Hailey Dean Mysteries: 2+2= Murder is yet another with the Hallmark formula of 'gifted amateur detective solves all the crimes while putting herself in danger and the police detectives need her help to do their jobs'. At least in this one she's not actually dating the lead detective but is dating the coroner instead. When the teacher in charge of Hailey's niece's school fundraiser goes missing, she immediately starts to investigate. After the teacher is found dead alongside the body of her ex-boyfriend, the mystery of whodunnit unfolds well and I think the reveal is unexpected. However, Hailey's character is not particularly likable or believable. She's overbearing and bossy, treats her new "wooden" boyfriend disrespectfully, has an almost "savant" ability to read people yet seems scarcely believable in her role as a therapist. We never see her with any patients and I feel for them as she seems to put her sleuthing first and neither she nor her colleague seem to have a clue how to handle their own problems.

I have always enjoyed Kellie Martin's acting but not in this. And the premise is all wrong. I love "Mystery Woman" where she does her own investigation and we just assume the cops are dumb and hopeless but it's another thing to be consulting with the police and to show them to be dumb and hopeless! She also seems to rush her way through her dialogue and with very little expression. It may be she's trying to portray a damaged and unhappy person because her fiancé was killed but if that's the case, I think she's taken it too far. Her scenes with Fincher are some of the most engaging as they have great chemistry and it's the only time she lightens up a bit. I nearly gave up when the writing got really bad but glad I stuck with it to the end as I hadn't figured out who the killer was. I actually didn't care too much by the time the lead detective had ingratiated himself to her too many times and her boyfriend had solved all her problems and insecurities as if HE were the therapist. It was embarrassing to watch both detectives ask her opinion or act surprised when she pointed out something totally obvious. This overworked formula of 'amateur and detective' collaboration where the female amateur detective solves all the police department's homicides is getting very old and it really lacks credibility in this movie. I'm still going to watch all three in the series and see what develops. The addition of obviously 'love-sick for her' Clyde, her fiance's best friend from college, looks interesting and promising.

SPOILER: The story is good but several times the writing is juvinile and incredibly unrealistic. I was close to changing the channel but saw it through to the end. I loved seeing Kellie and Chad together.

Love a good mystery and yes this is a really good one. Yes I recommend it. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!James Welch Henderson Arkansas 12/29/2021.