Murder, She Wrote The Murder of Sherlock Holmes

Jessica Fletcher #1

by James Anderson

The fancy dress ball thrown by Jessica's publisher had been a success - until murder showed up as an uninvited guest. The police looked with undisguised dismay at a roomful of suspects in flamboyant disguise. But mystery writer Jessica already had a few ideas... And though the police didn't take kindly to a middle-aged lady meddling in real life murder - it would be a crime not to try and solve it herself ...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Paperback

First published April 1, 1985

About the author

James Anderson was educated at Reading University where he gained a History degree and although born in Swindon, Wiltshire, he lived for most of his life near Cardiff.

He worked as a salesman before becoming a copywriter and then a freelance journalist, contributing to many newspapers, house journals and specialist magazines. He later turned to writing novels, the first of which was 'Assassin' (1969).

As well as his general thrillers, he wrote three books featuring Inspector Wilkins beginning with 'The Affair of the Blood-Stained Egg Cosy' in 1975. The series continued with 'the Affair of the Mutilated Mink Coat' (1981) and ended with 'The Affair of the Thirty-Nine Cuff Links' (2003).

He also wrote three novels based on the television series 'Murder, She Wrote', which were 'the Murder of Sherlock Holmes (1985), Hooray for Homicide' (1985) and 'Lovers and Other Killers' (1986). In total he wrote 14 novels and one play.

He died in 2007.

Gerry Wolstenholme
September 2010

Reviews

[Jack Heath · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars. The first novel in the Murder She Wrote collection. Starring Jessica Fletcher as portrayed by Angela Lansbury on the tube. There are actually 2 series, a rarity. This is the first of 4 novelizations of screenplays from early in the TV show, the original series. James Anderson wrote three in 1985 and 1986, with David Deutsch writing #4 in 1986. In 1989, Donald Bain started the current series of independent mysteries. Volume 60 (2025) is the latest. Although .. Sherlock Holmes is faithful to the on-screen version, right down to a confession by the perpetrator in the last chapter, [hasn't anyone heard the legal adage "Say nothing until you've spoken to your lawyer?"], it's a touch heavy. Less of the lightness in later TV episodes or the Bain novels. With few of the Cabot Cove characters we enjoy. Only Jessica's nephew Grady Fletcher makes an appearance. He's an accountant with Cap'n Caleb's Chowder House in New York. His boss, Caleb McCallum, is the person who, dressed as Holmes at a fancy dress party, gets shot. But was it him? For sure, Grady is the accused! Of course, newly-minted mystery writer Jessica Fletcher does her thing. (De2022/Se2025)

[Herb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun reading, the first of three novels by James Anderson that are actually based on teleplays from the TV-series, not the original novels written for many years by Donald Bain. As Maggie would say, this is "brain candy."

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only recently found out that there was a small set of books written by this author that were based on Murder, She Wrote episodes and were published prior to the mysteries written by Donald Bain. This one was based on the very first episode, so I was excited to read it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that first episode, but now I want to watch it. It was fun to read how she got started in her mystery writing career. I’d never known that her nephew Grady played a part in that.

True to form, Jessica stood up to some possible killers with the same tenacity and bravery we know and love from the series. I hadn’t quite guessed the killer and was a little surprised at the reveal. Jessica had her first adventure of several in New York, and it was kind of fun to step back to 1985 (technically, it aired in 1984) when no one really carried cell phones or could warn someone by text. The ending was a little bittersweet and I’m anxious now to read the second in this small series.

Just a note: The GR information for this title is wrong. This is #1 in the 3-book Jessica Fletcher series by James Anderson, not #2. It couldn't be #2, because it's based on the very first Murder, She Wrote episode, and I originally ran across this small series on a reputable website that lists books in order.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read these in years but its like sitting down with an old friend.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so great. Several twists that Jessica Fletcher must take on and solve. Nice quick cozy mystery read.

[Milou Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

it is fine but the author choice for the wrong build up. Love the analyzing the behavior of the characters. Why would a girl leave a restaurant at precisely 9:00 and why is she lookin at a clock? I like the part that women are leading this story. Happy that the author didn't make the book longer then it has to be, so I respect that. This book is from 1985 and is fun to read. Hoever it isn't intense all the time.

[Gilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

It might just be Jessica Fletcher novel, based on an episode of Murder She Wrote, but I loved it!
James Anderson is a super writer, I adore his regular novels (there’s three - check them out - great titles 😁).
A very enjoyable read with lots of twist

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good tie-in to the show. Excell telling of the pilot episode.