In the summer, I like to watch movies where plants are the movie stars. Over the years we've seen some silly, educational, fun, and serious movies that fit the criteria. This summer I'm watching Hallmark's Garage Sale Mysteries with Mom and Dad. There aren't a lot of movie star plants, but there are fleeting glimpses of beautiful landscaping in the background. And in this year of sabbatical and season of change, the goal is family fun and entertainment.
The protagonist, Jen Shannon, and her business partner, Dani, own an antique store called Rags to Riches. In the course of visiting estate sales, bidding on storage lockers, and combing through junk shops, they find treasures and dead bodies. Jen uses her analytical mind and the help of her detective and coroner friends to solve the crimes. Woven throughout the stories are situations from domestic life with Jen's husband and two almost-grown children. The Hallmark series is based on a book series by Suzi Weinert that includes Garage Sale Stalker, Garage Sale Diamonds, Garage Sale Riddle, and Woman at the Garage Sale.
Each episode is a complete movie that stands on its own, and includes fascinating treasures, a perplexing murder, family relationships, and Jen's winning approach to solving crimes. Some of my favorite episodes include "The Wedding Dress", "The Novel Murders", and "The Pandora's Box Murder". I especially enjoyed the transition vignettes that show snapshots of antiques or other objects that are related to the storyline. I also love that the author published Garage Sale Stalker when she was 75 and Woman at the Garage Sale when she was 85 (we are never too old to follow our dreams)!
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