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Murder, She Wrote #61
Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston
Jessica Fletcher has dinner with her old pal Harry McGraw and gets pulled into a puzzling murder case.
Invited to deliver a lecture at the Boston Public Library, Jessica Fletcher excitedly makes plans to see local friends. Naturally that includes dinner at Gilhooley’s with PI Harry McGraw. Harry excitedly talks about his latest client, the CEO of Cure All Pharmaceuticals, who’s received anonymous blackmail demands and wants Harry to identify the culprit. Cookie, Gilhooley’s longtime bartender, also has something he wants to tell he asked Harry to investigate his daughter Aileen’s boyfriend, who Cookie thinks is too slick by half, but now Harry is too wrapped up in this new case. While Jessica wonders how best to approach Aileen, the young woman stumbles into Gilhooley’s covered in blood. She just discovered her boyfriend’s corpse -- and quickly becomes the chief suspect in his murder!
Invited to deliver a lecture at the Boston Public Library, Jessica Fletcher excitedly makes plans to see local friends. Naturally that includes dinner at Gilhooley’s with PI Harry McGraw. Harry excitedly talks about his latest client, the CEO of Cure All Pharmaceuticals, who’s received anonymous blackmail demands and wants Harry to identify the culprit. Cookie, Gilhooley’s longtime bartender, also has something he wants to tell he asked Harry to investigate his daughter Aileen’s boyfriend, who Cookie thinks is too slick by half, but now Harry is too wrapped up in this new case. While Jessica wonders how best to approach Aileen, the young woman stumbles into Gilhooley’s covered in blood. She just discovered her boyfriend’s corpse -- and quickly becomes the chief suspect in his murder!
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2025
79 people are currently reading
307 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 65 reviews
July 24, 2025
This was such a fun mystery, set in a city near-and-dear to my heart: BOSTON 🧡💚
Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston is the 61st-installment of my all-time favorite Cozy Mystery series. It's hard to believe that I have read 50-books in this series I started as a kid. The longest commitment of my life -- LOL.
Some of you have probably seen me rave about it. I never shut up about this series. To me, it's the epitome of what a Cozy Mystery should be.
After the passing of the original series author, Donald Bain, the series has been taken on by a few other talented authors. Of all of these, Terrie Farley Moran, the author of this book, has been my favorite.
I feel like Farley Moran has successfully captured the original tone and characterizations, sticking with the classic format that works so well for long-time fans of the series. You know what you're getting when you pick up a MSW book and I appreciate that TFM hasn't tried to change that.
In this installment, Jessica gets invited to give a lecture at the Boston Public Library. Seeing she has time in her schedule, and already knowing she loves the city, Jessica accepts and begins to make travel arrangements.
As luck would have it, her dear friend, Seth Hazlitt, the local doctor of Cabot Cove, is also planning a trip to Boston at the same time to see a friend, a fellow doctor. The two decide to travel together and make a full friends vaca out of it.
Once there, Jessica is quick to meet up with her other long-time friend, and roguish heartthrob, Harry McGraw. Harry is a PI, who has frequently used Jessica's astute brain to his advantage on his cases.
Harry's latest client is the CEO of a pharmaceutical company, but his good friend, Cookie, the bartender at his favorite watering hole, is also pressing him to look into his daughter's boyfriend, Victor, who he can't stand.
What's a talented PI to do?
Before Harry and Jessica can get too involved in the Victor situation though, Cookie's daughter, Aileen, arrives at her father's bar, while Jessica is there waiting to speak to her, covered in blood. She claims to have just discovered Victor's dead body at his apartment. She fled, not knowing what to do, but now she's the BPDs number one suspect!
As friends of Cookie's, Jessica, Harry and Seth are all seriously invested in seeing Aileen's name cleared. They know the timid schoolteacher could never have killed someone in cold blood.
Digging in and getting adventurous, the dynamic trio will not rest until they figure out who actually killed Victor. It's really too bad Jessica never gets a break, but with bodies dropping whenever she's around, her high-powered deductive skills are always in demand.
A Body in Boston was a really enjoyable mystery. Of course I adored the setting being in Boston, but I also just loved the level of intrigue and very stellar amateur sleuthing that went on within these pages.
It was also so fun seeing Harry and Seth actually getting along for once instead of butting heads. They found a few things in common, and before you knew it, it was off to the races with an all new friendship.
Cookie and Aileen were equally well-developed characters, and I liked seeing a father-daughter relationship displayed in such a strong and positive way. I found the mystery itself, their relationship, and the lengths Cookie would go to for his daughter all quite believable.
There were a couple details, or areas, that slowed down the pace a little, but overall, I feel like this is a fabulous installment to this long-running series.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I hope with my whole heart that Terrie Farley Moran continues to contribute to this series, because no one does it like she does!
Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston is the 61st-installment of my all-time favorite Cozy Mystery series. It's hard to believe that I have read 50-books in this series I started as a kid. The longest commitment of my life -- LOL.
Some of you have probably seen me rave about it. I never shut up about this series. To me, it's the epitome of what a Cozy Mystery should be.
After the passing of the original series author, Donald Bain, the series has been taken on by a few other talented authors. Of all of these, Terrie Farley Moran, the author of this book, has been my favorite.
I feel like Farley Moran has successfully captured the original tone and characterizations, sticking with the classic format that works so well for long-time fans of the series. You know what you're getting when you pick up a MSW book and I appreciate that TFM hasn't tried to change that.
In this installment, Jessica gets invited to give a lecture at the Boston Public Library. Seeing she has time in her schedule, and already knowing she loves the city, Jessica accepts and begins to make travel arrangements.
As luck would have it, her dear friend, Seth Hazlitt, the local doctor of Cabot Cove, is also planning a trip to Boston at the same time to see a friend, a fellow doctor. The two decide to travel together and make a full friends vaca out of it.
Once there, Jessica is quick to meet up with her other long-time friend, and roguish heartthrob, Harry McGraw. Harry is a PI, who has frequently used Jessica's astute brain to his advantage on his cases.
Harry's latest client is the CEO of a pharmaceutical company, but his good friend, Cookie, the bartender at his favorite watering hole, is also pressing him to look into his daughter's boyfriend, Victor, who he can't stand.
What's a talented PI to do?
Before Harry and Jessica can get too involved in the Victor situation though, Cookie's daughter, Aileen, arrives at her father's bar, while Jessica is there waiting to speak to her, covered in blood. She claims to have just discovered Victor's dead body at his apartment. She fled, not knowing what to do, but now she's the BPDs number one suspect!
As friends of Cookie's, Jessica, Harry and Seth are all seriously invested in seeing Aileen's name cleared. They know the timid schoolteacher could never have killed someone in cold blood.
Digging in and getting adventurous, the dynamic trio will not rest until they figure out who actually killed Victor. It's really too bad Jessica never gets a break, but with bodies dropping whenever she's around, her high-powered deductive skills are always in demand.
A Body in Boston was a really enjoyable mystery. Of course I adored the setting being in Boston, but I also just loved the level of intrigue and very stellar amateur sleuthing that went on within these pages.
It was also so fun seeing Harry and Seth actually getting along for once instead of butting heads. They found a few things in common, and before you knew it, it was off to the races with an all new friendship.
Cookie and Aileen were equally well-developed characters, and I liked seeing a father-daughter relationship displayed in such a strong and positive way. I found the mystery itself, their relationship, and the lengths Cookie would go to for his daughter all quite believable.
There were a couple details, or areas, that slowed down the pace a little, but overall, I feel like this is a fabulous installment to this long-running series.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I hope with my whole heart that Terrie Farley Moran continues to contribute to this series, because no one does it like she does!
July 4, 2025
Another great mystery from the multi-talented actress/author, Jessica Fletcher. I do so enjoy her mysteries with the small town charm and the steady, deductive skills of Jessica Fletcher.
Description:
Invited to deliver a lecture at the Boston Public Library, Jessica Fletcher excitedly makes plans to see local friends. Naturally that includes dinner at Gilhooley’s with PI Harry McGraw. Harry excitedly talks about his latest client, the CEO of Cure All Pharmaceuticals, who’s received anonymous blackmail demands and wants Harry to identify the culprit. Cookie, Gilhooley’s longtime bartender, also has something he wants to tell he asked Harry to investigate his daughter Aileen’s boyfriend, who Cookie thinks is too slick by half, but now Harry is too wrapped up in this new case. While Jessica wonders how best to approach Aileen, the young woman stumbles into Gilhooley’s covered in blood. She just discovered her boyfriend’s corpse -- and quickly becomes the chief suspect in his murder!
My Thoughts:
Jessica can't seem to go anywhere without getting caught up in murder investigations. This one gets dumped in her lap when Cookie enters the bar covered in blood after discovering her boyfriend's body. Why didn't she immediately call 911 like a normal person? No, she comes to the bar, to her Dad. Luckily Dr. Seth Hazlitt was with Jessica to help Aileen. Jessica starts investigating and sniffing out clues. Then Harry, her PI friend in delving into something devious at a pharmaceutical company. Dr. Hazlitt helps with his expert contacts. I always love the banter between Jessica and Seth, it is always entertaining. I feel like anyone who enjoyed the tv series will love the books.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Invited to deliver a lecture at the Boston Public Library, Jessica Fletcher excitedly makes plans to see local friends. Naturally that includes dinner at Gilhooley’s with PI Harry McGraw. Harry excitedly talks about his latest client, the CEO of Cure All Pharmaceuticals, who’s received anonymous blackmail demands and wants Harry to identify the culprit. Cookie, Gilhooley’s longtime bartender, also has something he wants to tell he asked Harry to investigate his daughter Aileen’s boyfriend, who Cookie thinks is too slick by half, but now Harry is too wrapped up in this new case. While Jessica wonders how best to approach Aileen, the young woman stumbles into Gilhooley’s covered in blood. She just discovered her boyfriend’s corpse -- and quickly becomes the chief suspect in his murder!
My Thoughts:
Jessica can't seem to go anywhere without getting caught up in murder investigations. This one gets dumped in her lap when Cookie enters the bar covered in blood after discovering her boyfriend's body. Why didn't she immediately call 911 like a normal person? No, she comes to the bar, to her Dad. Luckily Dr. Seth Hazlitt was with Jessica to help Aileen. Jessica starts investigating and sniffing out clues. Then Harry, her PI friend in delving into something devious at a pharmaceutical company. Dr. Hazlitt helps with his expert contacts. I always love the banter between Jessica and Seth, it is always entertaining. I feel like anyone who enjoyed the tv series will love the books.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group through Netgalley for an advance copy.
July 12, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Jessica Fletcher is headed to Boston to give a talk at the Boston Public Library, and she invites her friend, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, to accompany her. He plans to catch up with some of his colleagues while he is there, and they both look forward to having dinner with PI Harry McGraw at Gilhooley’s.
Harry has an interesting new case he thinks Seth can help him with, and Jessica agrees to help Gilhooley’s bartender with an investigation Harry can’t take on right now. Cookie is worried about his daughter Aileen’s boyfriend and his true intentions. Before Jessica can even form a plan, Alieen shows up at the tavern, shaking and covered in blood. She states her boyfriend is dead. She found his body in his apartment and ran to her father for help. She soon finds herself the prime suspect in his murder and needs Jessica’s help more than ever.
Every so often, Jessica Fletcher leaves Cabot Cove and travels to interesting places. This time, she and Seth visited Boston, where they stayed at the Revere Hotel Boston Common, and visited interesting places like the Boston Public Library, the Tea Party Museum, Bromer Booksellers, a comedy club, and even biked through the Public Garden. The author describes each place so thoroughly that she takes her readers on a virtual vacation.
I love the new people Jessica meets in each story. She and Seth hooked up with their own private cab driver. Mahmood was at their beck and call to take them anywhere they needed to go. He was fun and enjoyed tagging along on their adventures. Cookie is a great guy and a protective father. He would do anything for his daughter. Aileen thought she was in love, but her boyfriend was pretty sleezy. I was not surprised he was our victim. His demise brought some interesting characters into the story. The murder also brings Lieutenant Starkey back into Jessica’s life.
As expected, the murder mystery was very well-plotted and written. The pacing was perfect. The blending of storylines flowed seamlessly. It’s always intriguing to tag along as Jessica works through the clues using her connections and making new ones. It seemed each new clue and twist brought a new or different suspect into the limelight. I changed my mind too many times to count. I really enjoyed that Seth was Aileen’s champion. As her doctor, he understood the shock she had and made sure her needs were met. Before any questioning was done or visitation of the crime scene happened, he took time to check her out and protect her well-being.
If you were a fan of the television show like I was, it is very easy to escape into the story and see the actors who played the characters, and hear the words in their voices.
Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston is another excellent addition to this long-running series. They are even more special because each one can be read as a standalone. If you have never read any books in this series, missed a few, or more than a few, you can grab this one and discover or rediscover a series that stands the test of time. Jessica Fletcher is a cozy mystery icon, and Ms. Farley is an expert in bringing her and all her friends to life. 61 books and still going strong! Book 62, Murder, She Wrote: The Body in the Trees, will be released December 2, 2025.
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.
Jessica Fletcher is headed to Boston to give a talk at the Boston Public Library, and she invites her friend, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, to accompany her. He plans to catch up with some of his colleagues while he is there, and they both look forward to having dinner with PI Harry McGraw at Gilhooley’s.
Harry has an interesting new case he thinks Seth can help him with, and Jessica agrees to help Gilhooley’s bartender with an investigation Harry can’t take on right now. Cookie is worried about his daughter Aileen’s boyfriend and his true intentions. Before Jessica can even form a plan, Alieen shows up at the tavern, shaking and covered in blood. She states her boyfriend is dead. She found his body in his apartment and ran to her father for help. She soon finds herself the prime suspect in his murder and needs Jessica’s help more than ever.
Every so often, Jessica Fletcher leaves Cabot Cove and travels to interesting places. This time, she and Seth visited Boston, where they stayed at the Revere Hotel Boston Common, and visited interesting places like the Boston Public Library, the Tea Party Museum, Bromer Booksellers, a comedy club, and even biked through the Public Garden. The author describes each place so thoroughly that she takes her readers on a virtual vacation.
I love the new people Jessica meets in each story. She and Seth hooked up with their own private cab driver. Mahmood was at their beck and call to take them anywhere they needed to go. He was fun and enjoyed tagging along on their adventures. Cookie is a great guy and a protective father. He would do anything for his daughter. Aileen thought she was in love, but her boyfriend was pretty sleezy. I was not surprised he was our victim. His demise brought some interesting characters into the story. The murder also brings Lieutenant Starkey back into Jessica’s life.
As expected, the murder mystery was very well-plotted and written. The pacing was perfect. The blending of storylines flowed seamlessly. It’s always intriguing to tag along as Jessica works through the clues using her connections and making new ones. It seemed each new clue and twist brought a new or different suspect into the limelight. I changed my mind too many times to count. I really enjoyed that Seth was Aileen’s champion. As her doctor, he understood the shock she had and made sure her needs were met. Before any questioning was done or visitation of the crime scene happened, he took time to check her out and protect her well-being.
If you were a fan of the television show like I was, it is very easy to escape into the story and see the actors who played the characters, and hear the words in their voices.
Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston is another excellent addition to this long-running series. They are even more special because each one can be read as a standalone. If you have never read any books in this series, missed a few, or more than a few, you can grab this one and discover or rediscover a series that stands the test of time. Jessica Fletcher is a cozy mystery icon, and Ms. Farley is an expert in bringing her and all her friends to life. 61 books and still going strong! Book 62, Murder, She Wrote: The Body in the Trees, will be released December 2, 2025.
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.
July 11, 2025
I think I found a new genre of books. Ok I’ve officially moved on from fantasy and explore new things. Angela Lansbury in murder she wrote is iconic even tho I’ve never watched it lol. How quirky and funny it is is striking and downright suspenseful! Next read is you deserve each other I am HYPED!!! Especially after the movie announcement 🙃
July 21, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! I loved that Harry is in it, can’t get enough of him 😍
June 30, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC of this book!
I am a huge fan of the ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Franchise, and this latest installment did not disappoint. If you are new to the franchise, or are coming to the books from the TV show (that was my initial introduction to the books) be prepared to reunite with your favorite characters from Cabot Cove! Although the writing style does not push any bounds of genre, these books are always pure enjoyment and entertainment.
“A Body in Boston” Follows Jessica Fletcher on her way to Boston for a book reading/lecture. She brings with her another familiar face from Cabot Cove, Dr. Seth Hazlitt. There banter in this book was so cute and funny! I loved every scene they were written together. As this is a Boston centered mystery we also get a heavy feature from the Private Investigator Harry McGraw (portrayed by Jerry Orbach in the TV Show!) The Boston plot progresses from there as Harry is wrapped in his new project surrounding the investigation of individuals involved with a high profile pharmaceutical company. Once a body is found, and it is discovered that the victim was involved with Harry’s case, intrigue ensues and it is up to Jessica to make sense of all the clues.
The only thing I was a little weary of were some of the modern references IE texting and technology. I still associate this series with the period of the TV Show, which makes the tech references feel out of place.
This book was so much fun! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is already familiar with the franchise! There were so many beloved characters who make a cameo in this book, that only devotees to the tv show and books would be able to pick up all the references. If you are new to the series, I would maybe start with earlier books in the series or the show before making your way to this novel.
I am a huge fan of the ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Franchise, and this latest installment did not disappoint. If you are new to the franchise, or are coming to the books from the TV show (that was my initial introduction to the books) be prepared to reunite with your favorite characters from Cabot Cove! Although the writing style does not push any bounds of genre, these books are always pure enjoyment and entertainment.
“A Body in Boston” Follows Jessica Fletcher on her way to Boston for a book reading/lecture. She brings with her another familiar face from Cabot Cove, Dr. Seth Hazlitt. There banter in this book was so cute and funny! I loved every scene they were written together. As this is a Boston centered mystery we also get a heavy feature from the Private Investigator Harry McGraw (portrayed by Jerry Orbach in the TV Show!) The Boston plot progresses from there as Harry is wrapped in his new project surrounding the investigation of individuals involved with a high profile pharmaceutical company. Once a body is found, and it is discovered that the victim was involved with Harry’s case, intrigue ensues and it is up to Jessica to make sense of all the clues.
The only thing I was a little weary of were some of the modern references IE texting and technology. I still associate this series with the period of the TV Show, which makes the tech references feel out of place.
This book was so much fun! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is already familiar with the franchise! There were so many beloved characters who make a cameo in this book, that only devotees to the tv show and books would be able to pick up all the references. If you are new to the series, I would maybe start with earlier books in the series or the show before making your way to this novel.
July 6, 2025
I love the Murder, She Wrote TV show (it’s still one of my ‘comfort watches’) and the books that are based on it, but I usually stick to the books that are set in Cabot Cove (because that was always my favorite part of MSW). However, I couldn’t pass up A Body in Boston when I discovered it featured my second-favorite side character from the TV show – Harry McGraw (the first being Seth Hazlitt who, to my delight, also factors prominently in this story. As I’ve come to expect from this author, she perfectly captured the personalities, quirks, and ‘voices’ of these characters, making me feel as though I were watching a brand new episode on TV as I read. I loved the banter between Jessica, Harry, and Seth, and I absolutely adored the unlikely partnership the latter two make in this story. Definitely made me smile!
The murder mystery in A Body in Boston involves a dead boyfriend, the girlfriend who finds the body, and her doting father (aka Cookie from Gilhooley’s) who already suspected the boyfriend was sketchy and had just asked Jessica to look into him. Along with this, there’s Harry’s case that he’s already looking into – and ropes Seth into as well (so fun!). Moran always weaves an intriguing mystery and this is no exception, with a bevy of plausible suspects and Jessica’s smart sleuthing that keeps us invested in putting all the clues together & sorting them from the red herrings.
Bottom Line: In Murder She Wrote: A Body in Boston, Terrie Farley Moran once more does a fabulous job of bringing these beloved characters and the spirit of the TV show to life, and I could ‘hear’ their voices in my head the whole time. The murder mystery is well-plotted with clever misdirections and red herrings, and I loved how Moran worked in Jessica’s classic ‘aha’ moment in true keeping with how the show did it. I also enjoyed the tour of Boston & its Revolutionary and Civil War memorials/museums, especially given the Independence Day timing of reading it. A delightfully cozy mystery in which to immerse yourself for the weekend!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
The murder mystery in A Body in Boston involves a dead boyfriend, the girlfriend who finds the body, and her doting father (aka Cookie from Gilhooley’s) who already suspected the boyfriend was sketchy and had just asked Jessica to look into him. Along with this, there’s Harry’s case that he’s already looking into – and ropes Seth into as well (so fun!). Moran always weaves an intriguing mystery and this is no exception, with a bevy of plausible suspects and Jessica’s smart sleuthing that keeps us invested in putting all the clues together & sorting them from the red herrings.
Bottom Line: In Murder She Wrote: A Body in Boston, Terrie Farley Moran once more does a fabulous job of bringing these beloved characters and the spirit of the TV show to life, and I could ‘hear’ their voices in my head the whole time. The murder mystery is well-plotted with clever misdirections and red herrings, and I loved how Moran worked in Jessica’s classic ‘aha’ moment in true keeping with how the show did it. I also enjoyed the tour of Boston & its Revolutionary and Civil War memorials/museums, especially given the Independence Day timing of reading it. A delightfully cozy mystery in which to immerse yourself for the weekend!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 21, 2025
This was so much fun!! Loved it!
July 4, 2025
NetGalley July 1, 2025
I watched the tv show a few times but never read any of the books. This was a fun book. Even though it was a murder mystery, it still felt low stakes, there was not a lot of tension, and we barely knew anything about the murder victim. Jessica is the star of the book, and she is a pleasure to read. I like how she used her contacts in the Boston book world to help solve the murder. This is a good book to read when you just want a cozy mystery.
I watched the tv show a few times but never read any of the books. This was a fun book. Even though it was a murder mystery, it still felt low stakes, there was not a lot of tension, and we barely knew anything about the murder victim. Jessica is the star of the book, and she is a pleasure to read. I like how she used her contacts in the Boston book world to help solve the murder. This is a good book to read when you just want a cozy mystery.
July 2, 2025
I was so THRILLED when I was approved to review this book - I have been trying for some time and am so glad I finally got the chance! Plus I love Terrie Farley Moran :)
Jessica and Seth are headed to Boston, Jessica to give a speech at the library and Seth, to a lecture from a fellow MD, while there they are set to meet with the P.I. of Boston himself - Harry McGraw. Of course, murder follows...
Jessica is happy to taste the Shepard's Pie of Gilhooley's when Cookie introduces her to his daughter and her boyfriend, Victor, of whom Cookie is NOT a fan. A Pool tournament and a questionable conversation between Victor and a shady-looking gentleman leaves Cookie and Jessica a little more than curious. But when Cookie's daughter, Aileen, comes into Gilhooley's crying and covered in Victor's blood, Jessica springs into action before Aileen is charged with the crime.
This book was filled with Boston imagery, geography, some history, a fun cabbie, and Seth on a bicycle! The action is non-stop and while there are the obligatory red herrings, I was stumped on who actually committed the murder, and did not suspect the killer at all - great job Terrie!
I have been a fan of these books for many years and this series is what got me started on the cozy mystery genre. I hope there are many more stories with Jessica and her friends from around the world, but sorry for those that are the casualties in those stories to come.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.8 stars
Terrie Farley Moran
Jessica and Seth are headed to Boston, Jessica to give a speech at the library and Seth, to a lecture from a fellow MD, while there they are set to meet with the P.I. of Boston himself - Harry McGraw. Of course, murder follows...
Jessica is happy to taste the Shepard's Pie of Gilhooley's when Cookie introduces her to his daughter and her boyfriend, Victor, of whom Cookie is NOT a fan. A Pool tournament and a questionable conversation between Victor and a shady-looking gentleman leaves Cookie and Jessica a little more than curious. But when Cookie's daughter, Aileen, comes into Gilhooley's crying and covered in Victor's blood, Jessica springs into action before Aileen is charged with the crime.
This book was filled with Boston imagery, geography, some history, a fun cabbie, and Seth on a bicycle! The action is non-stop and while there are the obligatory red herrings, I was stumped on who actually committed the murder, and did not suspect the killer at all - great job Terrie!
I have been a fan of these books for many years and this series is what got me started on the cozy mystery genre. I hope there are many more stories with Jessica and her friends from around the world, but sorry for those that are the casualties in those stories to come.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.8 stars
Terrie Farley Moran
November 24, 2025
I would have never picked this book to read but my book club chose it and I really liked it! I haven’t watched murder she write in years and had no trouble enjoying this story. The cast of characters is great. Jessica never feels old or out dated which really added to my enjoyment. I also liked that she worked with the police. The mystery was interesting and following the investigation was great with Jessica and friends.
July 11, 2025
Reading this series is like comfort food with murder of course. This author writes the story so well bringing characters we are familiar with from the show or past books. It is a joy to read and enjoy.
June 13, 2025
A Body in Boston, the latest addition to the Murder, She Wrote series, delivers another satisfying mystery for fans of Jessica Fletcher. Invited to speak at the Boston Public Library, Jessica eagerly reconnects with friends, including private investigator Harry McGraw and Gilhooley’s bartender, Cookie. The plot thickens when Harry shares details of his latest case—a pharmaceutical CEO facing blackmail over a new drug—while Cookie seeks help to investigate his daughter Aileen’s suspicious boyfriend. When Aileen stumbles into Gilhooley’s covered in blood, implicated in her boyfriend’s murder, Jessica, alongside her Cabot Cove friend Dr. Seth Hazlitt, dives into a tangled web of blackmail, murder, and underground betting. The story’s brisk pacing and familiar characters make it easy to visualize as a classic episode of the TV series, with just enough modern flair to keep it fresh.
While the Boston setting adds variety, the novel shines brightest in its adherence to the Murder, She Wrote formula, blending cozy charm with clever sleuthing. Fans will enjoy seeing Jessica’s sharp wit and Seth’s medical expertise complement Harry’s gritty PI work, creating a dynamic trio that drives the investigation. The dual mysteries—blackmail and murder—are well-crafted, keeping readers guessing until the end. Though some, like me, may prefer the familiar Cabot Cove backdrop, the vivid portrayal of Boston and its characters makes this a solid addition to the series. Overall, it’s a delight and certainly proves the enduring appeal of Jessica Fletcher’s adventures, leaving fans hopeful for more.
I received an advanced digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
While the Boston setting adds variety, the novel shines brightest in its adherence to the Murder, She Wrote formula, blending cozy charm with clever sleuthing. Fans will enjoy seeing Jessica’s sharp wit and Seth’s medical expertise complement Harry’s gritty PI work, creating a dynamic trio that drives the investigation. The dual mysteries—blackmail and murder—are well-crafted, keeping readers guessing until the end. Though some, like me, may prefer the familiar Cabot Cove backdrop, the vivid portrayal of Boston and its characters makes this a solid addition to the series. Overall, it’s a delight and certainly proves the enduring appeal of Jessica Fletcher’s adventures, leaving fans hopeful for more.
I received an advanced digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
July 9, 2025
Another fun read in the Jessica Fletcher series. This time the action takes place in Boston and there is even a little history thrown in with the mystery. It was good to see her old friend Harry McGraw back in the midst of everything.
July 9, 2025
as always - interesting!
I wait patiently for the next Jessica Fletcher novel and wasn't disappointed with this one! Another well written mystery with twists and turns!
I wait patiently for the next Jessica Fletcher novel and wasn't disappointed with this one! Another well written mystery with twists and turns!
July 8, 2025
another great mystery from Jessica Fletcher.. Love them all.
June 28, 2025
4/4.25 stars - fun book in the MSW series. This one also includes PI Harry McGraw.
Want to read
March 27, 2025A gorgeous cover AND Harry is in it? Sign me up!
July 31, 2025
https://openbooksociety.com/article/m...
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Jessica Fletcher has dinner with her old pal Harry McGraw and gets pulled into a puzzling murder case.
Invited to deliver a lecture at the Boston Public Library, Jessica Fletcher excitedly makes plans to see local friends. Naturally that includes dinner at Gilhooley’s with PI Harry McGraw. Harry excitedly talks about his latest client, the CEO of Cure All Pharmaceuticals, who’s received anonymous blackmail demands and wants Harry to identify the culprit. Cookie, Gilhooley’s longtime bartender, also has something he wants to tell; he asked Harry to investigate his daughter Aileen’s boyfriend, who Cookie thinks is too slick by half, but now Harry is too wrapped up in this new case. While Jessica wonders how best to approach Aileen, the young woman stumbles into Gilhooley’s covered in blood. She just discovered her boyfriend’s corpse — and quickly becomes the chief suspect in his murder!
Review:
It was a delight to read the latest Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston. Jessica Fletcher has been a favorite sleuth since I read one of the mysteries several years ago, and each new one is better than the one prior. The way Jessica observes her surroundings, the things that fascinate her, her calm demeanor, and her genuine interest in people are some of the qualities that made her an excellent teacher, bestselling author, and sleuth.
The characters are designed with excellence. I regularly learn something fascinating about them, such as Seth being a long-time Revolutionary War re-enactor of Major Prentiss at the annual Battle of Cabot Cove celebration in full uniform. Each person is described through realistic conversations and behaviors. It was a delight to see historical sites in Boston with Jessica and Seth, and his reaction to some of the statues. There was just enough of the past woven in to bring flavor to their sightseeing. I was happy to see Harry again, as he is just quirky enough to be a delight.
Jessica was invited to speak at the Boston Public Library. Seth Hazlitt, Cabot Cove’s favorite physician and Jessica’s long-time friend, is traveling with her. Jason Lancaster, a doctor and Seth’s friend from medical school, would give a lecture in Boston about the same time, so it made sense for them to travel together and see some of the sites they mutually appreciate. Jessica was also going to visit Harry, the PI who has helped Jessica with past cases. She has helped him also over the years; this time he needs her assistance.
The day Seth and Jessica arrived, they planned to meet Harry at his favorite pub, Gilhooley’s, for dinner. Jessica can already taste her favorite dish there, shepherd’s pie, and Harry is excited to tell them about his new client. Jessica introduced Cookie, the bartender, to Seth. Cookie introduced them to his daughter, Aileen and her boyfriend, Victor. He is very proud of Aileen, but doesn’t want Victor dating his daughter. Especially after Paddy, the noted loan shark in the area, came in and pulled Victor aside for a heated discussion.
Harry’s new case was to help Ali Sulaiman, the president of Cure All Pharmaceuticals. He was co-developing a new drug to slow the disease progress of dementia to improve lives of those afflicted with it. Someone threatened to release some dirt about his past that would affect his position and potentially the drug release. He paid the bribe to protect himself. The person contacted him again, claiming to have a copy of the drug’s formulation. Unless Sulaiman pays up again, they would release the proprietary information. Harry had to find the extortionist so they could end his harassment.
Harry had promised Cookie that he would look into Victor’s background. With his new investigation for Cure All Pharmaceuticals, he had not had time to do so, and asked for Jessica’s help. Cookie asked if Jessica would be willing to spend a little time with Aileen while she is in Boston. Both being teachers, the two ladies had much common ground, and Aileen was a big fan of Jessica’s writing. He is terribly worried about Aileen, as her boyfriend owed substantial money to the loan shark.
The evening Jessica came for dinner and to chat, Aileen was very late. She had stopped by Victor’s apartment on the way. He had not been answering his phone, and she wanted to leave a note for him. Instead, she found him on the floor, unconscious. While putting a pillow under his head, she found blood underneath him, realized he was dead, grabbed his coat to cover the blood on her clothing, and hurried to the pub.
The police were sent to Victor’s apartment. Lieutenant Starkey, who Cookie and Harry knew, wanted his officers to take Aileen to the station for questioning. With no evidence to the contrary found at Victor’s, she was considered the only person of interest in Victor’s murder.
I was completely stumped! I attempted to list suspects, and could see why the police focused on Aileen. Several people strongly disliked Victor, but had no motive to murder him. What a surprise to find out who did it and the motive to do so! Regarding the bribery, it was also shocking to learn who was trying to extort the president of the drug company. How Jessica, with help from Seth and Harry, solved the murder and extortion was brilliant, and I am looking forward to seeing Jessica again. I highly recommend this mystery, and others in the series, to those who appreciate the television series and those who enjoyed well-written cozy mysteries.
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Jessica Fletcher has dinner with her old pal Harry McGraw and gets pulled into a puzzling murder case.
Invited to deliver a lecture at the Boston Public Library, Jessica Fletcher excitedly makes plans to see local friends. Naturally that includes dinner at Gilhooley’s with PI Harry McGraw. Harry excitedly talks about his latest client, the CEO of Cure All Pharmaceuticals, who’s received anonymous blackmail demands and wants Harry to identify the culprit. Cookie, Gilhooley’s longtime bartender, also has something he wants to tell; he asked Harry to investigate his daughter Aileen’s boyfriend, who Cookie thinks is too slick by half, but now Harry is too wrapped up in this new case. While Jessica wonders how best to approach Aileen, the young woman stumbles into Gilhooley’s covered in blood. She just discovered her boyfriend’s corpse — and quickly becomes the chief suspect in his murder!
Review:
It was a delight to read the latest Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston. Jessica Fletcher has been a favorite sleuth since I read one of the mysteries several years ago, and each new one is better than the one prior. The way Jessica observes her surroundings, the things that fascinate her, her calm demeanor, and her genuine interest in people are some of the qualities that made her an excellent teacher, bestselling author, and sleuth.
The characters are designed with excellence. I regularly learn something fascinating about them, such as Seth being a long-time Revolutionary War re-enactor of Major Prentiss at the annual Battle of Cabot Cove celebration in full uniform. Each person is described through realistic conversations and behaviors. It was a delight to see historical sites in Boston with Jessica and Seth, and his reaction to some of the statues. There was just enough of the past woven in to bring flavor to their sightseeing. I was happy to see Harry again, as he is just quirky enough to be a delight.
Jessica was invited to speak at the Boston Public Library. Seth Hazlitt, Cabot Cove’s favorite physician and Jessica’s long-time friend, is traveling with her. Jason Lancaster, a doctor and Seth’s friend from medical school, would give a lecture in Boston about the same time, so it made sense for them to travel together and see some of the sites they mutually appreciate. Jessica was also going to visit Harry, the PI who has helped Jessica with past cases. She has helped him also over the years; this time he needs her assistance.
The day Seth and Jessica arrived, they planned to meet Harry at his favorite pub, Gilhooley’s, for dinner. Jessica can already taste her favorite dish there, shepherd’s pie, and Harry is excited to tell them about his new client. Jessica introduced Cookie, the bartender, to Seth. Cookie introduced them to his daughter, Aileen and her boyfriend, Victor. He is very proud of Aileen, but doesn’t want Victor dating his daughter. Especially after Paddy, the noted loan shark in the area, came in and pulled Victor aside for a heated discussion.
Harry’s new case was to help Ali Sulaiman, the president of Cure All Pharmaceuticals. He was co-developing a new drug to slow the disease progress of dementia to improve lives of those afflicted with it. Someone threatened to release some dirt about his past that would affect his position and potentially the drug release. He paid the bribe to protect himself. The person contacted him again, claiming to have a copy of the drug’s formulation. Unless Sulaiman pays up again, they would release the proprietary information. Harry had to find the extortionist so they could end his harassment.
Harry had promised Cookie that he would look into Victor’s background. With his new investigation for Cure All Pharmaceuticals, he had not had time to do so, and asked for Jessica’s help. Cookie asked if Jessica would be willing to spend a little time with Aileen while she is in Boston. Both being teachers, the two ladies had much common ground, and Aileen was a big fan of Jessica’s writing. He is terribly worried about Aileen, as her boyfriend owed substantial money to the loan shark.
The evening Jessica came for dinner and to chat, Aileen was very late. She had stopped by Victor’s apartment on the way. He had not been answering his phone, and she wanted to leave a note for him. Instead, she found him on the floor, unconscious. While putting a pillow under his head, she found blood underneath him, realized he was dead, grabbed his coat to cover the blood on her clothing, and hurried to the pub.
The police were sent to Victor’s apartment. Lieutenant Starkey, who Cookie and Harry knew, wanted his officers to take Aileen to the station for questioning. With no evidence to the contrary found at Victor’s, she was considered the only person of interest in Victor’s murder.
I was completely stumped! I attempted to list suspects, and could see why the police focused on Aileen. Several people strongly disliked Victor, but had no motive to murder him. What a surprise to find out who did it and the motive to do so! Regarding the bribery, it was also shocking to learn who was trying to extort the president of the drug company. How Jessica, with help from Seth and Harry, solved the murder and extortion was brilliant, and I am looking forward to seeing Jessica again. I highly recommend this mystery, and others in the series, to those who appreciate the television series and those who enjoyed well-written cozy mysteries.
July 28, 2025
Look, at this point, if Jessica Fletcher shows up in your city, just assume someone’s getting murdered and it might be you. You see that gray-haired legend with the trench coat and the suspiciously convenient dinner reservations? That’s the Grim Reaper in kitten heels. And in Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston, Jessica decides to bless Beantown with her particular brand of chaos, accompanied by our cranky doctor king Seth Hazlitt and everyone's favorite fast-talking PI, Harry McGraw. Aka the walking embodiment of “What if Sam Spade had a New England accent and commitment issues?”
It starts innocently enough. Jessica’s in town to give a totally normal, non-murder-related lecture at the Boston Public Library, which of course means we’re about six pages from a corpse. Harry’s wrapped up in a blackmail case involving a pharma CEO and something shady with a miracle drug, but when bartender Cookie (yes, COOKIE) asks Jessica to check out his daughter Aileen’s sketchy boyfriend, you know the other loafer’s about to drop. And oh boy, does it drop. Like, blood-splattered-girlfriend-entering-the-bar level dropping.
Aileen showing up at Gilhooley’s looking like she just ran through a slasher flick is exactly the level of drama I want in my cozy mysteries. Jessica’s barely halfway through her shepherd’s pie when Aileen bursts in, crying, covered in blood, announcing she just found her boyfriend murdered. And instead of doing something reasonable like, I don’t know, calling the police, she goes to the bar. The bar. Not even her own apartment. And the thing is... it kind of makes sense? If I found a dead body and my dad was Cookie, I’d go cry on a barstool too.
Now. Let’s talk about Gilhooley’s for a second, because this is not just some random cozy bar with a murder problem. This is the same Gilhooley’s that is focused on in Gilhooley’s Is History and kept popping up throughout The Law & Harry McGraw. That’s right. We’re not just revisiting a location. We’re cracking open a full-on Murder, She Wrote multiverse moment. Harry McGraw basically lived in this bar. It’s where he growled out cases and looked suspiciously hot doing it. So when we walk back into Gilhooley’s and Cookie’s behind the bar like no time has passed? It’s nostalgic, chaotic magic. I screamed. Out loud.
What follows is classic MSW chaos. Jessica, Seth, and Harry team up like the Mystery Solving Avengers, with Jessica doing her genteel interrogations and Seth casually threatening to run people over with his medical license. Harry is somewhere between helpful and off-the-rails. His subplot with the pharma case is its own rabbit hole of corruption and corporate coverups, and if you’ve ever thought, “What if this cozy mystery suddenly got a dash of The Insider?” then buddy, you are weirdly specific but in luck.
The character work here is tight. Cookie is ride-or-die dad material, and Aileen walks the perfect line between traumatized and tough. Seth and Harry’s bickering evolving into a tentative bromance? A surprise gift. The banter is sharp, the pacing’s breezy, and Jessica continues to give “retired teacher” energy while casually outwitting half the Boston PD.
I did clock a few scenes that slowed the roll a bit. Mostly the pharmaceutical rabbit hole. But then Jessica would drop a one-liner, or Harry would storm into a crime scene like he owns the place, and all was forgiven. It’s all vibes, baby.
This one is especially delicious if you’re a Murder, She Wrote TV girly who lives for callbacks, city-hopping chaos, and Jessica solving murders like it’s Sudoku. You can totally read it as a standalone, but longtime fans are going to be screaming (in a good way) every time a familiar name or setting drops. This book’s got fan service in all the right places, and if you know, you know. Four stars and a big ol’ Boston baked crime for this one.
Whodunity Award: For Proving Boston Traffic Isn’t the Only Thing That’ll Kill You
It starts innocently enough. Jessica’s in town to give a totally normal, non-murder-related lecture at the Boston Public Library, which of course means we’re about six pages from a corpse. Harry’s wrapped up in a blackmail case involving a pharma CEO and something shady with a miracle drug, but when bartender Cookie (yes, COOKIE) asks Jessica to check out his daughter Aileen’s sketchy boyfriend, you know the other loafer’s about to drop. And oh boy, does it drop. Like, blood-splattered-girlfriend-entering-the-bar level dropping.
Aileen showing up at Gilhooley’s looking like she just ran through a slasher flick is exactly the level of drama I want in my cozy mysteries. Jessica’s barely halfway through her shepherd’s pie when Aileen bursts in, crying, covered in blood, announcing she just found her boyfriend murdered. And instead of doing something reasonable like, I don’t know, calling the police, she goes to the bar. The bar. Not even her own apartment. And the thing is... it kind of makes sense? If I found a dead body and my dad was Cookie, I’d go cry on a barstool too.
Now. Let’s talk about Gilhooley’s for a second, because this is not just some random cozy bar with a murder problem. This is the same Gilhooley’s that is focused on in Gilhooley’s Is History and kept popping up throughout The Law & Harry McGraw. That’s right. We’re not just revisiting a location. We’re cracking open a full-on Murder, She Wrote multiverse moment. Harry McGraw basically lived in this bar. It’s where he growled out cases and looked suspiciously hot doing it. So when we walk back into Gilhooley’s and Cookie’s behind the bar like no time has passed? It’s nostalgic, chaotic magic. I screamed. Out loud.
What follows is classic MSW chaos. Jessica, Seth, and Harry team up like the Mystery Solving Avengers, with Jessica doing her genteel interrogations and Seth casually threatening to run people over with his medical license. Harry is somewhere between helpful and off-the-rails. His subplot with the pharma case is its own rabbit hole of corruption and corporate coverups, and if you’ve ever thought, “What if this cozy mystery suddenly got a dash of The Insider?” then buddy, you are weirdly specific but in luck.
The character work here is tight. Cookie is ride-or-die dad material, and Aileen walks the perfect line between traumatized and tough. Seth and Harry’s bickering evolving into a tentative bromance? A surprise gift. The banter is sharp, the pacing’s breezy, and Jessica continues to give “retired teacher” energy while casually outwitting half the Boston PD.
I did clock a few scenes that slowed the roll a bit. Mostly the pharmaceutical rabbit hole. But then Jessica would drop a one-liner, or Harry would storm into a crime scene like he owns the place, and all was forgiven. It’s all vibes, baby.
This one is especially delicious if you’re a Murder, She Wrote TV girly who lives for callbacks, city-hopping chaos, and Jessica solving murders like it’s Sudoku. You can totally read it as a standalone, but longtime fans are going to be screaming (in a good way) every time a familiar name or setting drops. This book’s got fan service in all the right places, and if you know, you know. Four stars and a big ol’ Boston baked crime for this one.
Whodunity Award: For Proving Boston Traffic Isn’t the Only Thing That’ll Kill You
July 10, 2025
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Body in Boston by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran has Jessica going to Boston, Massachusetts, to attend a library event with her friend Seth Haslett.
Will Jessica get involved in another mystery?
Jessica Fletcher
Jess is all ready for spring to arrive in Cabot Cove, Maine. She has been preparing her yard since the snow melted. However, she wasn't at all surprised to see an invitation in the mail from her librarian friend, Marshall Stryback. Jessica decides to go, especially since it was an invitation to hear herself talk. Seth decides to tag along. I love seeing Seth and Jessica's friendship blossom on the pages of a book, as it's always so much fun to read about their conversations. Jess tries so hard not to get caught up in a murder investigation, but it always seems to happen.
The one major thing that I love about Jessica Fletcher, which transfers quite well from being seen on TV to reading about on the page, is her desire to help friends or family get out of a sticky situation that comes with being involved in a police investigation.
The Mystery
Jessica is at Gilhooley's waiting with Cookie for his daughter, Aileen, to come in, so that Jessica can talk some sense into the young woman about her new boyfriend. Coincidentally, that's when Aileen comes in with her skirt covered in blood, and now Cookie has decided to ask Jessica for help with keeping Aileen from going into jail. Jessica, with Harry and Seth's help, solved the case. I must say that I had a feeling about who was responsible, and I was pleased to find out that I was right.
Five Stars
My rating for A Body in Boston by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran is five stars, and I highly recommend it. Ms. Moran does a fantastic job of making me feel like I'm watching an episode of Murder, She Wrote instead of reading a new installment while I'm trying to solve the case with Jessica. I felt so bad for Aileen and what her boyfriend made her feel, both while he was alive and after he was deceased. Ms. Moran had me guessing and writing down an ongoing list of our suspects to figure out who did it. Anyone who loved the television show should give the new books a chance, as they are fantastic. I enjoy guessing and/or figuring out who did what with Jessica.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Body in Boston by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
A Body in Boston by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran has Jessica going to Boston, Massachusetts, to attend a library event with her friend Seth Haslett.
Will Jessica get involved in another mystery?
Jessica Fletcher
Jess is all ready for spring to arrive in Cabot Cove, Maine. She has been preparing her yard since the snow melted. However, she wasn't at all surprised to see an invitation in the mail from her librarian friend, Marshall Stryback. Jessica decides to go, especially since it was an invitation to hear herself talk. Seth decides to tag along. I love seeing Seth and Jessica's friendship blossom on the pages of a book, as it's always so much fun to read about their conversations. Jess tries so hard not to get caught up in a murder investigation, but it always seems to happen.
The one major thing that I love about Jessica Fletcher, which transfers quite well from being seen on TV to reading about on the page, is her desire to help friends or family get out of a sticky situation that comes with being involved in a police investigation.
The Mystery
Jessica is at Gilhooley's waiting with Cookie for his daughter, Aileen, to come in, so that Jessica can talk some sense into the young woman about her new boyfriend. Coincidentally, that's when Aileen comes in with her skirt covered in blood, and now Cookie has decided to ask Jessica for help with keeping Aileen from going into jail. Jessica, with Harry and Seth's help, solved the case. I must say that I had a feeling about who was responsible, and I was pleased to find out that I was right.
Five Stars
My rating for A Body in Boston by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran is five stars, and I highly recommend it. Ms. Moran does a fantastic job of making me feel like I'm watching an episode of Murder, She Wrote instead of reading a new installment while I'm trying to solve the case with Jessica. I felt so bad for Aileen and what her boyfriend made her feel, both while he was alive and after he was deceased. Ms. Moran had me guessing and writing down an ongoing list of our suspects to figure out who did it. Anyone who loved the television show should give the new books a chance, as they are fantastic. I enjoy guessing and/or figuring out who did what with Jessica.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Body in Boston by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
June 30, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
The voice of Jessica Fletcher—sharp-eyed sleuth and literary icon—is alive and well in A Body in Boston, the latest installment penned with skillful ease by Terrie Farley Moran. This cozy mystery is like visiting an old friend who’s still as clever as ever, but now with modern crime on her classic heels.
Jessica returns to Boston, ostensibly for an awards ceremony, but murder seems to have booked the same itinerary. When a promising university student turns up dead, and clues start pointing toward powerful people with secrets to lose, Jessica finds herself once again navigating both academic halls and shadowy corners in search of the truth.
What keeps this story bubbling isn’t just the murder mystery—although the puzzle is satisfying—it’s how Moran, channeling Fletcher’s voice, weaves together legacy, ambition, and the invisible pressure to succeed that today’s students face.
Moran’s grasp of Jessica’s cadence is pitch-perfect, and she doesn't shy away from updating the formula just enough to make it feel relevant. The prose is lean but peppered with character observations and sly humor that add warmth to even the darkest turns.
Boston is painted with both affection and suspicion—it feels lived-in, and its tangled academic networks serve as the perfect backdrop for secrets to fester. And while the murder is central, the real charm comes from watching Jessica build relationships and tease out truths with her genteel persistence and razor-sharp insight.
Jessica, as always, is more than a detective—she’s a witness to human behavior. But Moran surrounds her with a cast of modern foils: ambitious students, bureaucratic deans, wary locals. Each carries secrets, but also the kind of emotional weight that makes cozy mysteries feel grounded rather than quaint.
The story’s strength lies in its balance. No character feels superfluous, and every red herring is planted with intention. The narrative doesn’t race—it strolls with purpose, inviting readers to piece things together alongside Jessica rather than breathlessly behind her.
A Body in Boston delivers exactly what you come to a Jessica Fletcher mystery for: a clever puzzle wrapped in genteel suspense, delivered with literary grace. But what makes this entry especially rewarding is its quiet meditation on legacy—how we leave traces, and what people choose to erase.
The voice of Jessica Fletcher—sharp-eyed sleuth and literary icon—is alive and well in A Body in Boston, the latest installment penned with skillful ease by Terrie Farley Moran. This cozy mystery is like visiting an old friend who’s still as clever as ever, but now with modern crime on her classic heels.
Jessica returns to Boston, ostensibly for an awards ceremony, but murder seems to have booked the same itinerary. When a promising university student turns up dead, and clues start pointing toward powerful people with secrets to lose, Jessica finds herself once again navigating both academic halls and shadowy corners in search of the truth.
What keeps this story bubbling isn’t just the murder mystery—although the puzzle is satisfying—it’s how Moran, channeling Fletcher’s voice, weaves together legacy, ambition, and the invisible pressure to succeed that today’s students face.
Moran’s grasp of Jessica’s cadence is pitch-perfect, and she doesn't shy away from updating the formula just enough to make it feel relevant. The prose is lean but peppered with character observations and sly humor that add warmth to even the darkest turns.
Boston is painted with both affection and suspicion—it feels lived-in, and its tangled academic networks serve as the perfect backdrop for secrets to fester. And while the murder is central, the real charm comes from watching Jessica build relationships and tease out truths with her genteel persistence and razor-sharp insight.
Jessica, as always, is more than a detective—she’s a witness to human behavior. But Moran surrounds her with a cast of modern foils: ambitious students, bureaucratic deans, wary locals. Each carries secrets, but also the kind of emotional weight that makes cozy mysteries feel grounded rather than quaint.
The story’s strength lies in its balance. No character feels superfluous, and every red herring is planted with intention. The narrative doesn’t race—it strolls with purpose, inviting readers to piece things together alongside Jessica rather than breathlessly behind her.
A Body in Boston delivers exactly what you come to a Jessica Fletcher mystery for: a clever puzzle wrapped in genteel suspense, delivered with literary grace. But what makes this entry especially rewarding is its quiet meditation on legacy—how we leave traces, and what people choose to erase.
July 4, 2025
I always enjoy a good Murder She Wrote! I spent my teen years and early twenties watching it on the TV and gleaning murder solving knowledge from Jessica Fletcher. My love of mysteries may have come from Nancy Drew, but Jessica Fletcher fed that love. Now I enjoy reading her cozy mysteries. She and Terrie Farley Moran have delivered a good mystery with A Body in Boston!
If you’ve been reading (or watching) this series for a while, you’re probably familiar with her friend PI Harry McGraw. Well, knowing that Jessica will be giving a talk at the Boston Public Library, Harry wants to have dinner with her at Gilhooley’s. Since Dr. Seth Hazlitt has tagged along (to meet with some colleagues), he’s naturally included at dinner. While they’re having dinner, Jessica gets roped into helping bartender Cookie’s daughter Aileen who’s dating a sleazeball, and Doc Hazlitt gets wrapped up in Harry’s case since it involves pharmaceutical trials and blackmail! The sleazeball gets murdered, Aileen gets pulled into the police station for questioning, and somehow Harry’s case gets mixed in! Talk about a convoluted case!
Though my favorite Murder She Wrote books take place in Cabot Cove, I do enjoy a good trip with Jessica. On this trip to Boston, we get to stay at the Revere Hotel Boston Common (I had to look at the pictures online, and it’s gorgeous!), eat at Gilhooley’s (I could only find one in Texas), visit Boston Common, ride a bike through Boston Public Common, visit the Boston Tea Party Museum, and lots more! Terrie Farley Moran brings these places to life with her descriptive writing, so I only missed Cabot Cove a little bit.
As is always the case, the characters bring the story and mystery to life. I really liked the cab driver whom Jessica and Seth called upon to drive them places. Cookie was a great character and a very protective father. I felt for Aileen since her boyfriend was killed even though he was a sleazeball (they can’t all be winners). The police, Aileen’s friend, the landlord, the bookie, etc. all add to the plotline and mystery.
I did have an idea of whodunit, but with so many suspects, I fell for a couple of red herrings until they were ruled out! This mystery has lots of layers and many twists and turns, but it’s all wrapped up nicely by the end.
I definitely recommend Murder She Wrote: A Body in Boston for its descriptive settings, diverse cast of characters, and puzzling mystery! 4 solid stars!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
If you’ve been reading (or watching) this series for a while, you’re probably familiar with her friend PI Harry McGraw. Well, knowing that Jessica will be giving a talk at the Boston Public Library, Harry wants to have dinner with her at Gilhooley’s. Since Dr. Seth Hazlitt has tagged along (to meet with some colleagues), he’s naturally included at dinner. While they’re having dinner, Jessica gets roped into helping bartender Cookie’s daughter Aileen who’s dating a sleazeball, and Doc Hazlitt gets wrapped up in Harry’s case since it involves pharmaceutical trials and blackmail! The sleazeball gets murdered, Aileen gets pulled into the police station for questioning, and somehow Harry’s case gets mixed in! Talk about a convoluted case!
Though my favorite Murder She Wrote books take place in Cabot Cove, I do enjoy a good trip with Jessica. On this trip to Boston, we get to stay at the Revere Hotel Boston Common (I had to look at the pictures online, and it’s gorgeous!), eat at Gilhooley’s (I could only find one in Texas), visit Boston Common, ride a bike through Boston Public Common, visit the Boston Tea Party Museum, and lots more! Terrie Farley Moran brings these places to life with her descriptive writing, so I only missed Cabot Cove a little bit.
As is always the case, the characters bring the story and mystery to life. I really liked the cab driver whom Jessica and Seth called upon to drive them places. Cookie was a great character and a very protective father. I felt for Aileen since her boyfriend was killed even though he was a sleazeball (they can’t all be winners). The police, Aileen’s friend, the landlord, the bookie, etc. all add to the plotline and mystery.
I did have an idea of whodunit, but with so many suspects, I fell for a couple of red herrings until they were ruled out! This mystery has lots of layers and many twists and turns, but it’s all wrapped up nicely by the end.
I definitely recommend Murder She Wrote: A Body in Boston for its descriptive settings, diverse cast of characters, and puzzling mystery! 4 solid stars!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
July 5, 2025
Author and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher is off to Boston with her good friend Dr. Seth Hazlitt. Jessica is scheduled to give a lecture at the local library and decides to turn the trip into part work and part vacation. They take the opportunity to visit with old friends and acquaintances. One of those friends is Harry McGraw, a private investigator.
While having dinner with Harry at Gilhooley’s, the bartender confides in Jessica and Harry that he doesn’t trust his daughter Aileen’s new boyfriend. He asks them to investigate the guy. Before they can work out a plan of action, Aileen staggers into Gilhooley’s covered in blood…her boyfriend’s blood. She found his dead body and doesn’t know what to do. Instead of investigating him, they are now investigating his death. Of course, Aileen is now the main suspect in the man’s death.
Jessica and Harry work together to clear Aileen of all suspicion. They quickly learn the man had many enemies and any one of them could have done it. Their job is to prove that Aileen didn't.
The storyline moves along at a nice, steady pace. We follow Jessica’s thought process in solving a crime, as well as tag along in her social and professional life. I felt like I was right by Jessica’s side as she played investigator, author, and even a little bit of a tourist.
Jessica is surrounded by a well-developed, quirky supporting cast. Each character came to life on each page.
I was totally engrossed with this story. Jessica is so good at figuring these things out. I’m not so good, but I have fun trying. This is a page-turner for me. I couldn’t put it down. I did not guess whodunit. It's a very well written mystery that makes me crave more just like it.
I didn’t watch the Murder, She Wrote TV series, but I’m very familiar with the storyline behind it. I’m enjoying the books very much. I really need to go back and read the earlier books. Such an enjoyable mystery series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
While having dinner with Harry at Gilhooley’s, the bartender confides in Jessica and Harry that he doesn’t trust his daughter Aileen’s new boyfriend. He asks them to investigate the guy. Before they can work out a plan of action, Aileen staggers into Gilhooley’s covered in blood…her boyfriend’s blood. She found his dead body and doesn’t know what to do. Instead of investigating him, they are now investigating his death. Of course, Aileen is now the main suspect in the man’s death.
Jessica and Harry work together to clear Aileen of all suspicion. They quickly learn the man had many enemies and any one of them could have done it. Their job is to prove that Aileen didn't.
The storyline moves along at a nice, steady pace. We follow Jessica’s thought process in solving a crime, as well as tag along in her social and professional life. I felt like I was right by Jessica’s side as she played investigator, author, and even a little bit of a tourist.
Jessica is surrounded by a well-developed, quirky supporting cast. Each character came to life on each page.
I was totally engrossed with this story. Jessica is so good at figuring these things out. I’m not so good, but I have fun trying. This is a page-turner for me. I couldn’t put it down. I did not guess whodunit. It's a very well written mystery that makes me crave more just like it.
I didn’t watch the Murder, She Wrote TV series, but I’m very familiar with the storyline behind it. I’m enjoying the books very much. I really need to go back and read the earlier books. Such an enjoyable mystery series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 13, 2025
MURDER, SHE WROTE: A BODY IN BOSTON
By Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran
The Sixty-First Murder, She Wrote Mystery
Jessica Fletcher is happy that she has time in her busy schedule to accept an invitation to go to Boston. Not only will she be speaking at a library function, she'll get to meet up with several old friends and get some sightseeing in too! She'll also have a travel companion as Seth is also headed to Boston for a medical lecture. Their happy reconnection with old friends is tainted, however, when Cookie's daughter Aileen rushes into the pub with bloodstained hands saying that her boyfriend is dead. Now Jessica, her PI friend Harry, and Seth will do what they can to provide the police suspects other than Aileen. The group soon learns that Aileen's young man was not so upstanding and there's more than one possible motive for murder. Will they find a killer in the midst of Boston while still managing to enjoy the sights of this historic town?
I feel the same joy as Jessica does when she meets up with Harry, Cookie, and her other Boston friends, as I consider Jess and Seth my old friends, though I know there'll be a murder whenever we get together while Jess may just suspect it! This sixty-first outing is an enjoyable mix of friendship, murder, and healthy dose of Boston tourism. I enjoyed visiting vicariously, seeing the statues of Tadeusz Kościuszko and the Marquis de Lafayette as well as the tour of the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, though I say forget the kids-I want to throw the tea overboard! I like that Jessica and Seth managed to fit in fun time with their work and their investigation. I also appreciated how everything dovetailed seamlessly.
I enjoyed how Jessica quietly went about solving the mystery. She didn't even intend to solve it, just drum up more suspects, but solve it she did. While I liked seeing Jessica's old friends I really enjoyed meeting some new ones as well. I loved Mahmood and his take on Jessica's adventures in particular.
MURDER, SHE WROTE: A BODY IN BOSTON brings familiar characters to Beantown where pharmaceuticals, libraries, and murder combine to make an enjoyable mystery.
By Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran
The Sixty-First Murder, She Wrote Mystery
Jessica Fletcher is happy that she has time in her busy schedule to accept an invitation to go to Boston. Not only will she be speaking at a library function, she'll get to meet up with several old friends and get some sightseeing in too! She'll also have a travel companion as Seth is also headed to Boston for a medical lecture. Their happy reconnection with old friends is tainted, however, when Cookie's daughter Aileen rushes into the pub with bloodstained hands saying that her boyfriend is dead. Now Jessica, her PI friend Harry, and Seth will do what they can to provide the police suspects other than Aileen. The group soon learns that Aileen's young man was not so upstanding and there's more than one possible motive for murder. Will they find a killer in the midst of Boston while still managing to enjoy the sights of this historic town?
I feel the same joy as Jessica does when she meets up with Harry, Cookie, and her other Boston friends, as I consider Jess and Seth my old friends, though I know there'll be a murder whenever we get together while Jess may just suspect it! This sixty-first outing is an enjoyable mix of friendship, murder, and healthy dose of Boston tourism. I enjoyed visiting vicariously, seeing the statues of Tadeusz Kościuszko and the Marquis de Lafayette as well as the tour of the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, though I say forget the kids-I want to throw the tea overboard! I like that Jessica and Seth managed to fit in fun time with their work and their investigation. I also appreciated how everything dovetailed seamlessly.
I enjoyed how Jessica quietly went about solving the mystery. She didn't even intend to solve it, just drum up more suspects, but solve it she did. While I liked seeing Jessica's old friends I really enjoyed meeting some new ones as well. I loved Mahmood and his take on Jessica's adventures in particular.
MURDER, SHE WROTE: A BODY IN BOSTON brings familiar characters to Beantown where pharmaceuticals, libraries, and murder combine to make an enjoyable mystery.
June 18, 2025
I was thrilled to receive an ARC for Murder She Wrote: A Body in Boston (Berkley 2025), Book 61 in the Murder She Wrote series. I have missed this show since it left the TV screen and hoped to pick up where the show left off. A quick summation if you don't have much time for a longer review: It didn't disappoint. Jessica Fletcher, cozy mystery author and amateur detective, is invited to a book signing at a prestigious Boston library event. As usual, she plans to mix her appearance with visits to friends and cultural events. The excitement of a friend joining her makes it more of a mini-vacation. It does start out that way, but quickly changes when the daughter of a Boston friend ends up the suspect in the murder of her handsome boyfriend. Police consider her the primary suspect, but Jessica has her doubts. From then on, she digs and questions, and does what she does best to reach the truth.
The story is resplendent with travelogue tidbits about her trip that bring it to life and put me right in the glorious city of Boston--
“in front of Gilhooley’s, with its classic mahogany doors with glass panels displaying the name in bold black letters.”
“the first ship we saw was the Beaver, a Nantucket whaler that, after delivering whale oil to London, had accepted a cargo of 112 chests of tea, along with some lovely English furniture to transport back to Boston.”
Being the 61st book in the series, readers are well into the career of famous fictional author, Jessica Fletcher, so it doesn't surprise me that she comes across as somewhat overbearing and pushy:
“Why don’t you go back to your room and change from those wingtip oxfords to a pair of walking shoes?"
Or that the people around her are more than a bit obsequious and deferential to her. Maybe that’s how it is for famous authors. Not being one I wouldn’t know. Overall, a fun read with non-stop entertainment and the trademark Fletcher quick-thinking. I finished it in about a day and a half!
The story is resplendent with travelogue tidbits about her trip that bring it to life and put me right in the glorious city of Boston--
“in front of Gilhooley’s, with its classic mahogany doors with glass panels displaying the name in bold black letters.”
“the first ship we saw was the Beaver, a Nantucket whaler that, after delivering whale oil to London, had accepted a cargo of 112 chests of tea, along with some lovely English furniture to transport back to Boston.”
Being the 61st book in the series, readers are well into the career of famous fictional author, Jessica Fletcher, so it doesn't surprise me that she comes across as somewhat overbearing and pushy:
“Why don’t you go back to your room and change from those wingtip oxfords to a pair of walking shoes?"
Or that the people around her are more than a bit obsequious and deferential to her. Maybe that’s how it is for famous authors. Not being one I wouldn’t know. Overall, a fun read with non-stop entertainment and the trademark Fletcher quick-thinking. I finished it in about a day and a half!
July 13, 2025
Jessica Fletcher travels to Boston with her friend Seth Hazlitt. She is a guest lecturer at the Boston Public Library and he visits with an old friend in the medical field. While they are in Boston, they meet with local friends at a familiar pub. The bartender, Cookie, enlists Jessica's help to talk to his daughter Aileen about her ill-advised romance. Before Jessica can have that talk, Aileen finds her boyfriend dead - and she is the prime suspect. Jessica steps in to help solve the mystery.
I wanted to read Murder She Wrote: A Body in Boston because I love this series of books. (I love the TV series too - a comfort watch for me!). I look forward to each new book in the series and try to keep up with them.
This was a very good mystery. It starts at a leisurely pace, as Jessica and Seth explore Boston. I enjoyed their trip to the Boston Tea Party Museum and the little historical facts woven into the storytelling! Then the murder occurs and the mystery truly begins.
As always, the mystery aspect of the book is very well written, with several plausible suspects and Jessica doing smart sleuthing to solve the mystery. The Boston locale added an interesting setting for the story.
I recommend Murder She Wrote: A Body in Boston and the whole series for fans of cozy mysteries. This is one of my favorite series and I am sure other mystery readers will enjoy it as well!
I wanted to read Murder She Wrote: A Body in Boston because I love this series of books. (I love the TV series too - a comfort watch for me!). I look forward to each new book in the series and try to keep up with them.
This was a very good mystery. It starts at a leisurely pace, as Jessica and Seth explore Boston. I enjoyed their trip to the Boston Tea Party Museum and the little historical facts woven into the storytelling! Then the murder occurs and the mystery truly begins.
As always, the mystery aspect of the book is very well written, with several plausible suspects and Jessica doing smart sleuthing to solve the mystery. The Boston locale added an interesting setting for the story.
I recommend Murder She Wrote: A Body in Boston and the whole series for fans of cozy mysteries. This is one of my favorite series and I am sure other mystery readers will enjoy it as well!
July 7, 2025
A Body in Boston is the latest cozy mystery series based on the popular television series featuring Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher. The characters here speak and act just like their television counterparts. Even down to Doctor Seth’s Maine Ayuhs. Other familiar people appear too like noir detective Harry McGraw.
There are two mysteries within the plot. Harry involves Seth in a new medical drug blackmail case he is working on. Jessica is called on to protect a young woman by finding the real killer of her boyfriend. For one of the mysteries, the chance to use your armchair detective skills is limited by the discovery of the motive only after the killer reveal. The other mystery is relatively easy to solve.
However, A Body in Boston provides other benefits to the reader. It acts as a great travelogue to the Boston area. It has visits to the famous Boston Library, a real tea party reenactment, an Irish pub, and even a high tea in a Tea Room. Plus, it is always fun to hang out with the Murder She Wrote gang.
Overall, A Body in Boston is a good addition to the long running cozy mystery series, especially for fans of the show. 4 stars!
Thanks to Great Escapes Book Tours, NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced review copy.
There are two mysteries within the plot. Harry involves Seth in a new medical drug blackmail case he is working on. Jessica is called on to protect a young woman by finding the real killer of her boyfriend. For one of the mysteries, the chance to use your armchair detective skills is limited by the discovery of the motive only after the killer reveal. The other mystery is relatively easy to solve.
However, A Body in Boston provides other benefits to the reader. It acts as a great travelogue to the Boston area. It has visits to the famous Boston Library, a real tea party reenactment, an Irish pub, and even a high tea in a Tea Room. Plus, it is always fun to hang out with the Murder She Wrote gang.
Overall, A Body in Boston is a good addition to the long running cozy mystery series, especially for fans of the show. 4 stars!
Thanks to Great Escapes Book Tours, NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced review copy.
February 1, 2025
Murder, She Wrote devotees will find much to enjoy in this latest series entry. Jessica is invited to speak at the Boston Public Library and her Cabot Cove bestie, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, decides to tag along and visit a bean town colleague. Once there, Jessica and Seth connect with Jessica's good friend detective Harry McGray, who is working a case involving a pharaceutical executive who is being blackmailed in connection with a new drug. Seth's medical background leads Harry to draw him in to Harry's investigation. Another series regular, Cookie, bartender at Harry's hangout, Gilhooley's, has problems of his own when his daughter Aileen is implicated in the murder of boyfriend, a slick manipulator who has dubious connections in the world of underground betting.
A Body in Boston stays true to the Murder, She Wrote canon, and I could envision this story easily being a script from the tv series with a few modern updates. The mysteries are credible and well told, keeping the reader guessing.
A visit with Jessica and her crew is always a pleasure and A Body in Boston does not disappoint.
A Body in Boston stays true to the Murder, She Wrote canon, and I could envision this story easily being a script from the tv series with a few modern updates. The mysteries are credible and well told, keeping the reader guessing.
A visit with Jessica and her crew is always a pleasure and A Body in Boston does not disappoint.
February 2, 2025
We are off once again with Jessica and her crew trying to solve a murder. Moran does a great job of keeping true to Jessica and the Murder She Wrote tv show format. As I was reading, I could picture every moment in the story, just as if I was watching it on TV. I highly recommend this series especially if you like the cozy mystery genre. It is always fun reading about Jessica and her crew at Cabot Cove. This time around Jessica was invited to speak at the Boston Public Library and Dr. Hazlitt was invited to visit a colleague in Boston. They both decide to take the trip together and also do some sightseeing and visit a few other friends while they are there. One of the first friends they visit is PI Harry McGraw at Gilhooley’s. While at Gilhooley’s, Jessica meets Cookie’s daughter Aileen and her boyfriend. The next day Aileen’s boyfriend was murdered, and Aileen finds the body and might be implicated in his murder. Jessica and the gang start to investigate and to prove that Aileen didn’t commit the murder. Pick up a copy and enjoy the crew of sleuths from Cabot Cove and Boston. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
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