Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery (TV Movie 2015) Poster

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6/10
Murder arrives at her door
bkoganbing25 December 2016
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.
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7/10
lightweight Hallmark mystery
blanche-21 July 2016
Hannah Swensen again becomes involved in a mystery in "Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery."

Hannah (Alison Sweeney) is at it again, running her bakery and cafe in Eden Lake, Minnesota, with her mother trying to set her up with men and encouraging her to glamour up. This time mom interviews her to a new dentist in town, Norman Rhodes, a charming man. But having seen subsequent episodes, I know how it winds up.

When her childhood friend Ron, who delivers dairy to the shop, is found dead, Hannah is determined to find out the identity of the culprit. Because Eden Lake isn't used to murders, it brings in Detective Mike Kingston (Cameron Mathison) from Minneapolis.

Hannah doesn't appreciate Mike's arrogance, since she feels that she knows the people in town and can help him. However, she pushes ahead. Then there is another murder, this time of a wealthy man who is suspected of being a loan shark.

Pleasant enough, and I'm assuming this is the first episode. I like Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison, both soap stars of long standing who have strong fan bases. Also it was nice to see Susan Hogan from "Night Heat" after thirty years.

Hallmark deliberately keeps these movies on the bland and homey side because of the demographic they want to attract. I'll watch anything that's a mystery but I'd be lying if I said there was anything particularly special about any of these mysteries. Hallmark is like Lifetime - you take the movies for what they are and don't expect anything else.
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8/10
I think this is my favorite of the Hallmark Mystery series.
cgvsluis5 October 2021
I absolutely love Hannah Swensen and the Murder She Baked Mystery Series. The curious and observant single baker Hannah is endearing and her chemistry with both Mike and Norman is spot on. Her mom is fabulous as the meddling mother...along with her serious Eden Lake police officer brother-in-law and co-conspirator sister.

I'd love to try some of her baked goods and I was inspired to read the books this series was based on.

My three favorite Hallmark Mystery Series remain: Hannah Swensen's Murder she Baked, Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, and Mystery 101.
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6/10
Watchable!
davyd-022376 January 2021
Thats to say that its a very light hearted "who dun it" in an american town where everyone (almost) is perfect, they have their lives, they all know each other until one day someone is murdered and everyone is quite shocked. Oddly there are very few clues as to "why" - the murder being investigated by the pretty woman who runs the town bakery, assisted by a detective from a nearby City. "She" is out of her depth, he isnt really believable as a policeman and "her" mum - watch closely for this one as she looks almost the same age as her daughter (theyre around 24 years apart in real life but dont look it!). Like all of these things "she" does get there in the end, but only by guessing wrongly. Better than some other stuff you tend to get on freeview
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7/10
Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery
JoBloTheMovieCritic20 July 2019
7/10 - this series and further this installment is proof that the first is the best
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9/10
Jane Austen Comes to Eden Prairie
conniecam-2566724 January 2016
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...!
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7/10
Solid debut episode
coltras3525 June 2023
A baker (Alison Sweeney) in small-town Minnesota turns amateur sleuth after finding her friend and delivery driver shot to death behind her shop. Shaken by the murder, she decides to do some of her own investigating but is continuously challenged by the new detective in town, Detective Mike Kingston (Mathison). Meanwhile, her mother tries to set her up with the friendly local dentist, Norman (Hogan), who is comfortable helping Hannah in her dangerous ideas to catch the killer. Hannah discovers Ron witnessed his miserly loan shark boss, Max, having an argument with someone, a day before he was killed. But when Hannah's sleuthing leads her to find Max murdered, she lands in trouble for her interference and must make up with her brother-in-law Todd and Mike as the plot thickens.

A solid debut episode of Murder, she baked which introduces the character well as well as setting the scene. The mystery is quite good as the victim is a delivery driver - who would want to kill him? It's puzzling enough to keep one watching, though the detective character can be a bit annoying with his reprimanding of Hannah for meddling. Then he's meant to be annoying.
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9/10
Great movie
televerett-642198 March 2016
I really enjoyed this movie and all the others in the series. I would like to be able to buy this DVD so that I can watch at any time.I thought the story line was excellent and I had no idea who the killer was until the end. The chemistry in the movie between the characters were excellent as well. I would like to see many more of movies in this series to come out.The setting is a nice small town and I loved her business which was a small town bakery. I also think the chemistry between Cameron Matheson and Allison Sweeney is excellent. I can't wait to see what happens with them in the future. Norman is nice and I like him but I'm like Hannah, I think that the Mike character is much more intriguing and much more exciting than the boring doctor.
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5/10
Crumbs, no cookie.
pensman8 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
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.
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8/10
Lightweight Cozy, but an endearing heroine
ZoZo1311 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The Hallmark Channel seems to be churning out a series of movies based on "Cozy Mystery" books. These are not Agatha Christie mysteries. They all seem to have a theme: a librarian, a baker, a garage-sale buyer, and I've heard there's also a gourmet chef cum detective.

This movie was shown with a few others including the librarian, so I didn't expect much. The movie, like the others. was lightweight, but one thing I really liked about this one.....the Heroine, a baker, has human feelings. She actually CRIES when she finds a body! Some others have friends and neighbors who get bumped off but don't shed a tear (unrealistic and cold). There are the usual cozy-type settings and cute things going on...mild romance, offering cookies to everyone, etc.

One thing had me wince.....Hannah has a bakery where the locals get coffee and pastries. One woman brings in her DOG and it sits at the table. Hannah walks up to it and feeds it a snack with her bare hands! I paid a lot of attention to see when she washed her hands. It didn't happen. Let's just say I found it a turn-off. The writers need to pay attention to details like this. Everyone in businesses where they handle food knows to wash their hands to avoid contamination and I wouldn't eat anywhere they had dogs inside the restaurant.

I did enjoy this mystery, though. It involved murder, no blood, was interesting and won't give you nightmares.
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2/10
Disappointed
hookedsmallville-4005123 February 2022
I was looking forward to my favorite series becoming a movie. I was disappointed that they turned Hannah into another tiny blonde. I liked Hannah because she was tall, heavy like me. Just couldn't get into the movie.
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8/10
The start of a wonderful series!
cgvsluis5 October 2021
Dreadfully observant baker Hannah Swensen finds the body of her childhood friend when he is late delivering milk to her bakery. The town of Eden Lake is shocked by the murder, no more so than Hannah herself. They call in a big city Minneapolis detective, Mike Kingston, to help on the case. Hannah is endearingly curious and can't keep herself for poking around for clues. Meanwhile, Hannah's mom is trying to fix her daughter's life...including finding her a husband.

Funny, great chemistry...just an endearing series that I can't say enough wonderful things about.

(Still my favorite Hallmark mystery series: Hannah Swensen's Murder she Baked, Aurora Teagarden Murder Mysteries, and Mystery 101...they are a whole tier above the rest.)
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10/10
Great chemistry.
removefeminfo13 March 2023
I love the casting for this series - why is it only one season - It is great. Great storylines, chemistry between actors. I want this to come back. I dropped Netflix for Hallmark. This series, Aurora Teagarden Mysteries and the Garage sales one - are my favorites. I tried to watch the other one with Alison Sweeney - (who I like) - but I like Cameron and the actor who plays Norman. This was really good. Maybe they can do some movie specials I don't know - but hope to see it come back. Don't know how long I'll subscribe to Hallmark - depends if there are shows like the ones I've mentioned that I would enjoy. I do like Alison Sweeney and Candace and Lori L.
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1/10
Insignificant
JeromeArlettaz29 September 2015
Stupid TV movie, with poor acting in fake studio sets. I've noticed that all movies of this TV channel are systematically overrated by 2 or 3, by getting a high percentage of 10s. I'm pretty good at guessing ratings, as they are usually 1-2 above mines, but Hallmark movies are always 3-5 higher. I can only strongly suspect that a bunch of guys from a poor country spend their days rating 10 all Hallmark movies. I've just found out about a web side where you can buy 50 IMDb ratings at $5. That's probably how they do it. Just a note for the developers: why don't you lower the weight of the ratings of new profiles just giving high ratings to unknown movies that other new profiles are also overrating? Or something like that.
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10/10
Sleuth baker
kayleepayne-676797 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
One of the best shows they have still running. If you love hallmark mysteries you're in for a treat!

This series is one of the best since Aurora Teagarden Mysteries with Candace Cameron Bure & Garage Sale Mysteries with Lori Loughlin.

It has the small town appeal with a baker/sleuth that bakes during day but continues to find herself in the middle of investigations by night.

Despite her families insistence on not getting involved this undercover sleuth can't help solving the mysteries as to who killed the victim. Sometimes even putting her own life at risk in the process and finding the killer before the detectives

Worth a watch!
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5/10
How stupid are we supposed to accept
Jackbv12316 January 2018
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.
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9/10
First entry in mini-series should be enough to lure viewers
morrisonhimself2 May 2021
Allison Sweeney is cute and pretty and personable and doesn't mug the camera and that makes her a good TV movie heroine. It is a shame she didn't want to perform in more of these "Murder, She Baked" movies.

Probably, though, it's a good idea to make a good impression and leave before getting type-cast, as has happened to so many talented actors and, I think, especially actresses.

This first entry gave us several interesting characters, a clever-enough setting for a mystery, and generally good dialogue well performed by the cast.

Despite my intentions not to be wasting time on television -- it's the first time I've had a TV set and cable in four years -- I succumbed to temptation and have thoroughly enjoyed Hallmark Movies & Mysteries -- except for the infuriating and constant repetition of the same promos again and again and again and again!

But Allison Sweeney and her fellow performers make the time between commercials and promos worthwhile. I do recommend this first entry in the mini-series and hope I can see the rest.
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10/10
Hannah Swensen (Alison Sweeney)
aab87425 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Favorite Scene with

Hannah Swensen (Alison Sweeney) - She and Andrea Searching for Max Turner at his House and at the Dairy. Mike and Bill Sure Weren't Happy with her! Hannah Swensen and Alison Sweeney Rocked!!! Aside from being Kick Butt, I Loved how Very Vulnerable and Very Innocent-Like she was. She was also Very Stubborn and Very Goofy.

BTW, I Loved this Movie! I Loved, Loved, Loved Cameron Mathison (Detective Mike Kingston)!!! He was So Dang Smug, So Dang Charming, and So Dang Hot!!! I Did Not guess the Murderer. I Don't Like knowing who it is before Hannah and Mike do. I Loved, Loved, Loved the Chemistry between Hannah and Mike!!! I Want Cookies!!!

Set in Minnesota.
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2/10
Enjoy the books not the mom
Mliss4914 September 2018
The mother in the movies is so far off the character in the book. The mom makes me not want to watch these films. Get rid of her. She's the reason for a 2
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1/10
WORST FILM EVER
abikirkwood14 January 2021
My boyfriend at the time put me through this monstrous film because I'm pretty sure he wanted me to break up with him.

It's 2 hours of my life I'm never getting back. Ever since the faithful day I watched this I've truly lived life to the fullest to make up for it.

Im pretty sure all the actors are now out of work and attending those lame z list celeb parties or making cooking shows. Poor side.
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Small town baker who has a knack for solving mysteries.
TxMike3 May 2023
I suppose the title of the "Murder, She Baked" series of Hallmark movies is a take on the old "Murder She Wrote" series. Here Alison Sweeney is a small town baker, set in Minnesota (filmed in Canada). She runs a bakery that everyone in town raves about.

One morning her usual expected delivery of milk is late so she runs down the block to see what's up. She finds her long-time friend, who delivers the milk, is slumped in the truck's seat, gunned down.

Soon a detective from out of town shows up, he and she reluctantly start to share insights and clues, and eventually romantic glances.

All in all a fairly typical clean and entertaining Hallmark movie, but without what my wife and I call "the Hallmark kiss" about one minute before the end. The movie is well-acted and written such that several characters seem to be suspects but when the real murderer is revealed it is quite a surprise.

We watched it at home, streaming on Peacock.
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