Hallmark+ graces the halls with crime in The Mistletoe Murders

The all-new Hallmark+ murder mystery The Mistletoe Murders offers a bit of murder with a bit of a spooky Christmas vibe.

The series “The Mistletoe Murders” consists of six episodes. “This is our first season, hopefully of many,” Sarah Drew, 44, said in an interview with Zoom. “We put all our prayers there.

“It all started as an Audible podcast series that continues to this day. The third season is out right now. From the same creator who created the great TV series.

“So,” said the Everwood and Grey’s Anatomy veteran, “when I got the offer and read the script, I fell madly in love with it. It’s so much fun! It combines two much-loved genres, the mystery genre and the Christmas genre, blending them together into this beautiful Christmas noir cozy Christmas mystery, with plenty of action, adventure, comedy and romance. The show has everything.”

On her character Emily Lane: “She’s a fascinating, multi-dimensional character that I just enjoyed playing.”

Is Emily an amateur detective in terms of the murder mystery aspect?

“Yeah, on the surface,” Drew explained. “She runs a year-round Christmas shop. She loves Christmas! And she just moved to this small town. But when someone important to her dies, she puts on her detective hat.

“You understand that she has skills that she shouldn’t have as a salesperson in a regular trade. And we begin to receive, like bread crumbs, her past life.

“Where is she from? It makes you ask all season: Who is Emily Lane? Is she running away from someone? something? Is she running to someone? something? What is her story?

“We get little tiny bits and pieces and we feel real danger in the middle of all the crime-solving she’s doing.

“So, yes, in a sense she is an amateur detective. But in other ways she has skills that would make her the best detective of all.”

On a practical level, how does the year-round Christmas shop work in July, August, September? Does anyone actually shop then?

“Yes,” Drew replied firmly. “Talk to my stepmother because she shops for Christmas, she shops all year round.

“And you get the best deals on Christmas stuff when you go in June or July. And some remain decorated all year round. I don’t feel sorry for anyone because ’tis the season.

“This is a wonderful time of year. Why not extend it for a whole year?”

“Mistletoe Murders” airs on Hallmark+