I am a little baffled by all the really negative reviews here. This is, by no means, my favorite Aurora Teagarden episode, but I would hardly rate it the stinker that so many here seem to find it to be.

There were a number of shady characters, with plausible motives for the hit and run, and/or the kidnapping.

Who the kidnappers were seemed fairly obvious to me. But the "why" for the kidnapping and ransom was a genuine puzzle for me, that the conclusion made realistically clear, I thought.

The highlight--which no one has mentioned--is when Aida Teagarden (Marilu Henner) takes out her abductor. Aida's comment, as everyone stares at her slack jawed, "What? I'm a woman who lives alone. I've taken a few self defense classes!", was priceless.

The continual comment here that Aurora is pushy, and why would anyone talk to her, since she has no authority seems really strange to me.

Aurora Teagarden is tenacious--the one quality that probably links all fictional detectives--police or private. Why do people talk to Jim Rockford or Sherlock Holmes, for that matter?

It is kind of a "given" in the detective genre, that these characters have a knack for getting suspects or witnesses to talk to them. If the lead didn't have that ability, you wouldn't have a show.

On the plus side, Aida's character has grown on me. She was more actively involved this time, and not just the "nag" who constantly scolds Aurora for getting in the middle of things.

On the negative side, Detective Arthur Smith becoming the scold really did not work for me, especially since Aurora had a very personal interest in this case--and he has often in the past praised Aurora's "detecting abilities". Arthur's wife Detective Lynn Liggett-Smith is much better and more believable as the scold.

I enjoy this series as it's easy to watch, often has some interesting plot twists, and the banter between Ro and Lynn adds some flavor and continuity. Many of the episodes I've wanted to give an 8, but then there would be some really weak dialogue, silly scenes, etc. and I usually end up posting a 6 or 7.

But with this episode, ugh, I was tempted to give it a 5 or worse! I enjoyed it for the story line, but the dialogue was often boring and some of the scenarios a bit outlandish - walking about the dorms like that, really???

I hope future Teagarden's will be better.