Jack Vasen I don't know why most of these amateur detectives have to put their lives in danger to the point where they almost walk up to the bad guy and say shoot me.Other than that, this isn't a bad story. The characters are appealing and the acting about what you'd expect but passable. And if she could pass you some of what she bakes through the screen, this would be a ten.The idea that Hannah knows everyone and they will talk to her is not that hard to believe. Add to that the fact she is very intuitive and has an eye for detail. But she needs to think about her safety and use at least a little common sense.

bkoganbing This first Murder She Baked mystery finds Alison Sweeney delivering baked goods and solving her first mystery. Her fictional town of Eden Lake, Minnesota is on its way to being the Cabot Cove of the old Northwest Territory.This murder literally arrives at her bakery, it's her delivery truck driver who parks in the rear of her shop and then doesn't come in. Sweeney goes out and finds him in the driver's seat with a bullet in him quite dead.Her brother-in-law Toby Levins is one of the officers of the local police department, but they get a homicide cop played by Cameron Mattison from Minneapolis. He and the newly arrived dentist in town Gabriel Hogan kind of square off for Sweeney.The way it always develops whoever is the law enforcement figure is resentful of the amateur horning in. But after awhile they kind of go with the flow, especially if a romantic situation might be developing. No different in Eden Lake.When a second murder occurs that of the local dairy owner you always assume a connection. There's no shortage of suspects for this guy who doubled in loan sharking. All I'll say is the connection is tenuous and coincidental. The murderer turns out to be one ruthless individual.The Chocolate Chip Mystery is nicely baked, right out of the oven.

conniecam-25667 I like the series very much. Each episode reminds me a little of Jane Austen's novels in terms of the some of the characters and plots. For example, Hannah's mother conjures up Emma and her over-the-top neurotic Romanticism. There is a Pride and Prejudice sexual tension thing going on between Mike and Hannah. Mike is also haunted somewhat by a previous relationship, just as is Edward Ferrer in Sense and Sensibility. And Hannah's mother reminds me of the ditzy Mrs. Bennett in P&P and her inability to completely accept her daughter as-is. I also like the way Hannah and Andrea are close, as are Elizabeth and Jane in P&P. It's a kind of survival mechanism against their mother's pushiness. And Hannah's involvement in murder and mystery tracks with the morbid curiosity of Catherine, the heroine in Northanger Abbey. Just some thoughts for any JA fans out there...!

pensman Well I guess Hallmark has committed to at least one more "movie" in the Fluke series. I enjoy the books as they are an easy read but the main character, Hannah Swensen, is not Alison Sweeney. Not by a long shot. Hannah is tad dumpy and somewhat acerbic; in this version she is sweet beyond saccharine. I guess some authors like seeing their work in another media and are willing to allow some latitude in altering their creation. As for this film, it's OK. I don't believe I liked it enough to watch a follow up. It wasn't that difficult to figure out who did it and why; but the stupidity of the Hannah character was too much to take. Barbara Niven was typical as the mom, Delores Swensen, concerned that her daughter is still single and is desperate to see her married off. But overall, the story felt rushed. The back story regarding the murder victim is too brief and the other characters are just stereotypes off the cozy rack. Just not enough here to make me a fan or even curious to see where they might be going. If you want a series then spend some time in film one to identify all the players, the setting, and create a character you want to know better. Not done in this presentation.