Timely: Another Great mystery: "Murder She Wrote: Deboniar in Death" /Tribute to Angela Lansbury

On the day before the passing of Angela Lansbury three days ago on October 11th, I had just finished reading the latest in the "Murder She Wrote" mystery series. "Denonair in Death" by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran was a good mystery that reintroduced the television show series character of the British MI6 agent, Michael Haggerty.  **Today's blog is about my book review, and my tribute to Angela Lansbury who brought Jessica Fletcher to life and still does. 

   The Murder She Wrote series was started with Donald Bain, and after he passed away, Jon Land wrote several books, and now Terrie Farley Moran is penning them.  This is the 54th in the series (there are 56 so far).  

I think that this was by far the longest of any of the books in the series, and the author took extra care to describe people, settings and interactions, which gave you a good feel for what was happening. She also took time to bring in favorite characters like Loretta Speigel, the owner of the beauty shop, and Sassi, owner of the bakery and cafe. 

It was a good mystery with twists and turns, and solved in Jessica Fletcher style! 

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

When a local art shop owner is murdered, Jessica Fletcher is surprised to once again be working alongside her old friend MI-6 agent Michael Haggerty to solve the case in the newest mystery in this USA Today bestselling series.

When Nelson Penzell, co-owner of a local art and treasure store in Cabot Cove, is murdered, the nail tech from Jessica Fletcher's favorite beauty parlor is the main suspect. After all, she's the one who ran out of the store screaming, covered in blood, and holding the murder weapon. Jessica is positive that despite the circumstances, Coreen can't possibly be guilty, and is determined to prove it.

When Michael Haggerty, handsome MI-6 agent and Jessica's old friend, is caught snooping around the victim’s home, it's quickly apparent to her that she was right. Nelson has always had a bit of a reputation for being a rake, but Haggerty is sure his sins go far beyond what anyone in town imagined. If she wants to clear Coreen's name, Jessica will have to work alongside Michael to find out who killed Nelson—and maybe help bust a crime ring in the process.

MY BIG THANK YOU to Angela Lansbury- who continues to fill my heart  Murder She Wrote will always be my favorite television show AND Mystery book series. - In fact, In addition to reading this novel, over the last year, I've been in the process of watching all the tv shows (and now on Season 7).

Angela Lansbury, beloved star of ‘Murder, She Wrote,’ dead at 96

By Brian Lowry, CNN

Updated 5:09 PM EDT, Tue October 11, 2022

Angela Lansbury, who enjoyed an eclectic, award-winning movie and stage career in addition to becoming America’s favorite TV sleuth in “Murder, She Wrote,” has died, according to a statement from her family provided to NBC, whose parent company produced the long-running series. She was 96.

MORE: https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/11/entertainment/angela-lansbury-dead/index.html

Another Must-Read in the "Murder She Wrote" series: The Murder of Twelve by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land

 I recently enjoyed the latest in the paperback "Murder She Wrote" mystery series called "The Murder of Twelve" by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land. Jon Land has now written several in the series that was started by Author Donald Bain (who passed away a couple of years ago), and Land's writing style is very similar to Bain's, which is awesome. This story was fantastic and kept me hooked. In fact, I finished it in a couple of days (usually I read a book every couple of weeks). It will keep the reader guessing about the many puzzle pieces found before and during a record-setting blizzard in Maine.  5 of 5 stars ! 

ABOUT THE BOOK: In the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series, Jessica Fletcher takes on an Agatha Christie-style mystery when she finds herself stranded in a hotel during a blizzard with twelve strangers and a killer in their midst....

     Still staying at the Hill House hotel while her beloved home is being rebuilt, Jessica Fletcher finds herself sharing the space for a weekend with a dozen members of a wedding party who have gathered there for a rehearsal dinner. The families of the bride and groom can't stand each other but have agreed to put aside years of long-simmering tension to celebrate the nuptials.

     Unfortunately, weather forecasters underestimated the severity of a storm that turns into a historic blizzard that dumps nearly five feet of snow on Cabot Cove, leaving everyone stranded.

     But the hotel guests have bigger things to worry about than bad weather conditions and potential cold feet, because a murderer has shown up ininvited--one who has vowed to take them down one by one....

Another great book in the series: Murder, She Wrote: A Time for Murder

The 50th book in the "Murder She Wrote" mystery series was just as great as the other 49. I recently finished reading it, and authors Jon Land and Jessica Fletcher (also the main character who is the mystery writer from the 1980s-1990s TV series of the same name) did it again. Another page turner that really keeps you guessing about the murderer.
   The story weaves together 2 murders. One from Jessica's past over 20 years ago when she was a substitute teacher (and she solved then) and another in present day. She has to find the link between them, and the twists and turns are well done.
5 of 5 stars!!

Murder, She Wrote: A Time for Murder

ABOUT THE BOOK - In the fiftieth entry in this USA Today bestselling series, two timelines converge as Jessica Fletcher returns to high school to investigate the murder of an old colleague, while we meet Jessica as a young teacher solving her very first murder...

Young Jessica Fletcher's life couldn't be more ordinary. She teaches at the local high school while she and her loving husband, Frank, are raising their nephew Grady together. But when the beloved principal dies under mysterious circumstances, Jessica knows something is off and, for the very first time, investigates a death.

Present-day Jessica returns to high school for a colleague's retirement party and has fun seeing familiar faces. That is, until the colleague winds up dead--and his death has mysterious links to Jessica's very first murder case.

With nothing but her own instincts to guide her, Jessica embarks on a quest to find out what really happened all those years ago and who's behind these murders. Because time is running out to catch this killer....

Fantastic Mystery! Murder She Wrote: Murder in Red

I'm a huge fan of the television series "Murder She Wrote" starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer Jessica Fletcher. Since the series reached it's end in the early 1990s (I have them all on DVD), novels based on the show were published.
   The original author of more than 45 novels, was Donald Bain. Bain passed away in the last couple of years and the latest novels are written by Jon Land and "Jessica Fletcher." Land has done an incredible job picking up the title and honors the great writing style of Donald Bain. There are now 50 Murder She Wrote novels, and I've read 48 of them- they are all fantastic (I keep them and re-read them).
  The latest paperback, "Murder She Wrote: Murder in Red" is no exception. It's fantastic!!!  I normally read a book in about 2 weeks. I finished this one in 5 days - I hated putting it down and often fell asleep reading it late into the evenings!  There are so many twists and turns in this book, you won't figure them all out until they are revealed in the last chapter or two.
  5 of 5 stars! This book is a must-read mystery.
- Rob

Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher

ABOUT THE BOOK: In the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series, Jessica loses a loved one to unnatural causes and sets her sights on the mysterious local hospital before more people wind up dead on arrival...

Jessica Fletcher's favorite gin rummy partner, Mimi Van Dorn, checks into the brand-new Clifton Care Partners, a private hospital that's just opened up shop in town, for a simple procedure—one that leads tragically, and inexplicably, to her death. Seeking justice in her inimitable fashion, Jessica decides to pursue her own investigation on the hospital and its shadowy business dealings.

On the trail of what initially appears to be medical malpractice, Jessica digs deeper and learns her friend was actually a victim of something far more sinister. Death is bad for business, but murder is even worse, and Jessica will find plenty of both as she races to bring down Clifton Care Partners before someone else flatlines...

Great Mystery! Murder She Wrote: Hook, Line and Murder

During our vacation to Spain last week, we got to do a lot of reading because of 3 connecting flights
to get there, and get home. One of the books I thoroughly enjoyed was the latest paperback mystery in the "Murder She Wrote" series (based on the tv show):  "Hook Line and Murder," by Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain and Renee Paley-Bain.  
  The book was fast moving like the other 30 or so in the series, and a great read. There turned out to be 2 murders in the story, one old and one new. The characters were vivid and easy to picture in your mind, and of course, the main cast from the 1980s-1990s TV show were all in the book, too. The mystery will keep you guessing and there's a mystery in a mystery!  Another 5 star Murder She Wrote mystery!  - Rob

ABOUT THE BOOK:  The USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote mystery series continues as Jessica Fletcher takes a relaxing getaway that turns into a reel deadly situation...

Jessica enters a fly-fishing competition at a nearby lake. Joining her is the sheriff’s wife, Maureen Metzger, who surprises Jess with her enthusiasm for the sport. Their guide, however, is a surprise to both...

Brian Kinney is an ex-con. Jailed as an accomplice to Darryl Jepson, a convicted killer, Brian was later exonerated, but not before spending seven years behind bars. He seems like a decent enough fellow. Just a man trying to rebuild his life as a family man and fishing guide. 

Yet when Jepson breaks out of prison vowing revenge, and the lawyer for both men is found murdered, Cabot Cove becomes the focus of the nation as local, state, and federal authorities descend on Jessica’s hometown. And to add to the tension, Maureen has gone missing. Is she lost or is she a hostage? Jess soon finds herself caught in a netful of lies, deceit and ulterior motives. In order to save her friend, she’ll need to find some answers by hook or by crook..

Great Mystery: Murder, She Wrote: Design For Murder

One of the latest in the "Murder she wrote" mystery book series is called "Design for Murder," (by Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain and Renee Paley-Bain) and like all of the others in the series, I thoroughly enjoyed it!  5 Out of 5 Stars.   
   It takes place during "fashion week" in NYC and there are of course, deaths and possible murders to solve whenever Jessica Fletcher is around. Another well done mystery that makes you visualize the characters and wonder what happened...  Highly recommended!! - Rob   (Note: The paperback came out in April 2016)



BOOK SUMMARY:  In this mystery in the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series, Jessica Fletcher visits New York City during fashion week, only to discover someone has rather fatal designs...

Jessica is in Manhattan to attend the debut of a new designer. Formerly Sandy Black of Cabot Cove, the young man has reinvented himself as Xandr Ebon, and is introducing his evening wear collection to the public and—more important—to the industry’s powers-that-be: the stylists, the magazine editors, the buyers, and the wealthy clientele who can make or break him. At the show, the glitz and glamour are dazzling until a young model—a novice, taking her first walk down the runway—shockingly collapses and dies. Natural causes? Perhaps. But when another model is found dead, a famous cover girl and darling of the paparazzi, the fashion world gets nervous.   Two models. Two deaths. Their only connection? Xandr Ebon. Jessica’s crime-solving instincts are put to the test as she sorts through the egos, the conflicts of interest, the spiteful accusations, and the secrets, all the while keeping an amorous detective at arm’s length. But she’ll have to dig deep to uncover a killer. A designer’s career is on the line. And another model could perish in a New York minute.

Another Awesome Murder She Wrote Mystery: Killer in the Kitchen

"Killer in the Kitchen" by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain is  another great mystery in the series.
This "team" of writers (actually Donald Bain) is amazing and doesn't disappoint with this next in the Murder She Wrote mystery series.  There are great characters that you really get to know, and with multiple potential killers, you'll be guessing until the end. Highly Recommended (as are ALL in this series).

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Jessica Fletcher is a bestselling mystery writer who has a knack for stumbling upon real-life mysteries in her various travels. Donald Bain, her longtime collaborator, is the writer of more than one hundred books, many of them bestsellers.
ABOUT THE BOOK: 
A BEEF WITH LEBOEUF
Jessica loves the Fin & Claw restaurant, owned by young Cabot Cove couple Brad and Marcie. The eatery is the couple’s dream come true, but it’s quickly turning into a nightmare.
  Famed chef Gérard Leboeuf has decided to open his brand of bistro right next to theirs. Given the competition, the charming chef’s manner soon turns sour. Tensions rise hot and fast until they boil over, leading to a nasty confrontation between Leboeuf and Brad.
   So when one chef is found with a knife planted in his chest, the other becomes the prime suspect. But there’s a long list of those who had a motive to kill in this kitchen war, and it’s up to Jessica to uncover who really added murder to the menu.

Outstanding Halloween-time Mystery: Murder She Wrote: Trick or Treachery

I just re-read a book that I read years ago- because it's an outstanding Halloween-time Mystery called "Murder She Wrote: Trick or Treachery" by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain. 
   I (Rob) have read most of the series (and love all of 30 plus of them), and since it's Halloween time, I thought I'd re-read this one. It will keep you guessing until the end and there are a good number of characters and all have motives. I highly recommend it!


ABOUT THE BOOK:  Jessica Fletcher gets spooked in this mystery in the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series...
   It's late October in Cabot Cove, and as Halloween approaches, something strange is in the air. The arrival of a self-righteous, fire-and-brimstone spiritual medium has some townspeople on the lookout for curses and evil omens; a reclusive, eccentric woman has others whispering that she is a real-life witch; and the upcoming annual Halloween party has Jessica Fletcher frantically searching for the perfect costume.
   Then the whole town ends up spooked when the alleged witch ends up dead in the graveyard, and everyone at the party is a suspect. Jess takes it upon herself to stir through a witches' brew of motives—and concocts a scary scheme of her own to make sure a guilty ghoul doesn't get away with murder...

2 Great Mysteries: newest from Mr. Monk and Murder She Wrote!

While on vacation over the last two weeks, I read two great paperback mysteries in my 2 favorite series: Murder She Wrote and Mr. Monk. Both highly recommended!!
 SAD NOTE: The 2nd writer of the Mr. Monk series has called it quits, so this is the final in the Mr Monk series. It's really a sad day because I love them and have read and enjoyed all of them! 

 Here are the summaries of each book:
1) Mr. Monk and the New Lieutenant by Hy Conrad (4.5 STARS) 
(based on the great detective series of the 2000s) 
SUMMARY: Monk and Natalie have finally settled into a new office routine—but the detectives soon have another problem to deal with: Captain Stottlemeyer’s new lieutenant, A. J. Thurman—a man of limited skills whom Monk finds insufferable.
   Despite Thurman’s presence, Monk and Natalie attend the funeral of Judge Oberlin, and it’s a good thing. In typical fashion, Monk examines the body in the casket—and finds evidence of poison. The judge was murdered.
   When Captain Stottlemeyer shows the same symptoms the judge had shown, Monk detects the work of a diabolical killer who wants both men dead. With his friend in danger and an enemy close, Monk will have to put his reservations aside to crack the case in time.

To order on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Monk-New-Lieutenant-Conrad/dp/0451470591
2) Murder She Wrote: Death of Blue Blood by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain (5 STARS!!) 
(based on the TV series that ran for 12 seasons from the 1980s and 90s)
SUMMARY:  In the newest mystery in the USA Today bestselling series, Jessica Fletcher is invited to ring in the New Year with British aristocracy. Too bad someone’s about to end the life of the party....
Jessica Fletcher and her friend Scotland Yard detective inspector George Sutherland are invited to attend a New Year’s Eve Ball at Castorbrook Castle, thanks to her British publisher. Shortly after arriving in the idyllic English countryside, Jessica discovers the body of a lady’s maid in the garden.
  While their host, Lord Norrance, his snobbish third wife, other members of the household, and party guests squabble over the tragic death in tight-lipped, perfectly mannered, thoroughly British style, family relations are strained as old wounds are reopened and cutting remarks are freely handed out. And that’s only during teatime!
  As midnight beckons at the ball the next night, the earl offers a toast, complete with fireworks. But the merriment crashes to a halt when he falls ill and dies, apparently poisoned—and the number of suspects with a grudge against the lord of the manor sprouts like English ivy.
   Now it’s up to Jessica and George to find the killer—or killers—before another corpse welcomes in the New Year....
To order on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Murder-She-Wrote-Death-Blood/dp/0451468252

Fantastic Mystery: Murder She Wrote: Close-up on Murder

My favorite mystery series is the Murder She Wrote novels, and the latest one I read called "Close-up on Murder" was Outstanding. I can't say enough good things about this book, and I couldn't put it down. There were no slow parts, and there were twists and turns. Authors "Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain" have done it again. Truly one of the most enjoyable mysteries and a must for fans of the Murder She Wrote TV series and books. -  Rob

BOOK SUMMARY: Cabot Cove is about to be invaded—by Hollywood. One of Jessica’s older novels is being made into a big-budget movie. The producer has decided to shoot most of the film on location in town, since the book was loosely based on a murder that shocked Cabot Cove over a decade earlier.

The murder occurred when a judge was gunned down while walking her dog. The prime suspect: an enraged husband whom the judge ruled against in a child custody case. But further investigation pointed to the victim’s own husband—and ultimately to his mistress, accused of eliminating her rival.

Unfortunately, everyone on the set has a hidden agenda. A novice director wants his shot at the big-time. A fading star, making a comeback, has many unreasonable demands. Her astrologer sees trouble in the stars. And a stranger on the movie lot is stalking Jessica.

But fiction and reality fatally collide when the actress playing the judge is shot—the only witness her dog—and there’s a cast and crew of possible suspects. With tensions between locals and the Hollywood horde mounting, Jessica must find the killer before anyone else is left on the cutting-room floor.