Gethsemane Brown is back for another ghostly mystery. Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Key to the Castle is the third installment in the series about music teacher Gethsemane and how she and some ghosts solve murders. The movie is streaming now on Hallmark+.
This installment centers around a ghost hunter show that comes to town; it’s up to Gethsemane and Eamon to solve the unexpected murder of the host, allowing the brand-new spirit to cross over. Tamera Mowry-Housley returns as Gethsemane, Risteard Cooper is back as witty ghost Eamon, Adam Fergus as Inspector O’Reilly, and Marco Grazzini as Griff.
The story moves and keeps a decent pace. It’s a Hallmark Mystery, and they tend to follow a routine. This was no different. These cozy mysteries are my favorite. There is a new murder or two to solve, and our heroine does so with the assistance of her ghostly friend. Gethsemane tends to get involved in the solving of the murders with the help of her spectral friends.
Most Hallmark fans enjoy seeing a Tamera Mowry-Housley movie, and I’m no different. This is no different. I enjoy her as Gethsemane. But the real star of these movies is Risteard Cooper. Eamon, the friendly ghost, is the levity and fun in these movies. The character is expertly written and acted. Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Key to the Castle is written by Kraig Wenman. Kraig has written more than 10 Hallmark mystery movies.
The heart of the franchise is the banter between Gethseman and Eamon. Gethsemane brings warmth and is grounded. Eamon is dry and theatrical. No one but Gethsemane sees Eamon, and that makes for some interesting scenes where you see Gethsemane having two conversations at once.
The storyline of the ghost hunter reality show in a scenario where there are real ghosts is a great cozy crime trope. It pokes fun at the paranormal shows while in the middle of a paranormal mystery.
There is a love triangle happening with Gethsemane, Griff, and Inspector O’Reilly. We see that this is building, but it is on the back burner while the murder mystery is the star. What didn’t work for me was the underutilization of Marco Grazzini. Hopefully, in subsequent movies, if we get any, he is more prominent.
My biggest complaint is that this is filmed in Ireland. I’d like to see more of Ireland. There is a lot of time spent indoors. Not a big complaint but that’s what I’d like.
If you like cozy mysteries, this is a fine one to watch. You like the first two movies; this is a fine continuation of the story. If you haven’t seen the other two, go back and see how the story unfolds. If not, this is a fine standalone movie. This wraps up May Mysteries. Check out our review for Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery.
Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Key To the Castle Delivers Romance, Specters, and Sleuthing
