During the pandemic I got hooked on Hallmark cozy mystery shows and movies. If you love them too, or want to try them, I am here to tell you what I think are the best Hallmark cozy mystery movies and shows to watch. Also check out my Hallmark Cozy Mystery Show Bingo Card!
Best Hallmark Cozy Mystery Movies To Watch: Updated for 2022!
First off, what are Cozy Mystery Movies?
Many Hallmark Cozy Mystery Movies are based on cozy mystery books so:
What Are Cozy Mystery Books?
In a “cozy” mystery, there’s crime and suspense but nothing overtly violent.
The main detective is an amateur rather than law enforcement or a private investigator.
Cozy Mysteries usually (but not always) take place in a small town or tight-knit community.
Cozy mystery books (and shows) often have pun-filled titles and prominently feature food, coffee, bookstores, or libraries.
What are Hallmark Mystery Series like?
Most Hallmark Mysteries are movie-length. Each series releases one to three new installments per year.
Who is the main character in a Hallmark Mystery Movie?
The amateur detective is typically an American TV or movie or soap star you might remember. The rest of the cast is often Canadian.
The amateur detective in a cozy mystery is usually a woman, but not always. Check out Gourmet Detective below!
The main character meddles in police investigations to an extent that’s a bit unrealistic.
The amateur detective is rarely in a committed romantic relationship, and usually described as an independent woman who doesn’t need a partner. Sometimes she’s divorced or widowed.
There is usually a potential love interest, but it’s often a flirty will-they-won’t they kind of relationship that doesn’t interfere with the mystery-solving.
This potential love interest is often a member of law enforcement.
Who are the supporting characters in a Hallmark Mystery Movie?
There is often an intergenerational aspect to a cozy mystery movie, with a parent of the main character included in the story. Sometimes, there’s an even younger generation of nieces or nephews.
You will often find an overprotective parent, played by (if you’re my age) someone you remember on TV from the 80s.
Where do Hallmark Mystery Movies Take Place and Where Are they Filmed?
Most cozy mystery shows take place in small town America, but almost all are filmed in Canada. British Columbia seems like the most popular choice, standing in for Washington state and even San Francisco.
Check out my Cozy Mystery Bingo Card at the end of the post for more funny cozy mystery cliches!
Where Can You Find the Best Hallmark Cozy Mystery Movies to Watch?
The easiest place is the Hallmark Channel – they regularly run marathons of all their mystery shows.
If you have cable TV, you can also find an episode or two of each show on demand. Or set a show you want to watch on record, because the Hallmark Channel regularly runs marathons.
Where to Watch Hallmark Movies and Mysteries For Cheap or Free?
If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can get a trial subscription to the Hallmark Movies channel. It’s free for one month, and then just $5.99 for ALL the Hallmark movies you can watch.
You also might find Hallmark cozy mystery DVDs to borrow for free in your local library OR for sale in your local thrift shop. Or I love SwapaDVD.com, which lets you trade DVDs you’ve already watched for ones you want to watch.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I might receive a small percentage. I really appreciate your support!
My Reviews of The Best Hallmark Cozy Mystery Movies to Watch
Which Hallmark cozy mystery series or shows are the best to watch? I’m here to help. I’ll tell you what I think the strengths and weaknesses of each show are to help you decide which show to try!
SHOWS ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY! I have not included the Garage Sale Mysteries as they seem to have been removed from the channel.
Review: Hallmark’s Aurora Teagarden Mysteries (2015-2022)
New Episodes of The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries in 2021-22
Starring: Candace Cameron Bure (Full House) and Mariu Henner (Taxi)
Books That the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries are Based on: The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries by Charlaine Harris
Where to Watch: The Hallmark Channel or Amazon
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Movies in Order:
A Bone to Pick (2015)
Real Murders (2015)
Three Bedrooms, One Corpse (2016)
The Julius House (2016)
Dead Over Heels (2017)
A Bundle of Trouble (2017)
Last Scene Alive (2018)
Reap What You Sew (2018)
The Disappearing Game (2018)
A Game of Cat and Mouse (2019)
An Inheritance to Die For (2019)
A Very Foul Play (2019)
Heist and Seek (2020)
Reunited and It Feels So Deadly (2020)
How to Con a Con (2021)
Til Death Do Us Part (2021)
Honeymoon, Honeymurder (2021)
Haunted by Murder (2022)
Will There Be More Episodes of Aurora Teagarden?
Unlikely, because Candace Cameron Bure just signed a deal with GAC, a competing network.
Premise of The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Aurora is a librarian in a small town. The ensemble cast includes her mother Aida, her best friend Sally (a newspaper reporter), her ex-boyfriend Arthur (a cop) and a series of love interests.
Setting of The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: The small Washington town of Lawrenceton, but filmed in Vancouver.
Strengths: I really like the cast in this show. Marilu Henner plays Aurora’s always worried mom, and Lexa Doig (from Virgin River) plays her best friend.
Aurora runs a true crime group called the Real Murders Club, whose members often help her solve cases. There are also a lot of minor recurring characters who add a lot of humor and give the show a convincing small town feel.
Weaknesses: After a while, Aurora’s confidence turns into a know-it-all attitude that can be a little annoying. One of the most recent episodes actually features her being completely wrong about a case, which was refreshing.
Characters can disappear, like Aurora’s love interest Martin and Aida’s love interest John. Aurora has had a rotating series of hair color (brown, blonde, strawberry blond, auburn) and a bunch of love interests (not judging, but you get attached to one guy or hairstyle and they are GONE.)
First, there’s her ex, Arthur, who is now happily married to a fellow police officer. Aurora has strawberry blond hair.
Then in early episodes, Aurora was flirty with a man of the cloth, Scott Aubrey, and had dark blond hair with highlights.
Next, Aurora got pretty serious with Martin, but he ghosted her and her dark blond hair.
Finally, Aurora met and married the metrosexual college professor Nick Miller. Maybe he likes the new dark auburn hair. I agree!
Review: Hallmark Chronicle Mysteries (2019-2021)
New Episodes of Chronicle Mysteries in 2021!
Star: Alison Sweeney (Days of Our Lives)
Based on: original scripts
Where to watch: The Hallmark Channel or on DVD.
Hallmark Chronicle Mysteries Movies in Order:
Recovered (2019)
The Wrong Man (2019)
Vines That Bind (2019)
The Deep End (2019)
Helped to Death (2021)
Premise of The Chronicle Mysteries: Alex McPherson, a podcast host, comes home to her small hometown to solve various mysteries with aid from the staff of the Harrington Chronicle.
Setting of The Chronicle Mysteries: Harringon, Pennsylvania, but filmed in Vancouver.
Strengths: Love that Alex’s podcast is incorporated into the show. I’m a DOOL fan from way back and I think Alison Sweeney is the perfect fit for a cozy. Kristian Alfonso (Hope on DOOL) even stars in one of the movies!
I love that this series has a cast that works together with Alex to solve mysteries: Drew, a single dad and the editor of the paper; Eileen, a lifestyle journalist; Chuck (who also plays Bubba Rankart in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries); and Kendall, Drew’s teen daughter.
Weaknesses: Not much – I really liked this one!
If you love podcasts, check out my new list of books with Podcast elements!
Review: Hallmark Crossword Mysteries (2019-2021)
New Episodes of Crossword Mysteries in 2021!
Star: Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls) and Brennan Elliott
Based on: Original scripts, and New York Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz is a consultant.
Where to watch: The Hallmark Channel or Amazon.
Hallmark Crossword Mysteries Movies in Order:
Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle To Die For (2019)
Crossword Mysteries: Proposing Murder (2019)
Crossword Mysteries: Abracadaver (2020)
Crossword Mysteries: Terminal Descent (2021)
Crossword Mysteries: Riddle Me Dead (2021)
Premise of the Crossword Mysteries: Crossword puzzle editor Tess Harper is repeatedly drawn into mysteries, most of whom seem to be assigned to Detective Logan O’Connor. Logan’s father and Tess’s aunt are also recurring characters.
Setting of the Crossword Mysteries: New York City, but filmed in Toronto.
Strengths: I was really skeptical about how interesting a mystery about crossword puzzles could be. I’ve also had mixed feelings about Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott in other Hallmark movies.
But I am happy to admit I was wrong! I think Lacey is a great fit for the slightly reserved, cerebral Tess and the charming, jokey Brennan is a good foil for her.
Weaknesses: This show is supposed to take place in New York City, and while it does use some establishing New York shots, as a New Yorker I’m here to tell you that the fake locations aren’t super convincing.
Also, the fact that New York City only seems to have one detective who seems to be assigned to every murder in the city is pretty suspicious.
Review: Hallmark Darrow & Darrow Mysteries (2017-2019)
Starring: Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Tom Cavanaugh (Ed) and Wendie Malick (Just Shoot Me!)
Where to Watch: The Hallmark Channel or Amazon
Hallmark’s Darrow & Darrow Mysteries In Order:
Darrow & Darrow (2017)
In the Key of Murder (2018)
Body of Evidence (2018)
A Darrow Mystery (2019)
Premise: Idealistic lawyer Claire Darrow champions her clients’ interests while professionally tangling with ADA Miles Strasburg, raising her teen daughter, and dealing with her mother Joanna.
Strengths: The cast. I always enjoy Kimberly Williams-Paisley in Hallmark movies! Wendie Malick is a legend and great as Claire’s meddling mother from New York and I’m a fan of Tom Cavanaugh.
Weaknesses: Nothing against lawyers, but to me this premise felt a little dry at times for a Hallmark cozy, with a lot of time spent in offices and courtrooms rather than on Main Street. Since Joanna is a lawyer too, I sort of wish they’d made Claire a reporter, which would have let her interact with the others while getting her out of the office. I don’t feel like KWP seems to enjoy playing a lawyer as much as other roles.
Review: Hallmark Emma Fielding Mysteries (2017-2019)
Star: Courtney Thorne-Smith (Melrose Place)
Books That The Emma Fielding Mysteries are Based on: The Emma Fielding Mysteries by Dana Cameron
Where to Watch: Hallmark Channel or Amazon
Hallmark Emma Fielding Mysteries Movies in Order:
Site Unseen (2017)
Past Malice (2018)
More Bitter Than Death (2019)
Status: Cancelled
Premise of the Emma Fielding Mysteries: Archeologist Emma Fielding solves murders using her scientific knowledge and her FBI sidekick Jim Connor.
Strengths of the Emma Fielding Mysteries:: Emma is gorgeous and apparently smart and an archeologist should know a lot about bones.
Weaknesses: Emma is also really, really boring – sorry!
I loved Courtney in Melrose Place, but in this series she came off as way too unemotional and low-energy for me, and the plot of the episode I watched was really convoluted and not worth the effort to figure out. I was just not a fan of this series at all.
Review: Hallmark The Fixer Upper Mysteries (2017)
Star: Jewel (90s singer) and Colin Ferguson (the Maytag guy and a Hallmark regular)
Books That the Fixer Upper Mysteries Are Based on: Fixer Upper Mysteries by Kate Carlisle
Where to Watch: Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Fixer Upper Mysteries Movies in Order:
Framed for Murder (2017)
Concrete Evidence (2017)
Deadly Dead (2017)
Status: Cancelled
Premise of the Fixer-Upper Mysteries: General contractor Shannon Hammer (see, the puns are real!) is an expert at renovating Victorian homes in a charming Northern California seaside community.
Setting of the Fixer Upper Mysteries: Lighthouse Cove, California, but filmed in Vancouver.
Strengths: I love the premise of this one. I’m a huge HGTV fan and history buff and was super excited to see what Tess would find in Victorian mansions.
Weaknesses: While I think Jewel is a super-talented singer/songwriter, she’s really wooden (sorry, bad construction pun!) in this show. Her characters lack of facial expression and missing sense of humor made this one really hard to watch.
Review: Hallmark’s The Flower Shop Mysteries (2016)
Stars: Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan, Lipstick Jungle) and Brennan Elliott
Books that the Fixer Upper Mysteries Are Based on: Flower Shop Mysteries by Kate Collins
Where to Watch: Hallmark Channel or Amazon
Hallmark Flower Shop Mysteries Movies in Order:
Mum’s the Word (2016)
Snipped in the Bud (2016)
Dearly Depotted (2016)
Status: Cancelled
Premise of The Flower Shop Mysteries: Retired lawyer and recent widow Abby Knight has just opened Bloomers, a flower shop in a small Illinois town. She’s the daughter of a retired cop and has a flirty friendship with the owner of the bar next door to her shop.
Setting of The Flower Shop Mysteries: New Chapel, Illinois, but filmed in Ontario.
Strengths: In contrast to Courtney or Jewel, Brooke seems to be having the time of her life. She might even be a tiny bit too goofy, but I found her kind of endearing. I loved her relationship with her college-aged daughter.
Weaknesses: Her chemistry with Marco, the bar owner and love interest, isn’t really there for me. And Abby’s best friend and shop employee Nikki teases her about having a crush on Marco like they’re both in sixth grade.
Review: Hallmark’s Gourmet Detective (2015-2020)
Stars: Brooke Burns and Dylan Neal (Bold and the Beautiful, Dawson’s Creek)
Books That the Gourmet Detective are Based on: books by Peter King
Where to Watch: The Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Gourmet Detective Movies in Order:
The Gourmet Detective (2015)
A Healthy Place to Die (2016)
Death al Dente (2016)
Eat Drink and Be Buried (2017)
Roux the Day (2020)
Premise of The Gourmet Detective: a gourmet chef and food blogger teams up with a San Francisco homicide detective to solve crimes
Setting of The Gourmet Detective: San Francisco, but filmed in British Columbia.
Strengths: the chemistry between Henry Ross and Detective Maggie Price is good. He’s a laidback foodie, while she’s a tightly-wound, career-driven single mom who eats on the go.
Weaknesses: I feel like the premise is limited. How many food-related murders in San Francisco are there for these two to solve?
Review: The Hailey Dean Mysteries (2016-2019)
Star: Kellie Martin (Life Goes On, ER)
Books that The Hailey Dean Mysteries are Based on: The Hailey Dean Mysteries by Nancy Grace
Where to Watch: Hallmark Channel or Amazon.
Hallmark The Hailey Dean Mysteries Movies in Order
Murder, With Love (2016)
Deadly Estate (2017)
Dating Is Murder (2017)
2 + 2 = Murder (2018)
Marriage Made for Murder (2018)
Will to Kill (2018)
Death On Duty (2019)
Prescription for Murder (2019)
Killer Sentence (2019)
Status: Cancelled
Premise of the Hailey Dean Movies: Former District Attorney Hailey Dean now works as a therapist but has plenty of connections in law enforcement to help her solve crimes.
Setting of the Hailey Dean Movies: Atlanta, but filmed in Vancouver.
Strengths: I love Kellie Martin and think she does a great job in this role. It’s hard to make Canada look like Atlanta, but the show manages fairly well.
Weaknesses: Mixed feelings on this one. Since Hailey was a former DA, her meddling makes more sense. But she isn’t really an amateur detective, either. Nancy Grace’s cameo appearances were a little cringy.
Review: The Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries (2020-2021)
Star: Jesse Metcalf (Desperate Housewives)
Books That the Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries Are Based on: The Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries by Philip R. Craig
Where to Watch: The Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries Movies in Order:
A Beautiful Place to Die (2020)
Riddled with Deceit (2020)
Ships in the Night (2021)
Poisoned in Paradise (2021)
Premise of the Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries: former detective Jeff Jackson is enjoying his retirement until a friend hires him to be a one-time security guard at a hotel event. He soon finds himself in the middle of a murder.
Setting of the Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries: Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, but filmed in Vancouver.
Strengths: This one sounded promising: mysteries set in the charming island off the coast of Massachusetts.
Weaknesses: I just didn’t feel like this was a cozy. The main character was a detective and the love interest was also in law enforcement, so it felt more like a watered-down police show.
The setting was SO obviously not Martha’s Vineyard and I’ve only been there a couple times. Again, most cozies are set in fictional towns. I think that would have been a better choice than a real place, but would have been a big departure from the source material.
Note: I DO love police shows, particularly British and European crime shows and police procedurals, so if you like grittier stuff, check out my list of my Favorite Scandinavian Noir Shows to Watch!
Review: Hallmark’s The Matchmaker Mysteries (2019-2020)
Starring: Danica McKellar (Wonder Years), Victor Webster, Bruce Boxleitner
Based on: Original scripts. Supposedly inspired by Patti Stanger, the Millionaire Matchmaker, who serves as a consultant on the show.
Where to Watch: Hallmark Channel or Amazon
Hallmark The Matchmaker Mysteries Movies in Order:
A Killer Engagement (2019)
A Fatal Romance (2020)
Premise: Angie Dove is a matchmaker who stars on a TV show about matchmaking. The show takes place in Philadelphia, which stumped me until I thought: City of Brotherly Love? Cozies do love their puns.
Strengths: I have not always loved Danica McKeller in other Hallmark movies, but I think this is a great role for her, allowing her to be both warm and analytical. I loved her relationship with officer Nick Cooper, and with her former police officer father.
Weaknesses: I was actually a fan of Millionaire Matchmaker back in the day. But for me, having the matchmaking element in every episode got kind of tedious and made the plot options limited. But that might just be me.
Review: Hallmark Morning Show Mysteries (2018-2021)
Star: Holly Robinson Peete (21 Jump Street); Rick Fox played the love interest but was replaced in 2021
Books The Morning Show Mysteries are Based on: The Morning Show Murders by Al Roker and Dick Lochte
Where to Watch: Hallmark Channel or DVD.
Hallmark Morning Show Mysteries Movies in Order:
Mortal Mishaps (2018)
Murder on the Menu (2018)
A Murder in Mind (2019)
Countdown to Murder (2019)
Death by Design (2019)
Murder Ever After (2021)
Premise of The Morning Show Mysteries : Billie (I think her name was spelled Billy in the books) Blessings, restauranteur and cooking expert on a popular morning show, solves mysteries in Seattle. Her old flame, police officer Ian Jackson, tries to stop her meddling in his cases and her beloved Aunt Cassie tries to keep her safe.
Setting of The Morning Show Mysteries : Seattle, but filmed in Vancouver
Strengths: I highly recommend this series! I love the fact that Billie and Ian have a romantic past. The mysteries are well-plotted. The show uses the restaurant as a setting plus the set of the show, where there’s an egotistical anchorman who could have been based on you-know-who….
Weaknesses: None. Okay maybe one: the Seattle setting seems a little weird to me, especially since I think the books take place in Manhattan. Nothing against Seattle!
Review: Hallmark’s Murder She Baked (2015-2021)
New Episodes of Murder She Baked for 2021!
Stars: Alison Sweeney (Days of Our Lives) and Cameron Mathison (All My Children)
Books that The Murder She Baked Mysteries are Based on: The Murder She Baked Novels by Joanne Fluke.
Where to Watch: Hallmark Channel or Amazon.
Hallmark Murder She Baked Movies in Order:
A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery (2015)
A Plum Pudding Mystery (2015)
A Peach Cobbler Mystery (2016)
A Deadly Recipe (2016)
Just Desserts (2017)
Sweet Revenge (2021)
Premise of Murder She Baked: Hannah Swensen, the owner of The Cookie Jar, a bakery in small-town Minnesota, solves murders alongside Detective Mike Kingston.
Setting of Murder She Baked: Eden Lake, Minnesota, but filmed in British Columbia.
Strengths: I love Alison Sweeney and love the bakery setting. Who wouldn’t want to sit around and watch people bake pies and cookies?
Weaknesses: For me, the first couple episodes started out a little blah, but I feel they’ve improved a lot. The relationship between Hannah and Mike is a bit tortured, and there’s even a bit of a love triangle that develops. But I love Alison Sweeney in any Hallmark movie or series.
Review of Picture Perfect Mysteries (2019)
Stars: Alexa PenaVega (Spy Kids) and her husband, Carlos PenaVega
Where to Watch: Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Picture Perfect Mysteries Movies in Order:
Newlywed and Dead (2019)
Dead Over Diamonds (2020)
Exit, Stage Death (2020).
Status: Cancelled
Premise of Picture Perfect: Professional photographer Allie Adams solves mysteries in Willow Haven alongside Detective Sam Acosta.
Strengths: It’s cute to have a husband and wife team starring in the show.
Weaknesses: This one was a little blah to me. I remember Alexa from Spy Kids and was hoping to feel the same sense of fun. But this series just felt too serious. Cozy mysteries really do need a little bit of quirk and humor.
Check out my post on the Best and Worst Christmas Movies on Hallmark, Netflix and Amazon Prime!
Have you watched any of these? Tell me in comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading The Best Hallmark Cozy Mystery Movies To Watch
For your watching enjoyment I have made two Hallmark Cozy Mystery Movie bingo cards. Fun for the whole family!
Want a second bingo card to play against a friend? You can grab it if you’ll sign up for my newsletter!
Phew! You’ve certainly been watching a lot of these! I work at a hotel in Canada and we’ve hosted a few Hallmark movie sets over the years. It’s because we have a historic hotel so it looks perfect for the setting. Mind you, most of the Hallmark movies are Christmas themed.
Great work, Jen!
OMG please send photos next time or just let me know and I’ll fly there!
I haven’t seen or read any cozy mysteries! I don’t know why I’m surprised that Hallmark shows cozy mysteries!
Yep, it’s 100% on brand and they’re really fun. I know this will be controversial but BETTER than the Christmas movies.