The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries from Hallmark encompass 19 movies all covering the adventures of the titular librarian/private eye and to watch the series in order means starting in 2015. Author Charlaine Harris, best known for her Sookie Stackhouse series which was eventually turned into True Blood by HBO, wrote another long and popular franchise, the Aurora Teagarden series. The books began with Real Murders in 1990 which was followed by 10 more novels, the last coming in 2017, Sleep Like a Baby. Hallmark adapted the second book in the series in April 2015, A Bone to Pick .
Since then, 18 more movies have come out, with all but one starring Candace Cameron Bure as Aurora Teagarden. Aurora “Roe” is a librarian in the sleepy town of Lawrenceton, Washington, where she runs the Real Murders Club, a group of true crime lovers who meet every month to study up on the famous crimes from the history of their town. Her investigations often lead Aurora to uncover real crimes in her own backyard for the intrepid librarian to solve. With Aurora Teagarden‘s cast of likable characters and cozy atmosphere, there’s plenty to love in the movies.
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Title |
Year |
|---|---|
|
Aurora Teagarden Mystery: A Bone to Pick |
2015 |
|
Real Murders: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery |
2015 |
|
Three Bedrooms, One Corpse: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery |
2016 |
|
The Julius House: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery |
2016 |
|
Dead Over Heels: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery |
2017 |
|
A Bundle of Trouble: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery |
2017 |
|
Last Scene Alive: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery |
2018 |
|
Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery |
2018 |
|
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: The Disappearing Game |
2018 |
|
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Game of Cat and Mouse |
2019 |
|
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: An Inheritance to Die For |
2019 |
|
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Very Foul Play |
2019 |
|
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Heist and Seek |
2020 |
|
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Reunited and It Feels So Deadly |
2020 |
|
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: How to Con a Con |
2021 |
|
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Til Death Do Us Part |
2021 |
|
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Honeymoon, Honeymurder |
2021 |
|
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Haunted by Murder |
2022 |
|
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Something New |
2023 |
19 Aurora Teagarden Mystery: A Bone to Pick
April 4, 2015
Aurora Teagarden Mystery: A Bone to Pick is an adaptation of Harris’ second book. The movie introduces Aurora and shows how she got to Lawrenceton, Washington. When Aurora inherits a large estate from a former member of the disbanded Real Murders Club, she also receives gifts of money and jewelry, as well as a skull hidden in the home. Unsure of whether the old woman committed murder or has tasked Aurora with clearing her name, Aurora sets out to find the truth.
As the first film in the series, A Bone to Pick is responsible for a lot of exposition and world-building as the cozy Hallmark movie series takes off. Right away it’s obvious that Bure is an excellent choice for the character, portraying her cheeriness and unflappable attitude well. It’s a bit smaller in scope than the films that would come after it but has plenty of charm and leaves the audience wanting more once it’s over.
18 Real Murders: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery
July 26, 2015
Based on the first book in the series, Real Murders: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery sees local crime aficionados coming together at Aurora’s library for her first meeting of the Real Murders Club. However, when one member of the Club turns up dead, murdered in just the same manner as the crime set to be explored that night, Aurora must use all her sleuthing skills to clear her name and stop any more murders from happening.
There have been a few changes between the first and second films in the
Aurora Teagarden
series, with new characters introduced and the scope of the series widened by a significant margin.
There have been a few changes between the first and second films in the Aurora Teagarden series, with new characters introduced and the scope of the series widened by a significant margin. It also is the first sign that Aurora Teagarden movies are not afraid to get a little more violent than other Hallmark fare.
17 Three Bedrooms, One Corpse: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery
June 12, 2016
In Three Bedrooms, One Corpse: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery, based on the third novel in Harris’ series, Aurora tries her hand at real estate. While showing off houses, she finds a body, then another one, then she realizes that there may be a killer on the loose. Aurora recruits two Real Murder Club members, John Queensland (Bruce Dawson) and Perry Dell (Scott Lyster), to help her crack the case and find out which of her real estate coworkers is behind the killings.
This is the first introduction of Martin Bartell (Yannick Bisson), an on-again, off-again romantic partner for Aurora who lasts through the next couple of movies. It’s an intriguing mystery that has some suspenseful moments in the second act where art theft comes into play, offering a new flavor to the story.
16 The Julius House: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery
August 16, 2016
The Julius House: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery is based on the fourth book in the series and finds Aurora looking for a new home to buy. She finds what she thinks is the perfect one but learns that it was the site of the disappearance of a family of three. Far from being put off by the information, Aurora uses this as an excuse to investigate the home’s history and find out what really happened to the family.
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The Julius House provides an intriguing mystery and watching Aurora find more and more clues throughout the house almost makes it like an escape room-type movie where the audience can solve the mystery alongside the characters. Bure’s relationship with her mother, Aida Teagarden (Marilu Henner), is also explored in greater depth in this film, adding a little more backstory to the character.
15 Dead Over Heels: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery
March 19, 2017
Adapted from the fifth book in the franchise, Dead Over Heels: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery finds Captain Jack Burns (Craig March) murdered at the onset. Despite always having a contentious relationship with the captain, Aurora wants to figure out what happened to him. At the same time, Aurora’s home is broken into and she’s given a mysterious gift. It’s been almost a year of Aurora and Martin being together, and the stress of what to do about their relationship threatens to become an issue.
While the mystery in the fifth film isn’t quite as tightly put together as in the previous movies, the relationship moments between characters make up for it. Aurora and Martin’s relationship finally develops in a significant way and her interest in setting up a friend, Sally (Lexa Doig), with one of Martin’s colleagues helps to make the world seem bigger and more lived in.
14 A Bundle Of Trouble: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery
May 21, 2017
A Bundle of Trouble: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery is the first Aurora Teagarden movie to not be adapted from one of Harris’ books. The film introduces Regina (Carly McKillip), Martin’s long-lost niece who arrives at Aurora’s doorstep, only to leave her newborn baby and dead husband after she disappears. Aurora and Martin have to carefully balance their relationship as they investigate this delicate and personal mystery.
A Bundle of Trouble
also gives Martin more screentime than previous outings and the actor, Yannick Bisson, takes advantage of it.
The sixth Aurora Teagarden movie hews a little too close to a soap opera with some of the more bizarre story choices in this film, likely a result of not having Harris’ novel to fall back on. However, the chemistry between Martin and Aurora is as good as ever. A Bundle of Trouble also gives Martin more screentime than previous outings and the actor, Yannick Bisson, takes advantage of it.
13 Last Scene Alive: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery
January 7, 2018
Last Scene Alive: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery is adapted from Harris’ eighth book. In the movie, a film crew comes to Lawrenceton to make a feature about a book Aurora’s friend Robin Daniels (Robin Dunne) wrote. The book is based on Aurora’s life with a lead character who is very similar to Aurora herself. Filming doesn’t last long because the actress set to play “Aurora” turns up dead, and it’s up to the real Aurora to find out who in the crew is responsible.
It’s the last
Aurora Teagarden
movie to feature Martin and this seventh film marks the end of an era.
Martin becomes concerned about the disappearance of his old CIA partner, and at the end of the film, decides to leave Lawrenceton and Aurora for South America, the last place his partner was sighted. It’s the last Aurora Teagarden movie to feature Martin and this seventh film marks the end of an era.
12 Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery
April 15, 2018
Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery is a return to classic Aurora Teagarden mystery storytelling without too much in the way of romantic subplots. Aurora’s old family friend Poppy (Jordana Largy) comes to Lawrenceton to showcase her online money-making business. However, she’s soon found murdered and the list of people who would want to kill off the successful, but antagonistic, entrepreneur is very long.
With Martin out of the picture, Aurora and the movie can focus solely on the crime at hand. This is one of the first films in a while that sees Aurora getting to solve a case without any relationship distractions to slow down the crime-solving. It’s a welcome change of pace in the series and feels like the older Aurora Teagarden films than it does those newer ones, which are often bogged down with too many emotional beats.
11 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: The Disappearing Game
July 29, 2018
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: The Disappearing Game introduces Aurora’s cousin, Phillip (Dylan Sloan), who, along with his roommate, disappears after the roommate’s girlfriend’s mysterious death. Aurora enlists the help of some of her friends as well as a college professor, Nick Miller (Niall Matter), who has recently moved across the street and with whom Aurora is instantly smitten.
This film fleshes out more of Aurora’s family, introducing her cousin Phillip to the gang. More importantly, it introduced Niall Matter as Nick Miller, Aurora’s new love interest. Nick will go on to be a more significant romantic partner for Aurora than even Martin Bartell, and it’s clear why in this film, with how great Matter and Bure’s chemistry is.
10 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Game Of Cat And Mouse
August 4, 2019
In Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Game of Cat and Mouse, a break-in at the Real Murders Club results in some cryptic clues left behind that Aurora is eager to solve. Aurora discovers the clues all have to do with quotes from mystery novels and Aurora enlists the help of Nick and Nick’s colleague, Bree (Tammy Gills). As the trio gets closer to solving the case, it soon becomes apparent the break-in was motivated by someone jealous of Nick and Aurora’s relationship.
There are several possible candidates who could be responsible for the break-in and trying to figure out who is most likely behind the crime makes for a puzzling and fun watch. Nick and Aurora’s slowly building relationship also offers something romantic for viewers. The two going on a date at the end of the film relieves two movies worth of romantic tension between the pair.
9 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: An Inheritance To Die For
August 11, 2019
In Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Inheritance to Die For, Aurora investigates the supposed poisoning of two close friends. One, Gladys McCourt (Karen Kruper) left a will behind that several benefactors are suspicious of, leading to a lot of finger-pointing. Plenty of people had a reason to see Gladys dead, but Aurora will have to figure out what the truth is.
Aurora is also running into some relationship problems with Nick. Nick is beginning to suspect that Aurora is purposefully keeping him at arm’s length for reasons he’s unsure about and his wish to be with her means that Aurora has to make some important decisions about her future. Fortunately, the duo solves the case and in doing so, realize how much they love one another.
8 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Very Foul Play
August 18, 2019
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Very Foul Play sees the Real Murders Club putting on a play for Lawrenceton. Things take a dark turn when an actual murder is committed during the performance. Phillip is once again accused of committing a terrible crime and Aurora must use all her abilities to help clear his name.
While the on-stage murder that sets things off is a bit over-the-top, the investigation into the crime is appropriately complex and intriguing.
While the on-stage murder that sets things off is a bit over-the-top, the investigation into the crime is appropriately complex and intriguing. Detective Lynn Smith (Miranda Frigon), one of the Lawrenceton officers, takes on a much more helpful role in this episode, and it’s a nice change-up to see what happens when the police and Real Murders Club work together, rather than being at odds.
7 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Heist And Seek
May 17, 2020
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Heist and Seek sees a priceless crown stolen during a benefit gala at Aurora’s library and now Aurora and the Real Murders Club must figure out who would be willing to kill to steal it. While the investigation is taking place, Nick is struggling with a big question of his own: when is the perfect time to propose to Aurora?
This is one of the better Aurora Teagarden Mysteries out of the last couple of outings and the large ensemble of the movie ensures there are some great character interactions between people who aren’t always on screen together. Aurora’s sleuthing alongside the Real Murders Club is as engaging as ever, and Nick’s worrying about when to propose offers a lighter b-plot. The proposal itself is as romantic a moment as any Hallmark Valentine’s Day movie.
6 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Reunited And It Feels So Deadly
October 18, 2020
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Reunited and It Feels So Deadly finds Aurora and Nick, newly engaged, and on their way to attend Aurora’s 20th high school reunion. While they’re there, former prom king, Jack Landon (Toby Levins) is found floating in a swimming pool with a knife in his back. Plenty of former classmates have a reason to want him dead, but Aurora must figure out the truth.
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Aurora and Nick are as close in this episode as they’ve ever been and Matter and Bure do some of their best work together. The school setting offers a refreshing new location for the series and the cast of new characters adds something different to the mix. It is a bit strange in this episode, however, that the murderer is telegraphed from the start, but only Aurora seems to be unaware of the culprit.
5 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: How To Con A Con
March 14, 2021
In Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: How to Con a Con, Aurora and Nick are busy preparing for their wedding when Aurora’s mother, Aida, discovers one of her real estate clients has been murdered. Aurora and Nick are on the case with the rest of the Real Murders Club and realize that someone is operating an elaborate con. In order to capture the con artist, the group put on a con of their own.
This movie sees Aurora at her most clever, even if her sting operation ultimately fails. It also brings in Phillip to help, who, for once, is not a suspect in a case. The case itself is very convoluted and stretches credulity, but the different suspects are all believable in their own way. Aurora’s method of catching the killer is unlike her usual attempts at solving crimes, making for a novel watch.
4 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Til Death Do Us Part
June 13, 2021
In Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Til Death Do Us Part, Nick and Aurora are still preparing for their wedding when the couple stumble across a skull. Things get even worse when Aurora discovers her father may be a suspect. She has to work faster than she ever has to clear her dad’s name before he’s supposed to walk her down the aisle.
It’s obvious from the outset that Aurora’s father did not commit the murder, but that doesn’t bring the movie down at all.
It’s obvious from the outset that Aurora’s father did not commit the murder, but that doesn’t bring the movie down at all. This is supposed to be a joyful event and Til Death Do Us Part pulls out all the stops during the wedding to make audiences’ wait for Aurora’s wedding well worth it. Even the case itself serves as a way to define love and one that clearly shows Nick and Aurora are perfect for one another.
3 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Honeymoon, Honeymurder
August 22, 2021
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Honeymoon, Honeymurder sees Aurora and Nick on their “pre-honeymoon” getaway at a remote cabin that is devoid of the usual modern luxuries. While boating on the lake one evening, the couple comes across a body floating in the lake. With one honeymoon postponed by bad weather, Aurora is loath to ruin another with a case, but she and Nick realize they’re in the best position to solve the crime.
COVID-19 restrictions seem to have relegated
Honeymoon, Honeymurder
to a small cast in an isolated location, but that all serves to make this movie feel much more different than others in the series.
COVID-19 restrictions seem to have relegated Honeymoon, Honeymurder to a small cast in an isolated location, but that all serves to make this movie feel much more different than others in the series. It’s a curious murder and watching Aurora solve the case is as enjoyable as ever. The cabin the couple stays in elevates the cozy atmosphere of the already warm show.
2 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Haunted by Murder
February 20, 2022
In Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Haunted by Murder, a years-old murder investigation is reignited. In a house that’s always been believed to be haunted by Lawrenceton locals, Aurora and Sally once stumbled upon a body as teenagers. It turns out that shock from their younger years may turn out to be more important than either one realized when they decide to spend the night in the haunted house.
After two movies concerned with the romance between Nick and Aurora, Haunted by Murder returns to its roots, thrusting Aurora back into a classic mystery. Hallmark is much more in the Christmas movie business than the Halloween business, so rare films like Haunted by Murder are much-appreciated, horror-adjacent movies. Beyond Nick’s strange beard, Haunted by Murder is an enjoyable return to the town of Lawrenceton.
1 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Something New
June 9, 2023
The first film in the series not to star Candace Cameron Bure as Aurora Teagarden, Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Something New features Skyler Samuels as a young Aurora in this prequel. Returning to Lawrenceton after college to pursue her post-grad degree. When she comes home, Aurora finds herself involved in a mystery that concerns her friend Sally’s (Kayla Heller) fiancée.
While Samuels does a respectable job in the role of Aurora, her characterization and that of many younger characters do not totally fit with how they were depicted in previous outings. It can be difficult for audiences to wrap their heads around this new version of the show, but it still has the comfortable feel of the series and the mystery is as intriguing as ever. If this is how the Aurora Teagarden series will continue, audiences will end up finding plenty to love about it.