HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES ANNOUNCES PRODUCTION WILL COMMENCE ON NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, JOANNE FLUKE'S HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERY SERIES WITH THE FIRST CULINARY MYSTERY IN THE ORDER: 'SUGAR COOKIE MURDER' (WT)

Part Of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' MOST WONDERFUL MOVIES OF CHRISTMAS, With Traditional And Classic Christmas Films For All Families

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries announces today the network has greenlit a series of culinary mystery movies from New York Times bestselling author Joanne Fluke Fluke's Hannah Swensen Mystery series, beginning with "Sugar Cookie Murder" (wt), which goes into production in July for a World Premiere on the newly rebranded Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on Holiday 2014. Cast will be announced in the coming weeks. "Sugar Cookie Murder" is part of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' MOST WONDERFUL MOVIES OF CHRISTMAS, featuring traditional and classic Christmas films suitable for family audiences.

"It is without a doubt that our viewers will be intrigued and captivated by Joanne Fluke's delicious storytelling and we look forward to working with her to bringing her delectable vision to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries," Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks.

A New York Times bestselling author, Fluke is considered the queen of the culinary mystery and her Hannah Swensen series has sold over six million copies in print and has been translated into seven languages. Fluke has baked over 500,000 chocolate chip cookies for fans since the series debuted in 2000, not to mention the countless pies, cakes, muffins and other sweets. Unique to Fluke's books, recipes are included. However, it's not just the desserts that keep readers clamoring for her next novel.

In "Sugar Cookie Murder" the holidays are the icing on the cake for Hannah who is surrounded by her loved ones and has all the ingredients for a perfect Christmas until murder is added to the mix. The annual Christmas Buffet is the final test of the recipes Hannah has collected for the Lake Eden Holiday Buffet cookbook. While baking the day's goodies at The Cookie Jar, the evening's plans begin to jell. There is mystery aplenty among the guests with everyone appearing just a bit on the odd side. But when Hannah's mother's antique Christmas cake knife disappears just as a guest at the dinner is discovered murdered, everyone becomes a suspect. Suddenly - and with good timing - a blizzard blows in allowing Hannah the time to employ her investigative skills while testing the ingredients that she has to work with: half the town of Lake Eden and a murder. As the snowdrifts get higher, it is up to Hannah to dig out all the clues and make sure that this white Christmas doesn't bring any more deadly tidings.

"Sugar Cookie Murder" is a Brad Krevoy Television and Stephanie Germain Productions Production. Brad Krevoy and Stephanie Germain are the executive producers. "Sugar Cookie Murder" is based on Joanne Fluke's Sugar Cookie Murder. Written by Donald Martin.

Recently rebranded from Hallmark Movie Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is a 24-hour digital cable network featuring a unique mix of original movies and acquired series focused on the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres. The network is also home to annual holiday programming franchise, the Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas, as well as presentations from the award-winning Hallmark Hall of Fame library. One of television's leading destinations for compelling family-friendly entertainment, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries can be seen in 54 million homes in SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition) and remains one of the fastest-growing networks in cable. Along with sister network, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is the second linear channel from Crown Media Holdings, Inc.

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