THE ENTERTAINMENT HERALD — HALLMARK ORIGINALS REPORT

Emily Lane Returns for a New Round of Holiday Mysteries as Season 2 Deepens the Heart and Suspense of the Mistletoe Murders Universe

Hallmark’s mystery slate continues to expand with the return of The Mistletoe Murders, and fans of the franchise have been quick to welcome back amateur sleuth and Christmas shop owner Emily Lane, played by Sarah Drew, for another season of festive intrigue. Season 2, which premiered first on the Hallmark Channel before moving to the Hallmark+ streaming platform the next day, delivers a fresh set of holiday-themed cases, emotional turns, and character-driven developments that elevate the series beyond its cozy exterior.

At the centre of the mystery once again is Emily, whose cheerful year-round Christmas shop hides a deeper truth: she possesses a set of rarely discussed “secret skills” that make her far more capable in an investigation than the average citizen. Those abilities, hinted at but never fully explored in Season 1, take a sharper focus in this year’s storyline, beginning with a dramatic opening incident involving a poisoned holiday cookie—one that links Emily directly to a murder she did not commit.

The season picks up nearly a year after the emotional finale of Season 1, which ended with unresolved feelings and unspoken tension between Emily and Detective Sam Wilner (Peter Mooney). Their partnership, and the potent but complicated connection that grew between them, became a staple of the first season’s charm. What surprised viewers—and some say disappointed them—was the revelation that Emily and Sam have spent almost an entire year avoiding one another after their intense season-ending moment.

That emotional distance, however, sets the stage for the slow-burn dynamic that defines much of Season 2. When Sam is unexpectedly drawn back into Emily’s orbit by the poisoned-cookie case, the two find themselves forced to confront old wounds while tackling new puzzles. Sam, now balancing the pressures of police work with the responsibilities of raising his young daughter Violet, approaches Emily with a mixture of caution and lingering affection. Violet, a breakout character introduced this season, brings warmth and levity, grounding Sam in his role as a father while subtly complicating his bond with Emily.

The season’s structure differs from its predecessor. While Season 1 unfolded as a traditional three-episode arc, Season 2 is expanded into six hour-long episodes, grouped into three two-part mysteries. This new arrangement gives each case more room to grow, allowing the storytelling to blend procedural beats with deeper emotional resonance.

The first mystery centres on the poisoned cookie, a charming-yet-deadly case that blends holiday motifs with a layered whodunit. Emily’s reputation and livelihood are thrown into jeopardy when evidence at the scene suggests a direct connection to her shop. As she works with Sam to untangle the clues, her past, her instincts, and her compassion elevate her from bystander to indispensable investigator. Drew brings warmth, sharper emotional grounding, and a quiet intensity to Emily’s unraveling of the case.

The second storyline explores a high-stakes art heist involving a stolen painting, adding sophistication and danger to the season. The contrast between Emily’s quaint Christmas décor and the world of priceless artwork creates a visual and thematic tension that energizes the mid-season arc. Emily’s sleuthing instincts sharpen further, and Sam’s protective instincts—professional and otherwise—complicate their developing dynamic.

The final two episodes return to unresolved threads from Season 1, offering fans a sense of continuity while amplifying suspense. Secrets hinted at earlier in the franchise finally resurface, suggesting that Emily’s past—and her concealed investigative abilities—may be more central to this world than previously revealed. These closing episodes also gently shift the tone toward vulnerability and healing, with Emily and Sam forced to face the emotional distance created by their year apart.

Sarah Drew, who also serves as executive producer, has spoken openly about the joy of returning to the role and expanding Emily’s world. Her creative influence is evident: the season feels bolder, more confident, and more character-driven than the first. Peter Mooney matches Drew’s energy, grounding Sam in a blend of steadiness, charm, and quiet emotional weight. Their chemistry—which captivated audiences in Season 1—reemerges here with even greater texture.

Season 2 concludes with a finale that balances closure with new suspense. The final scenes invite viewers into Season 3 with hints of larger mysteries and more intimate storytelling—clear signs that the franchise is growing beyond its initial “cozy mystery” roots while retaining its heart.

For fans of holiday mysteries, gentle suspense, or character-driven drama, The Mistletoe Murders continues to offer a warm, emotionally rich world—where the lights are festive, the stakes are rising, and Emily Lane always finds her way to the truth.