Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

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I lost interest pretty quickly in this one. Hannah seemed more like a teenage drama queen than an adult. And how does she keep the bakery going when she's out solving mysteries? Mike was wimpy, and deserved to have the engagement broken. The worst was seeing a patient wearing nasal cannula oxygen while on a ventilator. It's physically impossible - the writers REALLY need to consult someone in healthcare. (ANYONE!) The whole thing fell apart from that moment. Although it was pretty funny to see that Eugene/Ellis didn't have a single IV. They need to step up their game if this series is to survive.

I've always loved all the characters of Hannah Swensen mysteries. Except with this one I loved everybody except Hannah Swensen. She was absolutely obnoxious in this one. She continues to use both men in her life. Two great characters but now they've gone overboard with it. And Hannah's behavior in this one was simply overboard. She's so desperate to be a detective. She needs to go get her PI license. And then, of all things, she breaks off her engagement because she's upset over the investigation. What is she a child? Mike is a great character and so is Norman. The way she uses them makes her look so petty and self-centered.

Hannah is not the lovable character we have grown to love. In this new mystery she became obsessed and lived by the motto by any means necessary. Breaking into someone's home and going through their personal papers because Hannah assumed them incapable to have enough money to start a business, in Hannah's mind this makes them guilty. Then her attitude towards Mike was ugly -- she turned on her fiance. Not the lovable person we met in the first movie that bought Mike baked goods when they did not get off to a good start. This Hannah only cares for herself and no one else. I did not like the movie at all. I loved the old mysteries much better.

They arent going down the path. Allison Sweeney character has lost her juice in last two movies. They are trying to create drama we're one is not needed. It's a shame hallmark is doing this to another great mystery series. The writing on the last two have been suspect. It's what they did to ruin Mystery 101 before they decided to end it because. Jill Wagnermadea Christmas movie for GAc ( pretty ok btw).. that was the best series and now dropped. I liked Gourmet Detectivesecond best buttheMurdershe baked series was good. I also loved Kellie Martin mystery series. The Hailey Dean should not have been cancelled. Shame they do this. What happened to Ruby Herring because initial Jane mysteries not good. Cut color murder, where's the nex. When you throw spaghetti on the wall you need to see if it sets. Bring back the good ones explore the new ones and stop replacing them with new garbage.

source: Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mysteries

The mystery is fine - some new topics covered. I totally relate to the Swensen family dynamic, but the situation between Hannah and Mike is really dragging out - maybe Delores is right and Hannah should be with Norman after all! I feel like they're too old to take so much time if Hannah really wants to be with Kingston. Andrea and Bill are again missing here, which loses several dimensions with them having links to the main characters plus a young family as well - they need Hannah to be a mum to fill this void, or Norman to be a dad, or both, either together or with different spouses. Hope they make more episodes.

Everything was going along nicely. My family and I had narrowed down the suspects to a logical two or three people based on their motives, opportunities, and means. And their ages. The crime occurred 25 years ago. Then out of the blue, the character we never even considered because he looked in his 20s (30 tops) turns out to be the culprit. In unison we said, "What!? Was he 12?" There was no attempt to make the character appear age appropriate. (He would have to be somewhere around 45 if he were the perpetrator.) It was frustrating for us, because it was an intriguing mystery. And even the perpetrator made sense--but none of us even considered him because of the glaring age discrepancy. Very disappointing.

I love Hannah Swensen's Murder She Baked mystery series...it has been my favorite on the Hallmark channel, but if I am honest I miss the old Eden Lake (aka the old sets). It had a very small town feel and this new reboot is sleeker, shinier with a bigger city feel which unfortunately makes it less personal or "cosy" as the books they were based on intended. This was a great mystery and gave a lot more face-time between Hannah and her fiancé Mike than "Sweet Revenge", which was the first film in this new reboot. I still miss Hannah's sister Andrea and her husband...and I have not warmed to this younger sister Michelle. Don't let my critique be misconstrued, I am loving having Hannah Swensen back on Hallmark with fresh mysteries. I love Alison Sweeney as Hannah Swensen. She and Cameron Mathison have wonderful on screen chemistry and I was more than thrilled to see them both back for more. I am still completely enjoying Barbara Niven as Hannah's quirky and yet laser focused mom (she is still beating the dentist drum!). She adds a lot of comedy to the series...and she is beautiful to boot. I am glad they have so many returning characters...including my favorite character Norman played by Gabriel Hogan. He continues to be Hannah's best wingman and good friend. His and Hannah's search for Patches was great. Hannah and Norman discover a skeleton, uncovering a 25 year mystery. In an unusual twist, Mike actually encourages Hannah to investigate the cold case and in a sweet way even helps her...causing him to walk a thin line between that and his job which falls under the scrutiny of his boss...and eventually creates a strain in his and Hannah's relationship. I thought Mike's encouragement of Hannah's investigation seemed really out of character as he has always been a bit overprotective of Hannah in that regard. In the past he has always wanted her to leave it to the police, including him. (Selfishly, I did enjoy them working together as it gave them so much on-screen time together...even if it was out of character. Let's hope the cat tree warms Hannah's heart.) I am excited to hear there will be more Hannah Swensen to come and I cannot wait. This was a good solid mystery and I recommend it to cosy mystery fans, fans of Alison Sweeney, Cameron Mathison and Barbara Niven. Better than Sweet Revenge...but not quite as good as the original pre-reboot series. I have hope however, I know the cast is fantastic and I think the writers are going to get the series back to being my absolute favorite on Hallmark!