Murder, She Baked is an American/Canadian television film series based on the cozy mystery novels written by Joanne Fluke. The television films are centered around small-town baker Hannah Swensen, portrayed by Alison Sweeney, and Detective Mike Kingston, played by Cameron Mathison.[1] Five films for the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel were created based on Fluke's book series, with the fifth movie airing on March 26, 2017. The films took a four-year hiatus before returning as the Hannah Swensen Mysteries.[2][3] The films are set in the fictional town of Eden Lake in Minnesota, reverting to Lake Eden like in the novels in the sixth film.
| Murder, She Baked | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also known as | Hannah Swensen Mysteries |
| Genre | Mystery film |
| Written by | Joanne Fluke Nancey Silvers Teena Booth Kraig Wenman Melissa Salmons Marcy Holland Alison Sweeney |
| Directed by | Mark Jean Kristoffer Tabori Pat Williams Shannon Kohli |
| Starring | Alison Sweeney Cameron Mathison (1-8) Victor Webster (9-present) |
| Country of origin | United States Canada |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 9 |
| Original release | |
| Network | Hallmark Movies & Mysteries |
| Release | May 2, 2015 – present |
Cast edit
- Alison Sweeney as Hannah Swensen, a local baker who owns the Cookie Jar bakery and cafe
- Cameron Mathison as Detective Mike Kingston, a recently widowed homicide detective who moves to town from the city
- Lisa Durupt as Andrea Todd, Hannah's sister
- Toby Levins as Deputy Bill Todd, a local detective who is married to Andrea
- Gabriel Hogan as Doctor Norman Rhodes, a dentist and Hannah's close friend
- Barbara Niven as Delores Swensen, Hannah, Andrea and Michelle's mother
- Juliana Wimbles as Lisa Herman, a helper at Hannah's bakery
- Garry Chalk as Mayor Bascomb, the town's Mayor
- Tess Atkins as Michelle Swensen, youngest daughter of Delores
- Victor Webster as Chad Norton, Lake Eden's prosecuting attorney
Characters edit
- A dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film.
| Character | Title | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery | A Plum Pudding Mystery | A Peach Cobbler Mystery | A Deadly Recipe | Just Desserts | Sweet Revenge | Carrot Cake Murder | A Zest for Death | One Bad Apple | |
| Hannah Swensen | Alison Sweeney | ||||||||
| Detective Mike Kingston | Cameron Mathison | ||||||||
| Andrea Todd | Lisa Durupt | Lisa Durupt | |||||||
| Deputy Bill Todd | Toby Levins | ||||||||
| Doctor Norman Rhodes | Gabriel Hogan | Gabriel Hogan | |||||||
| Delores Swensen | Barbara Niven | ||||||||
| Lisa Herman | Juliana Wimbles | ||||||||
| Mayor Bascomb | Garry Chalk | ||||||||
| Michelle Swensen | Tess Atkins | ||||||||
Film series edit
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery [4][5][6]" | Mark Jean | Joanne Fluke (Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder); Nancey Silvers | May 2, 2015 | |
| Hannah Swensen (Sweeney), a baker, turns amateur sleuth after finding her friend and delivery driver, Ron (Jason Cermak), shot to death behind her shop, the Cookie Jar bakery. Shaken by the murder, she decides to do some of her own investigating but is continuously challenged by the new detective in town, Detective Mike Kingston (Mathison). Meanwhile, her mother tries to set her up with the friendly local dentist, Norman (Hogan), who is comfortable helping Hannah in her dangerous ideas to catch the killer. Hannah discovers Ron witnessed his miserly loan shark boss, Max, having an argument with someone, a day before he was killed. But when Hannah's sleuthing leads her to find Max murdered, she lands in trouble for her interference and must make up with her brother-in-law Todd and Mike as the plot thickens. | |||||
| 2 | "Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery[7][8]" | Kristoffer Tabori | Joanne Fluke (Plum Pudding Murder); Nancey Silvers | November 23, 2015 | |
| The owner of a Christmas tree lot, Larry Jaeger, is murdered. The list of suspects is a long one, from a bitter ex-wife to exasperated investors. Hannah takes an interest in the case as Detective Mike Kingston tries to keep her safe. Hannah is pushed further to make a choice between Norman and Mike while Andrea announces her pregnancy at the end of the episode. | |||||
| 3 | "Murder, She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery [9][10]" | Kristoffer Tabori | Joanne Fluke (Peach Cobbler Murder); Teena Booth | January 10, 2016 | |
| Soon after a rival bakery opens, Mike's old friend and the owner, Melanie Quinn, is found dead at the bakery by Hannah. Hannah is determined to prove that she wasn't the only one who had an axe to grind with the Quinn sisters. Somebody wasn't fooled by their sweet-as-pie act, and it's up to Hannah to track down whoever whipped up this murder. Meanwhile, Mike tries to help her as best he can trying to balance being a detective with Hannah as a suspect and his feelings for her. | |||||
| 4 | "Murder, She Baked: A Deadly Recipe [11][12]" | Kristoffer Tabori | Joanne Fluke (Fudge Cupcake Murder); Teena Booth and Kraig Wenman | June 19, 2016 | |
| Hannah finds herself involved in yet another murder. This one leaves the sheriff dead, a deputy accused, and a killer on the loose. To make matters worse, the accused deputy is her brother-in-law Bill, who was running against the sheriff in the upcoming election. | |||||
| 5 | "Murder, She Baked: Just Desserts" | Kristoffer Tabori | Joanne Fluke (Strawberry Shortcake Murder); Melissa Salmons | March 26, 2017 | |
| Hannah's first-ever televised bake-off competition turns deadly, when a judge, grumpy high school coach Leonard Bishop, is found dead of very unnatural causes. She and detective boyfriend Mike find indications that other judges might also be targeted, including Hannah. | |||||
| 6 | "Sweet Revenge: A Hannah Swensen Mystery [13]" | Pat Williams | Joanne Fluke (Cream Puff Murder); Marcy Holland | August 8, 2021 | |
| A murder at a 24-hour gym complicates Hannah and Mike's wedding planning as they experience engaged life while balancing their busy careers. | |||||
| 7 | "Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery [14]" | Pat Williams | Joanne Fluke (Carrot Cake Murder); Melissa Salmons | May 19, 2023 | |
| Hannah finds a skeleton inside a building undergoing renovation. Her effort to investigate the cold case murder puts a strain on her relationship with Mike. Meanwhile, a beloved resident is lying about his identity. | |||||
| 8 | "A Zest for Death: A Hannah Swensen Mystery [15]" | Shannon Kohli | Joanne Fluke (Lemon Meringue Pie Murder); Marcy Holland | October 6, 2023 | |
| They say the real estate business is deadly, but no one is more surprised than Hannah Swensen when her mother, Delores, discovers the dead body of the homeowner – and regular customer of The Cookie Jar – while house-hunting for her sister Michelle. Hannah is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and is convinced that the prime suspect Mike and the Sheriff are focusing on isn’t the culprit. Hannah’s sleuthing becomes a family affair when Delores, Michelle and even her sister Andrea – who pays an unexpected visit – take part in the investigation. As Hannah uncovers clues she slowly rules out suspects and is led to the shocking truth about the killer’s identity. | |||||
References edit
- ^ Christie, Judy (February 23, 2016). "Author Joanne Fluke Shares Recipes". Monroe News Star. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
- ^ Nolasco, Stephanie (March 8, 2017). "Alison Sweeney dishes on 'Murder, She Baked' and whether she'll ever return to soap operas". foxnews.com. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
- ^ Alison Sweeney (June 19, 2018). "So no more Murder She Baked? Yup!". Retrieved July 15, 2018 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Alison Sweeney talks new 'Murder, She Baked' culinary movie". digitaljournal.com. 28 April 2015.
- ^ "Alison Sweeney And Cameron Mathison's 'Murder She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Mystery' Gets Premiere Date". Soap Opera Network. 11 March 2015.
- ^ "FIRST LOOK: Alison Sweeney And Cameron Mathison In 'Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery'". Soap Opera Network. 7 April 2015.
- ^ "'Murder She Baked' cooks up interesting mystery". Herald Extra. 20 November 2015.
- ^ "'Murder, She Baked': Cameron Mathison, Alison Sweeney Cook Up 'Plum Pudding' In Tonight's Hallmark Murder Mystery Movie". Inquisitr. 22 November 2015.
- ^ "Alison Sweeney Talks "Peach Cobbler" & Her Message For Fans". Channel Guide Magazine. 10 January 2016.
- ^ "Alison Sweeney, Cameron Mathison Star In 'Murder She Baked: A Peach Cobbler' Mystery On January 10". Soap Opera Network. 9 January 2016.
- ^ "Alison Sweeney Dishes Delish Deets for Murder She Baked: A Deadly Recipe". Channel Guide Magazine. 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Alison Sweeney cooks up another Murder She Baked movie". O.Canada.com. 29 June 2016.
- ^ "Sweet Revenge Official Film Site". Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. 14 August 2021.
- ^ "Carrot Cake Murder Official Film Site". Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. 19 May 2023.
- ^ "A Zest for Death Official Film Site". Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. 16 October 2023.
External links edit
- Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery at IMDb
- Murder, She Baked: A Plum Pudding Murder Mystery at IMDb
- Murder, She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery at IMDb
- Murder, She Baked: A Deadly Recipe at IMDb
- Murder, She Baked: Just Desserts at IMDb
- Sweet Revenge: A Hannah Swensen Mystery at IMDb
- Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery at IMDb
