Review

Chronicle Mysteries: Vines That Bind
Where Small-Town Vineyards Have More Secrets Than a Spy Novel!"

If you love Hallmark Channel movies but wish they came with more unsolved mysteries and fewer small-town baking competitions, then Chronicle Mysteries: Vines That Bind is your perfect vintage. Because in Hallmark movies, even the most charming vineyard can be hiding a murder, a scandal, or at the very least, a deeply suspicious townsperson who “saw nothing.”

Alex McPherson (Alison Sweeney) is back, using her true crime podcasting skills to solve yet another case that the actual authorities have somehow missed (seriously, do the police even try in these movies?). This time, she heads to a picturesque vineyard, where a decades-old family business is being crushed (pun absolutely intended) by a suspicious death. With the help of her reluctant yet totally-smitten newspaper editor sidekick Drew (Benjamin Ayres), Alex follows the clues, uncorks some secrets, and probably gets into at least one dramatic conversation while swirling a glass of red wine.

While not one of your classic Hallmark holiday movies (no Christmas trees, but plenty of cozy fall vineyard scenery), it still delivers all the things we love about Hallmark movies: a slow-burn romance, a murder mystery with just the right amount of suspense, and at least one scene where someone dramatically stares off into the distance while contemplating their past.

Final Verdict:
If you love Hallmark Channel movies but want a little whodunit with your wine tasting, Chronicle Mysteries: Vines That Bind is your perfect pick. Just be warned—after watching, you may start side-eyeing every winery tour guide and wondering if they’re hiding a deep, mysterious secret. 🍷🔎💕