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Murder, She Wrote #44
The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher
In the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series—make room for Jessica Fletcher as she cleans house to catch a killer who hasn’t got a ghost of a chance.
Jessica’s friend, Eve Simpson is the town’s premiere real estate agent and has recently taken on the task of selling one of Cabot Cove’s oldest properties—the Spencer Percy House, built in 1805 by a sea captain for his young wife. Its current occupant, Cliff Cooper, a crusty former carpenter, is convinced he’s about to die and wants the house sold so he can give the proceeds to his grandson, who spent much of his youth there.
But Eve’s got quite a challenge on her hands. Not only is the building in deplorable physical condition, it is also rumored to be haunted.
When Cliff's deadly premonition becomes a reality, Dr. Seth Hazlitt is not so sure the man died of natural causes. As Jessica tries to get to the bottom of Cliff Cooper’s death, a medium hired by Eve attempts to rid the house of the alleged apparition. But if Jessica isn’t careful, she may be the one who joins the ranks of the dearly departed.
Jessica’s friend, Eve Simpson is the town’s premiere real estate agent and has recently taken on the task of selling one of Cabot Cove’s oldest properties—the Spencer Percy House, built in 1805 by a sea captain for his young wife. Its current occupant, Cliff Cooper, a crusty former carpenter, is convinced he’s about to die and wants the house sold so he can give the proceeds to his grandson, who spent much of his youth there.
But Eve’s got quite a challenge on her hands. Not only is the building in deplorable physical condition, it is also rumored to be haunted.
When Cliff's deadly premonition becomes a reality, Dr. Seth Hazlitt is not so sure the man died of natural causes. As Jessica tries to get to the bottom of Cliff Cooper’s death, a medium hired by Eve attempts to rid the house of the alleged apparition. But if Jessica isn’t careful, she may be the one who joins the ranks of the dearly departed.
264 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2015
124 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Fletcher
115 books1,060 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jessica Fletcher (born Jessica Beatrice MacGill, and writes under the initialed J.B. Fletcher) is a fictional character from the US television series Murder, She Wrote.
In keeping with the spirit of the TV show, a series of official original novels have been written by American ghostwriter Donald Bain and published by the New American Library. The author credit for the novels is shared with the fictitious "Jessica Fletcher." When the first novel in the series, Gin and Daggers, was published in 1989 it included several inaccuracies to the TV series including Jessica driving a car which she could not do as she never learned to drive. Due to fans pointing out the errors, the novel was republished in 2000 with most of the inaccuracies corrected.
Source: Wikipedia
Jessica Fletcher (born Jessica Beatrice MacGill, and writes under the initialed J.B. Fletcher) is a fictional character from the US television series Murder, She Wrote.
In keeping with the spirit of the TV show, a series of official original novels have been written by American ghostwriter Donald Bain and published by the New American Library. The author credit for the novels is shared with the fictitious "Jessica Fletcher." When the first novel in the series, Gin and Daggers, was published in 1989 it included several inaccuracies to the TV series including Jessica driving a car which she could not do as she never learned to drive. Due to fans pointing out the errors, the novel was republished in 2000 with most of the inaccuracies corrected.
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
October 3, 2016
4.5 stars
The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher is a 2015 NAL publication.
This story will be a perfect addition for your Halloween reading pleasure. I really enjoyed reading about all those old books Cliff collected and how Jessica helped them find new homes. And of course a good ghost story is always fun, too.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the full review, click on this link: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher is a 2015 NAL publication.
This story will be a perfect addition for your Halloween reading pleasure. I really enjoyed reading about all those old books Cliff collected and how Jessica helped them find new homes. And of course a good ghost story is always fun, too.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the full review, click on this link: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
March 24, 2025
For anyone who is a fan of this iconic television show, it is always nice to have the opportunity to re-visit Mrs. Fletcher in books. It is amazing how these stories still go on, long after the cancellation of the television series, and the death of its talented star, Angela Lansbury.
This story which was published in 2015 has Cliff Cooper who mysteriously died too soon, leaving his historical home in beautiful Cabot Cove, Maine to be sold. His wishes are that his grandson who is off traveling in Alaska can be financially comfortable, and not tied to the home. Cliff had raised his grandson Elliott when Cliff’s son and daughter-in-law (Elliott’s parents) left for South America.
The home lined with 1,000’s of books hoarded and read over the years by Cliff, leaves Jessica at odds with the real estate salesperson, who wants it devoid of ghosts. All Jessica wants to do is set-up a book sale that will benefit the local library. 📚(Good going Jessica!)
But what happens when Cliff is deemed murdered and notes discovered lead to another mystery?
Well, what you have is the ever-successful mystery writer/sleuth Jessica Fletcher working alongside law enforcement to find answers and solve the mysteries.
This no doubt is an easy-to-read cozy with twists and turns that might surprise even the most avid fans.
This story which was published in 2015 has Cliff Cooper who mysteriously died too soon, leaving his historical home in beautiful Cabot Cove, Maine to be sold. His wishes are that his grandson who is off traveling in Alaska can be financially comfortable, and not tied to the home. Cliff had raised his grandson Elliott when Cliff’s son and daughter-in-law (Elliott’s parents) left for South America.
The home lined with 1,000’s of books hoarded and read over the years by Cliff, leaves Jessica at odds with the real estate salesperson, who wants it devoid of ghosts. All Jessica wants to do is set-up a book sale that will benefit the local library. 📚(Good going Jessica!)
But what happens when Cliff is deemed murdered and notes discovered lead to another mystery?
Well, what you have is the ever-successful mystery writer/sleuth Jessica Fletcher working alongside law enforcement to find answers and solve the mysteries.
This no doubt is an easy-to-read cozy with twists and turns that might surprise even the most avid fans.
March 24, 2025
👻🔎💜👻🔎💜👻🔎💜👻🔎💜👻🔎💜👻🔎💜👻
The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher is the 44th-book in the long-running and much beloved Murder, She Wrote mystery series.
Incidentally, this is the 40th-book that I have read from this series and with the 56th-book set to release in January of 2023, I still have quite a few more to go!
Suffice it to say, a lot of people love solving mysteries with Jessica Fletcher. These books are such a comforting place for me. I have been reading these books since I was kid, when I also watched the television program with my parents.
Angela Lansbury is a goddess.
In this installment, set completely in Jessica's hometown of Cabot Cove we have a large, recently vacated home with a potential ghost and a thousand books. Are you intrigued yet?
When fellow Cabot Cover, Cliff Cooper, passes away, Jessica agrees to help local realtor, Eve Simpson, prepare his former home, the historic Spencer Perry house, to sell.
According to Cliff's final wishes, relayed to Jessica herself, the proceeds of the sale are then to go to his last remaining heir, his grandson, Elliot.
Cliff raised Elliot on his own after the mysterious disappearance of Elliot's parents, Cliff's son and daughter-in-law. It's rumored the couple left their newborn baby with the elder Mr. Cooper so they could travel to South America on an anthropological expedition.
Jessica's main contribution will be sorting through Cliff's thousands of books to prepare them for sale. Her motivation is that the proceeds will be donated to the Cabot Cove library.
The house is literally packed to the gills with stuff. Jessica can hardly believe the state of it, but she promptly gets to work even amidst the circling rumors that the house is haunted. The rumors are so prevalent that Eve has had a hard time finding people to work at the property.
Therefore she resorts to hiring an unknown handyman, an apparent drifter to handle the repairs, as well as a medium to help chase away the ghosts.
Jessica just wants to quietly sort books, but the chaos Eve has created with all these unknown people makes the whole process completely uncomfortable for her. The last thing she needs is some medium including her on a ghost hunters YouTube series.
When it turns out that the late Cliff Cooper didn't die of natural causes, however, Jessica can hardly extricate herself from the scene. She can't help but dive into a mystery.
Thus, Jessica begins an investigation into the Cooper family, their home and who could have possibly wanted Mr. Cooper dead. It's a real puzzle and the deeper she digs, the more confounding it gets.
As with all MSW mysteries, I had a lot of fun with this. It's always so nostalgic to crack a spine of another Jessica Fletcher story.
Since this one is set in Cabot Cove, all Jessica's friends and regular acquaintances make an appearance here. I will say, just for me, I tend to enjoy the stories where Jessica is traveling just a little bit more, but that is 100% personal taste.
Either way, this is a solid, fun mystery, with great twists, turns and reveals. I am so happy that I finally got a chance to read this one and look forward to my next Murder, She Wrote story.
The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher is the 44th-book in the long-running and much beloved Murder, She Wrote mystery series.
Incidentally, this is the 40th-book that I have read from this series and with the 56th-book set to release in January of 2023, I still have quite a few more to go!
Suffice it to say, a lot of people love solving mysteries with Jessica Fletcher. These books are such a comforting place for me. I have been reading these books since I was kid, when I also watched the television program with my parents.
Angela Lansbury is a goddess.
In this installment, set completely in Jessica's hometown of Cabot Cove we have a large, recently vacated home with a potential ghost and a thousand books. Are you intrigued yet?
When fellow Cabot Cover, Cliff Cooper, passes away, Jessica agrees to help local realtor, Eve Simpson, prepare his former home, the historic Spencer Perry house, to sell.
According to Cliff's final wishes, relayed to Jessica herself, the proceeds of the sale are then to go to his last remaining heir, his grandson, Elliot.
Cliff raised Elliot on his own after the mysterious disappearance of Elliot's parents, Cliff's son and daughter-in-law. It's rumored the couple left their newborn baby with the elder Mr. Cooper so they could travel to South America on an anthropological expedition.
Jessica's main contribution will be sorting through Cliff's thousands of books to prepare them for sale. Her motivation is that the proceeds will be donated to the Cabot Cove library.
The house is literally packed to the gills with stuff. Jessica can hardly believe the state of it, but she promptly gets to work even amidst the circling rumors that the house is haunted. The rumors are so prevalent that Eve has had a hard time finding people to work at the property.
Therefore she resorts to hiring an unknown handyman, an apparent drifter to handle the repairs, as well as a medium to help chase away the ghosts.
Jessica just wants to quietly sort books, but the chaos Eve has created with all these unknown people makes the whole process completely uncomfortable for her. The last thing she needs is some medium including her on a ghost hunters YouTube series.
When it turns out that the late Cliff Cooper didn't die of natural causes, however, Jessica can hardly extricate herself from the scene. She can't help but dive into a mystery.
Thus, Jessica begins an investigation into the Cooper family, their home and who could have possibly wanted Mr. Cooper dead. It's a real puzzle and the deeper she digs, the more confounding it gets.
As with all MSW mysteries, I had a lot of fun with this. It's always so nostalgic to crack a spine of another Jessica Fletcher story.
Since this one is set in Cabot Cove, all Jessica's friends and regular acquaintances make an appearance here. I will say, just for me, I tend to enjoy the stories where Jessica is traveling just a little bit more, but that is 100% personal taste.
Either way, this is a solid, fun mystery, with great twists, turns and reveals. I am so happy that I finally got a chance to read this one and look forward to my next Murder, She Wrote story.
September 1, 2025
4.75 🌟
Murder She Wrote books can be very hit or miss. Sometimes they are throughly entertaining and very creative. This was one of them.
It had everything I enjoy from a good cozy. Not too many characters to be confusing, a very solid mystery, set in Cabot Cove, and a an excellent ending. I was very entertained by it.
Murder She Wrote books can be very hit or miss. Sometimes they are throughly entertaining and very creative. This was one of them.
It had everything I enjoy from a good cozy. Not too many characters to be confusing, a very solid mystery, set in Cabot Cove, and a an excellent ending. I was very entertained by it.
August 27, 2021
Another book in my favorite series taking place in my favorite location of Cabot Cove. The books are always enjoyable, but there is something special about the ones in Cabot Cove. Plus it involves books and a book sale so that’s an added bonus.
September 26, 2016
A Murder She Wrote with a ghost story? Perfect reading with autumn settling in!
After forty-four books, just about anything that’s going to be said about this series has more than likely already been said. From the incredible writing, to the comfort brought to us by familiar old characters, the Murder She Wrote Mystery series stands strong.
In MSW: THE GHOST AND MRS. FLETCHER the fun twist in this story, as the title suggests, is a ghost. Or is it? With a friend dying slightly before his time, and rumors of his home being haunted, our fearless mystery author and sleuth, Jessica Fletcher, has to keep sharp to get to the bottom of this one.
Well done to author Donald Bain for keeping a well loved television show alive and thriving forty-four books later!
After forty-four books, just about anything that’s going to be said about this series has more than likely already been said. From the incredible writing, to the comfort brought to us by familiar old characters, the Murder She Wrote Mystery series stands strong.
In MSW: THE GHOST AND MRS. FLETCHER the fun twist in this story, as the title suggests, is a ghost. Or is it? With a friend dying slightly before his time, and rumors of his home being haunted, our fearless mystery author and sleuth, Jessica Fletcher, has to keep sharp to get to the bottom of this one.
Well done to author Donald Bain for keeping a well loved television show alive and thriving forty-four books later!
October 3, 2015
Maybe I'm a little biased because this is my most favorite series.It's such an honor that I get to read the Murder she Wrote books before they are released. Also the fact that Jessica Fletcher is my all time favorite amateur sleuth.
Cliff Cooper is in the hospital claiming he is on his death bed, but his doctor, Dr, Hazlitt thinks he may recover if only Cliff would listen and take his medication. Cliff, being convinced he is on deaths door- step talks to his friend and mystery writer, Jessica Fletcher to have Eve Simpson, Cabot Coves star real estate agent to sell his house that is in questionable condition and filled to the brim with bookshelves filled with books. One aspect I truly loved so he can give the proceeds to the grandson he raised after his death and there were also rumors of the house being haunted.
When Cliff is found dead in his hospital bed, Dr Hazlitt with the help of Jessica starts to doubt how he really died and with the discovery of another dead body within the house's walls. Jessica's observations and sleuthing may lead her to trouble this time.
Flawless and suspenseful. A perfect edition to the Murder She Wrote series. Secrets, A haunted house, flawed characters and a book lover as a murder victim.Surprising twists and turns will have you wondering how and why. I'm very much anticipating the next book in this book in this series and after forty-four books, this series will stand the test of time.
FTC Disclosure Thank you to the publisher and/or author for providing us with a copy of this book for review.This did not influence our thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book and review are our own and our reviews are honest.
Cliff Cooper is in the hospital claiming he is on his death bed, but his doctor, Dr, Hazlitt thinks he may recover if only Cliff would listen and take his medication. Cliff, being convinced he is on deaths door- step talks to his friend and mystery writer, Jessica Fletcher to have Eve Simpson, Cabot Coves star real estate agent to sell his house that is in questionable condition and filled to the brim with bookshelves filled with books. One aspect I truly loved so he can give the proceeds to the grandson he raised after his death and there were also rumors of the house being haunted.
When Cliff is found dead in his hospital bed, Dr Hazlitt with the help of Jessica starts to doubt how he really died and with the discovery of another dead body within the house's walls. Jessica's observations and sleuthing may lead her to trouble this time.
Flawless and suspenseful. A perfect edition to the Murder She Wrote series. Secrets, A haunted house, flawed characters and a book lover as a murder victim.Surprising twists and turns will have you wondering how and why. I'm very much anticipating the next book in this book in this series and after forty-four books, this series will stand the test of time.
FTC Disclosure Thank you to the publisher and/or author for providing us with a copy of this book for review.This did not influence our thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book and review are our own and our reviews are honest.
September 13, 2016
. This is the first book in the series I have read but I do remember watching it many years ago and enjoying it so, the last scene was always my favorite as I imagine it was for many of you.
I was not sure what to expect from this book. I was very pleasantly surprised when I started chapter 1 and felt engaged and invested in the story. It was a good and strong mystery with good twists and turns. I truly did not have it figured completely out in the end and was a bit upset with myself with the mystery was revealed. Great writing in this cozy, classic red herrings in the story that caught me hook line and sinker! The only thing I felt was missing was some theme music! Great fall read and set in the fall as well.
I was not sure what to expect from this book. I was very pleasantly surprised when I started chapter 1 and felt engaged and invested in the story. It was a good and strong mystery with good twists and turns. I truly did not have it figured completely out in the end and was a bit upset with myself with the mystery was revealed. Great writing in this cozy, classic red herrings in the story that caught me hook line and sinker! The only thing I felt was missing was some theme music! Great fall read and set in the fall as well.
August 6, 2021
I hadn't read a Jessica Fletcher book in a bit, and I forgot what an easy read they are. And just like with the show, I could see things that Jessica, smart as she is, didn't notice until later. Still, it was a fun read. Cliff Cooper owns the oldest house in Cabot Cove, and he is murdered as he lays in the hospital dying. The suspect list is not that long, but as they didn't realize he was murdered until a few days later, Seth may not be able to get enough information from an autopsy.
April 1, 2025
This was SO good! It felt very authentic to the characters in the show and the mystery itself was so well done and genuinely twisted!
October 18, 2015
i read these for one reason and one reason only: my unadulterated love of angela lansbury.
or, more specifically, my deep-rooted wish to morph into some sort of septuagenarian crime-solving novelist.
i feel similarly about miss marple, you see.
that said, the book series has never been - at least by my standards - particularly good. this one is a middling effort (a cursory/perfunctory knowledge of both spanish and classic cinema will help considerably if you're one of those "i must solve it before the detectives do" sorts), but there should be no major surprises here.
in fact, i would go so far as to say that there isn't really even at attempt at a red herring in this one. you know who is bad and who is misunderstood, and you're pretty sure how both those things will intertwine by the predictable conclusion.
i will say this one succeeded in getting the flavor of the series better - even including what i would call dramatically long pauses focusing on key items or "clues" that will be important later. that hit me in the nostalgic feels in a pleasant way, even if it did relatively little for the mystery itself.
two stars. i'm pretty sure i've read most of the 44 of these and i'd read 44 more, if they write them. but that's me.
or, more specifically, my deep-rooted wish to morph into some sort of septuagenarian crime-solving novelist.
i feel similarly about miss marple, you see.
that said, the book series has never been - at least by my standards - particularly good. this one is a middling effort (a cursory/perfunctory knowledge of both spanish and classic cinema will help considerably if you're one of those "i must solve it before the detectives do" sorts), but there should be no major surprises here.
in fact, i would go so far as to say that there isn't really even at attempt at a red herring in this one. you know who is bad and who is misunderstood, and you're pretty sure how both those things will intertwine by the predictable conclusion.
i will say this one succeeded in getting the flavor of the series better - even including what i would call dramatically long pauses focusing on key items or "clues" that will be important later. that hit me in the nostalgic feels in a pleasant way, even if it did relatively little for the mystery itself.
two stars. i'm pretty sure i've read most of the 44 of these and i'd read 44 more, if they write them. but that's me.
October 23, 2023
Jessica’s friend, Eve Simpson, the town’s real estate agent, has recently taken on the task of selling one of Cabot Cove’s oldest properties, the Spencer Percy House. Its current occupant, Cliff Cooper is convinced he’s about to die and wants the house sold so he can give the proceeds to his grandson. But Eve’s got quite a challenge on her hands. Not only is the building in deplorable physical condition, it's also rumored to be haunted. When Cliff passes away, Dr. Seth Hazlitt is not so sure the man died of natural causes. As Jessica tries to get to the bottom of Cliff Cooper’s death, a medium hired by Eve attempts to rid the house of the alleged apparition. But if Jessica isn’t careful, she may be the one who joins the ranks of the dearly departed.
I loved this story because it reminds me about the wonderful TV show. It was fun to read about the characters, and the plot was puzzling. I couldn't figure out whodunit and was surprised when the truth was revealed. I love this series and will continue to read it. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Murder, She Wrote.
I loved this story because it reminds me about the wonderful TV show. It was fun to read about the characters, and the plot was puzzling. I couldn't figure out whodunit and was surprised when the truth was revealed. I love this series and will continue to read it. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Murder, She Wrote.
January 15, 2016
My first read in this entertaining series and it won't be my last. It was just like watching the TV shows. The writing is brisk. The characters are sharp. The murder plot is well thought out and entertaining. Jessica is helping the local real estate agent sell a friends house after his suspect death in the hospital. Moving out thousands of books for a sale to benefit the local library involves Jessica in a murder that includes a ghost, a dead son and wife and a returning heir, the grandson. I really liked reading this book and plan to read the entire series. As stated, it was just like watching the TV show. Murder, clues, colorful characters and common sense detective work blended together for an enjoyable adventure.
May 24, 2021
Such a good book! I loved the whole element of ghosts and the mystery surrounding it. Even though it was very easy to figure out the plot very early on I still loved this book! It might be the best Murder She Wrote I’ve read so far.
October 30, 2016
I'm a longtime fan of the Murder, She Wrote tv series and this book lived up to my expectations. It's not great literature but is very entertaining in typical Murder, She Wrote fashion.
May 26, 2020
That was a good little mystery! I wasn't sure whodunit till the very end! Love me some JBF!
October 20, 2022
As always, Murder, She Wrote books are fluffy and fun and read like an episode of the TV show. I felt like this one was one of the better plotted ones that I've read.
June 2, 2021
Una piovosa Cabot Cove (tipo il Polesine a maggio, per capirci) fa da sfondo a questo episodio cartaceo de La Signora In Giallo. Cliff Cooper è in ospedale, sa che questi saranno gli ultimi suoi giorni di vita, vuole quindi vendere la casa in suo possesso e lasciare i soldi al nipote Elliot. No no raga, niente notaio, se ne occupa la Jessica. Cliff muore in circostanze ambigue e l’agente immobiliare Eve Simpson prende provvedimenti per la vendita della casa. Nulla va come deve andare perché si scopre che la morte di Cliff è tutto fuorché naturale, la casa ha bisogno di una risistemata da cima a fondo ed inoltre ospita da anni un fantasma....
Solite cose. Il format è quello dell’episodio televisivo quindi il lettore non si deve stupire se è Jessica ad individuare il colpevole e se lo sceriffo prende un granchio dietro all’altro. Alcuni libri della serie sono stati al limite del noioso, lo ammetto, ma sono una super fan di Jessica Fletcher per cui risultano comunque un buon passatempo. Questa storia, invece, mi ha preso subito per la spettrale ambientazione (la parte in cui Jessica scende nello scantinato della vecchia casa mi ha lasciato con il fiato sospeso); inoltre, anche se si inquadrano facilmente un paio di cosucce, c’è un plot twist che non mi aspettavo proprio, così come il colpevole che non sono riuscita a scoprire.
Sì insomma, sono stata lo sceriffo Metzger della situa.
(Per chi fosse interessato: i libri in inglese rendono molto di più ed inoltre sono molto più economici rispetto a quelli in italiano -Amazon li mette a 17 euro minimo che per un libro del genere è un furto!!-. Secondo la mia opinione, non richiedono una conoscenza particolarmente avanzata della lingua...)
Solite cose. Il format è quello dell’episodio televisivo quindi il lettore non si deve stupire se è Jessica ad individuare il colpevole e se lo sceriffo prende un granchio dietro all’altro. Alcuni libri della serie sono stati al limite del noioso, lo ammetto, ma sono una super fan di Jessica Fletcher per cui risultano comunque un buon passatempo. Questa storia, invece, mi ha preso subito per la spettrale ambientazione (la parte in cui Jessica scende nello scantinato della vecchia casa mi ha lasciato con il fiato sospeso); inoltre, anche se si inquadrano facilmente un paio di cosucce, c’è un plot twist che non mi aspettavo proprio, così come il colpevole che non sono riuscita a scoprire.
Sì insomma, sono stata lo sceriffo Metzger della situa.
(Per chi fosse interessato: i libri in inglese rendono molto di più ed inoltre sono molto più economici rispetto a quelli in italiano -Amazon li mette a 17 euro minimo che per un libro del genere è un furto!!-. Secondo la mia opinione, non richiedono una conoscenza particolarmente avanzata della lingua...)
January 26, 2019
It’s hard for me to review a Murder, She Wrote tie-in novel, because I’ve loved the show since I was a kid and it gave me all those cozy feels. I’ll admit that as a mystery, it wasn’t a stunner; the major plot reveals were plain to me toward the end, a chapter or two before they were exposed. But honestly that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story, and I just adore the setting and the characters and the *spirit* of the piece so much I can’t bear to give it an average rating. I’m also partial to any story that concerns elderly people looking back on their lives, memories, and long-buried secrets. So although it wasn’t shocking, I loved it anyway. I will certainly read more of these novels—I can’t believe this was my first! :)
April 13, 2025
In the similar vein as the TV series, this book takes the exact same format structure and cast of characters and produces a similar tale of a who-dunnit, murder mystery that made the TV show the hit that it was. Very enjoyable, taking the murder mystery through its various stages of development and eventually bringing it to its final conclusion. A conclusion, that if you follow all the clues given, you can figure out who the killer is and why.
This is another one of those books that you’d want to read in a comfortable easy chair, next to a roaring fireplace with your feet up and your favourite beverage by your side. This is comfort, like a warm hug like book that takes you on a fun, enjoyable and entertaining ride.
This is another one of those books that you’d want to read in a comfortable easy chair, next to a roaring fireplace with your feet up and your favourite beverage by your side. This is comfort, like a warm hug like book that takes you on a fun, enjoyable and entertaining ride.
December 13, 2023
All’inizio può sembrare una semplice storia di campagna con i vari protagonisti e le loro attività quotidiane poi qualcosa cambia e succede che uno dei protagonisti muore all’improvviso durante una convalescenza in ospedale… da qui Jessica e i suoi amici Set il medico e Mort lo sceriffo e addirittura una sensitiva chiamata da Ive Simpson l’addetta alle vedute di immobili sono coinvolti nel cercare di capire che cosa è successo,è un susseguirsi di avvenimenti che alla fine viene scoperto una verità scomoda che è stata taciuta per anni…
Jessica non mi delude mai per ora i suoi romanzi in questo caso audiolibri sono di grande compagnia.
Voto
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Jessica non mi delude mai per ora i suoi romanzi in questo caso audiolibri sono di grande compagnia.
Voto
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
February 19, 2025
Not my favorite but a fun cozy mystery
Interesting story but a little repetitive in parts. It was fun to read though. I enjoy the character Jessica Fletcher
Interesting story but a little repetitive in parts. It was fun to read though. I enjoy the character Jessica Fletcher
October 3, 2015
http://openbooksociety.com/article/mu...
Murder, She Wrote: The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher
Murder, She Wrote, Book #44
By Donald Bain and Renee Paley-Bain
ISBN: 9780451477361
Author Website: www.donaldbain.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
In the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series—make room for Jessica Fletcher as she cleans house to catch a killer who hasn’t got a ghost of a chance.
Jessica’s friend, Eve Simpson is the town’s premiere real estate agent and has recently taken on the task of selling one of Cabot Cove’s oldest properties—the Spencer Percy House, built in 1805 by a sea captain for his young wife. Its current occupant, Cliff Cooper, a crusty former carpenter, is convinced he’s about to die and wants the house sold so he can give the proceeds to his grandson, who spent much of his youth there.
But Eve’s got quite a challenge on her hands. Not only is the building in deplorable physical condition, it is also rumored to be haunted.
When Cliff’s deadly premonition becomes a reality, Dr. Seth Hazlitt is not so sure the man died of natural causes. As Jessica tries to get to the bottom of Cliff Cooper’s death, a medium hired by Eve attempts to rid the house of the alleged apparition. But if Jessica isn’t careful, she may be the one who joins the ranks of the dearly departed. (from Goodreads, name correction by reviewer)
Review:
Jessica Fletcher in a haunted house? And planning to have a book sale there on Halloween, no less! Hold the pages; a psychic is on the way? Jessica Fletcher visited her long-time friend and fan, Cliff Cooper, when he was in the rehab between hospital and home. There was one little problem; he believed he would not live long enough to go home. He dictated a brief will to Jessica, primarily requesting that his home of many years be sold and the proceeds given to his grandson and heir.
Cliff was right; he only lived a few days after Jessica wrote down his last requests. Eve Simpson, the local realtor, began the nearly overwhelming work of preparing Cliff’s house for market. Jessica would organize sorting and preparing for a huge library benefit sale. Eve hired Geraldo “Tony” Tonelero to do jack-of-all-trade repairs and he would stay in the barn on the nights he worked. Ariana Olynski, the psychic and her ever-ready camera man and nephew would handle identifying the spirit(s). No, Jessica was not on board with having the interesting woman going through the home, but would come to a truce only if Ariana agreed to not include Jessica or her name in any filming. Cliff’s doctor and Jessica aren’t sure if Cliff died of natural causes. Then Elliott, Cliff’s grandson and heir, arrived after his cross-country motorcycle trip to return from Alaska. And as Jessica sorts books, she makes a grisly find – a ghost might have almost been preferable!
‘The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher’ was a delightful and suspenseful read that ended to quickly. It is 44th in the ‘Murder, She Wrote’ series, but one does not have to read preceding ones (or to have watched the tv show) to be brought quickly up to speed. The writing style is top-notch; I enjoy Jessica’s first person account with the detail and precision of the former English instructor that she is. The story drew me in from the beginning, and held my attention so close that one late night I finally dozed off while reading, then picked it up and had to finish the chapter I was in when it hit the floor!
Jessica is a straightforward worman – what you see and hear is who you get. She absolutely did not believe in ghosts, which I appreciate. She has a fine sense of humor, and is very wise and intelligent. She is also a woman who helps out where she can, as do many in her home town of Cabot Cove. Seeing the mystery, the town, and their friends through Jessica’s eyes is enlightening, but even she holds some things very close. I was so sure that I knew who the bad guy/ gals might be, and it certainly looked as though the right one(s) sat in lockup. Jessica still had some surprises up her sleeve.
This was a very well-executed mystery. It flowed well; there were no slow spots at all. While I did follow the details as best as I could, there are always surprises in such a skillfully-written novel. The final plot twists came totally out of left field (for me), and I was somewhat stunned at the outcome. This is a book, and a series, that I highly recommend! If you have enjoyed reading any prior Jessica Fletcher mysteries, or appreciate very tightly-written novels that draw the reader in and keep their attention to the end, you can’t go wrong with ‘The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher’. This is a series that has proven the test of time and I hope to see many more in the future as I catch up with earlier ones! Jessica is not a little old lady; instead, she has been propelled into the grand role of a progressive, tech-savvy sleuth of the 21st century.
Murder, She Wrote: The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher
Murder, She Wrote, Book #44
By Donald Bain and Renee Paley-Bain
ISBN: 9780451477361
Author Website: www.donaldbain.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
In the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series—make room for Jessica Fletcher as she cleans house to catch a killer who hasn’t got a ghost of a chance.
Jessica’s friend, Eve Simpson is the town’s premiere real estate agent and has recently taken on the task of selling one of Cabot Cove’s oldest properties—the Spencer Percy House, built in 1805 by a sea captain for his young wife. Its current occupant, Cliff Cooper, a crusty former carpenter, is convinced he’s about to die and wants the house sold so he can give the proceeds to his grandson, who spent much of his youth there.
But Eve’s got quite a challenge on her hands. Not only is the building in deplorable physical condition, it is also rumored to be haunted.
When Cliff’s deadly premonition becomes a reality, Dr. Seth Hazlitt is not so sure the man died of natural causes. As Jessica tries to get to the bottom of Cliff Cooper’s death, a medium hired by Eve attempts to rid the house of the alleged apparition. But if Jessica isn’t careful, she may be the one who joins the ranks of the dearly departed. (from Goodreads, name correction by reviewer)
Review:
Jessica Fletcher in a haunted house? And planning to have a book sale there on Halloween, no less! Hold the pages; a psychic is on the way? Jessica Fletcher visited her long-time friend and fan, Cliff Cooper, when he was in the rehab between hospital and home. There was one little problem; he believed he would not live long enough to go home. He dictated a brief will to Jessica, primarily requesting that his home of many years be sold and the proceeds given to his grandson and heir.
Cliff was right; he only lived a few days after Jessica wrote down his last requests. Eve Simpson, the local realtor, began the nearly overwhelming work of preparing Cliff’s house for market. Jessica would organize sorting and preparing for a huge library benefit sale. Eve hired Geraldo “Tony” Tonelero to do jack-of-all-trade repairs and he would stay in the barn on the nights he worked. Ariana Olynski, the psychic and her ever-ready camera man and nephew would handle identifying the spirit(s). No, Jessica was not on board with having the interesting woman going through the home, but would come to a truce only if Ariana agreed to not include Jessica or her name in any filming. Cliff’s doctor and Jessica aren’t sure if Cliff died of natural causes. Then Elliott, Cliff’s grandson and heir, arrived after his cross-country motorcycle trip to return from Alaska. And as Jessica sorts books, she makes a grisly find – a ghost might have almost been preferable!
‘The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher’ was a delightful and suspenseful read that ended to quickly. It is 44th in the ‘Murder, She Wrote’ series, but one does not have to read preceding ones (or to have watched the tv show) to be brought quickly up to speed. The writing style is top-notch; I enjoy Jessica’s first person account with the detail and precision of the former English instructor that she is. The story drew me in from the beginning, and held my attention so close that one late night I finally dozed off while reading, then picked it up and had to finish the chapter I was in when it hit the floor!
Jessica is a straightforward worman – what you see and hear is who you get. She absolutely did not believe in ghosts, which I appreciate. She has a fine sense of humor, and is very wise and intelligent. She is also a woman who helps out where she can, as do many in her home town of Cabot Cove. Seeing the mystery, the town, and their friends through Jessica’s eyes is enlightening, but even she holds some things very close. I was so sure that I knew who the bad guy/ gals might be, and it certainly looked as though the right one(s) sat in lockup. Jessica still had some surprises up her sleeve.
This was a very well-executed mystery. It flowed well; there were no slow spots at all. While I did follow the details as best as I could, there are always surprises in such a skillfully-written novel. The final plot twists came totally out of left field (for me), and I was somewhat stunned at the outcome. This is a book, and a series, that I highly recommend! If you have enjoyed reading any prior Jessica Fletcher mysteries, or appreciate very tightly-written novels that draw the reader in and keep their attention to the end, you can’t go wrong with ‘The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher’. This is a series that has proven the test of time and I hope to see many more in the future as I catch up with earlier ones! Jessica is not a little old lady; instead, she has been propelled into the grand role of a progressive, tech-savvy sleuth of the 21st century.
October 31, 2019
I've read many of her books and all of them are good. I thought it would be fitting to read The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher for the month of October. Once I got toward the end, I couldn't put it down.
October 14, 2021
Another comforting cozy mystery with some of my favorite characters from Cabot Cove, Maine. This title seemed fitting for an October read and is the palette cleanser I needed to get me ready for a heavier read.
August 25, 2018
Another fun, cozy mystery with Jessica Fletcher investigating the death of an old friend who predicted his own demise. Can Jessica find out the truth before the killer catches her too?
January 29, 2017
It shocked me to learn that this book was number 44 in the series. I can see that I have a lot of catching up to do. When it comes to Murder, She Wrote, I'm a bit of a purist; I tend to favor the books that take place in Cabot Cove. This one does, and features Eve Simpson, Jessica's realtor friend, as one of the main characters. I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to read it during the fall season, because I like to read books that take place during the time that I'm experiencing, but it didn't quite work out that way. There's a bit of a ghost story involved here, a nice mystery, the unveiling of secrets, and loads of atmosphere. I think what really struck a chord with me, was Jessica's efforts to clean out the thousands of books left behind after the death of an old friend. I lost my husband in June, and he left behind thousands of books that I'm now going through. Somehow, reading about this softened the blow for me. I recommend this book. 4.5 stars
December 17, 2024
An excellent example of a mystery from the TV show "Murder, She Wrote". Set in Cabot Cove this story blends the typical elements of a cozy mystery (small-town events and characters) with a solid mystery.
September 19, 2025
I always enjoy these books! Although there were a few weak points that aren't usually present, there were a couple plot twists that I enjoyed.
There were a few points where the questions asked just didn't make sense or the sheriff was saying things that really had me doubting his critical thinking skills. 😅 But other than that, I really enjoyed this book.
There were a few points where the questions asked just didn't make sense or the sheriff was saying things that really had me doubting his critical thinking skills. 😅 But other than that, I really enjoyed this book.
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