I might as well say it – this Aurora Teagarden nonsense is good. The latest, Honeymoon, Honeymurder, more than lives up to the cheesy standards set by the previous sixteen films and marks another enjoyable over-the-top romp. When newlyweds Aurora (Candace Cameron Bure) and Nick Miller (Niall Matter), a librarian and sociologist respectively, face a flight delay for their trip to Paris, they opt for a pre-honeymoon holiday at a secluded cabin in Ridge Bay near Lawrenceton. Their getaway takes a less than romantic turn when they find a body floating in the lake, and their alone time is cut short by a sprawling investigation.
The couple take it upon themselves to look into the murder of Cliff Minton (Mike Carpenter), a security systems salesperson whom no one bothered to report missing until his body was found a week after his death. His employer, Russ Slocum (Tyler McClendon), blames the oversight on Cliff’s erratic behavior, but rumors about Russ’s questionable business practices cast doubt on his story. Police also have trouble believing Donald Heller (Mark Gibbon), owner of a Ridge Bay boat rental. Forensic evidence links him to the deceased, and he was known to act violently towards his former customer. Later, Cliff’s ex-wife, Terry Hall (Kendall Cross), comes under scrutiny when police learn about her acrimonious divorce. Her secretive meetings with Donald as well as her downright glee at Cliff’s death only seem to confirm that she has something to hide.
At this point, I expect nothing but bangers from the Aurora Teagarden team, and they deliver another taut and confident mystery. Honeymoon, Honeymurder moves at a firm pace without trying to outdo itself. Everyone has a part to play, including Ro’s worrywart mom, Aida (Marilu Henner), who finds herself drawn into the mess when she meets with Russ over a separate security matter. The story sticks to a handful of suspects who all offer different motives and who only get shadier as things progress. Just when you think things have settled down, the movie ramps up the intensity with more attempted murder. It’s not too hard to figure out the killer’s identity, but seeing Ro and company untangle it all is a ride.
Another thing I appreciate is the economical use of the regular series cast. Police detective Arthur Smith (Peter Benson) and Ro’s best friend, Sally (Lexa Doig), skip out on this one, allowing others in the ensemble to shine. Ro’s cousin Phillip (Dylan Sloane) has been a key part of the Real Murders team, and with a few years of university under his belt, he’s grown into a more level-headed, less dramatic version of his cousin. Officer Heard (Brad Harder), also asserts himself as one of the lead investigators while Arthur is away on a cruise, and Sally’s cousin Lizzie (Julia Benson) takes on the role of reluctant companion when Ro recklessly pursues a suspect. For me, the best thing about a tighter cast is the space it gives our main character and her rival, Detective Lynn Smith (Miranda Frigon), to develop their relationship. The two have been at it since day one, initially because of Ro’s romantic past with Arthur and then because of her constant meddling. At one point, Lynn tears into Ro for interfering with yet another investigation, and a chastened Ro reflects on the consequences of her actions. Both, however, emerge with a new if somewhat cautious respect for the other, giving me hope for a different dynamic going forward.
**Spoilers at end of post
Released: 2021
Dir: Martin Wood
Writer: Teena Booth
Cast: Candace Cameron Bure, Niall Matter, Marilu Henner, Miranda Frigon, Dylan Sloan, Ellie Harvie, Julia Benson, Cole Vigue, Brad Harder, Kendall Cross, Mark Gibbon, Tyler McClendon, Jaycie Dotin, Ben Cockell, Ronald Thompson, Lydia Campbell, Mike Carpenter, Brian Cyburt, Dhirendra, Nhi Do
Time: 84 min
Lang: English
Country: United States
Network: Hallmark Movies and Mysteries
Reviewed: 2021
** SPOILERS **
Spoilers: Sharon, the administrative assistant at the security firm, killed Cliff because he manipulated her affection for him. He had convinced her through excessive flattery to engage in shady and sometimes illegal behavior. She complied, thinking they might start a relationship after his divorce from Terry. On the night before his murder, Cliff called Sharon to his hotel room and ended things before they even began – though not before asking her to break into Terry’s cabin and scour the place for documents to support his court case. Sharon murdered Cliff the next day, taking the boat Terry had bought during her marriage.
Ro and Lynn both uncover crucial evidence to solve the crime. When surveillance footage seemingly points to Terry as the killer, the police go to her house and find the murder weapon, but Ro thinks the circumstances are a little too perfect. She suspects that Terry’s being framed, or perhaps framing herself to take the heat off of her son, Jacob. Lynn notices some drinking glasses that match the ones found in Cliff’s suitcase and concedes that Ro’s theory has merit. Ro reasons that the glasses were planted around the time of the murder since the hotel took possession of the suitcase before anyone knew Cliff was dead; therefore Terry wasn’t likely involved at all. Ro and Lizzy later find Terry confiding to Donald at the boat rental. Ro tries to convince her to let the police take over, but she insists on handling it herself and unfortunately runs straight into Sharon. Sharon kidnaps Terry at gunpoint but is soon cornered by Ro, Lizzy, and Nick. Ro stupidly confronts the killer, who has already tried to murder her once, and almost talks her down when Sharon fires at Terry, whom she blames for Cliff’s behavior. Nick nearly gets shot in the process, prompting an angry Ro to tackle the woman who might have made her a widow. Ro and Nick finally depart for France.
Fits of Fury 