After reading some heavy fiction, I decided it was time to lighten things up a bit. I am a huge fan of feel-good movies and shows which is why I love Poirot, Murder She Wrote, and Castle. Though I am not a big movie watcher, I stumbled upon this title while browsing and knew it was right up my alley: Peter Falk, Madeline Kahn, and a screen play by Neil Simon and you know you will be entertained.

I laughed out loud at least 4 times within the first 3 minutes of the movie, including once during the opening credits. As I read the names that came across the screen – including Eileen Brennan – I knew it was going to be gold. Some of the actors I remember from another movie called “Murder By Death” and it seemed like most of the cast had been plugged into this movie but not as the same characters.

“The Cheap Detective” has some very clever scenes and moments, so you have to watch with a close eye and ear. One moment that made me laugh was when Peter Falk’s character is woken up by his phone, answers it while holding a gun to the receiver. Another is Eileen Brennan singing “La Vie en Rose” but obviously cannot sing in French so she “la la’s” her way through the song. It is a goofy, smart comedy! I loved it.

I also watched 2 of the “Aurora Teagarden Mystery” movies starring Candance Cameron Bure. This is a departure for me as I went into it knowing it was going to be squeeky-clean (it is on Hallmark afterall) which is not my usual mystery interest. Everything else about it, however, fit the bill. And because Candance is such a great saleswoman and advocate for her work on Instagram, I decided why not? I am a sensitive reader and viewer, I knew these movies would not give me nightmares.

In a word, these movies are sweet. They feel like mini-teleplays with a wide cast of characters. The main character – Aurora – has that perfect life: A librarian, living in a beautiful big house, runs a Murder Mystery Club, and has a wide range of friends. Like most “feel good” mysteries the “whodunnit” is always very convenient and a little too perfect in the conclusion. But I really enjoyed them as they are well done. It has an element of cheese but that’s what one should expect from Hallmark, right? I enjoyed it, but I am not over eager to watch every single one.