Mystery 101 (2019) User Reviews (39)

The mildest and most inoffensive of murderers

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 14 February 2019]

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.

Where was this class when I was in school?

[bensonmum2 · 7/10 · 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.

FLUFFY BUT ENJOYABLE, WELL DONE

[r-angle · 8/10 · 31 March 2019]

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?

The actors

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 21 September 2019]

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

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 7/10 · 2 July 2021]

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

Are all Hallmark mysteries as enjoyable as this?

[MIssM19 · 8/10 · 8 February 2019]

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.

A Good Start

[atlasmb · 7/10 · 18 April 2021]

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.

WOW- Mysteriously Perfect

[agambre · 10/10 · 31 January 2019]

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!!!

It's like reading an actual murder mystery novel

[spideryaman · 7/10 · 11 September 2020]

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.

Not as bad as it's made out to be

[musicalfreakgurl · 28 September 2019]

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.

Typical Hallmark Lawbreaking

[dastr · 5/10 · 24 June 2019]

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.

Enjoyed

[dme2700 · 9/10 · 13 February 2019]

I really enjoyed this new one so far out of all new mystery series

Mystery 101

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 24 June 2023]

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.

To be honest, we didn't get far before we had to turn it off....

[Franklie · 5/10 · 9 March 2019]

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.

pretty good mystery series

[the_doofy · 7/10 · 15 June 2020]

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

Hallmark mystery

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 10 March 2019]

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.

This is a winner.

[latdemery · 9/10 · 25 February 2019]

This is the best of the mystery series I've seen. The acting is good, there are no weird wigs to distract, and the leads have chemistry. I look forward to more parts to this series.

"I'd really like your help and advice on this murder mystery," said no cop ever in real life.

[MotoMike · 7/10 · 7 May 2020]

"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.

Keep it up!

[alteanime · 10/10 · 6 January 2020]

Jill and Kristoffer are simply amazing together. Please keep putting those 2 together! Can´t wait for the next episodes!:)

Mystery 101

[blueliner-41022 · 1/10 · 1 March 2021]

I watched an episode of Mystery 101. The mystery to me is who would watch this? So simplistic and far fetched it isn't even remotely entertaining. It's a train wreck you can't wait to see crash.

Best of the best mystery shows

[khoni56 · 10/10 · 28 May 2019]

Good Chemistry Between actors seen them in a romance one the other day they just have a great connection. Checking to see if they actually had a real romance would be awesome. Well I hope for many more.

Another Hallmark dud

[pgooden · 3/10 · 24 September 2019]

As in the case of the Hallmark mysteries this is lacking as much as the others. Acting is terrible and stilted . Responses to dialogue between characters is stale.

This is not as bad as Aurora Teagarden , but almost

I enjoyed this one more than most of the Hallmark Mysteries!

[prcarpen · 10/10 · 24 April 2019]

I will agree with other reviews about the antagonistic meet cute but once they settled down and started working together...there was more chemistry than with most of the other detective pairs in the other movies Hallmark does. Thanks again to the actors for that. I would like to see more of this one.

Great Mystery - Perfect Chemistry

[brisnana-18326 · 9/10 · 25 February 2019]

I loved this movie! It had suspense, great acting and perfect chemistry between Kristoffer Polaha and Jill Wagner. There should definitely be more episodes of this mystery series. Absolutely perfect!

Not that happy with the writing

[kenhorowitz · 5/10 · 16 September 2019]

I only have seen episode 3 and I'll try to watch one more before finally deciding whether to give up on it. In one scene, she points to a suspect and explains why he is possibly the murderer and her audience says, "He did it!." Then she points to another suspect and gives her reasons for possibly committing the crime, and they say "yes- She did it!" This goes on for every suspect she brings up. It was very annoying. Besides, I had a strong feeling about who it really was and I was right. Also all the secondary characters (victims and suspects) were overplayed. The suspects were people you had to hate based on their scripts and acting. I did like the chief characters and am hoping I like the next episode more.