by Doward Wilson

Based on the three-book series by Nancy Grace, a former prosecutor and now a nationally famous legal analyst and advocate for victim’s rights, we meet Hailey Dean. A former prosecutor with a stellar record, Hailey has now embraced a career as a therapist.

Hailey is played by Kellie Martin, who is well known for her role as Samantha Kinsey in the 11 made-for-television movies that were created and released by the Hallmark Channel between 2003 and 2007, in a rotating lineup that also featured McBride, Jane Doe, and Murder 101.

In Murder With Love, one of Hailey’s patients and her brother lose their mother, a respected doctor, to an overdose and then drowning. Shortly after the funeral service, their father is killed in a car that explodes and burns after crashing off a bridge. During the ensuing investigation the siblings become the prime suspects in what might be murders rather than accidents. When their personal fortune and all the working capital in their family trucking business disappear from their bank accounts, the investigation takes a new direction. Hailey works with her former colleagues in the police department to figure out what is really going on. Are they accidents or murder? Where is the money?

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has again delivered a strong start to a great new series of mystery movies. I really enjoyed seeing Kellie Martin starring in this role, while she also acts as an executive producer. I was not familiar with Nancy Grace as either an author or television personality. The fact that she has a cameo role in this first movie, and is involved in all aspects of production, including being an executive producer, has made me want to read the three books currently in the series and learn more about her as a writer. I think that any mystery fan will enjoy watching this cast as they work together to provide us with some strong acting and great action scenes. Hallmark continues to add new series to their mystery movie lineup. The scripts and acting also improve with every film. Hallmark has done a fantastic job of increasing the viewing and reading audience for all mystery books, but it has especially worked to promote the wonderful world of cozy mysteries to a new generation of viewers and readers.
We can look forward to new additions to this series in the coming year. I, for one, can’t wait!

Check out the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel 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.