Back in 2003, the Hallmark Channel presented a made-for-TV movie called Mystery Woman. It featured Kellie Martin as Samantha Kinsey, an owner of a bookstore specializing in mystery books, who gets involved in solving real-life mysteries while applying the lessons of Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. The pilot was aired in 2003 and then 10 more episodes followed from 2005 to 2007. As most of you know, the Hallmark Channel does not dabble in cutting-edge films. These Mystery Woman episodes are frothy fun. If you’re looking for light entertainment, I’d recommend the Mystery Woman series. GRADE: B
EPISODE LIST:
1.Mystery Woman (pilot) – directed by Walter Klenhard, first aired August 31, 2003
2.Mystery Woman: Mystery Weekend – directed by Mark Griffiths, first aired January 7, 2005
3.Mystery Woman: Snapshot – directed by Georg Stanford Brown, first aired January 28, 2005
4.Mystery Woman: Sing Me a Murder – directed by Stephen Bridgewater, first aired February 25, 2005
5.Mystery Woman: Vision of a Murder – directed by Kellie Martin, first aired June 5, 2005
6.Mystery Woman: Game Time – directed by David S. Cass Sr., first aired August 21, 2005
7.Mystery Woman: At First Sight – directed by Kellie Martin, first aired January 21, 2006
8.Mystery Woman: Wild West Mystery – directed by David S. Cass Sr., first aired March 18, 2006
9.Mystery Woman: Oh Baby – directed by David S. Cass Sr., first aired August 19, 2006
10.Mystery Woman: Redemption – directed by David S. Cass Sr., first aired November 6, 2006[1]
11.Mystery Woman: In the Shadows – directed by David S. Cass Sr., first aired January 13, 2007
I’ve always been surprised that Jackie never watched these as she has watched some other Hallmark Channel stuff and she liked Martin since her days as Becca on LIFE GOES ON. I think they are mystery shows for people who rarely read or watch “real” mysteries.
There were others, one with John Larroquette among them. I think they were descendants of the MacMillan and wife, Banacek & McCloud, taking turns. I found it hard to remember them, or find them (pre on screen guide)
Maggie, Mystery Woman completely slipped past us. Diane is a big fan of Hallmark Christmas movies. I found this DVD at our local Public Library, but I’m sure Mystery Woman is available on Netflix and HULU.
Jeff, exactly! This fluffy TV mystery movies are made for people who don’t read mysteries. Mildly entertaining.
I’ve watched a few of them. The bookstore in the series was of interest to me, as It was well stocked, but weirdly organized. And (like Carolyn Hart’s Annie Darling’s store) was wildly improbable. You don’t get that many amazing mysteries without going on buying trips, or to estate sales, etc., though that action may have been occurring “off stage”
Maggie, in the Sing Me a Murder episode, Samantha shows off a mint, first-edition Agatha Christie from the 1930s. Nice book, but improbable.
I’m reading Wendy Welch’s interesting memoir The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap, where she and her Scottish folksinger husband opened a secondhand bookstore in a smallish town (5,000) in impoverished Southern Virginia. Someone gifted her with a British first of the first Agatha Christie book, The Mysterious Affair at Styles She discovers that even in awful condition, “spine broken almost in half,” it is worth $6,500.
Jeff, finding a rare book is a thrill. I always hoped I’d find some rare Christies in Canada, but I always came up empty.
Maybe fluff, but better fluff than a lot of it. Plus, as a Hallmark movie, so it would be right up Napier’s alley! -;)
Rick, my wife is a big fan of the Hallmark Christmas movies. Hallman Channel specializes in “feel good” movies” mostly targeted at women. But I’ve enjoyed the episodes of MYSTERY WOMAN that we watched together. I might watch some more.
I don’t think I have ever watched a Hallmark movie. In general, I only watch old movies on TV. I like the big screen for new ones although I recognize these are not big screen movies. I could watch the Waltons all day though. Are they on the Hallmark Channel.
Patti, Hallmark Channel markets their TV programs in very clever ways. They really know their audience.
I just found a first edition of the lady in the lake by Chandler no dj sadly. Where did I find it?? in one of the bookcases I’m clearing out. I have no idea where I got it or when
Maggie, I’m picking up books from a shelving collapse and I can’t believe what I’m finding! Books I never knew I owned!
A Hallmark movie? You couldn’t pay me.
Bob, the quality control of most Hallmark movies is pretty good. You’d be surprised.
Linda watches them all the time and I get exposed! I can’t abide them!