Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans is the fourth movie in the Hallmark Mystery franchise that is based on the novels by Diane Mott Davidson. Goldy Berry and Detective Tom Shultz team up when a Medieval feast at Hyde Castle is interrupted by a murder. When all the guests find themselves snowed in and unable to leave, Goldy and Tom try to solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again.
Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans Gets Personal
Sir Alistair is holding a fundraiser at his castle for the fencing team, and Goldy has cooked up a special feast for the occasion. Alistair promises to make a "big announcement" before dinner that will require him to "take out the sword of justice." He never gets the chance to reveal the important news because he winds up dead, and everyone present becomes a suspect.
Several mysterious threads tie-in with Detective Tom Shultz. Tom's father, Edmund, was convicted of murder and imprisoned 25 years ago. Federal Marshall, Gerard Trach, appears, uninvited, to the gala to reveal that Edmund has escaped prison and will likely reach out to Tom for help.
Strangely, one of the guests, Agatha, is the judge who sentenced Edmund. Charlie, the court jester, knows the nickname only Tom's dad ever used for him--Tomster.
It doesn't take the sleuthers long to realize that Edmund is hiding in Hyde Castle. Is he exacting revenge on those responsible for his fate? Will Tom get back the father he's not spoken to in 25 years, or will the case push them even farther apart?
No spoilers here--you'll have to watch the movie to find out "who-dunnit" and why!
The Suspect List in Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans Is Extensive!
As if all the red herrings aren't enough to throw viewers off the scent, the possible suspects are overwhelming! Sir Alistair has made a lot of enemies. Tom, Goldy, Mason, and Federal Marshall Trach must sift through evidence, interview suspects, comb the castle, and try to piece together the clues.
Is the murderer Coach Pierre--the man being fired for not driving the fencing team hard enough to victory?
Could it be Agatha's husband, Ivan, who suspects an affair between his wife and Sir Alistair?
The jester, Charlie, knows Edmund from prison. Are the two in cahoots?
Who better to want Alistair dead the Klaus, the faithful butler who is mistreated beyond belief?
Baron Sweetwater is also a top suspect.
Sketch artist and Alistair's personal assistant seems the least likely to be a cold-blooded killer, but is that merely a facade?
Just when you think you have it figured out, there's another twist!
Are Nikki DeLoach and Andrew Walker Fizzling Out as a Couple in Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans?
Nikki DeLoach and Andrew Walker have paired up for multiple Hallmark projects over the years, including The Perfect Catch, A Dream of Christmas, Sweet Autumn, and four Curious Caterer movies.
While the two started off as a beloved onscreen couple, it feels like their chemistry is waning, unlike fellow stars like Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp/Brennan Elliott who fans never tire of seeing together.
Maybe it's because DeLoach and Walker hang out together so much offscreen. DeLoach refers to Walker as her "work husband," but the two have developed such camaraderie that they seem more like brother and sister. They are so at ease in one another's company that is detracts from the excitement of a budding romance onscreen. They would be better off as sibling sleuthers.
A New Curious Caterer Movie Is on the Way!
Despite the absence of romantic vibes, the Curious Caterer movies boast great storylines, since they are based on well-written novels. There are a total of 17 books in the series, so if you're a bookworm, you can view all the titles in this post. The costumes in Foiled Plans are gorgeous, and Goldy's resourcefulness is impressive.
When Foiled Plans was initially announced, Hallmark revealed that the network had ordered TWO new Curious Caterer movies, so that means more information should be coming in the near future about a fifth installment.