Oline H. Cogdill

 

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Readers—and viewers—get a double dose of Aurora Teagarden this month.

After a 13-year hiatus, author Charlaine Harris brought back the Lawrenceton librarian in All the Little Liars, the ninth novel in that series. The novel was released earlier this month.

And now, Aurora makes a return to the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel with The Julius House: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery. The made-for-TV movie airs at 9 p.m., October 16, on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel.

Fans of the Aurora series will again be pleased by the film version, judging from the advance screener I watched last week.

Candace Cameron Bure is the perfect Aurora Teagarden, capturing the librarian’s spirit and intelligence. Bure is energetic, but not annoyingly perky, and that works well in the film version of this beloved character.

The Julius House, based on Harris’ fourth Aurora Teagarden novel, released in 1995.

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In The Julius House, Aurora finally finds a house, which, of course, comes with a dark past. Years before, the family who lived there disappeared in the middle of the night without a trace.

Being the true crime buff—and the leader of the Real Murders Club that studies true crimes, Aurora is intrigued. The case has never been solved though the family’s nearest living relative remains hopeful they will return.

A teenage couple, a controlling father, a diary entry and hidden closets add to the intrigue. The discovery of bloody towels in a walled off room further Aurora’s determination to find out what happened to the family.

In addition to Bure, Marilu Henner stars as Aurora’s mother, Aida, and Yannick Bisson as Martin Bartell, Aurora’s love interest. Each is believable in their roles.

Aurora’s smooth transition to film is due to Harris’ skills as a writer.

Unlike too many amateur sleuth characters, Aurora’s involvement in solving crimes is organic and realistic. Aurora also doesn’t play the role of a cop but a believable character whose intelligence gives her a unique insight.

The film moves the setting from Georgia to the Pacific Northwest. The Washington State scenery works well, retaining the small-town feel.

Astute viewers will notice Charlaine Harris, and her “guest,” making a cameo early in The Julius House. The author’s performance is spot on!

It’s good to have Aurora back—both in print and on film. Here’s hoping each of the Aurora novels makes it to the screen.

The Julius House: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery airs at 9 p.m. Oct 16 on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel. Encores will follow.

Photos: Candace Cameron Bure, Yannick Bisson, top;  Candace Cameron Bure alone, bottom. Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen

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