Morning Show Mysteries: Death by Design

Posted May 2, 2019 by karenbaron in Hallmark T.V. Movie, Movie Review, Mystery / 0 Comments

Format: T.V. Movie

Morning Show Mysteries: Death by Design

Network: Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Series Number: 5

Director: Kevin Fair

Teleplay by: Amber Benson

Cast:

Holly Robinson Peete (Billie Blessings)
Rick Fox (Ian Jackson)
Karen Robinson (Cassandra Shaw)
Keegan Connor Tracy (Jasmine Tywell/Marian Robbins)
David Paetkau (Hawk)
Jessica Heafey (Riley Tanako)
Kimberley Sustad (Lana Brown)
Greg Rogers (Maurice)
Michelle Harrison (Stacey Walker)
Brittney Wilson (Lucy)
Jesse Moss (Phil)
David Lewis (Lance)
Michael Teigen (Aaron)
Kirsten Robek (Gretchen)
Anna Van Hooft (Tiffany)
Milah Thompson (Emma)
Primo Allon (Zach)
Chelsey Reist (Harper)
Adrian Petriw (Librarian)
Sean Millington (Dolph)
Gary Jones (Insurance Adjuster)
Christina Sicoli (Receptionist)
Veenu Sandhu (Manager)
Ellen Ewusie (The Ex)
Jorge Vargas (Bartender)
Al Roker (Himself)

Plot Summary:

Restauranteur and TV chef Billie Blessings and detective Ian Jackson work together to solve the murder of Billie’s childhood best friend’s identical twin sister. With the evidence pointing towards her beloved friend, Billie must sort through the dead woman’s entire circle of friends – and enemies – in the hope of proving her friend’s innocence.

Based on characters from the book: The Morning Show Murders by Al Roker and Dick Lochte.

My Rating:

My Thoughts:

This movie completes this set of three movies from this series for 2019, and I love it.

I got the killer right away, but I didn’t know why. That was the part that was killing me since it was the hardest part to try to figure out once the most obvious one was canned. Until a specific part then it just clicked in my head that is her motive.

The acting in this one was a bit better than the first four, but Billie still doesn’t play much of a role as a sleuth. I don’t hold that against Mrs. Peete though. The writers need to let her use her instincts and lead more. Keegan Connor Tracy was also excellent while playing identical twins, and keeping them apart in her head. Rick Fox did another great job as Detective Ian Jackson.

There was a little drama, and Ian needs to learn to talk to Billie if they want a relationship. Aunt Cassandra wasn’t all up in Billie’s business this time. I did miss the cook in the kitchen though.

Oh, and remember in the last review where I said that Al Roker has been absent, well he pops up in this one.