If you loved Candace Cameron Bure as Aurora Teagarden, you will be enthralled with her as Ainsley McGregor.
Great American Family launched the Ainsley McGregor mystery franchise on October 5, and the first installment pulled viewers straight into the action while introducing us to the unique and quirky residents of the small town of Sweet River, Texas.
What is Ainsley McGregor: A Case for the Winemaker About?
Here's the movie synopsis from Great American Family's website:
Ainsley McGregor (Bure) is a former Chicago criminologist who returns to her hometown of Sweet River, Texas. She has chosen to trade full-time crime work to open Bless Your Arts, a market for artisans to sell crafts and wares. But Ainsley cannot deny her first love is crime solving and accepts a position teaching a criminology class at the local community college. Her skills quickly become a major asset to the quaint town, when a murder occurs at a winery owned by her friend, who now stands accused of the crime. The Sweet River Sheriff, who just happens to be Ainsley’s brother, Ryan, wants her to stay out of the investigation. But Ainsley knows the pieces of this puzzle do not fit. To help her friend and with the unexpected assistance from some goodhearted local busybodies – Ainsley McGregor is back on the case.
Ainsley McGregor: A Case for the Winemaker is a Resounding Hit!
It doesn't take much sleuthing to discover all the clues that lead to Ainsley McGregor becoming an instant cozy mystery triumph.
STRONG CHARACTERS: The small town of Sweet River is home to a vibrant cast of characters. From the inquisitive students at the community college to the busybodies who host the Widow's Circle Book Club (where gossip is shared more than literary analysis), each adds something special to the story to create a beautiful synergy among the townsfolk. Even George, Ainsley's dog, plays a special role in being her daily sounding board.
ENGAGING STORY: A Case for the Winemaker includes ample suspects and red herrings to keep you guessing, and the ending includes a twist regarding the motive behind it all. It's an enjoyable viewer experience to process the clues to see if you can figure out whodunnit before Ainsley!
GREAT DIALOGUE: The quality script is well-written, so the dialogue not only flows naturally, but it's often playful. Ainsley's brother, Ryan, is the town sheriff, and their close-knit relationship and sibling banter is one of the best layers sewn into the storyline. Several fun homespun phrases are sprinkled throughout the movie that will make you smile, like when Ainsley consumes so much caffeine that she jokes she could "thread a sewing machine while it is still running."
SLOW BURN ROMANCE: When romance is incorporated into a cozy mystery, it's typically one that grows slowly and steadily. The local fire chief, Jake, is Ryan's best friend, which makes it awkward for Jake to be dating Ryan's sister. Ainsley's and Jake's budding relationship adds more depth to the series without overshadowing the mystery.
TALENTED CAST: The acting in A Case for the Winemaker is exceptional. Each character has a uniquely crafted personality, which the actors portray to perfection.
RomCom Review's Thoughts on Ainsley McGregor: A Case for the Winemaker
This movie is one of the best cozy mysteries I've watched recently, for all the reasons mentioned above. I particularly like the charisma of Ainsley's character, her keen eye for detail, her fearlessness, her love for the community, and her dogged enthusiasm and determination for solving crime.
The chemistry Bure generates with her co-star, Aaron Ashmore, is impressive. Given that both of them are in their mid-to-late-40s, I like that they approach romance with excitement, yet with maturity and modest restraint. It's a sharp contrast to the older actors on "the other channel" who offer gag-worthy performances when they try to act like flustered teenagers instead of mature adults because the parts they are playing are better suited for younger talent.
In today's "woke" climate, I also appreciate that Ainsley's character isn't a militant feminist. She's a strong and independent woman, yet she appreciates that her brother and Jake protectively watch over her. GAF manages to balance modern cultural mores without compromising traditional values.
The only noticeable plot hole is that when Michael Caldwell is arrested for the murder of Rick Dean, the real killer should have remained silent to increase the odds that Michael would be convicted. Instead, the murderer posts two threatening signs on Ainsley's door, which makes it obvious that the police have the wrong person.
I am amused that Ainsley's new business, Bless Your Arts, instantly becomes a successful artisan market. Have you ever visited a store like this? I've encountered several of them on vacation, and all the wares look like junk to me! I guess everyone has different tastes.
Sweet River feels different than other small towns featured in this movie genre, which is likely due to the depth afforded to each character. For example, Gladys Wheaton heads the Widow's Circle Book Club, and she ignites a dispute when she insists that reading physical books is far superior to reading books on a device. This is actually a real-life point of contention in online book groups! Mrs. Wheaton is blunt, opinionated, and nosy, yet completely endearing at the same time. Even the local restaurant owner, Dooley, who makes only a brief appearance, entertains viewers with his insight into situations despite his claim that he "never eavesdrops." The entire book club vows to keep their sleuthing a secret, yet within the hour, everyone in the town knows all about it.
The Ainsley McGregor mystery franchise offers high-quality storytelling and a stellar cast in a charming setting. I can't wait for the next one--A Case for the Yarn Maker coming to GAF in 2025!
The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries Are Based on the Novels by Candace Havens
Author Candace Havens has written FIVE Ainsley McGregor cozy mysteries. If you're a bookworm who would enjoy visiting Sweet River again before the next movie is released, here are the links to all the books in the series:
BOOK ONE: A Case of the Winemaker
BOOK TWO: A Case for the Yarnmaker
BOOK THREE: A Case for the Toymaker
BOOK FOUR: A Case for the Candlemaker
BOOK FIVE: A Case for the Cookie Baker
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