by Kathleen Costa

Aurora Teagarden is the twenty-something, red-headed cozy sleuth from Charlaine Harris popular novels, and in 2015, she became the iconic figure in eighteen telemovies on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. By occupation, “Roe” is a librarian at the Lawrenceton Public Library, by passion, she is an active member of the Real Murders Club for true crime enthusiasts, and by complication, she’s the thorn in the side of law enforcement and the bane of many a killer. Aurora’s best friend Sally Allison, also a member of the club, is a reporter for the local newspaper and often Roe’s reluctant investigative sidekick. Aida Teagarden is Aurora’s mother who owns a successful real estate agency and very vocal about her daughter falling into perilous situations, but Phillip Pifer, Roe’s young cousin, is all in with the mystery and suspense. Aurora is not a stranger to romance, either, having dated an author, fell in love with a spy, and now married to a psychology professor, Nick Miller, who is also an active participant in Roe’s investigations.

Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Haunted By Murder
A bet sends high-school pals Roe (Natasha Bure) and Sally (Mia Shanks) to a reputed haunted house. Ok, if it were the adult version, it would result in the same thing…Roe accepts the challenge and Sally is an unwilling participant. It’s creepy, but Roe is ill-effected by the pranks, including the freshly painted “Get Out” message on the mirror. A secret passage, however, is tripped, and snaking down the stairs to a hidden basement, Roe finds…a dead body. Although the incident is deemed an accident, not murder, the discovery is everyone’s first dead body, and for Roe, a mystery she never solved.

Fast forward twenty-two years…The incident is brought up in passing at one of the Real Murders Club meetings, but details still are few. The victim was Frank Brunelli, a ghost hunter, and the house still has its reputation of being haunted by its original resident, but now it is owned by Roe’s mother who, saving it from developers, hopes to preserve it as part of the town’s heritage. Aida (Marilou Henner) is set to spend the night at the house, so Roe (Candace Cameron Bure), Nick (Niall Matter), Phillip (Dylan Sloane), and late arrival Sally (Lexa Doig) join her, but weird flickering lights, banging noises, foggy mist, and a shocking “Get Out” message on the mirror is just what Roe needs…another mystery. The newest entanglement is made complicated by the strange neighbor, the overzealous contractor, the pushy developer, and the skeptical brother of the decades ago victim, and along with the rumors of hauntings, strange shadows in the fog, a curious paper with doodles found jammed in the stairs, and the discovery of another body, Roe and her friends are challenged to solve a crime long missing any real clues.

Clever “Signature” Entertainment!
The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries is the mainstay of the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel, and Candace Cameron Bure the face of the network. This eighteenth adventure continues to provide a clever mystery that starts in one direction, leads off in another, and ends with a perilous predicament exposing the killer and motive. The cast has evolved nicely over the years with personalities that compliment each other. The mother/daughter dynamic is less antagonistic now since Roe has married and the mother has accepted Roe’s true crime passion. Friendships are key with the group from Roe’s deep connection with Sally, mentoring manner with her cousin Phillip, even the ups and downs with the other librarian who still is frustrated by Roe’s focus on murder. Roe’s history with the police is complicated having dated Detective Arthur Smith (Peter Benson) who is now married to Police Chief Lynn Smith (Miranda Frigon), and although they have different opinions about how much assistance they should solicit from the Real Murders Club, Roe turns out to be their best unofficial detective. Her marriage is the perfect partnership; both have an interest in true crime and mystery, work well sharing insights and thoughts, and of course, are there to save one or the other from danger. The most exciting mystery series on Hallmark is set to continue!

ICYMI—You may have noticed the young Aurora has a distinctive familial look and style to the adult Aurora. Well, of course, the actress Natasha Bure is Candace Cameron Bure’s daughter. Quite a fun connection having your daughter play your character in the flashbacks.

Check it out!
Homepage: Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries—Aurora Teagarden
Super Sleuths Quiz—Aurora Teagarden “Are you a mystery fan with a photographic memory? Catch a fast look at photos from ten of the Aurora Teagarden movies, answer questions, and see how you score!”

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Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.