6/10 - this HMM original goes off script a little bit and it is a little more unconventional of a mystery, but it is still good and feels fresh.
Mystery 101 Killer Timing
2021
Action / Crime / Drama / Mystery
Mystery 101 Killer Timing
2021
Action / Crime / Drama / Mystery
Plot summary
Synchronicity, which Amy is currently teaching in one of her classes, seems to be pervading her and Travis' lives. Nearing the end of the process, Amy has agreed to take over as Chair of the search committee for Elmstead College's new Dean of Students, she being up front to President Rivers that her friend, Dr. Tabby Felton, is one of the candidates. Tabby herself finds that she is torn in that her boyfriend, Elmstead's IT department head Joe Gearson, has just accepted a job at Oxford and has asked her to move with him to England, she however still going through with her application for the Dean's position while she decides what to do if and when she is offered the position. Concurrently, Travis has headed back to Chicago to testify in the serial murder case of Jeffrey Lewandowski aka the Wolfman, it the last case Travis led for the Chicago PD. While his testimony goes well, what doesn't go as well is Lewandowski's custody, he who is able to escape, he, in the process, leaving behind a threat of retaliation, that threat supposedly directed at Travis. As such, a close call back in Garrison that almost takes Travis' life - a home explosion as Travis is walking by - cannot be discounted as being that payback by Lewandowski. Travis, with Amy by his side, and Travis' new partner, Detective Maria Valdez, have to investigate the non-Lewandowski aspects of the case in learning about the homeowners, married couple Mel and Rita Goff, who were not home at the time, what caused the explosion, and why one of the Goffs' neighbors, retired lawyer Bill Breyer, who coincidentally or not so coincidentally used to work at the same law firm as Lewandowski's defense attorney, seems so interested in the Goffs and their house. Lewandowski potentially being involved brings FBI Agent Kate Coulson to Garrison, she who worked on the case back in Chicago with Travis. While Amy is happy to see Kate involved if only for Travis' safety and protection, she may not be as comfortable in how Kate was unofficially involved in the case in her more official role associated to Travis at the time, that of Mrs. Travis Burke.
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Mystery 101: Killer Timing
grading on a curve
Professor Amy Winslow (Jill Wagner) is meeting FBI agent Travis Burke (Kristoffer Polaha) for a restaurant dinner when a bomb hits. 33 hours earlier, Burke is in the Chicago FBI office getting ready to testify in a big case. The killer escapes and possibly out to get Burke. In the process, Amy meets his ex-wife and fellow agent Kate Coulson (Erin Cahill).
I actually really like this one. I like the ex. The pairing actually improves with the addition of the ex. I like the twists and turns of the case. I wouldn't mind if Cahill continues on with the franchise. I'm fully admitting that I'm grading on a curve here with Hallmark Mysteries. My expectation is low and this exceeds it.
Multiple mysteries
Romance story 10 stars Murder mystery #1 6 stars Murder mystery #2 0 stars Unrelated Cliffhanger - really???
I love the story about Jill Wagner and Kristoffer Polaha. Great chemistry from veteran Hallmark actors. Throw in Travis' ex played by Erin Cahill and it's even better. (Cahill should get her own Signature Mystery, even if there are already too many of them. Maybe she'll be the third wheel in future episodes here.)
The crime drama is very messy. They throw so many pieces into that part, that you need luck figuring it out.
The first murder mystery itself has two parts which is fairly clear from early on. I thought the person who turns out to be guilty was suspicious looking, but I had no idea how that package would work out.
There was a foreshadowing of the second mystery also, and I did think something there was suspicious. But the motive????? Is this the most stupid murder motive ever? It's up there. Because it is so ridiculous, I can't imagine anyone guessing it before it was revealed, but if you did, good for you. The final attempt by this person was almost as stupid as the motive. In short, the climax of this movie was absolutely horrible.
For me, the mystery part of these series is just gravy, it's the relationships I watch for, so my overall score is not nearly as bad as it should be. But take out the double stupidity and this movie could easily have had an extra one or two stars from me.