Mystery 101: Pilot (2019)

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I only started watching Hallmark mysteries, and Hallmark movies in general, a couple of years ago, so I have a lot of catching up to do. The mysteries aren't all I watch on Hallmark, so it's taking time to get through all of them. I record them when they're on t.v., but Hallmark doesn't air them all in order, so it's like trying to put together the pieces of a puzzle.

Mystery 101 is one of Hallmark's most beloved mystery series. There's been a lot of talk about it lately, so I thought it was time for me to jump into it and find out why fans love this series so much and why everyone is wanting more. Thankfully, I've been able to record all seven movies.

Mystery 101 stars Jill Wagner as college professor turned amateur sleuth, Amy Winslow, and Kristoffer Polaha as Detective Travis Burke. Amy teaches a class on mystery and crime books, so, unlike many cozy mysteries where the amateur sleuth is a baker or something else unrelated to untangling mysteries, she has the expertise that could help solve real-life crimes.

The pilot (and I assume the entire series) isn't as perky as Murder, She Baked and yet it isn't as serious as Francesca Quinn PI. It's somewhere in between, more along the lines of The Crossword Mysteries. 

The mystery in this pilot was very twisty and mostly unpredictable. I wasn't expecting it to unfold the way it did, which was great, but unfortunately, I did guess who the culprit was almost immediately after that person was introduced. I like to have a hunch about someone, but be surprised in the end. I didn't know the motive, however, so it was still fun to watch it all come together.

This being Hallmark, there is of course, the beginnings of a romance. It felt forced to me. I think the romance in this series is something that fans love about it, so I hope to feel their connection more as the series progresses. 

Overall, this is a good start to the series and it does leave me wanting more. At this point, it isn't the budding romance that intrigues me, although I do think Amy and Travis have a good rapport working together. In that way, they make a great team. I enjoyed the entire cast, including the supporting characters. I look forward to watching more Mystery 101 in the coming weeks.