Well Lori Loughlin reprises her role as special crime/homicide consultant Jennifer Shannon to the local police force. Yes of course this scenario has played out a thousands times before on both television series as well as in made for TV movies such as this one, but I must say it held mine and Mrs. Shullivan guessing until near to the bitter end.
We liked that there were a few family and friend side stories intertwined in this murder/mystery which makes for a broader family viewing audience. We also liked that there was no gratuitous blood or gore, unnecessary sex scenes or foul language to shock the audience.
Instead, actress Lori Loughlin who plays antique dealer by day and murder sleuth the rest of the time made for an interesting and light watching Saturday afternoon television movie once again. A well known country/rock band is in town to promote their new tour and album and slowly as the characters roles are slowly exposed to the audience we discover that one of the bands disgruntled and despondent members Lita Merril (played by Emily Tennant) is found hanged in her home which appears to be a straight forward suicide with a text message explaining the reason she has taken her own life. That is until the pretty female amateur sleuth detective Jennifer Shannon is invited on to the crime scene to provide her expertise analysis.
As the film rolls on the Shannon family has some challenges at home while dad is intending to proceed with the demolition of an old building but the Shannon's feisty daughter wants to preserve the building for its historical value. Also on the agenda is Jennifer's partner in the antique store Dani (played by Sarah Strange) dealing with the unexpected visit of her overly opinionated big sister Beth Anne (played by Gabrielle Miller) who rustles a few feathers with her visit.
So we do have a few side line stories mixed in with this suicide/murder who done it mystery and of course the suicide does turn into a sure fired guaranteed homicide that needs the help of amateur sleuth Jennifer Shannon's unique deceptive abilities to crack open. I will say that Mrs. Shullivan and I picked a few potential murder suspects as the film progressed and I will also say that the actual murderer was a bit of a letdown as was the motive for this murder.
Overall though the film was better than your average made for TV murder mystery of the week, and so therefore I credit the film with a fairly high 8 out of 10 rating for some decent screen writing and even better acting by the entire cast for a quick made for TV film with a limited production budget and tight timeline for shooting the film I am sure.
We liked that there were a few family and friend side stories intertwined in this murder/mystery which makes for a broader family viewing audience. We also liked that there was no gratuitous blood or gore, unnecessary sex scenes or foul language to shock the audience.
Instead, actress Lori Loughlin who plays antique dealer by day and murder sleuth the rest of the time made for an interesting and light watching Saturday afternoon television movie once again. A well known country/rock band is in town to promote their new tour and album and slowly as the characters roles are slowly exposed to the audience we discover that one of the bands disgruntled and despondent members Lita Merril (played by Emily Tennant) is found hanged in her home which appears to be a straight forward suicide with a text message explaining the reason she has taken her own life. That is until the pretty female amateur sleuth detective Jennifer Shannon is invited on to the crime scene to provide her expertise analysis.
As the film rolls on the Shannon family has some challenges at home while dad is intending to proceed with the demolition of an old building but the Shannon's feisty daughter wants to preserve the building for its historical value. Also on the agenda is Jennifer's partner in the antique store Dani (played by Sarah Strange) dealing with the unexpected visit of her overly opinionated big sister Beth Anne (played by Gabrielle Miller) who rustles a few feathers with her visit.
So we do have a few side line stories mixed in with this suicide/murder who done it mystery and of course the suicide does turn into a sure fired guaranteed homicide that needs the help of amateur sleuth Jennifer Shannon's unique deceptive abilities to crack open. I will say that Mrs. Shullivan and I picked a few potential murder suspects as the film progressed and I will also say that the actual murderer was a bit of a letdown as was the motive for this murder.
Overall though the film was better than your average made for TV murder mystery of the week, and so therefore I credit the film with a fairly high 8 out of 10 rating for some decent screen writing and even better acting by the entire cast for a quick made for TV film with a limited production budget and tight timeline for shooting the film I am sure.
