Mystery 101 “Mystery 101” #1.1 (2019) (TV)

Where was this class when I was in school?  2 August 2021

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