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Murder, She Wrote #59
A Killer Christmas
It’s Christmastime in Cabot Cove, but there’s more homicide than ho-ho-ho in the newest entry in the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series.
Christmas is not an easy time to sell a house, but in Boston tycoon John Bragdon, Cabot Cove Realtor Eve Simpson has found a buyer for the old Jarvis homestead. Unfortunately, Eve gets a lump of coal in her stocking in the form of Kenny Jarvis, who has been missing for years and presumed dead but has now come back to stop his sister from selling their childhood home.
Eve presses on, organizing a welcome dinner for Bragdon and his wife, Rose Marie, to meet the leading citizens of the town, including Jessica Fletcher. Dinner is interrupted by an uninvited guest—not Santa but Kenny, who threateningly promises Rose Marie she will never live in his house.
When she is found dead a few days later, Kenny is the natural suspect. But Jessica isn′t so sure he′s on the naughty list . . .
Christmas is not an easy time to sell a house, but in Boston tycoon John Bragdon, Cabot Cove Realtor Eve Simpson has found a buyer for the old Jarvis homestead. Unfortunately, Eve gets a lump of coal in her stocking in the form of Kenny Jarvis, who has been missing for years and presumed dead but has now come back to stop his sister from selling their childhood home.
Eve presses on, organizing a welcome dinner for Bragdon and his wife, Rose Marie, to meet the leading citizens of the town, including Jessica Fletcher. Dinner is interrupted by an uninvited guest—not Santa but Kenny, who threateningly promises Rose Marie she will never live in his house.
When she is found dead a few days later, Kenny is the natural suspect. But Jessica isn′t so sure he′s on the naughty list . . .
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2024
118 people are currently reading
1115 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Fletcher
115 books1,062 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 125 reviews
December 28, 2025
**3.5-stars rounded up**
I'm rounding up for nostalgia, but either way, this was still an enjoyable Cozy Mystery. It's set in Cabot Cove in the festive days leading up to Christmas.
While A Killer Christmas didn't contain the most compelling mystery for me, taking over half the book to get to our murder, I still had fun sitting front row to all the town drama. You know I'm always down for that!
This is the 59th-installment of my all-time favorite Cozy Mystery series. I cherish my time with Jessica Fletcher; always have, always will. If I'm counting correctly, this is the 48th-book that I have read in this series.
In case you are new to the Murder, She Wrote books, these can be read in any order and can really be divided into two types: the Cabot Cove mysteries, which are set in Jessica's hometown and involve a recurring cast of local characters, and the ones that are set around the world during the course of Jessica's travels as a best-selling mystery author.
It would be difficult for me to select my favorite type. I think I prefer the travel ones, because I like to go along with Jess to the various places, however, there is something to be said about the comfort of returning to Cabot Cove.
In this one, as Christmas approaches, the entire town is getting into the holiday spirit. In fact, for the first time, the town is competing in a state-sponsored competition to be voted the Christmas Town of Maine.
With cash for the town's non-profits and local businesses on the line, the locals are ready to put on the most festive holiday events that the town has ever seen.
In the midst of all this, local realtor and friend of Jessica, Eve Simpson has a marlin on the line, by way of Boston-based businessman, John Bragdon, who is hoping to buy the old Jarvis homestead. Eve is in a tizzy trying to impress Bragdon and see the sale through.
Eve organizes a dinner where Bragdon and his wife will be able to rub elbows with the who's-who of Cabot Cove. Of course, as one of the most successful authors currently in the Mystery biz, Jessica secures an invite.
Although she's not crazy about the idea, Jessica does agree to help Eve. A few of her other friends will be there too, so it can't be all bad.
Dinner is going well, when the party is suddenly interrupted by the long-missing, and assumed dead, Kenny Jarvis. He heard his sister was putting their family home on the market and has returned to stake his claim. He announces that the Bradgons will never live in his house.
When Rose Marie Bragdon, John's wife, dies unexpectedly days later, Kenny is quickly the number one suspect.
He was witnessed by many threatening her, but Jessica isn't so sure it's as simple as all of that. Doing what she does best, Jessica digs in, determined to find out the truth about what happened to Rose Marie.
As mentioned above, this mystery wasn't super compelling for me, but everything else going on in the town certainly made up for it, IMO.
The realtor, Eve, a recurring character, always drives me a little batty. She's abrasive, frequently steam-rolling over those around her. It's just her personality. Jessica puts up with her in good grace, and I always feel schooled in the patience department.
Why she is even friends with this woman, I will never know.
Eve needed this sale. She reeked of desperation and was willing to do anything to get the Jarvis property sold. Bless Jessica and the others for being willing to help her out.
More than the sale though, the Christmas competition was providing quite a bit of tension in town as well. People were divided on where the winnings should go, if they were actually to win, and the planning of the events themselves got stressful.
Overall though, I did love the holiday vibes pouring from the pages. And all this stuff that I'm talking about, the stress, the tension, it did succeed in pulling me in. It made me invested. I love these characters and this town. I mean, at this point, even I feel like a local, so I was into it. It made me ready to start my own Christmas planning.
Terrie Farley Moran has done a great job with her contributions to this series. This is her 6th, I believe. I've read them all and I have really enjoyed them all.
I love how she has kept the original tone of the series, and she for sure has Jessica's character and mannerisms down. I love this series with my whole heart. I will never, ever stop reading them. If you are looking for a Cozy Mystery series, a true Cozy, I can't recommend this one highly enough.
I know for me there is a level of nostalgia that others may not have, but even without that nostalgia, I think these are still highly enjoyable mysteries.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I always look forward to the latest Murder, She Wrote. Please keep them coming!
I'm rounding up for nostalgia, but either way, this was still an enjoyable Cozy Mystery. It's set in Cabot Cove in the festive days leading up to Christmas.
While A Killer Christmas didn't contain the most compelling mystery for me, taking over half the book to get to our murder, I still had fun sitting front row to all the town drama. You know I'm always down for that!
This is the 59th-installment of my all-time favorite Cozy Mystery series. I cherish my time with Jessica Fletcher; always have, always will. If I'm counting correctly, this is the 48th-book that I have read in this series.
In case you are new to the Murder, She Wrote books, these can be read in any order and can really be divided into two types: the Cabot Cove mysteries, which are set in Jessica's hometown and involve a recurring cast of local characters, and the ones that are set around the world during the course of Jessica's travels as a best-selling mystery author.
It would be difficult for me to select my favorite type. I think I prefer the travel ones, because I like to go along with Jess to the various places, however, there is something to be said about the comfort of returning to Cabot Cove.
In this one, as Christmas approaches, the entire town is getting into the holiday spirit. In fact, for the first time, the town is competing in a state-sponsored competition to be voted the Christmas Town of Maine.
With cash for the town's non-profits and local businesses on the line, the locals are ready to put on the most festive holiday events that the town has ever seen.
In the midst of all this, local realtor and friend of Jessica, Eve Simpson has a marlin on the line, by way of Boston-based businessman, John Bragdon, who is hoping to buy the old Jarvis homestead. Eve is in a tizzy trying to impress Bragdon and see the sale through.
Eve organizes a dinner where Bragdon and his wife will be able to rub elbows with the who's-who of Cabot Cove. Of course, as one of the most successful authors currently in the Mystery biz, Jessica secures an invite.
Although she's not crazy about the idea, Jessica does agree to help Eve. A few of her other friends will be there too, so it can't be all bad.
Dinner is going well, when the party is suddenly interrupted by the long-missing, and assumed dead, Kenny Jarvis. He heard his sister was putting their family home on the market and has returned to stake his claim. He announces that the Bradgons will never live in his house.
When Rose Marie Bragdon, John's wife, dies unexpectedly days later, Kenny is quickly the number one suspect.
He was witnessed by many threatening her, but Jessica isn't so sure it's as simple as all of that. Doing what she does best, Jessica digs in, determined to find out the truth about what happened to Rose Marie.
As mentioned above, this mystery wasn't super compelling for me, but everything else going on in the town certainly made up for it, IMO.
The realtor, Eve, a recurring character, always drives me a little batty. She's abrasive, frequently steam-rolling over those around her. It's just her personality. Jessica puts up with her in good grace, and I always feel schooled in the patience department.
Why she is even friends with this woman, I will never know.
Eve needed this sale. She reeked of desperation and was willing to do anything to get the Jarvis property sold. Bless Jessica and the others for being willing to help her out.
More than the sale though, the Christmas competition was providing quite a bit of tension in town as well. People were divided on where the winnings should go, if they were actually to win, and the planning of the events themselves got stressful.
Overall though, I did love the holiday vibes pouring from the pages. And all this stuff that I'm talking about, the stress, the tension, it did succeed in pulling me in. It made me invested. I love these characters and this town. I mean, at this point, even I feel like a local, so I was into it. It made me ready to start my own Christmas planning.
Terrie Farley Moran has done a great job with her contributions to this series. This is her 6th, I believe. I've read them all and I have really enjoyed them all.
I love how she has kept the original tone of the series, and she for sure has Jessica's character and mannerisms down. I love this series with my whole heart. I will never, ever stop reading them. If you are looking for a Cozy Mystery series, a true Cozy, I can't recommend this one highly enough.
I know for me there is a level of nostalgia that others may not have, but even without that nostalgia, I think these are still highly enjoyable mysteries.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I always look forward to the latest Murder, She Wrote. Please keep them coming!
October 25, 2025
3.5 🌟
Mood/Seasonal Reading: Christmas time
While I usually round these ones up I’m not sure the mystery aspect of this deserves the 4 stars.
I think maybe I may be a bit burnt out on this series so much that I’m noticing the faults more rather than just enjoying them for what they are..simple clean fun.
Reading two at once was a choice. I found this took a very long time to get to the mystery and once it did it was lacklustre at best. In fact, so many other plot points took centre stage to mystery I almost forgot there was one. While I really enjoyed the characters and the setting I would say this felt more like a cozy fiction about Christmas in Cabot Cove with a sprinkling of drama and mystery vs a cozy mystery. While I adore this series (especially some of the older ones) I’ve been less impressed by these newer additions.
Yet, I still find them a quick and easy read that I don’t find the need to dnf. And for that I think they gain some brownie points. While they don’t rock my world and I do feel like the mystery needs to take more centre stage: overall these cozies are still a gold standard for me when I need something to unwind to.
Edit: this was sadly so unmemorable that I forgot I read it
Mood/Seasonal Reading: Christmas time
While I usually round these ones up I’m not sure the mystery aspect of this deserves the 4 stars.
I think maybe I may be a bit burnt out on this series so much that I’m noticing the faults more rather than just enjoying them for what they are..simple clean fun.
Reading two at once was a choice. I found this took a very long time to get to the mystery and once it did it was lacklustre at best. In fact, so many other plot points took centre stage to mystery I almost forgot there was one. While I really enjoyed the characters and the setting I would say this felt more like a cozy fiction about Christmas in Cabot Cove with a sprinkling of drama and mystery vs a cozy mystery. While I adore this series (especially some of the older ones) I’ve been less impressed by these newer additions.
Yet, I still find them a quick and easy read that I don’t find the need to dnf. And for that I think they gain some brownie points. While they don’t rock my world and I do feel like the mystery needs to take more centre stage: overall these cozies are still a gold standard for me when I need something to unwind to.
Edit: this was sadly so unmemorable that I forgot I read it
December 7, 2025
So wholesome I love it
October 21, 2024
Decent story though it was a little long to the murder (more than halfway) and we didn’t really met the victim until only 20 or so pages before they passed. The author does a great job recreating Cabot Cove and the ppl that live and work there. Though I do think she sometimes overdoes it a tad since in the previous books and even in the show the same background characters don’t always appear again and again (with certain excepts like Seth and Mort). By trying to make sure all those side characters are mentioned and shown it takes up space that could be used elsewhere. I only say that this time since it took so long to get to the murder and the suspects. Also I’m always hoping we’ll get Sutherland back in one of the books. I know he’s a previous authors creation but he was a character that appeared in a number of books over most of the original authors run so would be amazing to have him back
October 22, 2024
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Cabot Cove is pulling out all the stops for Christmas this year as they are vying to be named Christmas Town in Maine’s tourist brochure. Many events are planned including Christmas caroling parties, readings, cookies, along with visiting elves, a boat parade, and a Christmas Day Parade.
While most of the residents of Cabot Cove are working on plans for the holiday, Realtor Eve Simpson has another iron in the fire. She has found a buyer for the old Jarvis homestead. Boston tycoon John Bragdon is ready to sign on the dotted line and get renovations started immediately. Then a man thought to be dead because he has been missing for years returns to town. Kenny Jarvis is back and he is livid that his sister was trying to sell their childhood home. He plans to stop her at any cost.
Eve basically ignores all the drama and organizes a dinner to welcome John Bragdon and his wife Rose Marie to Cabot Cove. She invites many of the town’s prominent citizens including Jessica Fletcher and Dr. Seth Hazlitt and the Bragdons bring several of their employees.
A couple of days later Kenny finds Rose Marie at Hill House and threatens her saying the woman will never live in his family’s home. Just a few hours later Rose Marie is found dead in her room. The easy assumption is that Kenny Jarvis is responsible for the woman’s death but Jessica believes it will be someone else’s holiday that will be ruined. She just needs to figure out who.
Christmas in Cabot Cove didn’t disappoint. All my favorite characters were back. The author brings them all to life so well. So much so, that I hear their voices loud and clear as if I watching an episode of the television show. Jessica is a dynamic character with a keen mind. She gets along with everyone and volunteers to help in any way she can. This time she was fully involved in the Christmas festivities in the quest to make Cabot Cove, the Christmas town. She gets her friends involved too, sometimes when they don’t want to be. 🙂 She juggles it all even when she gets caught up in another murder.
Readers were introduced to some interesting new characters too. All unique, they quickly develop throughout the story with some finding their names on Jessica’s suspect list.
The story unfolds at a very comfortable pace. I enjoyed following along with Jessica on all her tasks. Surprisingly while doing a common everyday task she had her A-ha moment making all the clues fall into place. I gave myself a quick pat on the back for being right. I had pinned down the killer earlier in the story but wasn’t positive about how they did it.
I loved everything about this cozy mystery. Cabot Cove is the ultimate cozy town all decked out in its Christmas finery and Ms. Moran captures it all with her wonderful descriptions. The residents of this cozy town feel like old friends, fresh and genuine after almost 60 books penned by different authors. It takes a special author who can capture the characters and continue their storylines seamlessly. Ms. Moran does an excellent job. She also plotted an intriguing mystery bringing out her reader’s armchair sleuthing skills. And after the murder mystery was solved Jessica got her wish. I treasure a happy ending.
Murder, She Wrote: A Killer Christmas is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit with a little murder mystery to solve on the side. Festive, fun, and heartwarming. I truly recommend you visit Cabot Cove this holiday season.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Cabot Cove is pulling out all the stops for Christmas this year as they are vying to be named Christmas Town in Maine’s tourist brochure. Many events are planned including Christmas caroling parties, readings, cookies, along with visiting elves, a boat parade, and a Christmas Day Parade.
While most of the residents of Cabot Cove are working on plans for the holiday, Realtor Eve Simpson has another iron in the fire. She has found a buyer for the old Jarvis homestead. Boston tycoon John Bragdon is ready to sign on the dotted line and get renovations started immediately. Then a man thought to be dead because he has been missing for years returns to town. Kenny Jarvis is back and he is livid that his sister was trying to sell their childhood home. He plans to stop her at any cost.
Eve basically ignores all the drama and organizes a dinner to welcome John Bragdon and his wife Rose Marie to Cabot Cove. She invites many of the town’s prominent citizens including Jessica Fletcher and Dr. Seth Hazlitt and the Bragdons bring several of their employees.
A couple of days later Kenny finds Rose Marie at Hill House and threatens her saying the woman will never live in his family’s home. Just a few hours later Rose Marie is found dead in her room. The easy assumption is that Kenny Jarvis is responsible for the woman’s death but Jessica believes it will be someone else’s holiday that will be ruined. She just needs to figure out who.
Christmas in Cabot Cove didn’t disappoint. All my favorite characters were back. The author brings them all to life so well. So much so, that I hear their voices loud and clear as if I watching an episode of the television show. Jessica is a dynamic character with a keen mind. She gets along with everyone and volunteers to help in any way she can. This time she was fully involved in the Christmas festivities in the quest to make Cabot Cove, the Christmas town. She gets her friends involved too, sometimes when they don’t want to be. 🙂 She juggles it all even when she gets caught up in another murder.
Readers were introduced to some interesting new characters too. All unique, they quickly develop throughout the story with some finding their names on Jessica’s suspect list.
The story unfolds at a very comfortable pace. I enjoyed following along with Jessica on all her tasks. Surprisingly while doing a common everyday task she had her A-ha moment making all the clues fall into place. I gave myself a quick pat on the back for being right. I had pinned down the killer earlier in the story but wasn’t positive about how they did it.
I loved everything about this cozy mystery. Cabot Cove is the ultimate cozy town all decked out in its Christmas finery and Ms. Moran captures it all with her wonderful descriptions. The residents of this cozy town feel like old friends, fresh and genuine after almost 60 books penned by different authors. It takes a special author who can capture the characters and continue their storylines seamlessly. Ms. Moran does an excellent job. She also plotted an intriguing mystery bringing out her reader’s armchair sleuthing skills. And after the murder mystery was solved Jessica got her wish. I treasure a happy ending.
Murder, She Wrote: A Killer Christmas is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit with a little murder mystery to solve on the side. Festive, fun, and heartwarming. I truly recommend you visit Cabot Cove this holiday season.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
October 10, 2024
Badly written
This is the second book I've read written by this author and don't waste your 15$. I have all 59 Murder She Wrote books and previous ones were great. This author is so sorry and doesn't get to the point and fills pages with nonsense and who cares. Sorry I bought it.
This is the second book I've read written by this author and don't waste your 15$. I have all 59 Murder She Wrote books and previous ones were great. This author is so sorry and doesn't get to the point and fills pages with nonsense and who cares. Sorry I bought it.
December 19, 2024
Am I the newest murder victim? 'Cause these books are killing me.
I want like these, but my heart is not in it. Genre fiction that is just a "light read" or a cozy book can still be well written. It can also be poorly written. I have enjoyed several of the MSW books written by TFM, so I am not sure why their quality of writing seems to be so uneven.
Characters in this book info dump to each other in full, unbroken paragraphs that read as if the author has never heard a human being speak before. Maureen Metzger is wheeling a suitcase full of notes about the Christmas festival? Well, better make her describe it in two pages of unbroken dialogue, rather than having Jessica just ... I don't know, notice it? Comment on it?
And then Maureen goes on to describe the DETAILED PLAN for the afternoon where Seth and Jessica read Christmas stories at the library in EIGHT PAGES of dialogue.
These swaths of text take away from the pleasure of reading about Jeh Fleh as a protagonist : how are we supposed to buy that she is incredibly observant if she almost never has an internal monologue? I'm not exaggerating when I say that most of the book is written as huge paragraphs of dialogue. Jessica rarely has thoughts or observations about the scene unfolding before her. As a result, we don't know her and aren't seeing through her eyes. The rare occasions when we do, she seems dull and humorless. What was with the exchange with Demetri in the cab, where he jokes about the women coming out of the salon "regular beautiful" vs "extra beautiful" ?: "Demetri laughed at what I guessed he thought was a joke, so I laughed along with him." Uhhh yeah, it was a joke and a pretty cute one, and she has known Demetri for years. What a stick-in-the-mud response!
Also for the love of everything, why did [Spoiler Character] wax poetic about libraries to Jessica for two pages uninterrupted when greeting her? Who on planet Earth talks like that?
I don't want to be rude. I love this series and have read about 90% of all the existing books. I want to love the new ones, but I sure wish there were less punishing deadlines for the writers or whatever the case may be so that the quality of the series remains high. I hope that bringing on the new co-author next year will help remedy the prose quality problems.
I want like these, but my heart is not in it. Genre fiction that is just a "light read" or a cozy book can still be well written. It can also be poorly written. I have enjoyed several of the MSW books written by TFM, so I am not sure why their quality of writing seems to be so uneven.
Characters in this book info dump to each other in full, unbroken paragraphs that read as if the author has never heard a human being speak before. Maureen Metzger is wheeling a suitcase full of notes about the Christmas festival? Well, better make her describe it in two pages of unbroken dialogue, rather than having Jessica just ... I don't know, notice it? Comment on it?
And then Maureen goes on to describe the DETAILED PLAN for the afternoon where Seth and Jessica read Christmas stories at the library in EIGHT PAGES of dialogue.
These swaths of text take away from the pleasure of reading about Jeh Fleh as a protagonist : how are we supposed to buy that she is incredibly observant if she almost never has an internal monologue? I'm not exaggerating when I say that most of the book is written as huge paragraphs of dialogue. Jessica rarely has thoughts or observations about the scene unfolding before her. As a result, we don't know her and aren't seeing through her eyes. The rare occasions when we do, she seems dull and humorless. What was with the exchange with Demetri in the cab, where he jokes about the women coming out of the salon "regular beautiful" vs "extra beautiful" ?: "Demetri laughed at what I guessed he thought was a joke, so I laughed along with him." Uhhh yeah, it was a joke and a pretty cute one, and she has known Demetri for years. What a stick-in-the-mud response!
Also for the love of everything, why did [Spoiler Character] wax poetic about libraries to Jessica for two pages uninterrupted when greeting her? Who on planet Earth talks like that?
I don't want to be rude. I love this series and have read about 90% of all the existing books. I want to love the new ones, but I sure wish there were less punishing deadlines for the writers or whatever the case may be so that the quality of the series remains high. I hope that bringing on the new co-author next year will help remedy the prose quality problems.
December 26, 2024
This was an interesting reading experience. As a mystery, this is pretty poor. All of the characters involved are basically strangers to Cabot Cove, so there was really no familiarity and thus, no connection. The mystery starts more than 100 pages in, and is extremely thin. If you've been paying a modicum of attention, you know exactly whodunit. Jessica spends more time worrying about the red herring she's writing into her next book than discovering any "in real life." It's basically the C-plot of this book.
If you enjoy the Cabot Cove set books, and mingling among the locals (both TV- and book-), then you'll likely enjoy the A plot, which is Cabot Cove preparing for a full, all-out Christmas festival blowout. They are competing with out small towns across Maine to be named as the state's Christmas Town for the next year, thus earning those all-important winter tourist $$$. Most of Jessica's time in this book is spent contributing to these plans, as well as feeding basically everyone who crosses her threshold. The book is basically 90% planning and 10% the fruits of their labor, with no real sense of the timeline or the events actually happening. It was a cozy read, albeit not an especially linear one.
It's as if the author wanted to write a Christmas story set in Cabot Cove, but had to throw in a pesky mystery to make it pass muster. Considering this is the third novel of this series published this year, perhaps that's a sign that there should be fewer releases to ensure they are actually quality and worth reading for *all* aspects of the story, not just one. I'd say this one is for completionists only.
If you enjoy the Cabot Cove set books, and mingling among the locals (both TV- and book-), then you'll likely enjoy the A plot, which is Cabot Cove preparing for a full, all-out Christmas festival blowout. They are competing with out small towns across Maine to be named as the state's Christmas Town for the next year, thus earning those all-important winter tourist $$$. Most of Jessica's time in this book is spent contributing to these plans, as well as feeding basically everyone who crosses her threshold. The book is basically 90% planning and 10% the fruits of their labor, with no real sense of the timeline or the events actually happening. It was a cozy read, albeit not an especially linear one.
It's as if the author wanted to write a Christmas story set in Cabot Cove, but had to throw in a pesky mystery to make it pass muster. Considering this is the third novel of this series published this year, perhaps that's a sign that there should be fewer releases to ensure they are actually quality and worth reading for *all* aspects of the story, not just one. I'd say this one is for completionists only.
October 11, 2024
Interesting to see a murder mystery novel where the murder is the B plot. That explains why it happened so late. Not terrible, as far as cozies go, but managing expectations never hurts.
October 17, 2024
Jessica is looking forward to the holiday season. When a woman is murdered, Jessica will do anything to find the guilty party. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read her next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2025
I quite enjoyed this Christmas-filled MSW novel. The mystery doesn't really take center stage. Instead, it is more about the seasonal shenanigans of the Cabot Cove residents. We learn all about the past and present traditions of the town and get to spend time with all of our favorite characters. The actual mystery was interesting but easily solved. All in all, an entertaining, nostalgic read.
October 8, 2024
I just love Murder She Wrote so much! Murder She Wrote: Killer Christmas gave me that warm, fuzzy, cozy feeling that I get when I read a cozy mystery like this! It’s set in Cabot Cove, my favorite Murder She Wrote location, and it takes place during the Christmas season! What could be better?
Though I love following Jessica on her trips across the globe, home is where the heart is, and Cabot Cove is home. I think part of the reason is the familiar characters that I’ve known for years. They’re old friends. Seth, Mort, Maureen, Mara, Dan, Eve, etc. are a big part of what makes Cabot Cove, Cabot Cove! It’s the holiday season beginning with the end of October until Christmas. The town gets the opportunity to compete for the title of Christmas Town in Maine’s tourist brochure, so planning the events takes up quite a bit of the book. I loved that because I love Christmas! I really enjoyed the Thanksgiving dinner Jessica had with her neighbor Maeve and a couple of friends. It was such a cozy scene.
The mystery involves a house that has been sitting empty for years, the seller, the buyers, and the long lost brother of the seller. And poor Eve, the realtor who always has some disaster or another happen when she’s about to make a big sale with a big commission. Just as she’s preparing to make the sale, the long lost brother comes home telling her that he’ll never sell the house! Eve’s not deterred though. She never is. Then the buyer’s wife dies under suspicious circumstances. Poor Eve. I thought that the mystery was well-plotted, and it was fun to follow the clues with Jessica and the police.
If you’re a Murder She Wrote fan, you’re going to love Killer Christmas! I highly recommend it for its very cozy setting, Christmas-y events, familiar characters that we’ve grown to love, and the mystery. I give it five stars!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Though I love following Jessica on her trips across the globe, home is where the heart is, and Cabot Cove is home. I think part of the reason is the familiar characters that I’ve known for years. They’re old friends. Seth, Mort, Maureen, Mara, Dan, Eve, etc. are a big part of what makes Cabot Cove, Cabot Cove! It’s the holiday season beginning with the end of October until Christmas. The town gets the opportunity to compete for the title of Christmas Town in Maine’s tourist brochure, so planning the events takes up quite a bit of the book. I loved that because I love Christmas! I really enjoyed the Thanksgiving dinner Jessica had with her neighbor Maeve and a couple of friends. It was such a cozy scene.
The mystery involves a house that has been sitting empty for years, the seller, the buyers, and the long lost brother of the seller. And poor Eve, the realtor who always has some disaster or another happen when she’s about to make a big sale with a big commission. Just as she’s preparing to make the sale, the long lost brother comes home telling her that he’ll never sell the house! Eve’s not deterred though. She never is. Then the buyer’s wife dies under suspicious circumstances. Poor Eve. I thought that the mystery was well-plotted, and it was fun to follow the clues with Jessica and the police.
If you’re a Murder She Wrote fan, you’re going to love Killer Christmas! I highly recommend it for its very cozy setting, Christmas-y events, familiar characters that we’ve grown to love, and the mystery. I give it five stars!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
October 21, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this return to Cabot Cove! It has been some time since I visited Jessica Fletcher and the other marvelous characters. Terri Farley Moran certainly has written a wonderful addition to the series. Cabot Cove is planning festivities throughout the town to compete with other small towns in Maine in a statewide Christmas competition, and Jessica is part of all the planning. The early part of the book was quite a pleasant look at Cabot Cove, as Jessica works with the rest of the town to make Cabot Cove the best Christmas town in the state! Just when I thought there would be no crime for Jessica to solve, one of the visitors dies mysteriously and Jessica is once again working with the authorities to discover what happened. The plot takes several unusual twists, and it takes her superior skills at detecting to ensure the culprit is found. I also want to note that I particularly enjoyed those parts of the book where Jessica provides insight into the writing process for a novel. It was quite interesting! This book will put you in the spirit of the holidays and a visit with Jessica. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book. The opinions of this review are my own.
December 31, 2024
OMG this was the worst MSW book I’ve ever read. Not only was the murder (and even victim) not introduced until over 3/4 through the book, but there were so many meaningless side plots that I just didn’t care by the end. The killer was incredibly obvious, and I just finished the book to be confirmed. I about lost it the 100th time a teapot, pie, or PIECE OF BREAD was described with excruciating detail!
January 4, 2025
3🌟
Cozy Christmas mood read.
The story was slow to get going and the actual murder didn’t occur until about halfway (possibly later) through the book. The conclusion of the crime however seemed to be suddenly wrapped up in comparison.
As a fan of murder, she wrote I found it a nostalgic read even if it wasn’t gripping and full of excitement. It was an enjoyable Christmas read.
Cozy Christmas mood read.
The story was slow to get going and the actual murder didn’t occur until about halfway (possibly later) through the book. The conclusion of the crime however seemed to be suddenly wrapped up in comparison.
As a fan of murder, she wrote I found it a nostalgic read even if it wasn’t gripping and full of excitement. It was an enjoyable Christmas read.
September 28, 2024
Heartwarming holiday story with Jessica Fletcher and all your other Cabot Cove favorites, but very light on the mystery.
December 24, 2024
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Killer Christmas by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran is a doozy of a mystery that Jessica, Mort, and Seth need to solve.
Who had the best motive for killing Rose Marie Bragdon?
Jessica Fletcher
Jessica Fletcher is excited to have Grady, Donna, and Frank over for Christmas this year. First, though, she has to get through Thanksgiving and everything else she has signed up for the Christmas season, including writing her newest book. Jessica is still as active as ever and doing a good job of supplementing the days when she can't exercise outside.
I love Jessica Fletcher so much. She always has a way of getting into the middle of things that some of her friends probably wish she didn't. Seth and Mort are the first two I can think of who would agree with that statement, even if they go to her for some clarity on some things. Jessica, Mort, and Seth are the best trio to have on your side.
The Mystery
There are a lot of things going on that lead up to Rose Marie Bragdon getting killed. The major one is the fact that John Bragdon brought his wife, Rose Marie, to Cabot Cove. Rose Marie dies, and Eve Simpson worries that John won't want to live there. Jessica tries not to get involved in solving the crime since she has too many things on her plate, but she ends up solving it. I was so far off base on who committed the crime.
Five Stars
My rating for A Killer Christmas by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran is five stars, and I recommend it to any cozy mystery reader. Ms. Moran does a great job of bringing the television show onto the pages of the book and crafts a fantastic mystery for Jessica to solve.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Killer Christmas by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
A Killer Christmas by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran is a doozy of a mystery that Jessica, Mort, and Seth need to solve.
Who had the best motive for killing Rose Marie Bragdon?
Jessica Fletcher
Jessica Fletcher is excited to have Grady, Donna, and Frank over for Christmas this year. First, though, she has to get through Thanksgiving and everything else she has signed up for the Christmas season, including writing her newest book. Jessica is still as active as ever and doing a good job of supplementing the days when she can't exercise outside.
I love Jessica Fletcher so much. She always has a way of getting into the middle of things that some of her friends probably wish she didn't. Seth and Mort are the first two I can think of who would agree with that statement, even if they go to her for some clarity on some things. Jessica, Mort, and Seth are the best trio to have on your side.
The Mystery
There are a lot of things going on that lead up to Rose Marie Bragdon getting killed. The major one is the fact that John Bragdon brought his wife, Rose Marie, to Cabot Cove. Rose Marie dies, and Eve Simpson worries that John won't want to live there. Jessica tries not to get involved in solving the crime since she has too many things on her plate, but she ends up solving it. I was so far off base on who committed the crime.
Five Stars
My rating for A Killer Christmas by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran is five stars, and I recommend it to any cozy mystery reader. Ms. Moran does a great job of bringing the television show onto the pages of the book and crafts a fantastic mystery for Jessica to solve.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Killer Christmas by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
December 21, 2025
Christmas is not an easy time to sell a house; Cabot Cove Realtor Eve Simpson has found a buyer for the old Jarvis homestead. But, when the wife of the buyer is murdered, can Jessica find the truth before somebody's Christmas is not so jolly.
This was a great cozy mystery. I love to visit Cabot Cove and see all my favorite characters. This story wasn't a great example of a cozy mystery, but it had a lot of coziness in the setting and the atmosphere, especially because it took place around Christmastime. It seems like the cozy mystery plot only took up about 30% of the book, whereas the rest of the story was about a Maine competition to find the best Christmas town. I will definitely read more from this series, and I recommend this series and the TV show to anybody who loves a good cozy mystery.
This was a great cozy mystery. I love to visit Cabot Cove and see all my favorite characters. This story wasn't a great example of a cozy mystery, but it had a lot of coziness in the setting and the atmosphere, especially because it took place around Christmastime. It seems like the cozy mystery plot only took up about 30% of the book, whereas the rest of the story was about a Maine competition to find the best Christmas town. I will definitely read more from this series, and I recommend this series and the TV show to anybody who loves a good cozy mystery.
November 28, 2024
This was a fun and cute addition to the series.
December 8, 2025
this really wasn't that good but i loved it anyway. and that's fine!!!!
November 23, 2025
Wonderful cozy vibes abound! This got me into the holiday spirit with the descriptions of Christmas planning and Cabot Cove life.
However, the actual mystery leaves much to be desired. The victim doesn't even die until nearly page 150, and there is little sleuthing to be had. When the culprit is finally revealed it feels like one big shrug.
Read this for the cozy vibes, not the actual mystery.
However, the actual mystery leaves much to be desired. The victim doesn't even die until nearly page 150, and there is little sleuthing to be had. When the culprit is finally revealed it feels like one big shrug.
Read this for the cozy vibes, not the actual mystery.
October 3, 2024
Murder, She Wrote never gets old for me. I love re-watching the shows and reading the books in the series. I was very excited to read A Killer Christmas.
The book is set in Cabot Cove in the Christmas season. Jessica Fletcher and the rest of the community are trying to plan a Christmas festival. Jessica attends a dinner and witnesses someone make dramatic threats. She then gets pulled into a whodunnit-style mystery involving an old homestead, a long-lost family member, and a mysterious death.
The author, Terrie Moran, does an amazing job of getting Jessica's character just right in this series. She really hits the mark in A Killer Christmas. I can almost hear Angela Lansbury's voice as I read it.
A Killer Christmas features many recurring characters, including Realtor Eve Simpson, beauty parlor owner Lorretta, physician Seth, and the mayor. The holiday adds to the fun.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Killer Christmas and recommend it to anyone who likes Murder, She Wrote and seasonal mysteries.
Thanks to Net Galley and Berkley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The book is set in Cabot Cove in the Christmas season. Jessica Fletcher and the rest of the community are trying to plan a Christmas festival. Jessica attends a dinner and witnesses someone make dramatic threats. She then gets pulled into a whodunnit-style mystery involving an old homestead, a long-lost family member, and a mysterious death.
The author, Terrie Moran, does an amazing job of getting Jessica's character just right in this series. She really hits the mark in A Killer Christmas. I can almost hear Angela Lansbury's voice as I read it.
A Killer Christmas features many recurring characters, including Realtor Eve Simpson, beauty parlor owner Lorretta, physician Seth, and the mayor. The holiday adds to the fun.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Killer Christmas and recommend it to anyone who likes Murder, She Wrote and seasonal mysteries.
Thanks to Net Galley and Berkley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
February 9, 2025
Omg. I pushed through this book, only to see if I was right and how it ended. Watching and loving the show as a kid, I was so disappointed to read this book as much fill and overdescriptive nonsense was added. This book could have been so much more impactful as a shorter story.
I don't need to hear full one-page recipes about how someone makes Christmas cookies, unless it has a direct correlation to the heart of the story... and, it didn't.
And, just because one man has been known in the show to say "Ayuh" ON OCCASION, he doesn't need to say it at the beginning of every time he speaks...
I don't need to hear full one-page recipes about how someone makes Christmas cookies, unless it has a direct correlation to the heart of the story... and, it didn't.
And, just because one man has been known in the show to say "Ayuh" ON OCCASION, he doesn't need to say it at the beginning of every time he speaks...
October 7, 2024
Reliable as ever, this Murder She Wrote book was a fast and satisfying read. All the expected characters were here and most of the town was involved with Christmas preparations when there is an unexpected death…whether it was an accident, murder or suicide was not determined immediately. During a tea break with Maureen Metzger, Jessica gets a clue that cracks the case open. Now Jessica can have her happy holiday with her family, Grady, Donna and young Frank.
December 17, 2025
Definitely Christmas vibes with this story as Cabot Cove celebrates their Christmas festival. As always, Jessica has a lot of friendships and they are prominent in this story. My one disappointment was that the murder didn’t take place until half way through the book, and resolving the murder was very limited. The book really was about Christmas, family, and friendships instead of solving a mystery.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.
December 24, 2024
A Killer Christmas is everything you want and expect in a Jessica Fletcher Christmas cozy mystery. Terrie Farley Moran has a way of bringing screen Jessica (Angela Lansbury) to the page, and this latest release was an absolute pleasure to read, especially at the holidays! A++++++++++
October 15, 2024
Listening to Jessica Fletcher’s adventures gives me a cozy feeling.
November 6, 2024
While this is the 59th in the Murder, She Wrote book series, it is the first one I have read. Being in the middle of the 5th season of the show myself, starting at book 59 did not bother me. I knew the recurring side characters and the vibe of Cabot Cove, Maine.
This really felt like a (long, kind of drawn out) episode of the show. The murder didn't occur until after halfway through the book which was kind of a bummer for me personally. I like more figuring out and less lead up.
In this volume, a house is being sold in Cabot Cove. One of the 2 owners (a sister and brother) disappeared years ago and was declared legally dead by his sister. But now, Kenny comes back to Cabot Cove saying that he still owns the house and that it cannot be sold. When the wife of the man wanting to purchase the house dies, Jessica needs to help figure out if it was Kenny trying to make sure his house doesn't get sold, or if someone else wanted her dead.
I just love Jessica Fletcher as a character. I loved the characters coming in that I already knew like Seth the doctor and then we get the new characters (who of course could all be suspects) specific to the volume. There were a lot of characters, but if you already know the recurring ones, it was easy to keep everyone straight.
The plot was very slow moving throughout the first half. Not much happened, but we did get to know the new characters. Even after the death occurred, it was still slow moving, but more interesting. Jessica and the ladies who were with her at tea before Rose Marie died were questioned by the police and we just kind of moseyed along. There was a very big emphasis on the "cozy" in "cozy mystery" in this one for me. The way Jessica found out who it was (because of course it was her) made sense and the reason behind it made sense and it wrapped up nicely just in time for Christmas.
The audiobook narrator sounded EXACTLY like Angela Lansbury which really added a lot to the book in my opinion. It really did feel like watching an episode of Murder, She Wrote. She did a great job.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This really felt like a (long, kind of drawn out) episode of the show. The murder didn't occur until after halfway through the book which was kind of a bummer for me personally. I like more figuring out and less lead up.
In this volume, a house is being sold in Cabot Cove. One of the 2 owners (a sister and brother) disappeared years ago and was declared legally dead by his sister. But now, Kenny comes back to Cabot Cove saying that he still owns the house and that it cannot be sold. When the wife of the man wanting to purchase the house dies, Jessica needs to help figure out if it was Kenny trying to make sure his house doesn't get sold, or if someone else wanted her dead.
I just love Jessica Fletcher as a character. I loved the characters coming in that I already knew like Seth the doctor and then we get the new characters (who of course could all be suspects) specific to the volume. There were a lot of characters, but if you already know the recurring ones, it was easy to keep everyone straight.
The plot was very slow moving throughout the first half. Not much happened, but we did get to know the new characters. Even after the death occurred, it was still slow moving, but more interesting. Jessica and the ladies who were with her at tea before Rose Marie died were questioned by the police and we just kind of moseyed along. There was a very big emphasis on the "cozy" in "cozy mystery" in this one for me. The way Jessica found out who it was (because of course it was her) made sense and the reason behind it made sense and it wrapped up nicely just in time for Christmas.
The audiobook narrator sounded EXACTLY like Angela Lansbury which really added a lot to the book in my opinion. It really did feel like watching an episode of Murder, She Wrote. She did a great job.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 2, 2025
Another good old Jessica Fletcher story. Bit if a different vibe to this one.
August 7, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 ⭐️
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