User reviews

I have three favorite mystery series on Hallmark's Movies and Mysteries Channel: Murder she Baked, Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, and Mystery 101. Murder She Baked used to be my favorite, thanks to the lack of recent entries and the continued entries of Aurora Teagarden (that and Candace Cameron Bure's star power along with her fellow cast members)...I think Aurora has now eclipsed Murder she Baked in to my favorite. I mention these, because Mystery 101 has been a slow burn that I am really enjoying and thanks to the on-screen chemistry between our two stars playing Travis and Amy may be working it's way to the top of my list.

Mystery 101's main protagonist is professor of mystery fiction, Amy Winslow, who's father happens to be former professor turned famous deceive writer, Graham Winslow. In addition to teaching Amy ends up consulting with and eventually helping at first reluctantly our hard nosed former big city detective, Travis Burke.

What do I like about the series? Travis and Amy are adults and treat each other with respect...all the while developing a slow smoldering chemistry that is fun to be a witness to. Amy's father and his serial novels are woven throughout the series and occasionally used as a fun hook for the audience. There is great humor in this series that isn't afraid to poke fun at itself and it's genre. The dialogue is smart and I love all of the mystery novel references and throwbacks. I have actually added books to my tbr thanks to this series.

I would have loved to take Amy's course in college!

Which is NO bad thing in my house - being an avid reader and viewer of fictional crime/whodunnit-type mysteries, I have thoroughly enjoyed most, if not all of the various TV mystery Film series from the aforementioned channel over the last 15 years or so. The most recent of such series include "HAILEY DEAN MYSTERIES " RUBY HERRING MYSTERIES" and AURORA TEAGARDEN MYSTERIES.

MYSTERY 101 (not to be confused with MURDER 101) stars JILL WAGNER as college professor and amateur sleuth Amy Winslow, who along with some of her students and her father Graham Winslow, who also happens to be a renowned best selling author of fictional murder mysteries aid or sometimes hinder the Police and Detective Travis Burke in particular in solving murder mysteries in their home town.

The acting by all is pretty decent, the chemistry between the stars is genuine with the inevitable will they / wont they get together subplot between the leads and the mysteries while undemanding are a very enjoyable way for this crime buff to while away a couple of hours.

At the time of writing, 5 feature-length mysteries have been produced and released with another on the way. Having seen the first 3 so far I definitely give this series a big thumbs UP

Jill Wagner is the latest female sleuth in Hallmark's stable of with it amateur detectives. She's a college professor in the English Department giving a course in the mystery story. I think someone might have gotten the idea from Murder She Wrote when Angela Lansbury late in the series got a New York apartment and began lecturing at one of the colleges on the art of mystery writing.

A real mystery comes along soon enough as Ben Sullivan with the campus newspaper turns up dead at the bottom of a ravine with motorcycle hanging from a tree limb. Just what was the young man looking into and it turns out it could be many things.

It's motive that Wagner and her police detective confidante Kristopher Polaha are looking into and their motives from people springing up like weeds. I will say that it turns out to be one unlikely suspect which is revealed 20 minutes before the film ends.

Mystery 101 should have a sequel or three.

Mystery 101 is the second Hallmark mystery movie I've watched in the last two days. In this one, Professor Amy Winslow (Jill Wagner) becomes concerned when one of her students goes missing. She is convinced the girl has met with foul play. The problem is that the police don't agree. Winslow begins an investigation and uncovers clues that the police can't dispute. With Winslow's unwelcomed assistance, Detective Travis Burke (Kristoffer Polaha) determines the girl's disappearance may be connected to other strange occurrences at the college.

If anything, I enjoyed this, the pilot for Hallmark's Mystery 101 series, more than the previous Hallmark movie I watched (Crossword Mysteries "A Puzzle to Die For"). I found the mystery here more engaging for the viewer. There were more opportunities to play along with the whodunnit. And even though I spotted the killer almost immediately, I enjoyed discovering the "why" behind it all and watching Winslow piece it all together. In addition, there's something about the feel of the relatively small college campus in Mystery 101 that I found appealing, especially when compared with the big city of the other film.

Being a Hallmark movie, you just know from the minute Winslow and Burke meet that it's only a matter of time before they fall for each other. Sure, it's kind of predictable and a little cringey, but there was definite chemistry between the two actors that really added to the movie. It helps that both gave solid performances. With a couple of exceptions, the rest of the cast is decent enough in their supporting roles.

Overall, these movies aren't for everyone - in fact, they probably wouldn't have worked for me 20 years ago. But as I grow older, I appreciate the simple story structure with likeable characters and a mystery that's not overly taxing. Mystery 101 is entertaining enough for me to rate a 7/10.

7/10.

As an mystery enthusiasts, I will watch every mystery series that Hallmark puts on but there are none that I look more forward to with anticipation than Mystery 101. Kristoffer Polaha and Jill Wagner have insane on screen chemistry that leaves you wanting to watch Travis and Amy over and over. The cases are fun as well as they give you enough clues to help you figure out who dunnit along with them and things that may seem little at the beginning turn out to be big in the end. Another thing I love is how things the characters do and say carry over from one episode to the next. The progression of Travis and Amy's relationship is very organic and realistic. Give this a try!

So often in anything Hallmark, how the viewer connects with the actors makes all the difference. I read one review that said that both Wagner and Polaha act natural, not fake, and I realized that was the description I was looking for in this movie. They also connect well with each other after you get past the obligatory animosity especially on the skeptical detective's part.

The difficult thing in a new amateur detective series is getting past the skepticism of the professional detective(s). It is totally justifiable on their part. Amateur's can destroy a prosecution and as one other reviewer points out, Amy makes a bunch of those mistakes even though they get glossed over and ignored. In this movie, getting past the initial skepticism was clumsy and far too quick. The transition was instant. Burke was resistant one second and then totally caved and became like a puppy dog as far as accepting Amy's participation.

I think it's obvious that if this becomes a series (which it does), then something will happen between Amy and Travis. This is just the start. We have another budding romance in the two assistants. Both relationships are slightly overplayed.

The mystery itself had a nice number of possible suspects and some of the usual red herrings. Overall, the movie was entertaining, as a nice mystery with an appealing cast.

Mystery 101 is the best of all the mystery movies. Hallmark made a huge mistake when they canceled this one. The easy laid back chemistry that they have and The cast of characters is absolutely the best. I will truly miss these two. And as far as the new mystery that just came out this week, Francesca Quinn PI. I couldn't even finish it. But the cut color and murder one is very good as was Dying for chocolate. I just wish you would reconsider not Canceling my favorite, mystery 101. And why would you leave 101 as a cliffhanger??? Like bad decisions all around. I am really not happy about this..

7/10 - a great start to probably what I would consider my favorite Hallmark mystery series (along with the classic Mystery Woman series)

My favorite Hallmark movies & mystery series! Hope they make many more of these.

This movie is very clean and well articulated. No nudity, no violence, no stupid dialogues, no cursing, no sex, no drugs and above all well arranged.

It is a movie for smart people.

Best series of Movies I've seen on Hallmark. Mystery 101 franchise pairs two leading actors who have the best chemistry and rapport. Its a much more adult like movie and the writer puts them in the most interesting situations. In addition to attempting to solve the mystery yourself as you watch you can see the awesome slow build of a bit of flirtation happening with the lead characters that leaves you waiting impatiently for the next movie to come out! Bravo Hallmark. Love Kris and Jill! (and Graham too).

Amy Winslow (Jill Wagner) is a professor of literature who teaches a class about mystery novels. When one of her students goes missing, her natural curiosity takes her on a trail of clues that leads to a possible murder. The local police try to keep her out of the investigation, but Amy can't help herself. And Detective Travis Burke (Kristoffer Polaha) finds that Amy can be helpful due to her connections at the college.

This Hallmark mystery is a pilot for a Hallmark series that consists of four episodes at this date. Wagner and Polaha are affable leads and the supporting cast is enjoyable. I especially noticed Sarah Dugdale in the role of Claire Tate, the fledgling detective who is Burke's assistant. Because of her strong presence on camera, I hope her role becomes more significant in later episodes.

The mystery of this pilot is complex. It will keep you wondering whodunit, even though the apparent malefactor is fairly obvious.

The relationship between Winslow and Burke develops nicely, providing a strong jumping-off point for episode two.

I didn't even know that Hallmark had made another crime series involving new male and female leads. I know there is Aurora Teagarden and Murder She Baked series which are based upon novels and more I won't mention.

But this series isn't based on any books which is surprising because it wasn't as bad as people made it out to be.

For one, the leads don't end up together. Score for the writers. I have a love/hate relationship with HEA endings, especially with murder mystery series since they aren't typically suppose to be romance driven.

Number two, the acting was better than its predecessors except the Murder She Baked series. The leads have some palpable chemistry that doesn't lack or overpower the real reason for the movie.

The murder and mystery itself.

This is like ALL Hallmark mysteries involving amateur detectives. ALL evidence collected by our heroine Amy, is inadmissible in court. As usual, she's guilty of a number of crimes, including obstruction of justice, criminal trespass, and burglary. And as usual, in the Hallmark movies, the amateur always seems to know and be on good terms with a police detective. I grant you, the Mystery 101 movies are not as blatant as Aurora Teagarden. Those are really BAD!!!

But, the average viewer is not cognizant of the realities of how laws work. Is this movie worth watching? Yes, with a caveat. Do not, for a second, think that you could get away with what these amateurs do. But all movies tend to stretch the limits of reality, physics, and common sense..

So, watch it, but take it with a grain of salt....a VERY large grain.

A simple question to answer before watching this movie: do you like murder mystery novels? Say Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle? If yes, then you're gonna like this movie. It's light, well written, classic approach, and overall fun.

My wife and I have watched almost every film of every Hallmark series that has been produced since 2010.

Mystery 101 stands out in every way except for comedic dialogue (Darrow and Darrow is the best there) and leading actor chemistry (tied with Darrow and Darrow).

• Best writing. Mysteries feel real and not entirely implausible. Sure, there's some suspension of disbelief, but not like other series.

• The role that the non-detective lead has feels more believable than other series.

• You care about the characters and they really click (beyond just the leads). It is better than Darrow and Darrow here.

• It's memorable, which can't always be said.

• The setting is pleasant without being heavy handed.

• There's growth and continuity.

Professor Amy Winslow's star student Lacey goes missing shortly after her boyfriend, Rex Hansford, a crusading campus newspaper reporter, is killed in a motorcycle accident. A suspicious Amy insists the police investigate but the newly appointed Detective at Garrison Police Department, Detective Travis Burke, is less than enthusiastic about Amy's eagerness to be involved in police work. After a rare genetically engineered plant goes missing from the University's Life Sciences Department, Amy's boss suddenly commits suicide, and Rex's accident is ruled as a murder, Detective Burke is forced to team up with Amy to investigate both cases. The two end up striking a friendship as they work together to solve the mystery.

A great start to an excellent series that has the beautiful ( to the point of distraction!) Jill Wagner and Kristopher Polaha showcasing their great chemistry and their interactions. Their partnership is muddy at first, due to Detective Burke not keen to work with a crime fiction professor, but that changes as she reveals her talent for deduction. It's a bit slow in places, but the acting, the plot and the mystery is spot on. However, better episodes were yet to come.

So far this series is pretty good. My wife and I have watched three of the episodes. The handsome single detective is not an idiot, the woman professor is just old enough to be a professor for a change and the two compliment each other pretty well.

There are clues and the wrap ups so far have not had any rabbit pulls, so some one is story boarding these.

Acting has been pretty good thus far

still think the Aurora tea garden series is the best, but this one is close to garage sale mysteries in quality

I really don't know how to review this: this was my first Hallmark Mystery and I didn't know what to expect. I mean, this wasn't THE movie of the year, however, I actually enjoyed a lot. I only picked it up because I truly liked Jill Wagner and Kristoffer Polaha in "Pearl in Paradise", their chemistry was, and is, a pleasure to watch.

It may be a little slow at times, but the plot made total sense. This is yelling for a sequel, which I assume they will make (if the other mysteries are other indication), I just hope they are as good -and believable- as this one.

Well done.

Amy Winslow (Jill Wagner) teaches crime mystery fiction at a college following her famous father's footsteps. Her student Lacey seems distracted. Lacey's boyfriend Rex has gone missing. Detectives Travis Cole (Kristoffer Polaha) and Tate are investigating the theft of an experimental plant from the college. Claire Tate is Amy's former students. When Lacey also goes missing, the brilliantly deductive Amy sets off to do her own investigating.

This is a Hallmark mystery. I'm not sure if this is going to be a series. These things have a tendency to sprout so that's certainly possible. Wagner and Polaha have passable chemistry. It's not romantic level but could rise up to bantering level if the writing could take a step up. The 'stay-out-of-the-police-investigation' is certainly a tired trope. I'm glad they get over that quickly and calling out the trope themselves. It does show that there are brains behind the writing. They seem to be veteran TV mystery show writers but they can still do better. The production is nothing cinematic but it is Hallmark level. The mystery writing keeps it compelling even at a lower grade level.

I really enjoyed this. Saw it on cable tonight. I write crime fiction myself and was trying to get another view of the parameters and necessary elements. I liked the parallel subplots of the two romances, the chemistry between the two leads, and the structure of the plot. The actors were good, the direction crisp, and the setting gorgeous. What's not to like?

"I'd really like your help and advice on this murder mystery," said no cop ever in real life. But in every Hallmark mystery there's are more than a couple of conversations between the police officer (or a retired cop) and the cute, vivacious, perfectly coiffed lady detective, who, carefully following in the pattern of Jessica Fletcher and Miss Marple before her, assumes that she's indispensible to the case. The words,"Back off", or "Not your job", or "OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE" seem to mean nothing. Those crazy bureaucratic (trained, armed, experienced) cops - what do they know - even the good-looking ones? She'll show them, Bud! 'Cause gosh, he'll rescue her at the end, just when the real killer has pulled the gun! Or the knife! Ok, that being said, these Mystery 101 mysteries (this is for the four current ones) are some of the best of the Hallmark Mysteries. The two leads do actually try to solve the mystery, after the obligatory conversation noted above. I've guessed the villain in several but it's not obvious, and the misdirections and red herrings are well done. It's as Hallmark-y as all getout (partly a commercial for beautiful Canada, fine with me, no PDAs, lots of unrequited "like") but the mysteries are good, and I actually enjoy Jill Wagner's lecturettes about crime fiction. The rest of the cast a good job with the somewhat predictable lines they're given.

To be honest, we didn't get far before we had to turn it off, so we can't really give a full review, which is a shame because I'm a big Kristoffer Polaha fan and was looking forward to this series. BUT we're SO tired of scripts that contain non-stop lines from the cops telling the private detectives to leave everything to the authorities. It's getting to be like finger-nails on a chalkboard. We're not saying Hallmark's bakers and florists and home renovators should be getting in the way, because they do and that's annoying too, we're just saying we don't want half the script to be the cops telling them to back off. It's repetitive and boring. Bickering and having private people helping the authorities can be fun, but make it interesting and original. Watch a few episodes of Monk. They usually get it spot on and hilarious and fresh.

Jill and Kris did it again!!! First was the highly rated "Pearl in Paradise" and now this mystery movie. They are both extremely versatile actors who act natural (not fake acting) and so much fun to watch. They have unbelievable onscreen chemistry. Hallmark, are you listening??? More movies with Jill and Kris, PLEASE!!!