Murder, She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery

The film begins with Hannah Swensen reflecting on how a simple choice to bake a peach cobbler led to disaster. A new bakery, Magnolia Blossom, opens across the street from Hannah’s shop, run by Melanie Quinn and financed by her sister Vanessa. Melanie is a poor baker who uses frozen crusts, leading to a 'bake-off' where Hannah’s homemade cobbler wins unanimously. Despite the rivalry, Melanie asks Hannah for help learning to bake from scratch to save her failing business. Hannah agrees, leaving her fingerprints all over Melanie's kitchen. Later that night, Hannah returns to the bakery to check on the lights and discovers Melanie shot dead. Detective Mike Kingston arrives shortly after, and because of the fingerprints and a planted murder weapon found in Hannah's shop, Hannah becomes the primary suspect. Sheriff Grant pressures Mike to remain objective, forcing him to distance himself from Hannah. To clear her name, Hannah enlists the help of her other suitor, Norman Rhodes. They travel to Minneapolis to investigate Vanessa and her late husband, Neil Ryder. They discover that Gloria Travis, a cosmetics mogul, was Neil's jilted ex-fiancée. Meanwhile, Hannah’s mother, Delores, is dating a man named Douglas, who claims to be a contractor. Hannah’s suspicions are piqued when she finds a photo in a dumpster proving 'Douglas' is actually Robert Peters, a known con man and associate of Vanessa. In the climax, it is revealed that Robert and Vanessa were partners who murdered Neil for his fortune. Robert shot Melanie by mistake, believing she was Vanessa because she was wearing Vanessa's coat and had her hair up. Vanessa, realizing Robert is a liability, attempts to kill him and frame Delores. Hannah and the police intervene just in time, capturing both villains. The film concludes with Hannah and Mike sharing a Valentine's Day dinner, though the romantic tension between Hannah and Norman remains unresolved.