Last Scene Alive: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery

The film opens on a movie set in Lawrenceton where a production based on Robin Daniels' book 'Whimsical Murder' is being filmed. The lead actress, Celia Shaw, is playing Adelaide, a character based on Aurora Teagarden. During a rehearsal, tensions are high between Celia and the crew. Meanwhile, Aurora is working at the library when her boyfriend, Martin Bartell, informs her he must cancel dinner to investigate the disappearance of his former CIA partner. Aurora's ex-boyfriend, Robin Daniels, returns to town as the film's screenwriter and reveals that the protagonist is based on her. Celia Shaw meets Aurora and asks for help researching the role, but the production is soon struck by tragedy when Celia is found dead in her trailer by Will Weir, the director's assistant. Police Chief Lynn Smith and Detective Arthur Smith take the lead, but Aurora begins her own investigation with the Real Murders Club. The coroner reveals Celia died of cardiac arrest from a lethal dose of Sonazepam (sleeping pills) found in her coffee, followed by post-mortem blunt force trauma from a crystal lamp. Suspects include Meredith, a rival actress who wanted the lead role; Joel Parker, the director who preferred another actress; and Robin, who has a history of a 'misunderstanding' involving a police call from Celia. A stalker-like figure, Taylor from craft services, attacks Aurora but is revealed to be a red herring who only hit Celia after she was already dead. Aurora eventually realizes the murder method: the killer tampered with sugar packets in the trailer, knowing Celia would use them for a specific scene rehearsal. She identifies Will Weir as the killer; he wanted to replace Celia with Diana Weldon to boost his own future directing career. Will traps Aurora in an abandoned mine, but she uses her knowledge of the movie script to survive until Martin and the police arrive. The film ends with Will's arrest and a bittersweet departure as Martin leaves for a dangerous mission in South America to find his missing friend.