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Murder, She Wrote #38
Domestic Malice
HOMEGROWN HOMICIDE
Jessica is volunteering at the Cabot Cove women’s shelter when a woman walks in bruised physically and mentally. Her husband is a well-respected businessman in town. Could this paragon of virtue be abusing his wife?
Despite Jessica’s support and advice, the woman refuses to stay at the shelter, press charges, or even report the abuse. But a few days later the entire town is shocked to hear that domestic abuse has turned to murder.
Investigating the crime, Jessica soon discovers that the woman’s family has secrets and lies that go beyond domestic violence—and that the real killer may be hiding behind a wall of silence that could send the wrong person to prison....
Jessica is volunteering at the Cabot Cove women’s shelter when a woman walks in bruised physically and mentally. Her husband is a well-respected businessman in town. Could this paragon of virtue be abusing his wife?
Despite Jessica’s support and advice, the woman refuses to stay at the shelter, press charges, or even report the abuse. But a few days later the entire town is shocked to hear that domestic abuse has turned to murder.
Investigating the crime, Jessica soon discovers that the woman’s family has secrets and lies that go beyond domestic violence—and that the real killer may be hiding behind a wall of silence that could send the wrong person to prison....
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 2, 2012
67 people are currently reading
949 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Fletcher
115 books1,060 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jessica Fletcher (born Jessica Beatrice MacGill, and writes under the initialed J.B. Fletcher) is a fictional character from the US television series Murder, She Wrote.
In keeping with the spirit of the TV show, a series of official original novels have been written by American ghostwriter Donald Bain and published by the New American Library. The author credit for the novels is shared with the fictitious "Jessica Fletcher." When the first novel in the series, Gin and Daggers, was published in 1989 it included several inaccuracies to the TV series including Jessica driving a car which she could not do as she never learned to drive. Due to fans pointing out the errors, the novel was republished in 2000 with most of the inaccuracies corrected.
Source: Wikipedia
Jessica Fletcher (born Jessica Beatrice MacGill, and writes under the initialed J.B. Fletcher) is a fictional character from the US television series Murder, She Wrote.
In keeping with the spirit of the TV show, a series of official original novels have been written by American ghostwriter Donald Bain and published by the New American Library. The author credit for the novels is shared with the fictitious "Jessica Fletcher." When the first novel in the series, Gin and Daggers, was published in 1989 it included several inaccuracies to the TV series including Jessica driving a car which she could not do as she never learned to drive. Due to fans pointing out the errors, the novel was republished in 2000 with most of the inaccuracies corrected.
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
August 10, 2017
A friend of mine enjoys these books so much such that he suggested I read this one to compare it to the TV series we've watched "a few" times. It is just as simple and easy to read as it is to watch the Angela Lansbury shows. He often falls asleep during the middle and wakes up right at the end when she's making a classic "told you so" face.
This book was one of the better ones I've read in the series. I have to go back and look at them all as it's been years since I read them, and not sure which ones anymore!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
This book was one of the better ones I've read in the series. I have to go back and look at them all as it's been years since I read them, and not sure which ones anymore!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
October 29, 2012
Important issue, but not handled well as far as I'm concerned for the usual MSW book audience. Too heavy on the soapbox, and really light on the type of 'mystery' expected.
June 5, 2013
Okay these books are my dirty little secret. They aren't great literature and they can be trite and formulaic, but they are just a fun read that requires little or no thought, much like the TV series was.
January 26, 2017
I've seen this series on my library's bookshelves for many years and finally picked one up. So glad I did. Definitely a 'cozy mystery' despite its topic being domestic abuse. When I'm reading it, I can picture it just like the tv show. So glad there are over 40 more volumes to enjoy. Looking forward to the next one.
April 2, 2020
Really liked this book in the series. I'm partial to the Cabot Cove books/episodes anyway, but this one did keep me guessing until the very end.
January 14, 2025
Mehhhh, not my fave of these
November 7, 2019
This was such a good book. It was atypical because it had a more serious theme of domestic abuse rather than your cookie cutter murder mystery. I honestly couldn't put this book down.
May 31, 2014
The issue of domestic abuse arrives in Cabot Cove with a vengeance. The book begins with a town meeting for funding of a women's shelter. A heated debate ensues, and while most of the local residents approve the idea of keeping a women's shelter available for abused victims, some of the town's citizens think it is a waste of time and finances, and an excuse for women not to deal with their martial problems at home.
But when one of Cabot Cove's battered female residents, Myriam Wolcott, stumbles into the shelter for help, Jessica Fletcher and her friend Edwina Wilkerson, volunteering at the time, try to protect the woman from her abusive husband, Josh. But later, with a deeper understanding of Ms. Wolcott, Jessica and Edwina learn more about the Wolcott family than they need to. Details about Myraim's hardship make headlines, and the gossip mill is in full swing.
With the help of a famous P.I. friend from the TV series, Jessica uncovers some ugly truths about her neighbors--and the horrible statistics of abused women in and around the adjacent towns in Maine.
There was a minor complaint: On pages 219-221, the timeline is inaccurate. At the bottom of page 219, Jessica arrives home from the sheriff's department after discussing the case with Mort Metzger. And in the following chapter (22), she is at the sheriff's office that same evening, talking with Mort, before he drives her home. A minor quibble, but it pulls you out of the story momentarily.
The anonymous emails Myriam posts to other abused women in a chat forum in the first eight chapters add tension and create a foreshadowing to her personal tragedies to come. But if you are a battered victim--or know someone who is--the grim details inside the book may be too uncomfortable to read.
The book is written in two parts: the first half of the story deals with the inevitable murder, the statistics of abused women and the women's shelter, which are depressing and sometimes difficult to digest. The second part of the book portrays the inner workings of the judicial process and bringing the "killer" to justice. But the trial is overlooked with an over-the-top fiasco (a heart attack) and the annual Blueberry Festival, which is mostly filler and does not advance the plot. The ending is unlike anything we have read or watched in the Murder She Wrote book and television series. The resolution requires a suspension of disbelief and may be too melodramatic and somber for some readers to fathom.
But when one of Cabot Cove's battered female residents, Myriam Wolcott, stumbles into the shelter for help, Jessica Fletcher and her friend Edwina Wilkerson, volunteering at the time, try to protect the woman from her abusive husband, Josh. But later, with a deeper understanding of Ms. Wolcott, Jessica and Edwina learn more about the Wolcott family than they need to. Details about Myraim's hardship make headlines, and the gossip mill is in full swing.
With the help of a famous P.I. friend from the TV series, Jessica uncovers some ugly truths about her neighbors--and the horrible statistics of abused women in and around the adjacent towns in Maine.
There was a minor complaint: On pages 219-221, the timeline is inaccurate. At the bottom of page 219, Jessica arrives home from the sheriff's department after discussing the case with Mort Metzger. And in the following chapter (22), she is at the sheriff's office that same evening, talking with Mort, before he drives her home. A minor quibble, but it pulls you out of the story momentarily.
The anonymous emails Myriam posts to other abused women in a chat forum in the first eight chapters add tension and create a foreshadowing to her personal tragedies to come. But if you are a battered victim--or know someone who is--the grim details inside the book may be too uncomfortable to read.
The book is written in two parts: the first half of the story deals with the inevitable murder, the statistics of abused women and the women's shelter, which are depressing and sometimes difficult to digest. The second part of the book portrays the inner workings of the judicial process and bringing the "killer" to justice. But the trial is overlooked with an over-the-top fiasco (a heart attack) and the annual Blueberry Festival, which is mostly filler and does not advance the plot. The ending is unlike anything we have read or watched in the Murder She Wrote book and television series. The resolution requires a suspension of disbelief and may be too melodramatic and somber for some readers to fathom.
June 30, 2016
This was an okay mystery (a cozy, in my opinion). It's about spouse abuse, as described in the book description, and Jessica is involved through her affiliation with a women's shelter. The writing is good, the story line is good. I have to take off points for the in-your-face campaigning by the author for the awareness of abused spouses, finding excuses to include national statistics and all that stuff in the story line. I hate when authors try to get me involved in their social causes, no matter how worthy. I don't want my entertainment tainted with reality. If that makes sense. I was also a little put off with things that were included to expand the story line with no apparent connection or reason for being there except to make the book longer, like the pie contest. I also have to take off a fraction of a point for the unsatisfactory conclusion. We never find out why the councilman was so vehemently opposed to the women's shelter. I sort of figured that he was a wife-beater, but we never get to find out one way or the other. The whole conclusion around him was very unsatisfying. Other than those minor complaints, I thought it was a pretty good story with a twist at the end that I could see coming, but it was still pretty good.
December 1, 2014
SPOILERS
This book touched me deeply and I am grateful the author wrote about a very painful subject with grace and in a format that will enable cozy mystery fans to read about it in their favorite format.
The book deals with how domestic violence affects not just the spouse who is getting beat up but the children in the home. Most of the time, when hearing about domestic violence, if there is a murder, it is usually the one of the spouses committing the act. In this story, that was not the case.
I highly recommend this book not just as another great cozy mystery with Jessica Fletcher as the main character but also as a way to feel and work out strong feelings that surface when reading about difficult subjects. I find that I can deal with sensitive subjects better sometimes when reading about them in a fictionalized setting.
And, like always, Jessica was a star. I love her sense of honor, compassion and friendship.
NOTE: The author gives information at the end of the book about the National Domestic Violence Network.
This book touched me deeply and I am grateful the author wrote about a very painful subject with grace and in a format that will enable cozy mystery fans to read about it in their favorite format.
The book deals with how domestic violence affects not just the spouse who is getting beat up but the children in the home. Most of the time, when hearing about domestic violence, if there is a murder, it is usually the one of the spouses committing the act. In this story, that was not the case.
I highly recommend this book not just as another great cozy mystery with Jessica Fletcher as the main character but also as a way to feel and work out strong feelings that surface when reading about difficult subjects. I find that I can deal with sensitive subjects better sometimes when reading about them in a fictionalized setting.
And, like always, Jessica was a star. I love her sense of honor, compassion and friendship.
NOTE: The author gives information at the end of the book about the National Domestic Violence Network.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2019
This is only my second or third 'Murder She Wrote' book. The television series was a great favourite of mine and I am delighted to say the books are equally enjoyable. The writing was excellent and the plot was compelling with the culprit revealed only in the last few pages. I understand there are some 47 books by 'Jessica Fletcher' and Donald Bain and I hope to have one always amongst my more in depth books.
November 17, 2015
A book (actually a series) based on the Murder She Wrote TV show from way back when. The setting is updated, since characters use cell phones. A decent read but I probably won't read the whole series.
June 19, 2016
I felt this Jessica Fletcher novel left a lot of unanswered questions ...Why was the councilman so hateful regarding the abused women and if his employee was responsible for the trouble to Harry and Jessica.
November 30, 2015
I have always enjoyed the Murder She Wrote TV series, so am now greatly enjoying the Jessica Fletcher/Donald Bain novels in the same series. Good stories and easily enjoyed.
April 12, 2022
For my second Murder, She Wrote read, it wasn't too bad; a couple of characters annoyed me (I'm looking at you Edwina Wilkerson), but the appearance of Harry McGraw mad up for it.
March 31, 2025
Domestic Malice starts with Jessica Fletcher doing what she does best: casually saying yes to civic duties that inevitably spiral into murder investigations. This time, she joins the board of Cabot Cove’s women’s shelter — a noble move, but let’s be real, this town has a higher murder rate than a horror movie sleepaway camp, so of course someone’s getting killed again.
Things take a dark turn when a woman stumbles into the shelter — bruised, terrified, and married to a man the town calls a “pillar of the community” (translation: probably a monster). Classic small-town denial, everyone clutching their pearls like domestic violence couldn’t possibly happen here. The woman, Myriam Wolcott, refuses to press charges, and then—surprise!—ends up dead.
Now we’re in full-on Cabot Cove chaos mode. Jessica starts poking around (as one does), and suddenly secrets are spilling faster than the wine at a book club meltdown. Myriam’s picture-perfect husband might not be so picture-perfect, the shelter’s under political fire, and the whole town is giving off major “this could’ve been solved in therapy” energy. There’s a big ol’ web of lies and power dynamics that feels way too real, and the mystery digs into some uncomfortable but important stuff — namely, how communities fail victims behind a façade of moral decency.
Here’s the twist: this one’s a little heavier than your average Murder, She Wrote fare. Less quirky clue-hunting, more commentary on how abuse hides in plain sight. I totally understand how not everyone is going to vibe with the shift in tone — it dips more into social issue territory, and the mystery takes a bit of a back seat. But honestly? Props to the book for not shying away from hard truths, even if it makes Cabot Cove feel even more cursed than usual.
It’s a slower burn, with fewer “aha!” moments and more “oh god, people are awful” realizations. But Jessica remains the ultimate cozy crime goddess, navigating it all with that deadly combo of curiosity and restraint. She's like your grandma if your grandma was constantly uncovering conspiracies and had a 100% success rate at solving murders.
3.5 stars — not the most traditional murder mystery entry in the series, but thoughtful, gutsy, and unafraid to let things get messy. Cabot Cove: where even good intentions come with a side of homicide.
Things take a dark turn when a woman stumbles into the shelter — bruised, terrified, and married to a man the town calls a “pillar of the community” (translation: probably a monster). Classic small-town denial, everyone clutching their pearls like domestic violence couldn’t possibly happen here. The woman, Myriam Wolcott, refuses to press charges, and then—surprise!—ends up dead.
Now we’re in full-on Cabot Cove chaos mode. Jessica starts poking around (as one does), and suddenly secrets are spilling faster than the wine at a book club meltdown. Myriam’s picture-perfect husband might not be so picture-perfect, the shelter’s under political fire, and the whole town is giving off major “this could’ve been solved in therapy” energy. There’s a big ol’ web of lies and power dynamics that feels way too real, and the mystery digs into some uncomfortable but important stuff — namely, how communities fail victims behind a façade of moral decency.
Here’s the twist: this one’s a little heavier than your average Murder, She Wrote fare. Less quirky clue-hunting, more commentary on how abuse hides in plain sight. I totally understand how not everyone is going to vibe with the shift in tone — it dips more into social issue territory, and the mystery takes a bit of a back seat. But honestly? Props to the book for not shying away from hard truths, even if it makes Cabot Cove feel even more cursed than usual.
It’s a slower burn, with fewer “aha!” moments and more “oh god, people are awful” realizations. But Jessica remains the ultimate cozy crime goddess, navigating it all with that deadly combo of curiosity and restraint. She's like your grandma if your grandma was constantly uncovering conspiracies and had a 100% success rate at solving murders.
3.5 stars — not the most traditional murder mystery entry in the series, but thoughtful, gutsy, and unafraid to let things get messy. Cabot Cove: where even good intentions come with a side of homicide.
November 4, 2025
Just finished Domestic Malice (Murder, She Wrote #38) by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain, and this one tackles some heavy topics while still delivering that classic Cabot Cove mystery I love! 📚🔍
I'll admit, I was a little nervous going into this one given the subject matter—domestic violence isn't exactly light reading—but the authors handled it with sensitivity while still keeping the mystery engaging. Jessica gets pulled into the case when she joins the board of the local women's shelter, and things escalate quickly when what starts as abuse turns into murder.
What I appreciated most was how the book doesn't shy away from the complexities of domestic violence situations and the walls of silence that often surround them. The mystery itself kept me guessing, with plenty of secrets hiding beneath Cabot Cove's respectable surface. Classic Jessica—poking around where others fear to tread and uncovering truths people would rather keep buried.
My only gripe? Some of the secondary characters felt a bit one-dimensional, but honestly, that's pretty standard for this long-running series. Jessica herself is as sharp and compassionate as ever, which is really what keeps me coming back book after book.
A solid 4 stars for a cozy mystery that's willing to go a little darker than usual while still maintaining that Murder, She Wrote charm. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#DomesticMalice #MurderSheWrote #JessicaFletcher #DonaldBain #CozyMystery #MysteryBooks #BookReview #CabotCove #CozyReads #MysteryReader #BookstagramCommunity #BookLovers #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #MysteryAddict #LongRunningSeries #MustRead #BookRecommendations #CozyCrime #ClassicMystery
I'll admit, I was a little nervous going into this one given the subject matter—domestic violence isn't exactly light reading—but the authors handled it with sensitivity while still keeping the mystery engaging. Jessica gets pulled into the case when she joins the board of the local women's shelter, and things escalate quickly when what starts as abuse turns into murder.
What I appreciated most was how the book doesn't shy away from the complexities of domestic violence situations and the walls of silence that often surround them. The mystery itself kept me guessing, with plenty of secrets hiding beneath Cabot Cove's respectable surface. Classic Jessica—poking around where others fear to tread and uncovering truths people would rather keep buried.
My only gripe? Some of the secondary characters felt a bit one-dimensional, but honestly, that's pretty standard for this long-running series. Jessica herself is as sharp and compassionate as ever, which is really what keeps me coming back book after book.
A solid 4 stars for a cozy mystery that's willing to go a little darker than usual while still maintaining that Murder, She Wrote charm. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#DomesticMalice #MurderSheWrote #JessicaFletcher #DonaldBain #CozyMystery #MysteryBooks #BookReview #CabotCove #CozyReads #MysteryReader #BookstagramCommunity #BookLovers #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #MysteryAddict #LongRunningSeries #MustRead #BookRecommendations #CozyCrime #ClassicMystery
February 19, 2023
2.5 stars
It's a decent small-town murder mystery, but Domestic Malice is a lot more repetitive than Nashville Noir(my only other MSW book so far) and Cabot Cove is not as interesting a setting. The twist is decent, but other plot elements are flimsy and contrived.
Jessica is a likable heroine, but better pacing and more varied suspects would have improved the book.
It's a decent small-town murder mystery, but Domestic Malice is a lot more repetitive than Nashville Noir(my only other MSW book so far) and Cabot Cove is not as interesting a setting. The twist is decent, but other plot elements are flimsy and contrived.
Jessica is a likable heroine, but better pacing and more varied suspects would have improved the book.
March 4, 2018
Another cracking book by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain. I really got in to this story. Great twist at the end as well. The characters are well rounded and loveable. I love reading these books.
This book is about the Cabot Coves women's shelter and one of it women.
She shoots her husband or is it some one else? There as lots of people who bear a grudge after investigating their money with him and he lost it all. In comes a very pushy mother to lend her support to her daughter, but did she really shoot him.
This book is about the Cabot Coves women's shelter and one of it women.
She shoots her husband or is it some one else? There as lots of people who bear a grudge after investigating their money with him and he lost it all. In comes a very pushy mother to lend her support to her daughter, but did she really shoot him.
March 17, 2022
Interesting educational tidbits thrown in about intimate partner violence that I appreciated. I found this one to be pretty good actually, especially since there was a thread of nuance for the presumed murderer throughout. (I thought it was the kid the whole time.) I would update some language, but overall it was a tough subject to illustrate and it was done at least moderately well for the genre. I bet people learn from this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2022
4 stars!
This was a very special novel in the Murder, She Wrote series dealing with the issue of domestic abuse, and I think it handled it well. It managed to provide an important message whilst still keeping those light-hearted moments that we Murder, She Wrote fans are so accustomed to. Also, this was the second Murder, She Wrote novel where I was able to figure out the killer a decent ways before the ending, so I’m proud of myself. Anyways, this is a great read!
This was a very special novel in the Murder, She Wrote series dealing with the issue of domestic abuse, and I think it handled it well. It managed to provide an important message whilst still keeping those light-hearted moments that we Murder, She Wrote fans are so accustomed to. Also, this was the second Murder, She Wrote novel where I was able to figure out the killer a decent ways before the ending, so I’m proud of myself. Anyways, this is a great read!
December 3, 2023
I finally figured out the murderer...almost! While at home in Cabot Cove, Jessica volunteers at the local women's shelter, which is trying to keep its town funding, while a vocal politician is trying to take back all the money. A local woman needs the help of the organization, especially when things really get out of hand. There is little humor in this volume of the series, probably because of the serious nature of the theme - spouse abuse. I did almost identify the murderer correctly.
July 4, 2017
Not my favorite MSW. The storyline of this one wasn't my favorites from when I first read through the synopsis of each book on Goodreads. Since I plan to read the whole series, this was one I needed to knock off. It was okay and the mystery was good. My favorite element was the addition of Harry McGraw from the tv version. I didn't hate this book but I didn't love it either.
June 11, 2018
Jessica joins the board of her local domestic violence shelter and becomes embroiled in a mystery when the abusive husband of one of the shelter's clients is found dead. This book shines a light on the problem of domestic violence through Jessica's training and experiences volunteering in the shelter, and it's a more intense read than some of the others. Highly recommended.
September 11, 2018
I believe after reading, I have actually read this book before but I finished it again. As always, I love the books set in Cabot Cove and am so happy Harry McGraw made an appearance! Love that character, as frustrating as he can sometimes be! All in all, I very much enjoyed this installment in the series.
May 11, 2019
In this very emotional story Jessica volunteers at a women's shelter and then finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when one of the ladies abuser husband is gunned down in their driveway. When she goes from claiming her innocence to claiming self defense Jessica knows she lying... but why? When the killer is revealed it's shocking and sad.
June 9, 2020
Mrs. Fletcher was volunteering in a women's shelter when Miriam, a battered woman came in for help. When a few days later it was discovered that Miriam's husband was murdered it was naturally assumed that Miriam bumped off her husband. Mrs. Jessica isn't convinced and started snooping around to discover the truth of what really happened.
November 16, 2020
I love these Murder She Wrote books. I can picture the main characters and hear their voices thanks to the tv show which help brings it all to life. They are a book you can pick up and put down for a few days then come right back to it. This was a different story line than normal and that was very refreshing. Jessica feels like an old friend telling you a story that you become absorbed in.
July 1, 2021
Usually Mr. Bain’s research is so spot on. In this case, he has Girl Scouts selling their cookies in August. GS cookies are sold starting in January for a couple of months. The Thin Mints would be melting in August. It a tiny detail that has nothing to do with the story and I’m not sure why the author put it in. They could have been having a bake sale; more appropriate to the story.
July 1, 2021
As a rule, I'm not fond of writers who use their series as a soap box opportunity. This was not an exception, but less irritating than usual. The regular characters were still like home folks, and the mystery was solid. I was pretty sure I had the solution early on, and I was correct. Still enjoyed the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews