A fun mystery movie on a Sunday afternoon is the perfect way to unwind before a new week begins. Luckily for the cozy mystery lovers out there, the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel is more than willing to contribute to our obsession.
The number of Hallmark movies and series based on books is quite vast, and fans are always excited about the latest installments being released. But what films have folks most enjoyed? Here are 10 of the highest-rated Hallmark mystery movies based on books.
Note
This list is based on the Hallmark mystery films based on an existing novel, and we’ve picked the highest-rated film per series.
10. Stone Cold (2005)
IMDB Rating: 7.1
Based on: Stone Cold by Robert B. Parker
Small-town police chief Jesse Stone is at the heart of the Jesse Stone films, a popular series starring Tom Selleck based on the novels by Robert B. Parker. Stone Cold sees Jesse investigating a series of seemingly linked murders in his hometown of Paradise.
9. Roux The Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery (2020)
IMDB Rating: 7.1
Based on: Roux the Day by Peter King
Following the adventures of chef-turned-amateur-sleuth Henry Ross, Roux the Day sees the culinary investigator being asked to track down a lost and extremely valuable recipe book. Of course, murderous hijinks ensue.
This is the fifth installment in the popular Gourmet Detective mysteries on Hallmark.
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8. The Julius House: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery (2016)
IMDB Rating: 6.9
Based on: The Julius House by Charlaine Harris
As one of the most popular series from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, quiet librarian Aurora Teagarden was bound to find herself on the list. The Julius house finds the amateur sleuth having purchased a house with a dark past. Several years ago, the previous owners disappeared without a trace.
Now, it’s up to Aurora and her cohort of mystery-loving friends to find out what really happened to the Julius family.
7. Murder, She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery (2016)
IMDB Rating: 6.9
Based on: Peach Cobbler Mystery by Joanna Fluke
By day, Hannah Swensen owns and operates a successful bakery in her small town. But by night, she often finds herself at the center of some crazy mysteries.
This chapter of the Hannah Swensen mysteries finds a rival baker murdered after trying to steal some of Hannah’s business with some delectable peach cobbler.
6. A Beautiful Place to Die: A Martha’s Vineyard Mystery (2020)
IMDB Rating: 6.7
Based on: A Beautiful Place to Die by Philip R. Craig
Former detective Jeff Jackson has seen enough misery throughout his career as a Boston detective to make early retirement seem like the perfect idea. Spending his days fishing in Martha’s Vineyard should be the respite he’s been looking for.
But when a young man turns up dead and the local police have no leads, Jeff finds himself drawn back into the world of murders and mysteries.
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5. Deadly Deed: A Fixer Upper Mystery (2018)
IMDB Rating: 6.7
Based on: A High-End Finish by Kate Carlisle
Contractor Shannon Hughes has landed the job of her dreams: a restoration of a beautiful Victorian mansion in her small seaside town of Lighthouse Cove.
When a body is discovered in the house, Shannon will need all of the help she can get to solve the case before the job is no more.
Luckily her friends, family, and a handsome crime writer who’s just moved to town are more than willing to provide an assist.
4. Family History Mysteries: Buried Past (2023)
IMDB Rating: 6.7
Based on: Paging the Dead by Brynn Bonner
Genealogist Sophie McClaren is an expert in family histories and reuniting loved ones. She’s on the case when her close friend Jonathan is in desperate need of a bone marrow donor.
In researching potential matches, Sophie will need the help of her old flame (and Jonathan’s twin brother) Jackson in order to track down their long lost birth father, and the only man who may be able to save Jonathan’s life.
3. Dearly Depotted (2016)
IMDB Rating: 6.4
Based on: Dearly Depotted by Kate Collins
Flower shop owner Abby Knight a lawyer-turned-florist has found herself as a reluctant bridesmaid. On top of worrying about the floral arrangements, she soon finds herself at the center of a thrilling mystery after a wedding crasher turns up dead.
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2. Curious Caterer: Dying for Chocolate (2022)
IMDB Rating: 6.4
Based on: Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson
Colorado caterer and single mother Goldy Berry is up to her ears in clients and loving it. However, when her close friend appears to have driven her car off a cliff, the facts just don’t add up.
Along with handsome detective Tom Shultz, Goldy will stop at nothing to uncover the truth of her friend’s death… even if she may be next on the killers’ list.
1. Past Malice (2018)
IMDB Rating: 6.3
Based on: Past Malice by Dana Cameron
Archaeology professor Emma Fielding is hosting a dig with her students, and expecting nothing but old bones to be found at the ruins of Chandler Castle.
When a colleague turns up dead at the site, she’ll use her prowess to uncover the truth of this murder and solve an ages-old curse along the way.
