Murder 101: College Can Be Murder
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The premise
Criminology Professor Dr. Jonathan Maxwell does not believe that Professor Archer Coe died of a heart attack, so he hires his friend Mike Parker to investigate. The pair discover that the murdered professor had many enemies, and many secrets.
How unusual is it?
Honestly? Not very — and that's the charm. It plays the hits, which is exactly the point for a cozy night in.
Who’s in it
Alongside them
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Behind the camera
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Directed by
Written by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- A poisoned orange is used as the murder weapon at a faculty meeting
- A vintage 1938 American Speed Streamer bicycle becomes a running subplot
- A secret unpublished campus novel becomes the motive for murder
Every trope, all in one place
Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 5 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Time & season1
Characters3
How it all plays out
Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.
Full story (spoilers)
Beat by beat
Opening
Jonathan Maxwell helps push Stuart Evans's tenure case forward while the university debates his credentials, and Jonathan's missing antique bicycle becomes a side distraction.
Inciting incident
During the tenure committee meeting, Professor Archer Coe suddenly collapses after eating an orange and dies, with Acting Dean Camille Brewster quickly calling it a heart attack.
Rising action
Jonathan suspects murder, hires Mike Bryant to investigate, and starts tracking clues involving digitoxin, Coe's blackmail material, and reporter Kelly Foggel's nosy coverage.
Midpoint
Stuart Evans is arrested when poison is found in his apartment, and Jonathan publicly dismantles the circumstantial evidence while looking for other suspects and motives.
Conflict escalates
The investigation uncovers Coe's gambling debts, his affair with Danya Rosovitch, his secret manuscript, and suspicious behavior from Muriel Coe, Camille Brewster, and faculty staff.
Climax
Jonathan traps Hilda with the missing manuscript and exposes her as the killer, revealing that she stole Coe's novel, poisoned the orange, and tried to eliminate anyone who could expose her.
Resolution
Hilda is exposed, Stuart is exonerated and restored, Kelly lands the story, and the stolen bike subplot ends with Jonathan recovering the sentimental machine.
How it stacks up
Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.
Higher-rated than 66% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog Murder 101: College Can Be Murder belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.
Murder 101Part of the 4-film Murder 101 series.Lines worth quoting
The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.
“If that doesn't get you tenure, I don't know what will.”
— Jonathan MaxwellHe reacts to a glowing letter of recommendation for Stuart Evans. “Foul play? Does anybody but Sherlock Holmes use foul play?”
— Kelly FogelleShe jokes with Jonathan when he starts suspecting murder. “I was blackmailing Archer.”
— Danya RosovitchShe admits her own involvement after Jonathan presses her about Coe. “It was a setup. You knew I'd come.”
— HildaShe realizes Jonathan has trapped her with the evidence. “The study of criminology isn't all dry lectures and slide shows you know.”
— Jonathan MaxwellHe defends his work and tries to impress Kelly during the investigation.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Jonathan Maxwell
Leadcriminology professor and amateur investigator
analyticalwittypersistentethicalcuriousHilda
Antagonistfaculty assistant and committee note-taker
the hidden killer and final suspect
patientcalculatingresentfulambitiousdeceitfulMike Bryant
Supportingprivate investigator
Jonathan's friend and hired investigative partner
pragmaticsardonicloyalresourcefulKelly Fogelle
Supportingnewspaper reporter
reporter who shadows Jonathan and becomes an ally
ambitiouscuriousbrashpersistentStuart Evans
Supportingprofessor seeking tenure
colleague whom Jonathan tries to clear of murder
intelligentproudfrustratedscholarlyArcher Coe
Supportingprofessor and department figure
murder victim whose death drives the mystery
vainbrilliantmanipulativeegotisticalCamille Brewster
Supportingacting dean
university administrator and institutional obstacle
controlledambitiouscautiousdefensiveDanya Rosovitch
Supportingpre-med student and lab worker
student connected to Coe through an affair and blackmail
brightdefensivecalculatingimpulsiveMuriel Coe
SupportingArcher Coe's widow
victim's wife and early suspect
sharp-tonguedbitterguardedperceptiveHerbie Saxe
Supportingbookie and loan shark
source of the gambling-debt clue tied to Coe
slipperygreedyevasivethreatening
Questions people ask about Murder 101: College Can Be Murder
Where can I watch Murder 101: College Can Be Murder?
Murder 101: College Can Be Murder is available via UP Faith & Family Apple TV channel and UP Faith & Family Amazon Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
How long is Murder 101: College Can Be Murder?
Murder 101: College Can Be Murder runs about 1 hour and 23 minutes, and was released in 2007.
More like this
Browse all moviesNothing close enough to suggest yet — the full catalog is a good place to wander.
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Data and sources
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