Mystery Woman: Mystery Weekend (2005)

She's an avid mystery lover and bookseller, for whom crime has been comfortably confined to the pages of her favorite novels -- until a real-life murder turns a weekend of fun and games into a chilling whodunit... The quaint mystery bookshop bequeathed to Samantha Kinsey may be struggling, but the idea she's concocted for the weekend should drum up some killer publicity -- a book signing by three very popular and very competitive mystery writers; Maura Hobbs, Angela Cooke, and the reclusive Clare Beckman. Unbeknownst to Sam, Clare is using this "mystery weekend" to make the shocking announcement of her retirement. Just as Clare poses for a final career photograph, an ear-shattering gunshot rings out. Clare manages to dodge the bullet, but later falls victim to a cleverly planted poison. Wading through a long list of suspects and motives, Sam manages to uncover a convoluted plot of blackmail, greed, and deceit -- a real-life mystery that would have thrilled Clare...had she lived to see it unfold. Product Description

Enjoyable mystery

I enjoyed the setting and the acting in this mystery. I'd like to know, though, why the man who is the bookstore owner's assistant works in a bookstore when he is so highly qualified that he can call up the Canadian PM for information. It would have been good to have backstory, unless one of the other Mystery Women movies offers this. I've watched the Snapshot mystery, which I enjoyed, and there was no backstory there either. October 20, 2008

Mystery Woman

This is one of the better episodes of the Mystery Woman series. I look forward to seeing the entire series on DVD. Good viewing for the eintire family. September 30, 2008

Great Fun For Mystery Fans

This series of films from Hallmark Entertainment is delicious fun for mystery lovers and Kellie Martin fans. Martin is Samantha Kinsey, the owner of the Mystery Woman Book Store who finds herself involved in her own favorite pastime. There is a warmth and sense of fun to the story in this one and a fine atmosphere just right for light entertainment.

Samantha is making plans for a "Mystery Weekend" for her avid customers sure to please them. At her weekly "Thursday Night Mayhem" event, however, the very reclusive and prolific mystery writer, Clare Beckman, just misses being shot. Samantha's close friend and Assistant D.A., Cassie (Nina Siemaszko), is shot in the arm instead, and the mystery begins.

One of Samantha's elderly customers is the obvious suspect, at least to Chief Connors (Casey Sander), but Samantha has other ideas. There are two other female mystery writers present at the shooting whose jealousy is hardly masked. And when bee venom is used by someone to finish the job, Clare's trophy boyfriend might have motives also.

There is a real sense of fun as Samantha starts questioning people to get to the bottom of things. Clarence Williams III of "Mod Squad" fame is simply terrific as Samantha's pal, Philby, with a past so mysterious he has access to the Prime Minister! Pretty Nina Siemaszko is endearing as Samantha's best friend, helping her best bud and getting into hot water while fending off a hunky lawyer trying to romance she and Samantha at the same time.

It's all tied to a 30 year old murder. And as Samantha knows, everybody loves a murder. Mystery lovers won't be able to get enough of Samantha and her buds sluething around. Martin looks fantastic and it's great to see her find a fun project like this one. It's a great premise executed with just the right sense of mischief. A great find. February 1, 2007

I loved it!

I happened to see this DVD at the library today and thought it looked interesting and I was right! What a great mystery! I am now looking to purchase the entire set. It's a good, clean, fun show. Loved it! January 8, 2007

Nancy Drew Grown Up

This movie is a little bit too Nancy Drew. The characters are stock suspects, and the action is rather contrived. "Mystery Woman" is anything but edgy. Whatever edge the plot may have had was neatly gone over with pinking shears. So we end up with good, clean family entertainment that some might relegate to the pile of "chick flicks."

Nevertheless, it was a relief to get out of the rawness and irresolution of daily life and to spend some time in this polished hardwood mystery-fans bookstore. And it was good to see Clarence Williams III on the screen again.

The bookstore is the kind of business we all dream about having; and Clarence Williams is the kind of business partner we all wish we could have. He's smart, mysteriously well-connected, and supportive. After each draining homicidal attack, Mr. Williams is ready to go brew a tea for himself and his partner. For many of us, that is the ultimate wish fulfillment.

What more could you ask out of a "cozy?" A bookstore, a dead body, and a cup of tea... September 18, 2006

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