Review

"Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement" – A Whodunit That’s More Predictable Than Your Aunt’s Hallmark Holiday Movies

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a Hallmark movie got drunk on cheap wine and tried to solve a murder, Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement is here to answer that question. Released in 2024, this film is the cinematic equivalent of a cozy mystery novel that’s been left out in the rain—soggy, slightly confusing, but still oddly comforting.

The plot follows Nelly, a small-town baker with a knack for stumbling over dead bodies like they’re misplaced spatulas. When her best friend’s fiancé turns up dead at their engagement party (spoiler: it’s not the cake), Nelly decides to play detective. Armed with her trusty notebook, a suspiciously large collection of scarves, and a cat named Mr. Whiskers who does absolutely nothing to help, she sets out to crack the case.

The movie is packed with all the tropes you’d expect: a love triangle involving the town’s brooding handyman, a quirky best friend who’s way too into essential oils, and a villain so obvious they might as well have worn a neon sign that says “I Did It.” The dialogue is cheesier than Nelly’s famous cheddar scones, and the twists are about as surprising as the ending of a Hallmark holiday movie where the city girl falls for the small-town guy and learns the true meaning of Christmas.

But here’s the thing: despite its flaws, Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement is oddly endearing. It’s the kind of movie you watch while wrapped in a blanket, sipping hot cocoa, and yelling at the screen, “Nelly, it’s the florist! It’s always the florist!” It’s not trying to win any Oscars, and it knows it. Instead, it delivers exactly what it promises: a lighthearted, slightly ridiculous mystery that’s perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

In conclusion, if you’re a fan of Hallmark movies but wish they had more dead bodies and fewer Christmas trees, this one’s for you. Just don’t expect it to keep you guessing—unless you’re guessing how many scarves Nelly owns. (Spoiler: it’s 47.)

Rating: 3 out of 5 suspiciously perfect cupcakes.