Hailey Dean Mystery: A Marriage Made for Murder

6/10 - one of my least favorite Hailey Dean mysteries, but still great fun

I had hoped that the second of the three-part episode of Hailey Dean Mysteries would start to find its way... but to no avail. For the first third of the movie I felt like the actors were still just "running lines" and we were waiting for the real film with acting and expression to start. Danny asks for Hailey's opinions, suggestions, plans of action all the time and even asks her to interrogate suspects "She won't talk to me ...maybe she'll talk to you?" Really? Jonas has never been to an Art Gallery. He's intimidated by Art. Really? Viv is still only eating at food trucks for lunch. Really? Whatever plot twists Hailey assumes might have happened must have happened. Done deal. Then they follow that trail and arrest whoever is on that path. I must say I wasn't expecting the reveal but I'm sure many other viewers did work out who the killer was. I love this genre when the mysteries are well-constructed and (relatively) believable and the characters are good actors, have good chemistry and good dialogue. I've always enjoyed Kellie Martin's work so let's hope the third part is more watchable and rewarding.

Victor looks to have died from a heart attack, but on further investigation, it appears he was poisoned with arsenic. Accusations start flying, and his wife, Christy (Christine Chatelain), is dubbed a black widow when information about her past relationships surfaces. It's more complicated than a simple case of killing husbands to get insurance money, however. An art forgery ring might also have something to do with Victor's death as it's an enterprise flush with arsenic it turns out. In addition, Victor's long-time friend, Debra (Christina Cox), appears overly eager to shut down the gallery while his employee, Lawrence (Carlo Marks), is pleased that he now has a chance to exhibit his photography.

I have seen a few Halley Dean episodes and found them so-so and moderately diverting, but this one is a better effort with a sharper focus, some good characterisation and a killer twist. And Halley is less annoying with her bossiness and blank stare.

I love all the Hallmark movies and especially the mysteries. They have suspense without so much silliness. But in the Haley Dean series, each one I've seen, the soundtrack outbalances the dialog. With her voice especially, being so soft, it's irritating to try and hear what's being said. The soundtrack is constant! Please in future episodes, lower the volume! Thank you. Jamie