Mystery 101: Dead Talk (2019)
Class is in session at Girls Gone Hallmark, and this week we’re cracking open Mystery 101: Dead Talk, starring Kristoffer Polaha and Jill Wagner. Amy heads to Seattle to deliver a TEDTalk-style lecture, but when a tech genius drops dead, she quickly shifts from professor to detective. With the local cops keeping her at arm’s length, Detective Travis Burke jumps in to help connect the clues – and the sparks between them are getting harder to ignore.
As part of our Summer School series, we’re giving this Hallmark mystery a full pop quiz – grading everything from plot twists to romantic tension. There’s chemistry in the lab and between Amy and Travis, and let’s just say… this case isn’t the only thing heating up. Join us as we break down all the clues, question the suspects, and give extra credit to those “did you see that?” moments that had us raising our magnifying glasses.
The Mailbag is open! Got thoughts on Mystery 101 – Send us an email or drop us a voicemail. We want to hear your hottest takes, wildest theories, and unresolved feelings. Email: [email protected] or call us at (949) 329-8090
Listen to Girls Gone Hallmark’s Review of Mystery 101: Dead Talk
About Mystery 101: Dead Talk (Hallmark – 2019)
- Mystery 101: Dead Talk was directed by Winnifred Jong. She’s an award-winning filmmaker with 26 directing credits. Dead Talk was one of her earliest credited projects but since 2019 has gone on to direct episodes from series like Private Eyes, Heartland, Firefly Lane, and most recently Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.
- This installment of Mystery 101 was written by John Christian Plummer and Jim Biederman.
- Jill Wagner, Kristoffer Polaha, Robin Thomas, Preston Vanderslice, Sarah Dugdale, and Amanda Wong all return.
- Tegan Moss plays Lt. Rachel Knox. Tegan has 85 acting credits and was last seen on Hallmark in Love in Glacier National: A National Park Romance from 2023.
- Matthew James Dowden plays Amy’s ex Tim Bishop. You might recognize him as Pastor McGregor from The Chicken Sisters. He’s also co-starred in Hallmark’s Dream Moms and The Holiday Sitter.
- Lochlyn Munro plays Detective Denny Roma. With 238 acting credits and 12 upcoming projects, Lochlyn has been in almost everything. We last saw him on Hallmark as Richard in the Curious Caterer series.
- Mark Krysko plays dead tech guy Mitchell McHale. Dead Talk was the last Hallmark project for Mark. He has gone on to appear in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Fire Country, and Billy the Kid.
- Garrett Black plays suspect Billy Poole. Garrett might look familiar to Hallmark fans as he’s been in quite a bit for the network, including, most recently, Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane, Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit, and Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder.
- Donna Benedicto plays wife Larissa McHale. Donna has appeared in other Hallmark movies like Jingle Bell Bride, Sweet Carolina, and The Professional Bridesmaid.
- Benjamin Wilkinson plays dirty lawyer Ray Sweeney. Benjamin most recently appeared as Bernhardt Montague in When Calls the Heart.
- Katherine Lough Haggquist plays new lawyer Vicky Lin. With 159 acting credits, we last saw Katherine in the Lacey Chabert/Brennan Elliott joint His & Hers.
- Mystery 101: Dead Talk premiered on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on September 22, 2019.
Join Girls Gone Hallmark All Summer Long
Class is in session and attendance is mandatory! Join us all summer long as we review the entire Mystery 101 canon and the hit Hallmark+ series Mistletoe Murders. Sharpen your pencils, sleuths – it’s going to be a killer summer.
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