Hallmark’s Five Best Mystery Movie Series

1. Signed Sealed Delivered

          Written and produced by Martha Williamson, the creator and producer of the hit CBS show, Touched by an Angel, Signed Sealed Delivered is a warm-hearted masterpiece. Full of intriguing mystery, precious romance, sweet comedy, and a touch of faith that doesn’t preach at you, it truly has something for every viewer. One view and you’ll be hooked, touched, captivated, and changed and impacted forever for the better. The characters have so much depth and the writing is flawlessly touching and clever. It is unique in so many ways, but especially because it is far from the typical Hallmark mystery movie series. There are no murders in Signed Sealed Delivered, only four employees of the United States Postal Service’s Denver dead letter office solving lost letter mysteries that lead to reunited couples and families, life saving organ transplants, and even enough evidence to exonerate an innocent man from his wrongful conviction.

2. Mystery 101 

          Hallmark stars Jill Wagner and Kristoffer Polaha are what make this series shine. Previously seen together as a TV couple in the Hallmark Channel original movie Pearl in Paradise, fans fell in love with them as a duo. Just like in their movie, their witty banter is hilarious in Mystery 101. The series writing combined with their talented and committed acting, not to mention their natural chemistry, is what makes this superb series a standout for me! Fans will become completely invested in and wholeheartedly root for their on-screen romance as well their success as detectives.

3. Garage Sale Mystery

          Although discontinued by Hallmark and no longer on the air because it starred Lori Loughlin who recently had some unfortunate circumstances arise in her personal life, this series was always one of my favorites. Many of the lead female amateur sleuths in Hallmark’s mystery movie series have an astute eye for detail and unparalleled observational skills, but I always felt that Loughlin’s character, Jennifer Shannon, had the best. She was also a garage sale guru who co-owned an antique shop so she had to have an eye for special objects, discrepancies, and details in order to get authentic items for her shop, but for great deals or at amazing discounts. Therefore, her astute eye for detail was already more trained and heightened than the other female amateur sleuths in the other series. The movies would show the camera zooming in on an object or a clue to indicate Jen’s perspective and her eye catching something or noticing something. It was super interesting to watch every time. It has always been a creative directorial choice that I really admire because it made viewers feel as if they had the eye Jen had and were really solving the mystery alongside her. There was also such a realistic yet coveted family dynamic presented as a side story throughout the duration of the series. It enhanced the mysteries and added another element of realism to make the entire series concept seem more plausible.

4. Gourmet Detective

          Similar to Mystery 101, it is the stars of this series that make it shine, but also the writing. Brooke Burns and Dylan Neal’s on-screen chemistry is already off the charts, so combine that with the witty banter that is written for them, and you have the most hilarious and accurate detective and amateur sleuth relationship possible! What makes their relationship even better is, unlike any other Hallmark mystery movie series, the female character (Brooke Burns’s character Maggie Price) is the real police detective and the male character (Dylan Neal’s character Henry Ross) is the amateur sleuth. It is so fun to see the female character with real authority, and while the way Maggie is written, all stubborn and tough, conforms to the stereotype that women in law enforcement feel like they have to assert themselves, she still feels authentic and relatable. The way she tries to boss Henry around but never succeeds because he is just as stubborn as she is, is hysterical. She constantly ends up being disapproving of his actions, but in the end he helps her or even saves her life. And yet again, somehow, I never feel like she is presented as a damsel in distress. She can hold her own, but the push and pull chemistry between Maggie and Henry is evident in those situations she has constant conflict with/in. Did he save me or was it just a lucky break? Should I let him help me? I don’t need his help, assistance, or even presence, but do I just want it? The writers have perfected the representation of Maggie and her internal, emotional and romantic conflict. She is always in control professionally, but romantically her emotions are all over the place, and that is what Henry’s interferences with her job or “stepping on her toes” instances serve to show.

5. Hailey Dean Mysteries

          The Hailey Dean Mysteries have to make the top 5 because they were created by famous former prosecutor Nancy Grace - so you know they are extremely well written. Now, she is also a legal commentator and television journalist, but the Hailey Dean Mysteries is my favorite out of all her endeavors. The Hailey Dean series is the only Hallmark mystery movie series that when you watch it, you feel like you’re watching a crime show. It is very well thought out and intricate. Granted, fans don’t come to Hallmark for a good crime show because that’s not their brand; their brand is family-friendly, feel-good movies, but if you’re a fan of both crime shows and Hallmark movies, specifically and especially Hallmark’s cozy mysteries, like me, then the Hailey Dean Mysteries are the perfect series for you because they are the perfect blend of both. As soon as the suspense becomes unbearable, the lovable characters rush in to provide some much needed comic relief.