by Doward Wilson

Many of us are now following all the wonderful Cozy Mystery book series that the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel has brought to life on the small screen. Currently Hallmark has seven different series in production with at least one more being added in the coming months.

The Garage Sale Mystery stars Lori Loughlin as Jennifer Shannon who runs a resale shop with that she keeps stocked from her garage sale finds. Jennifer’s sharp observational skills have aided her in assisting the local police with the solving of several murder cases. Hallmark now has seven movies in the series which are based on the books written by Suzi Weinert. In August, they will premiere four new movies in the series.

The Aurora Teagarden Mystery series is based on the books written by Charlaine Harris. They star Candace Cameron Bure, as a research librarian who is fascinated with the subject of murder. There are now five movies in the series, with another one due to air on May 21.

The Gourmet Detective series stars Dylan Neal as a culinary consultant and Brooke Burns, the San Francisco police detective who pairs up with him to solve murders involving food. There are now three movies in this series.

Based on the book series by Joanne Fluke, the Murder She Baked movies star Alison Sweeney as the creator of awe inspiring cookies in her shop, The Cookie Jar. Working with her detective boyfriend played by Cameron Mathison she helps solve murders in the town of Lake Eden. There are currently five movies in the series.

Based on the long running series by Kate Collins, the Flower Shop Mysteries star Brooke Shields as florist, Abby Knight. Brennan Elliott stars as a neighboring bar and restaurant owner who tries to keep Abby out of harm’s way, without much success. There are now three movies in the series.

Kellie Martin stars in the Hailey Dean Mystery series based on the books written by Nancy Grace. Hailey has left her work as a prosecutor after a life altering event and become a therapist. When her clients become entangled in events that turn out to be murder, she is there to help them. Working closely with the police department, members from her old life, she follows the clues and ends up finding the murderer. Currently there are two movies in the series.

Jewel stars as Shannon, the owner of a construction company that specializes in the restoration of Victorian homes in coastal town of Lighthouse Cove. Along with her boyfriend Mac, a famous mystery writer played by Colin Ferguson, they work to solve murders. Based on the Fixer-Upper Mystery series by Kate Carlisle, we now have two movies in the series.

All of these series have great casts, well written scripts, and beautifully filmed backgrounds and scenery. Enjoy them and read the books they are based on.

You can check out KRL’s reviews of these movies in our mystery section, and watch for an interview next week with mystery author Dana Cameron about the first of her books that will be coming out as a Hallmark Mystery movie in June. You can also check out the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel website to learn more and check out their schedule for more movies.

Doward Wilson is a retired and avid cozy, paranormal, and adventure reader who can’t say no to most books. He recently moved from Independence, Missouri to Gladbrook, Iowa. Located in Central Iowa, Gladbrook (population 900+) is small town, rural farming at its best.