As soon as the new mystery, The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker, starring Candace Cameron Bure, was available to stream on Great American Pure Flix, I jumped at the opportunity to watch.
Aurora Teagarden (which previously starred Bure) has always been one of my favorite mysteries, so I was excited to see Candace take on this new sleuthing role for Great American Media.
If you don't have Great American Pure Flix, then you'll have an opportunity to watch this new mystery when The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker premieres October 5th on Great American Family.
In the meantime, be sure to check out my review of this new movie below. There are NO SPOILERS on the mystery- I promise!
My REVIEW of
"The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries:
A Case for the Winemaker"
A Case for the Winemaker"
*NO SPOILERS*
Candace Cameron Bure is back to crime-solving as Ainsley McGregor, a former criminologist from Chicago who recently moved to Sweet River, Texas, to be near her brother, Ryan (the town’s sheriff, played by Robin Dunne), and her friends to live a simpler life away from crime and violence.
However, this isn’t the case when Ainsley and her best friend, Shannon, discover a dead body at the local winery. Much to her brother’s disapproval, Ainsley reluctantly gets roped into solving this mystery with help from her friends in the community and the handsome local fire chief, Jake (played by Aaron Ashmore).
Just a few minutes into the movie, I was already deeply engrossed in this mystery, the interesting, diverse townspeople of Sweet River, and Ainsley’s dearest friends.
Throughout the film, I felt little hints, here and there, of the Aurora Teagarden Mystery and the early years of Murder, She Baked. Much like Aurora, Ainsley has her own group of crime-solving friends, who have made their own club, and like Murder, She Baked, this new Ainsley McGregor Mystery has a warm, tight-knit community feel to it. Instead of having a cat, however, like Hannah Swensen, Ainsley’s most loyal companion is George, her adorable dog, who everyone loves.
As for the mystery, my family and I had a strong suspicion about who the culprit was, which ended up being correct, but that didn’t take away from our enjoyment of the movie at all.
One of the many aspects I thoroughly enjoyed was the wonderful community in Sweet River, which mostly centered on Ainsley’s business – Bless Your Arts, a marketplace for local artisans, including: artists, woodworkers, winemakers, jewelry designers, weavers, and all sorts of locally handcrafted work.
Aaron Ashmore was charming and endearing as Jake Trenton, the Sweet River Fire Chief and Ainsley’s friend and potential love interest, while Robin Dunne was the perfect choice to play Ainsley’s brother, Ryan. It’s obvious Robin and Candace have a wonderful rapport in real life, which translates well on the screen as the two portray siblings who often tease but love each other immensely.
Candace was fantastic as the film’s lead, Ainsley McGregor, who… try as she might, can’t resist crime-solving, even if it means danger for herself. In her debut as this new character, Candace hits every mark with perfection—on the personal, professional, and sleuthing side—as we learn more about who Ainsley is and why she has returned home.
This introduction movie to Ainsley McGregor was such a delightful watch; I look forward to re-watching it and the subsequent mysteries to come. (By the way, a second movie was recently filmed, The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker.)
The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker is a fun, cozy mystery, and I’m looking forward to more sleuthing with Ainsley and the town of Sweet River!
-----------------------
If you've had the opportunity to see the new Ainsley McGregor Mystery, I would love to hear your thoughts, too! Please share (without spoilers of the mystery portion) in comments below.
For those of you who haven't seen this yet, I hope you'll have the chance to watch when The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker premieres on Great American Family on October 5, 2024.
Happy Sleuthing!
Net
Thank you so much for this review Net, and for not spoiling the mystery for those of us who have not had the opportunity to watch it yet. I will most definitely be tuning in come October. I love how you said there were little nods to Aurora and Hannah, I was wondering about that. Did Candace do any of her “Aurora” faces, like when she is pondering? It always cracks me up when she does that, it’s like you can see the wheels spinning in her head, even my husband will say “oh no, Aurora is on the case” 😂
ReplyDelete~Paula
Paula, Yes!!! Candace definitely had that *she's figuring it out/thinking face* several times throughout the movie. Sometimes, she would give a certain look with her eyes or kinda scrunch her face while she's contemplating the clues she's just discovered. It's so fun that you mentioned this!
DeleteBy the way, if you loved Candace in "Aurora," I have a feeling you're going to love "Ainsley," too! It does have some minor similarities, but it is definitely unique, as well!
Blessings! Net
It has major similarities, another murder, solving group disguised as a book club. Nothing different here.
DeleteIt was pretty awful😬And I love Candace Bure’. The writing was subpar and there was absolutely no rapport between Bure’s character and anyone else. Very disappointed. She should have stayed at Hallmark and continued with the Aurora Teagarden mysteries. I won’t be tuning in for anymore Ainsley…
DeleteI thought Ryan was portrayed by Aaron Ashmore according an article
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not sure about that article, but I can tell you that in the movie Robin Dunne portrays Ryan McGregor, Ainsley's brother.
DeleteAaron Ashmore portrays Jake Trenton, Ryan's best friend and Ainsley's potential love interest.
I'll have to wait until October to see this, but excellent review! I noticed that Candace retweeted this review has well, that's so amazing!! -Maria
ReplyDeleteMaria, I have a feeling you and all of the Sleuthers here are going to love this new mystery!
DeleteI hope "Ainsley McGregor" will have a long run on Great American Family, at least as long as "Aurora Teagarden." It's hard to believe Candace starred in 18 of those mysteries. Wow!
And, YES, that was so nice of Candace to RT my review. So sweet of you to share, Maria! :)
Blessings! Net
I watched and enjoyed it--I had won a subscription from GAF.
ReplyDeleteCan not wait! Wonderful review that delivers perfect hints and comments to invite everyone to watch. Of course I love the dog. ❤️ GAF and CCB will present a mystery series that fans will follow and not hit any negative values roadblocks. I appreciate their commitment to family friendly entertainment and will be a loyal viewer.
ReplyDelete-Gabe’s Mom
We watched "Ainsley McGregor" on Pure Flix and really enjoyed it. My husband and I always try to guess who done it! I hope they make many more of "Ainsley McGregor" mysteries. Thanks so much, Net, for your review.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review! Thank you. I am looking forward to seeing it!
ReplyDeleteI too loved this movie and am happy that they are making more of them.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been looking forward to this, but even more now since reading your review, Net!
ReplyDeleteAlso, many thanks for keeping the mystery part under wraps.
What’s kind of breed is George?
ReplyDelete
DeleteHe’s probably a mix. Definitely has some Sheep Dog in him. He’s adorable!!
Great Pyrenees & Sheepdog mix
DeleteThat's interesting. I don't really see the Great Pyr in his face. I would have guessed Goldendoodle or Labradoodle. Either way, he's an adorably cute dog!!! And I'm very much looking forward to watching this movie one of these days. 😊 ~~Jane
DeleteThe Full House cast (Candace included) are going to 90's Con Florida! -Maria
ReplyDeleteOk, I enjoyed it. But for those of y'all who are not from Texas, let me clear up a few misconceptions:
ReplyDelete1. We don't wear sweaters....ever. The 2-3 days it gets cold here, we just wear more than one sweatshirt!
2. No one - and I mean NO ONE - makes those terrible metaphors about mules and stumps or roosters and socks. That is something you might hear in the Smokies...not Texas.
3. The movie was filmed in Canada. We have a few lakes (East Tx), and a few mountains (West Tx), but they are 12+ HOURS apart! I know they can't do anything about that...
4. I hope that the next one cleans up the silly sayings....
Ainsley McGregor Mystery: A Case for the Winemaker
ReplyDeleteI had the opportunity to watch this yesterday on YouTube and I enjoyed it very much! It was so much fun seeing this snooping Aurora, now Ainsley again!! And to have the assurance that it'll be family-friendly. I still think her as Roe though...;)
The mystery was good, I had suspected the same character Net. Loved the dog!! The "George will be there" scene was so funny and she and Robin make a great team. The guy she's romantically involved with, I am still not sure yet. He is nice, but seems passive. And as nice as the town people were, I thought they needed more growth. But hopefully that'll grow and one day I hope to see a mystery buddy like Sally with her. Wouldn't it be incredible if most of the Teagarden cast joined!!! Sally first! Ahhh, a girl can dream...
I love Candace Cameron and her mystery series! But I'm from Texas and nowhere in Texas looks like this😂, if it did I'd move there! No one wears layers and coats. It's too hot even in the winter. I'm wondering where it's actually filmed, Canada or Pacific Northwest? Love the location💖
ReplyDeleteThe town looked like Eden Lake and cast dressed as if in a colder climate. The acting seemed forced and not polished as in Teagarden. And really another murder, solving group. Been there. Thought the format would be fresh and different. I guess this formula works for ratings. Disappointed. Teagarden is much better.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this had an Aurora Teagarden feel to it. It was nice to see a cozy mystery again, having given up on everything Hallmark a couple years ago due to their capitulation to the alphabet mafia.
ReplyDeleteNot terribly exciting, but not everything has to be. Very limited number of possible suspects, so figuring out the killer (if not the real villain) was not difficult, but it's a start, and there's room for growth -- it's going to be a series, and not a one-off, so that's good.
I thought the movie was better than most on GAF. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next episode. I can’t find the full cast anywhere. The man who played “Don” from BYA looked familiar, from days of our lives perhaps?? Anyone know?
ReplyDeleteGB, Yes! You are correct. Actor Roark Critchlow portrayed Don Simpson, one of the shop owners at Bless Your Arts. He has been in a number of movies through the years on Great American Family and Hallmark and yes, he was on Days of Our Lives as Dr. Mike Horton.
DeleteHope this info helps. :)
Yes, thank you so much!
DeleteI was really looking forward to seeing this movie after reading all the books. But I was very disappointed by changes that were made. Her brothers name was Greg not Ryan and he was her older brother not younger. There were also other changes but the main one was the dog in the book was George Clooney a Great Dane . He's a big part in all the books! If I hadn't read the books, this would be a fine murder mystery movie. I guess this is one where the book was better.
ReplyDelete