Let's go investigate the haunted house. Secret rooms and everything that screams "ruh roh'. Lots of fun. Daughters were cute in their roles. Enjoy it.
20 Reviews
Scooby Doo
vintagegeek22 February 2022
loved the casting of daughters as younger characters in flashbacks!
novagirl1124 February 2022
Candace Cameron Bure's daughter, Natasha Bure, and Lexa Doig's daughter, Mia Shanks, both play the parts of a teenage Aurora and Sally perfectly! They look, talk, and move just like their adult counterparts. I loved it! I didn't love Niall Matter's beard, though, - it looks fake and he looks like a different person! One question: why did Hallmark release a Halloween movie in February?
Niall's beard
paula152625 February 2022
The beard has got to go!
audjbow25 February 2022
Good story but Niall needs to get rid of that horrible beard. He is unrecognizable, plus it looks fake. The only good thing is I can now tell him apart from Arthur. Good job by the daughters of the two female leads!
Haunted house, real life daughters, bodies, new beard, and our beloved characters.
cgvsluis23 February 2022
Haunted by Murder is the latest in the Hallmark movie Aurora Teagarden series (one of my three favorites along with Hannah Swensen's Murder she Baked and Mystery 101).
I am happy to say it brought back our beloved cast of characters: Aurora, new husband the professor Nick Miller, best friend Sally, high school friend/ex/police detective Arthur, police chief and Arthur's wife Lynn, Aurora's cousin Phillip, Sally's cousin Lizzy, grumpy librarian and co-worker Lillian, and Aurora's mother Aida.
This was a fun haunted house mystery that starts with Aurora, Sally and Arthur taking a trip down memory lane to their teenage past when the three of them ended up inside Enshaw house, a known Lawrenceton haunted house, where they found the body of a paranormal scientist in a secret room inside the house. They relay the story to the Real Murders club and Aurora says she feels like it is the only mystery she didn't solve...because the death was ruled an accident but it just didn't seem right. Aurora learns that her mother has purchased the property to keep it out of the hands of developers who would tear it down. Her intention is to finish the renovations that were started by the previous owners, who went bankrupt trying to turn it in to a bed and breakfast, and sell it. Aurora takes it as an opportunity to go back and look for clues from their past...this leads to an interesting discovery about Lilian and another body!
"You librarians are intriguingly complex."-Nick
I absolutely loved that they cast the real life daughters of both Candace Cameron Bure and Alexa Doig to play their younger selves. (I am also thrilled that Sally is back as our best friend, I missed her.)
I loved that the cast was back together and I thought this was actually a good mystery on top of it.
In the ads I didn't recognize Niall Matters with his new bearded look, I was worried he wasn't in this episode...so I was very happy to see that he was! I just have one thing to say about the look...are we sure about the beard? I am sure more people besides me will miss seeing his face, literally.
I highly recommend this series and I highly recommend this episode. I think fans of this series are going to love it. I also think it will be a great one for Hallmark to bring back out for Halloween...spooky fog, dancing lights and a haunted house!
"Well, if anything is stronger than death, of course it would be love."-Aurora.
I am happy to say it brought back our beloved cast of characters: Aurora, new husband the professor Nick Miller, best friend Sally, high school friend/ex/police detective Arthur, police chief and Arthur's wife Lynn, Aurora's cousin Phillip, Sally's cousin Lizzy, grumpy librarian and co-worker Lillian, and Aurora's mother Aida.
This was a fun haunted house mystery that starts with Aurora, Sally and Arthur taking a trip down memory lane to their teenage past when the three of them ended up inside Enshaw house, a known Lawrenceton haunted house, where they found the body of a paranormal scientist in a secret room inside the house. They relay the story to the Real Murders club and Aurora says she feels like it is the only mystery she didn't solve...because the death was ruled an accident but it just didn't seem right. Aurora learns that her mother has purchased the property to keep it out of the hands of developers who would tear it down. Her intention is to finish the renovations that were started by the previous owners, who went bankrupt trying to turn it in to a bed and breakfast, and sell it. Aurora takes it as an opportunity to go back and look for clues from their past...this leads to an interesting discovery about Lilian and another body!
"You librarians are intriguingly complex."-Nick
I absolutely loved that they cast the real life daughters of both Candace Cameron Bure and Alexa Doig to play their younger selves. (I am also thrilled that Sally is back as our best friend, I missed her.)
I loved that the cast was back together and I thought this was actually a good mystery on top of it.
In the ads I didn't recognize Niall Matters with his new bearded look, I was worried he wasn't in this episode...so I was very happy to see that he was! I just have one thing to say about the look...are we sure about the beard? I am sure more people besides me will miss seeing his face, literally.
I highly recommend this series and I highly recommend this episode. I think fans of this series are going to love it. I also think it will be a great one for Hallmark to bring back out for Halloween...spooky fog, dancing lights and a haunted house!
"Well, if anything is stronger than death, of course it would be love."-Aurora.
Different feel to this mystery
Ekm82851110 July 2022
This Aurora Teagarden movie definitely had a scarier, creepy vibe to it compared to the other Aurora movies, which I would consider "cozy mysteries". With that being said, I still liked it. I liked that this mystery involved a lot of the cast. I loved the cameos of Candace and Lexa's daughters as Teen Aurora and Teen Sally. The ratings were also very favorable. I wonder along with others if this will end up being the last Aurora movie or if more will be coming.
Happy for a new episode
mizkj18 April 2022
Not too bad, something a little different from the AT writers. Some cheesy parts for sure, but that's standard for Hallmark, right? I agree with other reviewers - Niall's beard looks fake and does not suit him AT ALL.
Great Film
lgroden30 April 2022
I love all the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries & this one was no different. I have just treated myself to the previous 17 on DVD! I hope they continue to make more. I must say that Niall Matter was unrecognisable - the beard & dyed hair looked so false - it was like Aurora was married to a different man!
Good story. More mysterious than other movies.
tub5146122 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I feel the writers made a step up with this story which while slow and head scratching kept me engaged to why certain things were happening. I personally figured out who was the culprit shortly after the halfway point but it was due to a repeated unusual pattern. It just gnawed at me until I realized it was a significant issue in the film. Everything else was smoke and mirrors. Now the why took me a bit more to find but I realized my conclusion while yet to be revealed was verified.
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Haunted by Murder
JoBloTheMovieCritic9 March 2022
7/10 - if I'm honest many of the latest Aurora Teagarden mysteries have teetered on bland, but this one provides a nice, new jolt of life into the series thanks to an interesting parapsychology-centered plot and a genuinely well-written mystery.
Quik-clean?
slwenger1 May 2022
Movies often take license with police procedures and laws and instant DNA results but when the 'haunted house' is suddenly cleaned and filled with fresh furnishings and linens, groceries and clean windows--all within hours it's just a bit difficult to grasp. So I watched it a second time. It could be my imagination, but there has to be a bit of reality thrown in. Otherwise, I really enjoyed it, especially with the young daughters in the cast.
Still predictable but not within first 5 mins
mysay-97-5810861 February 2023
I am a little confused though, I thought Candace walked away from Hallmark to the new knock off network that was more on her moral compass? Anyway the story line was pretty good and yes shout outs to the daughters playing the past characters.
My biggest beef though was the house. That did not have the feel of a house that had been abandoned for decades. Maybe the secret hidden room with the cobwebs and the old stuff.
The house was gorgeous!
And the makeup director should be fired from any other show. What the heck was wrong with Niall's beard?
I wonder how many more Murder Mysteries Hallmark allow Candace to come back to?
My biggest beef though was the house. That did not have the feel of a house that had been abandoned for decades. Maybe the secret hidden room with the cobwebs and the old stuff.
The house was gorgeous!
And the makeup director should be fired from any other show. What the heck was wrong with Niall's beard?
I wonder how many more Murder Mysteries Hallmark allow Candace to come back to?
Scooby Doo remake
rosered23525 February 2022
I adore the Aurora Teagarden movies but this truly played like a remake of a Scooby Doo cartoon. I expected someone's mask to get pulled off at the end to reveal the one who had been terrorizing everyone with the fake tricks. And thank goodness for Nick's rational psychologist take that educated us on the reality of things. That contrasted with the cartoonish portrayal of the paranormal investigators. This one did not hit it out of the park, it didn't even get to first base.
Having the daughters of the stars play their teenage selves was clever and worth tuning in for. Both young ladies were perfect. Even though this wasn't my favorite I still look forward to more of this series. Just hope the next one gets back to the former storyline.
Having the daughters of the stars play their teenage selves was clever and worth tuning in for. Both young ladies were perfect. Even though this wasn't my favorite I still look forward to more of this series. Just hope the next one gets back to the former storyline.
Scooby Doo without the dog
elisabethbeighton2 September 2023
While sticking to the familiar formula followed in all the Aurora Teagarden mysteries, this one strays into the territory of another series of comedy mysteries, Scooby Doo. We have the setting of a haunted house, seemingly supernatural goings on that are actually the work of incompetent criminals, danger in secret passages, ghost hunters, the librarian, comic capers and an obvious solution.
Which character most resembles the cartoon dog with his goofiness and tenacity to solve the mystery can easily be deduced. However there is one character from the cartoon who is unmistakable. With his newly acquired and unflattering beard and greasy hair, the leading man is transformed into Shaggy. Usually it is difficult to distinguish him at first glance from the policeman (or indeed his predecessor as love interest - our heroine goes in for a certain type of man). Now the policeman and his wife appear as the glamour couple. Shaggy is more pathetic. Scooby saves the day.
Which character most resembles the cartoon dog with his goofiness and tenacity to solve the mystery can easily be deduced. However there is one character from the cartoon who is unmistakable. With his newly acquired and unflattering beard and greasy hair, the leading man is transformed into Shaggy. Usually it is difficult to distinguish him at first glance from the policeman (or indeed his predecessor as love interest - our heroine goes in for a certain type of man). Now the policeman and his wife appear as the glamour couple. Shaggy is more pathetic. Scooby saves the day.
Haunted by murder
coltras3521 June 2023
When Aurora Teagarden and her best friend, Sally Allison, were teenagers, they entered the infamous haunted mansion on a dare. To their shock, they came upon a dead body in a secret room. It's now 20 years later and Aurora's mother, Aida, has bought the Crenshaw Mansion with plans to renovate and sell, dismissing the notion that the house is haunted. But the more time they spend in the mansion, the more convinced Aurora is that the body they found long ago was not the result of an accident. Someone or something really doesn't want Aurora, Nick and their friends in the Real Murders Club digging into the past because there are a lot more secrets to be found in the Crenshaw Mansion... secrets worth protecting at all costs!
Haunted house, murder, a secret passage, a painting that turns around by its own accord - what's there not to like? This is a solid mystery with a great performance by Lexa Doig, some good creepy atmosphere and some lively twist and turns.
Haunted house, murder, a secret passage, a painting that turns around by its own accord - what's there not to like? This is a solid mystery with a great performance by Lexa Doig, some good creepy atmosphere and some lively twist and turns.
Not the usual
harryb-721 February 2022
I couldn't wait to see this but I was a little taken back by the lack of what I would call closeness.
The actors are usually so in tune with each other but this time it seemed forced.
There was a lack of the usual warmth and concern that is normally between them.
Hopefully with everything going on, everyone is doing well and that the old warmth of the other Aurora Teagarden returns.
The actors are usually so in tune with each other but this time it seemed forced.
There was a lack of the usual warmth and concern that is normally between them.
Hopefully with everything going on, everyone is doing well and that the old warmth of the other Aurora Teagarden returns.
Mom buys an old, possibly haunted, mansion and a 22-yr-old death is investigated.
TxMike22 October 2023
As with almost all Hallmark movies it plays things safe and when a murder mystery is involved, four or five or six possible perpetrators are turned up gradually. We don't know which one is more likely, then near the end someone we had no reason to suspect comes in the reveal.
Candace Cameron Bure is a producer and she stars as Aurora Teagarden. Her mom is played by one my old favorites from the "Taxi" TV series days in the 1970s, Marilu Henner, now 70, as Aida Teagarden. Back when Aurora and her friends were teenagers they came upon a body in the secret basement of the old house, it was ruled an accidental falling. Now Aida has bought the old house, plans to refurbish it and sell it. But in the process Aurora, her husband, and a few others start to pull old information to investigate if it really was a murder.
My wife and I watched it on Amazon Prime streaming, as is our custom after Saturday evening wine and steak dinner. We enjoyed it as light entertainment.
Candace Cameron Bure is a producer and she stars as Aurora Teagarden. Her mom is played by one my old favorites from the "Taxi" TV series days in the 1970s, Marilu Henner, now 70, as Aida Teagarden. Back when Aurora and her friends were teenagers they came upon a body in the secret basement of the old house, it was ruled an accidental falling. Now Aida has bought the old house, plans to refurbish it and sell it. But in the process Aurora, her husband, and a few others start to pull old information to investigate if it really was a murder.
My wife and I watched it on Amazon Prime streaming, as is our custom after Saturday evening wine and steak dinner. We enjoyed it as light entertainment.
Niall Matter ruins show
TtheK216 February 2023
Could not concentrate on this film because of Niall Matter's black beard and long greasy hair. Does he really think he looks good this way? He is not a handsome leading man to begin with, but this "new" look makes him look like a joke. I have avoided subsequent Niall Matter films because I can't stand to look at him.
I also think this plot is ridiculous. A bad way to end this usually enjoyable Aurora Teagarden series. To me, the two daughters were the only entertaining characters in the entire show.
Finally, why are we required to write such long reviews on this site? To fill space, I repeat how awful Niall Matter looks.
I also think this plot is ridiculous. A bad way to end this usually enjoyable Aurora Teagarden series. To me, the two daughters were the only entertaining characters in the entire show.
Finally, why are we required to write such long reviews on this site? To fill space, I repeat how awful Niall Matter looks.
Wow, this one was BAD, I mean, really bad.
hitch-346 May 2022
If you're an Aurora Teagarden fan, you already know that you're not signing up for deep thought, great literature, or Larry Olivier-quality acting when you sit down with one of these--you're accustomed to pretty lightweight fluff, easy-to-like characters, undemanding scenarios, not being lectured about every PC thing today, etc. Hell, that last part is probably WHY you're watching it--I know that's why I do. I'm not challenging my nogging with a whodunit; I'm seeking lightweight escapism, which, up until this last one, this series provided.
But dang, enough is enough--this one goes beyond the pale in dum-dum-dum. Firstly, the character of Sally, the sidekick, was simply dimwitted and terrified throughout. When I think of her many lines, they were all equivalent to Shaggy in Scooby-doo, lamenting how scared s/he was. Literally, I think that is every single line she had, the entire movie--"Let's leave, I'm too scared," or "I'm going home," or the equivalent of "ooooohhhh.... nooooooo..." and it was so annoying that by halfway through, I started turning off the sound every time she opened her mouth. (We use captions, though, so I still knew what she moaned/said/cried.). I honestly don't think she said anything else!
The other thing is, it really *is* Scooby-Doo-ish, in that you can see all the setups coming. Picture moves? Character moves it back and surprise! It moves again. Duh. Is there a staircase down to the basement, where someone died 20 years ago? Aurora goes down the stairs and gasp--the door jambs and she's TRAPPED and panics. Duh-uh. Why? There are 20 people upstairs who know she went downstairs, for crying out loud. OH and there's a small reveal at the end, that is meant to add, apparently, to the ghostly aspect...(wait for the music...)
Even Aurora's character seemed dimwitted in this one and she's meant to be the investigative heroine, not the Crime-solver-through-happy-accidents person. Her new husband, Nick, seems to have been completely castrated now...he's also sort of uber-vanilla, a prop more than a character. The nephew is also...he's grown a beard and it's a laughable addition, it really is. He also seems to be standing around as a part of the scenery, rather than really doing anything.
The mother, played by Elaine whatsits, is as annoying as always. How many years now has Aurora been solving murders? Is there some reason that the mother keeps moaning about it, acting as though she's the one being put-upon? "Oh, Aurora!" You can practically write her dialogue yourself, every time she appears.
Charlaine (Harris, the author and the producer of this series), PLEASE, stop it. I was on your early internet fan boards, on your website and we yakked back and forth a lot, before you were famous--PLEASE, stop it with the mother's behavior, and can you put some brains back in Sally's head, please? Please? Otherwise, this series is truly doomed. I appreciate that it provides me with entertainment that it's hard to find nowadays, where I'm not being constantly lectured by people who think that they know how and what I should think about this, that, and the next thing, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, but really--please, take it up a notch. I'm sure I'm not the only person who would appreciate it.
But dang, enough is enough--this one goes beyond the pale in dum-dum-dum. Firstly, the character of Sally, the sidekick, was simply dimwitted and terrified throughout. When I think of her many lines, they were all equivalent to Shaggy in Scooby-doo, lamenting how scared s/he was. Literally, I think that is every single line she had, the entire movie--"Let's leave, I'm too scared," or "I'm going home," or the equivalent of "ooooohhhh.... nooooooo..." and it was so annoying that by halfway through, I started turning off the sound every time she opened her mouth. (We use captions, though, so I still knew what she moaned/said/cried.). I honestly don't think she said anything else!
The other thing is, it really *is* Scooby-Doo-ish, in that you can see all the setups coming. Picture moves? Character moves it back and surprise! It moves again. Duh. Is there a staircase down to the basement, where someone died 20 years ago? Aurora goes down the stairs and gasp--the door jambs and she's TRAPPED and panics. Duh-uh. Why? There are 20 people upstairs who know she went downstairs, for crying out loud. OH and there's a small reveal at the end, that is meant to add, apparently, to the ghostly aspect...(wait for the music...)
Even Aurora's character seemed dimwitted in this one and she's meant to be the investigative heroine, not the Crime-solver-through-happy-accidents person. Her new husband, Nick, seems to have been completely castrated now...he's also sort of uber-vanilla, a prop more than a character. The nephew is also...he's grown a beard and it's a laughable addition, it really is. He also seems to be standing around as a part of the scenery, rather than really doing anything.
The mother, played by Elaine whatsits, is as annoying as always. How many years now has Aurora been solving murders? Is there some reason that the mother keeps moaning about it, acting as though she's the one being put-upon? "Oh, Aurora!" You can practically write her dialogue yourself, every time she appears.
Charlaine (Harris, the author and the producer of this series), PLEASE, stop it. I was on your early internet fan boards, on your website and we yakked back and forth a lot, before you were famous--PLEASE, stop it with the mother's behavior, and can you put some brains back in Sally's head, please? Please? Otherwise, this series is truly doomed. I appreciate that it provides me with entertainment that it's hard to find nowadays, where I'm not being constantly lectured by people who think that they know how and what I should think about this, that, and the next thing, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, but really--please, take it up a notch. I'm sure I'm not the only person who would appreciate it.
Why the constant mood music?
dennisdownunder8 March 2022
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