This has been one of my favorite Hallmark franchises because of the great chemistry between Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison. It just doesn't feel the same without him since he made the decision to defect to Great American Family. It seems like they've brought Victor Webster in as a possible new love interest for Hannah, but his character comes across as too stuffy and inflexible, and there's just no chemistry to give any potential romantic vibes. The story was interesting and it was nice to see Norman back as Hannah's sidekick, but the loss of Mike's character leaves a huge hole that I'm not sure can be filled.
13 Reviews
Hannah is back...teaching, running the bakery and solving a murder and I just can't get enough.
cgvsluis7 April 2024
Hannah Swensen Mysteries has consistently been one of my three favorite mysteries on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, along with Aurora Teagarden (the Candace Cameron Bure version) and Mystery 101. This entry has Hannah teaching a baking class at the local community college where she collaborates with literature professor Bradford Ramsey...who not only seems enamored with Hannah, but ends up dead quite literally stabbed in the back with one of Hannah's own knives. This unfortunately puts Hannah on the suspect list.
This entry introduces us to Lake Eden's own all business "I don't have a sweet tooth" county prosecuting attorney, Chad Norton (played by the suave Victor Webster). Most of the cast favorites have returned like Hannah's beloved mom who is played so delightfully by Barbara Niven and our favorite partner-in-crime and local dentist Norman (played by the consistently wonderful Gabriel Hogan). There were some noticeable absences like Hannah's brother in law police officer Bill, but probably more noticeable is Hannah's fiancé the beloved detective Mike, who has been played from the very first film by Cameron Mathison. The story was given that Mike went to Quantico to join the FBI? I am really sad to see Cameron Mathison go, as I really like him as an actor and thought he and Alison Sweeney had amazing chemistry together. On a side note I did enjoy Alison Sweeney and Victor Webster in the Wedding Veil series of movies, they were well matched and it will be interesting to see what develops here.
The series is based on the cosy mysteries written by Joanne Fluke, but this film was actually written by Alison Sweeney herself. The mystery was decent, but what really keeps this amongst my favorites...if not my favorite, is the camaraderie amongst the cast being lead by Alison Sweeney herself. Barbara Niven is not only lovely, but lends so much great comedy to this series. This entry has Delores deciding to be an private investigator...think big hats, sun glasses and trench coats.
Highly recommend this fun mystery series to all the cosy mystery fans out there.
This entry introduces us to Lake Eden's own all business "I don't have a sweet tooth" county prosecuting attorney, Chad Norton (played by the suave Victor Webster). Most of the cast favorites have returned like Hannah's beloved mom who is played so delightfully by Barbara Niven and our favorite partner-in-crime and local dentist Norman (played by the consistently wonderful Gabriel Hogan). There were some noticeable absences like Hannah's brother in law police officer Bill, but probably more noticeable is Hannah's fiancé the beloved detective Mike, who has been played from the very first film by Cameron Mathison. The story was given that Mike went to Quantico to join the FBI? I am really sad to see Cameron Mathison go, as I really like him as an actor and thought he and Alison Sweeney had amazing chemistry together. On a side note I did enjoy Alison Sweeney and Victor Webster in the Wedding Veil series of movies, they were well matched and it will be interesting to see what develops here.
The series is based on the cosy mysteries written by Joanne Fluke, but this film was actually written by Alison Sweeney herself. The mystery was decent, but what really keeps this amongst my favorites...if not my favorite, is the camaraderie amongst the cast being lead by Alison Sweeney herself. Barbara Niven is not only lovely, but lends so much great comedy to this series. This entry has Delores deciding to be an private investigator...think big hats, sun glasses and trench coats.
Highly recommend this fun mystery series to all the cosy mystery fans out there.
Actually a good one
fridaynight-120 April 2024
I actually enjoyed this film. The mystery was quite alright. The characters were enjoyable.
The setting - not so much. The college was too cheesy and fake even for Hallmark.
I know I'm probably the only one, but I didn't miss Mike. Never were a fan of his, he was OK, but nothing more.
Don't mind the new DA, he's quite something. Not sure if I see him as Hannah's boyfriend though. I'd rather watch Delores flirting with him. Don't understand why he was the one to go looking for Hannah with the cop though. He was doing a lot of things that DAs don't really do... Loved Norman being part of a sleuthing team and a proper hero. Not just a dorky admirer.
What I didn't like: still not a fan of Eden Lake being a big city, because it sure looks like one now. And don't understand why we still need another sister when Andrea comes so often (thank God!!!). Bring her husband too!
Hannah looked weird in first scenes, like she did something to her face. Maybe the lighting. Same about Andrea.
Good film anyway.
The setting - not so much. The college was too cheesy and fake even for Hallmark.
I know I'm probably the only one, but I didn't miss Mike. Never were a fan of his, he was OK, but nothing more.
Don't mind the new DA, he's quite something. Not sure if I see him as Hannah's boyfriend though. I'd rather watch Delores flirting with him. Don't understand why he was the one to go looking for Hannah with the cop though. He was doing a lot of things that DAs don't really do... Loved Norman being part of a sleuthing team and a proper hero. Not just a dorky admirer.
What I didn't like: still not a fan of Eden Lake being a big city, because it sure looks like one now. And don't understand why we still need another sister when Andrea comes so often (thank God!!!). Bring her husband too!
Hannah looked weird in first scenes, like she did something to her face. Maybe the lighting. Same about Andrea.
Good film anyway.
Fun mystery! More Norman please!
jenishome6 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Watched One Bad Apple today and loving Norman the most. He's brought the best comedic moments to the show, probably from the actor's Tacoma FD days!
Hannah's mom was also silly and made me smile when seeing her in her P. I. outfit. Lots of characters to keep me interested. Maybe because I like to cook, but I also enjoy the baking time in the kitchen here and there.
Fun mystery, nice setting, clean, and good story. Doesn't take itself to seriously as there are plenty of 'yeah right' moments such as available single, good catch men that I don't recall from my single days. Or everyone is pretty stylish which I always notice. Good afternoon movie!
Hannah's mom was also silly and made me smile when seeing her in her P. I. outfit. Lots of characters to keep me interested. Maybe because I like to cook, but I also enjoy the baking time in the kitchen here and there.
Fun mystery, nice setting, clean, and good story. Doesn't take itself to seriously as there are plenty of 'yeah right' moments such as available single, good catch men that I don't recall from my single days. Or everyone is pretty stylish which I always notice. Good afternoon movie!
The new edition to Hannah Swenson Mysteries
dentramel10 April 2024
I love the Hannah Swenson mysteries. One of my favorites. I really would love to see Hannah and Mike get back together, however I do love the new prosecutor him and Hannah have been in other movies and they're chemistry is heartwarming and I would love to see them together if Mike never returns to the show. Norman and Hannah are more suited as friends only. I love the fact that you all are bringing her mom in as an investigator. It adds humor to the show.. I also love the way you all bring in her baking and she speaks on the baking and relates it to real life situations. The show is just awesome. All the characters are loved dearly.
Who's driving this bus? Because it's headed over a cliff.
bauermej7 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
In no particular order...
Cameron Mathison now works for another network and is no longer available, so his character, Mike, is just gone. This created a big plot hole that wasn't covered very well. He just left? C'mon, couldn't he have at least been kidnapped by aliens or something more believable?
Norman steps up in Mike's absence, for all the good it does because Hannah runs around like there's nothing new to see here. Everyone else just looks at her like she's a dunce. So Hannah is observant enough to solve the murder but not bright enough to see Norman's renewed romantic interest?
Doris, played by Barbara Niven, just keeps getting weirder with every episode. Now she's a private investigator complete with black hat and sunglasses? I assume she'll complete a correspondence course before the next episode and become Lake Eden's newest plumber or electrician. If there was a silver lining to Mike leaving it was that at least he didn't have to see that.
Both of Hannah's sisters come and go in this episode but contribute next to nothing.
It's a typical Hallmark Mystery. The victim is stabbed in the torso with Hannah's knife. He hardly bleeds and although Hannah discovers the body, she somehow doesn't recognize her own knife. This episode was written by Alison Sweeney so Hannah wasn't about to get in too much trouble, but there were to many holes in this story.
Juliana Wimbles reprises Lisa, Hannah's partner at The Cookie Jar. Once again Lisa runs the store and bakes up a storm while Hannah runs all over town. Wimbles deserves to have her role expanded.
Victor Webster is the new DA in town so he has to be predictably difficult to everyone until the murder is solved. Not sure where his character is going to go if this continues.
In the end, I wanted this episode to be better than the last two and that didn't happen.
Cameron Mathison now works for another network and is no longer available, so his character, Mike, is just gone. This created a big plot hole that wasn't covered very well. He just left? C'mon, couldn't he have at least been kidnapped by aliens or something more believable?
Norman steps up in Mike's absence, for all the good it does because Hannah runs around like there's nothing new to see here. Everyone else just looks at her like she's a dunce. So Hannah is observant enough to solve the murder but not bright enough to see Norman's renewed romantic interest?
Doris, played by Barbara Niven, just keeps getting weirder with every episode. Now she's a private investigator complete with black hat and sunglasses? I assume she'll complete a correspondence course before the next episode and become Lake Eden's newest plumber or electrician. If there was a silver lining to Mike leaving it was that at least he didn't have to see that.
Both of Hannah's sisters come and go in this episode but contribute next to nothing.
It's a typical Hallmark Mystery. The victim is stabbed in the torso with Hannah's knife. He hardly bleeds and although Hannah discovers the body, she somehow doesn't recognize her own knife. This episode was written by Alison Sweeney so Hannah wasn't about to get in too much trouble, but there were to many holes in this story.
Juliana Wimbles reprises Lisa, Hannah's partner at The Cookie Jar. Once again Lisa runs the store and bakes up a storm while Hannah runs all over town. Wimbles deserves to have her role expanded.
Victor Webster is the new DA in town so he has to be predictably difficult to everyone until the murder is solved. Not sure where his character is going to go if this continues.
In the end, I wanted this episode to be better than the last two and that didn't happen.
Fun New Beginnings!
calvertsl10 April 2024
The new Hannah Swensen movie- One Bad Apple- featured a returning cast with Hannah featuring her sparkling baker mystery solving prowess! I especially loved Delores as a sleuth who ran around in Where in the World Is Carmen San Diego clothing- fun hats and trench rain coats. Barbara Niven sparkled in that role! Her sisters remain in the cast as does Norman the dentist. But Mike is gone- off to FBI school. He's gone but not forgotten. There is a new guy or two in town, one of whom is murdered. Alison Sweeney was so much fun as Hannah, adding just the right mixture of fun, excitement, and yummy cookies 🍪 🍪 🍪! Much improved story line over the last two plots- a must see for all fans of the series!
A Major League Disappointment
nurselibby9 April 2024
It's amazing how losing a major costar in a movie series can have a huge impact on the next film. With Cameron Mathison's exit, the entire movie fell flat.
I've read Joanne Fluke's all Hannah Swensen mystery novels and watched the Hallmark movies multiple times. But this one is just plain awful. I was tempted to delete it halfway through.
Mike Kingston is a pivotal character. Without him as the lead detective with the Eden Lake sheriff's department, there's no one to play off Hannah's parallel murder investigations. The chemistry between them was what made the movies work.
The DA Chad couldn't replace Mike. He was annoying and added nothing., Lonnie isn't a strong enough character to carry it off. By himself. Having the sheriff involved would have been a better alternative.. DA Chad didn't belong rescuing Hannah from the killer at the end of the movie with Lonnie. That is not a DA's job.
I missed Hannah and Lisa's scenes in the Cooke Jar interacting with the coffee clatch ladies. Very little time was spent in the bakery which was a shame. So many of her best ideas come to her while she's baking.
Delores becoming a private investigator while wearing a black hat and trench coat is silly. She called too much attention to herself in that getup.
It was nice to see Norman Rhodes again, but his appearance wasn't enough.to rescue this terrible movie.
I've read Joanne Fluke's all Hannah Swensen mystery novels and watched the Hallmark movies multiple times. But this one is just plain awful. I was tempted to delete it halfway through.
Mike Kingston is a pivotal character. Without him as the lead detective with the Eden Lake sheriff's department, there's no one to play off Hannah's parallel murder investigations. The chemistry between them was what made the movies work.
The DA Chad couldn't replace Mike. He was annoying and added nothing., Lonnie isn't a strong enough character to carry it off. By himself. Having the sheriff involved would have been a better alternative.. DA Chad didn't belong rescuing Hannah from the killer at the end of the movie with Lonnie. That is not a DA's job.
I missed Hannah and Lisa's scenes in the Cooke Jar interacting with the coffee clatch ladies. Very little time was spent in the bakery which was a shame. So many of her best ideas come to her while she's baking.
Delores becoming a private investigator while wearing a black hat and trench coat is silly. She called too much attention to herself in that getup.
It was nice to see Norman Rhodes again, but his appearance wasn't enough.to rescue this terrible movie.
Chad & Hannah & Norman Coming. I am for it.
rosegardendn25 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
First of all loving the addition of Victor as Chad. I loved that Norman stayed cool under pressure and saved quick thinking Hannah. Great job Gabriel. Hannah doesn't even realize yet Norman still into her. He such gentleman. Hannah needs time to get over Mike. I am loving the push and pull of Hannah and Chad. Thank you Ali Loved this one, great writing. I am patiently waiting for more. I am totally Team Hannah and Chad but Hannah have fun with Norman is OK too. Until she sorts out feelings for Mike and Norman and what is starting with Chad. Yes, please Hannah and Chad. Ali and Victor amazing chemistry.
One Bad Apple a Day... Keeps the Viewer Away
DanaOne8 April 2024
This was rotten to the core. And I don't think it was because Mike hit the road or because they've added a new character. Nope. It's just a bad script. Disjointed. Characters thrown in as filler. A plot line that wasn't cohesive. Bad storytelling. Awkward and rushed dialogue. Twenty minutes of the movie had gone by before any crime happened. That's bad pacing.
I've seen it before with other shows. The star suddenly decides they can write or produce. Said show then goes down the tubes.
A few other issues to ponder: Why oh why did they take an over-the-top character like Delores, the mom, and put it all on steroids? She started out loopy; now she's a loopy detective. Who needs that. Have fedora, will investigate.
Victor Webster's character was under-used. His character needed to be more developed in the script. And as he works as the D. A., I can't imagine how they will use him a lot in the future. He won't be involved in a lot of investigation.
I could go on, but the bottom line was this was all over the place. The sisters had no purpose in the plot. The bakery is under-used and under-decorated. Actors that can't enunciate; the students were the worst.
This had the feel of desperation. They threw in everything and the kitchen sink.
I've seen it before with other shows. The star suddenly decides they can write or produce. Said show then goes down the tubes.
A few other issues to ponder: Why oh why did they take an over-the-top character like Delores, the mom, and put it all on steroids? She started out loopy; now she's a loopy detective. Who needs that. Have fedora, will investigate.
Victor Webster's character was under-used. His character needed to be more developed in the script. And as he works as the D. A., I can't imagine how they will use him a lot in the future. He won't be involved in a lot of investigation.
I could go on, but the bottom line was this was all over the place. The sisters had no purpose in the plot. The bakery is under-used and under-decorated. Actors that can't enunciate; the students were the worst.
This had the feel of desperation. They threw in everything and the kitchen sink.
Not the Same Without Mike
sonicgeekette6 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't realize until after I started watching the movie that Cameron Mathison (Det. Mike Kingston) was not in this movie. I've always loved the chemistry between Mike and Hannah. That's what kept me coming back and watching all the Murder She Baked mysteries. The last couple of movies gave me some hope that maybe there was still a chance they would get back together. Don't get me wrong, I did miss seeing Norman as her side kick in some of those movies, especially in the one where they got engaged. So it's great to see Norman helping Hannah with the cases again. I enjoy their friendship. And I know they end up together in the books but we deviated from the books a long time ago. This just doesn't have the same feeling without Mike. I was glad to see Andrea back but it's weird there was no mention of her husband and daughter and why she happened to be there in the first place. And what's happened to Delores? She's encouraging Hannah to get involved in the murder cases now? Helping her solve the mystery even. It's not the same, except that she's always trying to fix Hannah up with someone, and has always been on Team Norman. But Delores as a private eye is just not right. I love Alison Sweeney but don't know how much longer I can watch these movies.
grasping at straws
kateling6 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Sadly I think Hannah has run her course. The loss of Cameron Mathison is a huge blow, he is mentioned a couple of times like they are on a break but even with him in the last couple episodes the slide had begun. Michelle, the third sister that appeared out of thin air and also gets involved with someone working for the local law enforcement. Andrea is back in the mix, curiously sans husband and daughter. And Delores is suddenly a private investigator, in her very over the top fashion, like are they are setting her up for a spinoff series? And Hannah keeps leaning on Norman when it is convenient for her. Hannah has jumped the shark.
Here's Hoping We Never See Chad Again!
ngbnd-5660814 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
First off, I admit I've always been Team Norman. I never disliked Mike, I just thought Norman was more supportive. This movie is no exception. Norman is there to help Hannah solve the case now that Mike is gone.
However, the plot itself was kind of disjointed and there were just too many characters, so none of them got a lot of screen time or investigation. Honestly, this felt like it might've been either a filler movie to introduce the new character (Chad) or maybe it was meant to have Mike and had to be hastily fixed when they couldn't have his character.
It's not a great movie. I usually like these, but this one wasn't up to snuff. I don't know how I feel about Hannah's mother being a bumbling PI, but I could give that another chance. What I don't want to see is another one of these with Chad. Especially if he's the new love interest. They had no chemistry, and he was not a likable character. Here's hoping we never see his character again. Go back to Team Norman or find another love interest that has chemistry with Hannah.
However, the plot itself was kind of disjointed and there were just too many characters, so none of them got a lot of screen time or investigation. Honestly, this felt like it might've been either a filler movie to introduce the new character (Chad) or maybe it was meant to have Mike and had to be hastily fixed when they couldn't have his character.
It's not a great movie. I usually like these, but this one wasn't up to snuff. I don't know how I feel about Hannah's mother being a bumbling PI, but I could give that another chance. What I don't want to see is another one of these with Chad. Especially if he's the new love interest. They had no chemistry, and he was not a likable character. Here's hoping we never see his character again. Go back to Team Norman or find another love interest that has chemistry with Hannah.
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