Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle to Die For (2019 TV Movie) User Reviews

Better Than I Anticipated

[larrys3 · 7/10 · 14 August 2019]

As a Hallmark TV movie, I thought this one had a decent edge to it, and the chemistry between the two leads Lacy Chabert, as Tess, and Brennan Elliott, as Lt. Logan O'Connor, worked quite well. I'm a big crossword puzzle fan, so the inclusion of them into a murder mystery heightened my interest.

Yes, some of the dialogue was trite and the ending was a little lame, but it's always fun trying to decide who the killer is. Overall, the film was somewhat better than I anticipated.

Clues in the puzzle

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 10 February 2020]

With this film Hallmark launched its Crossword Mysteries series and as I write this there are three out there and three more in the works. Lacey Chabert plays the puzzle maker/editor at a New York newspaper.

Only a devoted crossword fan would pick up on the fact that someone is using submitted crossword puzzles that have clues for various art heists. Manhattan Homicide starts looking into it once Chabert spots a pattern after the owner of an art gallery surprises a thief.

As is usual in Hallmark Mysteries the clever woman sleuth intrudes in the investigation, but she knows her stuff as the detective/foil Brennan Elliott has to admit.

I'm not sure how the crossword puzzle gambit will work for a series. But there are six films already out there. This inaugural one was good viewing.

Decent mystery, familiar leads

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 13 May 2019]

A good mystery gives clues that help you solve it before the characters. Some are good and some lead you the wrong way. This movie has both.

Many romance stories have the leads start out antagonistic and that's the case here. In this case Logan was justified for a while in looking down on the help offered by Tess which certainly appeared coincidental. I actually thought Logan warmed up to Tess pretty fast. These two actors have worked together several times, but I didn't think that was overly obvious. Still, the warmth starts to show.

I thought that the early scenes were a little choppy. Some of the acting was surprisingly stiff throughout. At times there was too much melodrama. The dialogue was not nearly as witty as you would hope in a movie like this. These are little things, but contribute to the overall atmosphere.

Overall, it's watchable with a decent mystery.

Toronto NY

[rps-2 · 6/10 · 10 May 2019]

Not a bad movie..,.clever plot...well acted...well produced. But again the Canadian inferiority complex screams from the screen. The film was shot mostly in Toronto. I recognized many areas. But it is set in New York City. Why do Canadian filmmakers do this time and time again. If American filmmakers want to shoot in Canada and disguise Toronto as New York, fine. But this was a Canadian produced and Canadian tax supported production. So why wasn't it set in Toronto? Can you imagine Australia doing this? Or India? Or any other country? It is craven and embarrassing. Films should be a window on the country that produces them. What is the point of a Canadian film industry if it does not showcase Canada?

Not as bad as I feared

[bensonmum2 · 6/10 · 1 August 2021]

Tess Harper (Lacey Chabert) is the crossword editor for a New York newspaper. She discovers that someone may be hiding clues to a string of art thefts in the crossword puzzles the paper publishes. The police think she's a crank. However, they change their opinion when one of Tess' colleagues at the paper is murdered.

I know I haven't rated A Puzzle to Die For very highly, but honestly, it's not as bad as I feared it would be. There's a reason I don't watch Hallmark films - they usually don't appeal to me. But this one, the first in The Crossword Mysteries series, really isn't half bad. There's a certain charm to the production that I enjoyed. Plus, there were several aspects of the mystery that had me engaged. Finally, I find it impossible to watch Chabert and not be drawn in by her screen presence - and that incudes her role in the dreadful Lost in Space. Sure, she's not going to win an Oscar, but she's solid enough in this movie.

So, if A Puzzle to Die For isn't half bad, that means it's not half good also. For starters, without naming names, I found some of the acting weak. And, I found way too much of the dialogue childish. There are several groan-including scenes where grown humans say the most ridiculous things. Finally, I really didn't care for the ending. I found it completely unbelievable.

Finally, even though I've only rated this a 5/10, I can see myself checking out the other films in the series. While this one may not have completely worked on me, I see enough promise to watch more of The Crossword Mysteries.

Edit: Since I finished writing this last night, I can't stop thinking about this silly film and how much fun I actually had watching it. I'm thinking I may have been too hard on it with my preconceived bias against Hallmark films. As a result, I think a bump in the rating is deserved.

6/10.

Interesting but writing needs work

[nadia444 · 6/10 · 13 March 2019]

The concept of solving a murder with a crossword puzzle is interesting and could work but the first episode has weak points. The mystery of "who dunnit" pulls you in bc of the intellectual connection between Lacey and Logan. However a romantic chemistry is definitely lacking. Maybe it's a slow start? My main concern is the writing, it feels awkward. May lines don't feel authentic or even appropriate. I'd like to see a more fluid natural flow in the scenes especially the interaction between leading characters. The series has promise if the writing improves. Enjoyable for a mystery movie but needs work.

Meh...

[saheedfatimah · 4/10 · 15 March 2019]

This could have been a great movie but there were quite a couple little mistakes. Editing should be taken more seriously. 1. Harris a little to deliberately forgetting an implicating document in the photocopy machine. Not believable for someone whose just found a clue in a life or death situation. 2. The picasso gallery theft was supposed to happen a day after Tess meets O'Connor's dad. What happened to that? Continuity anyone? 3. When Tess discovers Harris's body, she calls 911. Except she doesn't actually call...just drags her phone out of her bag and places it on her ear without clicking anything...and starts talking. To who? I'm still watching and I'm sure more flaws will pop out

Lacy and Brennan together again.

[garzamom · 10/10 · 16 May 2019]

Very good, enjoyed it a lot. These two are becoming a franchise of their own. Elliot is sporting a new, leaner look. Nice hair. Looks like another winner.

charming Chabert

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 26 September 2020]

A gallery owner is killed during an art heist. Police detective Logan O'Connor (Brennan Elliott) finds a strangely half-filled crossword puzzle at the crime scene. He goes to the New York Sentinel to talk to a reporter and raises the interest of crossword puzzle editor Tess Harper (Lacey Chabert). She uncovers unusual clues in the puzzle. Logan is dismissive and she decides to investigate on her own.

Chabert is adorably cute and charismatic. That goes a long way in these types of TV movies. It's not surprising that Hallmark is doing a whole series of these with her. Elliott is functional although it would be great to have someone with a lot more screen presence. The basic premise is a little overly complicated. I get that these types of movies need a hook and it's getting harder to find an original premise. It's workable enough to get this franchise off the ground. Chabert is so sweetly charming that she is able to propel this initially but the sequels will determine whether this is a success or not.

The only puzzle is WHO approved this garbage to be released?

[Ed-Shullivan · 3/10 · 25 May 2019]

No mystery No drama No suspense A little bit of romance A lot of bad acting

I am not impressed with Lacey Chabert as a crime solver. I will stick to Candace Cameron Bure in her series of Aurora Teagarden Mysteries. I also liked disgraced and now criminally charged Lori Loughlin in the now defunct Garage Sale Mystery series.

And what is with the fake New York City backdrop when it is clearly filmed in the city of Toronto Canada?

Great HMM show

[maryhh-80210 · 10/10 · 11 March 2019]

Cast chemistry; low key however a good mystery. liked how crossword puzzle was woven into plot line. Is a romance starting? Yep

hope there are more Crossword Puzzle Mysteries and soon. do not find info on this...

A Puzzle to Die For

[studioAT · 7/10 · 12 April 2021]

The reliable Hallmark pairing of Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliot team up again for the first in what I am sure will be many 'Crossword Mysteries'.

This is good engaging stuff, with nice performances from both the two leads.

I think people have been a bit harsh on it. It's not trying to be anything more than a fairly light-hearted murder mystery, if you accept it as such you'll enjoy it.

High School Level Production

[westsideschl · 2/10 · 8 August 2019]

Very high school level robotic acting (high schoolers excused because they're still learning). Not realistic, very staged. For viewers who like model looking actors (w/daytime serial soap TV as their main resumé) as well as the teasing romantic hook. Dialogue simplistic so everyone can follow along without much thinking. Usual prop, costumes all squeaky clean - no dirt, no wrinkles. No sweat so excessive makeup won't be spoiled. Plot structure is dumb. The usual least expected suspect is anticlimactically revealed at end.

Promising start?

[rightisright · 7/10 · 18 March 2019]

This is apparently the start of a new Hallmark movie series. I have mixed feelings after watching it. Lacey Chabert is incredible in anything she does. But there is absolutely no chemistry between her ad Brennan Elliott. In fact, although he makes for a great villain, he is absolutely flat as a romantic lead. And I really do love Barbara Niven, but does she need to be in every single Hallmark production? A bright spot is Genevieve Kang. Let's give her a lead movie role.

The Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle to Die For

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 6/10 · 20 July 2019]

6/10 - glad to have Lacey Chabert as part of the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries family

Crossword puzzle clues are integral in solving this cosy mystery.

[cgvsluis · 6/10 · 21 June 2023]

This is the first entry in the Crossword Puzzle Mystery series on Hallmark starring Lacey Chabert as Tess Harper the crossword editor of the newspaper The Daily Sentinel. She meets detective Logan O'Conner son of police chief O'Conner, while he is looking into the case of an art theft and the murder of Allan Nightingale who is a friend of Tess' aunt Candace.

"And I prefer that my niece not take unnecessary risks."-Candace "I wrestled unruly adjectives every day."-Tess

Tess determines that the mastermind behind the art thefts is linked to a mysterious but regular crossword puzzle submitter who is giving location, time and piece of art embedded in a crossword.

Meanwhile she is organizing and mc'ing a crossword puzzle competition.

" I have upgraded him to the Thursday puzzle, difficult but full of surprises."-Tess

This is a very New York City series. The lead actors are wonderful with some good supporting cast members including Barbara Niven and John Kapelos. I liked Tess' kind but inquisitive nature and her offering of factual information. Logan...is slow to warm to Tess, which I am ok with but it is interesting how long he puts up a fight.

Terrible acting even for a Hallmark Movie

[crossd-76038 · 2/10 · 23 April 2019]

Between the acting, plot and writing this poor film had no chance. They clearly phoned this one in.

Crossword Mysteries is Hallmark at its best for the Mystery genre

[angwall-72450 · 10/10 · 20 February 2021]

I am an avid mystery lover and I have watched almost all of the Hallmark mystery series. Crossword Mysteries is by far my favorite series and A Puzzle to Die For is the perfect introduction for great things to come. LC and BE have such wonderful onscreen chemistry together so any pairing of these two actors is going to be a win but what sets Crossword Mysteries apart is the story. The use of Crossword puzzles as a theme is not only original, its intriguing. The mystery itself is varied and fun to follow. If you're looking for a murder mystery with a slight dose of possible romance and family friendly feels this is a series for you.

Continuity errors

[MickyG333 · 7/10 · 7 May 2023]

7.0 stars.

'A Puzzle to Die For' starts off introducing our main characters Tess (played by Chabert) and Logan (played by Elliot). Chabert is intriguing in this and I am surprised she was able to find a different side of herself for this role. It's a rare movie where she portrays someone that doesn't fit the exact Chabert mold. 90% of her roles are literally the same exact personality, the same expressions, emotional responses, giggles, inflections, etc. Not to digress any further, she is simply a breath of fresh air this time. Ok, now onto Elliot's character Logan. He's calculating and difficult to figure out as a very strict by-the-book detective persona. At first he's off putting, but eventually we warm up to him.

There are too many rookie mistakes by the script supervisor that I have difficulty overlooking and these betray the production value right off the bat. The street signs are in the wrong places in several different angles of the same scene. In a chase scene the perpetrator has been running for several minutes, but when he's caught is not out of breath or perspiring at all. The lighting is strange in a few scenes (especially the first heist scene). Tess is playing ping pong with zero technique, yet she appears to win a match vs a man that appears much more adept and athletic. Other issues with continuity or believability are when Tess explains how the crosswords can solve the mystery and it's obviously a well constructed and convincing argument, yet Logan doesn't even give it a second look. It's obvious he's bigheaded, but for a "star" detective this trait would be too counter-productive.

I am dubious as I watch this first chapter of the series, but I must endure if I am to be meticulous in my evaluation of Hallmark mysteries. I still have many others to look forward to, mysteries such as: 'Aurora Teagarden', 'Chronicle', 'Picture Perfect', 'Murder She Baked', 'The Gourmet Detective', 'Hailey Dean', 'Mystery Woman', 'Matchmaker', 'Ruby Herring', 'Emma Fielding' ('Past Malice'), 'Jane Doe', 'Morning Show', 'Flower Shop', 'Darrow and Darrow', 'Martha's Vineyard', 'Fixer Upper' etc. On a side note: I see 'Fixer Upper' was a hidden gem that simply got cutoff for no reason. I haven't had the opportunity to see it and I truly hope Hallmark re-broadcasts it. Same for 'Darrow and Darrow', they look promising, why did they suddenly end? I saw one of the 'Martha's Vineyard' which left a pretty bitter taste in my mouth, not gonna lie. It was riddled with continuity and editing mistakes. I am a bit dismayed that I might have spoiled my journey by tasting of 'Mystery 101' first. Always save the best for last...

No chemistry

[LtlHippo · 1/10 · 24 May 2020]

Bomb! No chemistry between the 2 leads. Lacey needs to lose those awful hair extensions. Anticlimactic ending. Boringgggg

Another great murder mystery from hallmark

[johnchircop · 10/10 · 31 March 2019]

A little blooper, Nurse Jackie advertised on billboard..

A puzzle to die for

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 13 June 2023]

An expert crossword puzzle editor (Lacey Chabert) gets involved in a police investigation after several of the clues in her recent puzzles are linked to unsolved crimes. Which means leaving the comfort of her sheltered world and working with a tough police detective (Elliott), puzzling through clues together in order to crack the case, as the two are fish out of water in each other's worlds.

Perhaps a villain using a crossword puzzle to inform about which painting/venue to rob is a little farfetched, but this is a light escapist mystery, and has no pretensions to be anything but that. Having said that, I believe there's a connection between puzzles and mysteries, both acquire some little grey cells and analysis, and our detective duo - a crossword puzzle editor and Detective - use just that.

This mystery treads familiar ground, but it is interesting and enjoyable. Plus Lacey Chabert is cute.

Half-way filled in movie script

[travisrunyard · 4/10 · 28 August 2019]

The script itself feels equivalent to finishing a crossword puzzle that is already half-way filled in. Whatever the actors are on that makes them so happy-go-lucky, I'll have what they're having. Lacey Chabert is definitely the majority reason male viewers would want to stick around for the entire film. Not too often would I say a less good-looking lead female role would probably benefit the film, but I too don't think I could get myself to say "no, get someone else."

Leading actress too young for the role

[jlynn-25686 · 3/10 · 13 May 2019]

The leading actress looks like she about 18. Perhaps she is much older and in that case - good for her! However, it made it impossible for me to believe she would be a crossword puzzle editor at a newspaper of any sort. Which then made the whole plot line itself hard for me to believe. I generally enjoy these tv movies with the female lead solving the mystery, but I couldn't get to the finish line with this one.

The Wordmaster

[lavatch · 8/10 · 10 June 2023]

Tess Harper is a wiz with crossword puzzles. Her knowledge helps her crack a code to determine who was the mastermind in the murder of a New York art dealer.

The actress playing Tess was terrific in developing a character with an analytical mind that made her a perfect investigator. While she was supposed to be running a crossword puzzle tournament, she was instead running circles around Detective Logan O'Connor in solving the murder.

The script was cleverly constructed around the use of the puzzle to encode messages to an art thief. Tess was instrumental in assessing the multiple suspects in the case.

There was a strong ending with a solid plot twist that revealed the killer. As a Hallmark film, there has to be a romantic element. While the sparks were slow in flying between the detective and Tess in this episode, perhaps in future programs, the two characters will solve the puzzle of their hearts.