie about Olivia, and she sighs. She didn’t tell Hannah the truth. Hannah drowned at a nearby lake. Annie kept her distance from the story. She doesn’t want to attract attention because she is hiding from her ex-husband, Dan. As Kate looks into Olivia’s death, she discovers that the family is hiding a dark secret. But they aren’t the only ones. Can Kate uncover the truth without revealing her secrets?

This mystery attempts to entice the viewer by slowly revealing truths about Kate as she unveils the clues about Olivia’s death. The writers made Kate’s secrets more compelling than the family’s lies. The pacing drags in the middle as Kate strolls the property, woods, and riverside. Also, the secondary storyline adds little to the overall plot. The final fight scene is entertaining, but it can’t overcome the lackluster narrative. Viewers should watch this film if they have time to kill, but don’t waste space on your DVR for it.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars

You don’t have to pretend with me – Annie

You must be the fresh meat – Fraser

Are you asking or telling me – Kate

She was my last tutor. She left – Hannah

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Romance at Hope Ranch – Review

Romance at Hope Ranch – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Hope excitedly calls Lori with an update. Hope dropped her daughter, Maggie, off at college and bought Hope Ranch. The town is ecstatic because Hope will bring back the Giddy Up Gala. Hope has fond memories of the ranch from her childhood. Now, she can’t wait to revive them. Lori congratulates Hope before ending the call. She didn’t want Hope to hear that her big brother, Jack, entered her coffee shop. Hope and Jack dated twice, and he broke her heart each time. Jack bought a feed-and-tackle shop near Hope Ranch with the dream of getting back with Hope.

Hope works her ranch when Tom visits. He owns the property down the road and offers to help when she needs it. She shows him a bag of feed because she doesn’t think it’s right for her horses. He agrees with her and tells her to go to the local shop. He warns her that the new owner isn’t much of a cowboy. Hope chuckles as Tom leaves, but her smile changes when Inspector Dave arrives. Dave alerts Hope that the barn is up to code. However, her house and stables aren’t. Hope planned to turn the home into an inn for gala guests. Dave plans to return the morning of the gala to inspect the property. If it’s not ready, he will stop the gala before it starts.

Hope goes to the feed store to look for horse feed. She hears a familiar voice at the cash register. She can’t believe it’s Jack. At first, she hides, but comes out of the shadows to confront him. He offers to help, but she shoots him down. She’s fine doing the work by herself, but it gets harder daily. If she doesn’t make the repairs by the gala, she will disappoint the town. Jack sees her spiralling and makes a secret promise to extend a helping hand. He wants Hope back and will prove that he has changed. Will love prevail before Hope crumbles under pressure?

This movie follows the Hallmark format of exes working together to restore a town’s tradition. However, the writers gave Hope a realistic component. She tells Maggie to seek help at school, but refuses to do it herself. Her friends, family, and neighbors have to beg to help her. This characteristic will help viewers identify with the lead. And let’s not forget the star of the show: the chicken. This animal is a show unto itself. With a few clucks, the chicken steals the show. While the plot is standard, the story is personable and funny.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

I made a plan, I am totally prepared – Hope

One way or another – Lori

She wants a trilogy – Jack

Keep that chicken in line – Dave

Well, you’re about to learn – Tom

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