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Murder, She Wrote #23
The Maine Mutiny
Jessica Fletcher is pitching in to help Cabot Cove's first Lobster Festival by writing an article about the lifestyle of the local lobstermen. But instead of getting the story, she becomes tangled in a net of intrigue and murder. And she better sink her claws into this puzzling case-or she may find herself becoming the next catch of the day.
281 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 5, 2005
53 people are currently reading
890 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Fletcher
118 books1,063 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. The author credit for the novels is shared with the fictitious "Jessica Fletcher." The series has been continued by authors Renée Paley-Bain, Jon Land, Terrie Farley Moran, and Barbara Early.
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. The author credit for the novels is shared with the fictitious "Jessica Fletcher." The series has been continued by authors Renée Paley-Bain, Jon Land, Terrie Farley Moran, and Barbara Early.
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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
November 29, 2020
I was going to give this book 5 stars. I liked the premise of this book. I felt like overall this was a good depiction of the beloved mystery maven, Jessica Fletcher. The author even mentioned that Jessica was a member of the Cabot Cove Friends of the Library, as an MSW fan and partner of a librarian I 💯 approve this message. I also didn't want people to think I was being overly critical of the series. But you know what... I'm overly critical! Later in the book Jessica goes back and forth over continuing her investigation because she doesn't want to but a damper on the Lobster Festival... Jessica Fletcher has a keen sense of morality! This is the woman who has cast aside friendships to uphold justice. And she isn't sure if she should continue her investigation to expose someone who tried to KILL her because she doesn't want to spoil the mood? I think not, Donald Bain.
So I split the difference and gave it three stars.
So I split the difference and gave it three stars.
September 1, 2019
Fun story and easy to read. Learned a lot and enjoyed it!
Just reread it! Still as fun and enjoyable
Just reread it! Still as fun and enjoyable
August 13, 2017
I've always been a fan of these Jessica Fletcher murder mysteries. This one was no exception. I love the ones where they are set in Maine, as this one was, and we get to see the town that is burned into my memory from the TV show.
The plot of this book was rather harrowing and involves quite a bit of action for Jessica. Well not exactly intensely suspenseful, it involves quite a bit of action as well as mystery on the part of who was to blame. I had a feeling of who the culprit was… And ended up to be mostly right. But it was still enjoyable read!
If you like cozy mysteries and the Murder She Wrote television show, I think you'll enjoy this look into Cabot Cove and the lobster festival.
The plot of this book was rather harrowing and involves quite a bit of action for Jessica. Well not exactly intensely suspenseful, it involves quite a bit of action as well as mystery on the part of who was to blame. I had a feeling of who the culprit was… And ended up to be mostly right. But it was still enjoyable read!
If you like cozy mysteries and the Murder She Wrote television show, I think you'll enjoy this look into Cabot Cove and the lobster festival.
September 19, 2025
This story opens with Jessica Fletcher being stuck in a lobster boat with a dead body beside her. She doesn't have one bit of memory of how she got there, noting she has a bump the size of an egg as a result of being hit on the head. She assumed the person who murdered the man next to her, also tried to kill her.
That was how the book began. We learn that she asked if she could go on a lobster boat so she could report how it works, procedures. and how the lobsters are handled. Then instead, we find her knocked out, laying on hard ropes until she woke up. It was quite awhile before she could flag someone down. Her rescue then came and she was taken back to shore. Instead of resting up, it appears she had a concussion and was very unstable in walking/sitting.
Meanwhile, in the town of Cabet Cove, big doins' are going on. In a couple days would be the first annual Lobster Festival, and asking other vendors to not sell their lobsters so they could make sure there were enough lobsters for the event. Jessica has volunteered to write an article about the lifestyle of the local businessmen. Instead of writing this story, she becomes the story when this event multiplies and divides into quite a large situation. She spent the day after returning interviewing folks to see what they knew. She learned that Blueberry Wine was a part they all loved.
The Pageant, another part of the celebration is coming together. They have 8 contestants that will be taking part.
The major dinner the night of the event was a tremendous success. With plenty of lobsters, it was enjoyed by all. The Pageant went well too. This was a pleasant book to read/listen to. I felt like episode on TV was right in front of me. My Mom loved this show, and always said that she loved
a good clean murder! Recommend this book. Nice, enjoyable read. Rate: 4.0 stars.
That was how the book began. We learn that she asked if she could go on a lobster boat so she could report how it works, procedures. and how the lobsters are handled. Then instead, we find her knocked out, laying on hard ropes until she woke up. It was quite awhile before she could flag someone down. Her rescue then came and she was taken back to shore. Instead of resting up, it appears she had a concussion and was very unstable in walking/sitting.
Meanwhile, in the town of Cabet Cove, big doins' are going on. In a couple days would be the first annual Lobster Festival, and asking other vendors to not sell their lobsters so they could make sure there were enough lobsters for the event. Jessica has volunteered to write an article about the lifestyle of the local businessmen. Instead of writing this story, she becomes the story when this event multiplies and divides into quite a large situation. She spent the day after returning interviewing folks to see what they knew. She learned that Blueberry Wine was a part they all loved.
The Pageant, another part of the celebration is coming together. They have 8 contestants that will be taking part.
The major dinner the night of the event was a tremendous success. With plenty of lobsters, it was enjoyed by all. The Pageant went well too. This was a pleasant book to read/listen to. I felt like episode on TV was right in front of me. My Mom loved this show, and always said that she loved
a good clean murder! Recommend this book. Nice, enjoyable read. Rate: 4.0 stars.
November 30, 2018
Cabot Cove is gearing up for their first Lobster Festival and have asked the Lobstermen to not sell their lobster to other places so that there are plenty of lobster for the festival. There is so much happening while getting ready for the festival and Jessica asks if she can help. She agrees to write the article for the special paper that is going to be sold during the festival week. She gets the men to agree to let her on a boat to watch and learn. Learn she does. She learns that the man who is the "broker" is thought to be cheating the men and they are between a rock and hard place. When that man is found dead on Spencer's boat (an old man whose boat has been sabotaged many times) and Jessica is left to die in the middle of the ocean on that same boat, she wants to find out who really murdered the broker.
The story starts with Jessica adrift on the boat and suffering from amnesia and a head injury. Then the story goes back to before the head injury. I don't really enjoy that kind of a story, but this time I was interested in the story and did some research on lobsters. Mostly because I can't ever eat them and I just wanted to learn some more.
The story starts with Jessica adrift on the boat and suffering from amnesia and a head injury. Then the story goes back to before the head injury. I don't really enjoy that kind of a story, but this time I was interested in the story and did some research on lobsters. Mostly because I can't ever eat them and I just wanted to learn some more.
June 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this one! The lobstermen are rebelling against the celebrity from the local paper and event. Jessica gets mixed up in it all of course and ends up on a boat in the middle of the ocean. There’s the mystery and shipwreck vibes. It was very interesting and entertaining. One of my favorites yet!
Reading as part of the Murder, She Wrote readathon by Spencer - Intentionally Bookish on Instagram
Reading as part of the Murder, She Wrote readathon by Spencer - Intentionally Bookish on Instagram
April 5, 2018
Always love the Murder she wrote books. Read in a short time since it was a quick easy read and great mystery. When Jessica solves the murder she needs to outwit the killer. Looking forward to her new book coming up soon.
September 16, 2017
A lot of stuff went on in this book and it was fab. The more books the author writes in this series, the more fun he has with every one and you can tell. I already can't wait for next years release!
September 19, 2020
Loved loved loved!! I literally didn't think Jess was gonna make it when she woke up practically stranded in the ocean!!!! Yoooooo crazy.... shocked at the outcome this time for sure....GREAT first audible
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2016
I've read or listened to many of this series over the years and this one one of my favorites. It begins differently from others in the series; instead of opening with Jessica going about her life and stumbling onto a murder, she wakes up alone on a drifting crab boat, unable to remember how she got there. Then the story moves back to the planning of Cabot Cove's first lobster festival. This story has a good sense of small town life, and as a farmer's daughter I appreciated the economic problems of the lobstermen. Those problems, and the festival in general, form the background of the book. (I've never been lobstering, though I've spent a few days crabbing on the Chesapeake with DH's uncle, and the details felt authentic to me, as did they way the men and boys interacted.)
NB- Though I've read many of these, I listened to this one. There seem to be two different narrators for this series. Neither is Angela Lansbury, but they both do a decent enough job and I enjoyed listening to this story while getting work done around the house.
NB- Though I've read many of these, I listened to this one. There seem to be two different narrators for this series. Neither is Angela Lansbury, but they both do a decent enough job and I enjoyed listening to this story while getting work done around the house.
October 16, 2015
The Maine Mutiny by Donald Bain and Jessica Fletcher
3 day lobster festival and one reporter is trying to advertise with her report, problem is no lobsterman wants to talk....
Craft show,beauty pageant and feast of lobster but there is a murder.. Books starts out with her stranded on Spencer's boat
and she's been hit over the head and doesn't recall why she's there... story goes back 2 weeks to tell us how she got there. She did accompany a lobsterman out on his daily chores on the boat
and she's able to see the rules they all have come to light, also the drastic competition and price wars.
Sabotage occurs with many of the lobsterman and the clues are there for others to collect and figure out who is the culprit.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
3 day lobster festival and one reporter is trying to advertise with her report, problem is no lobsterman wants to talk....
Craft show,beauty pageant and feast of lobster but there is a murder.. Books starts out with her stranded on Spencer's boat
and she's been hit over the head and doesn't recall why she's there... story goes back 2 weeks to tell us how she got there. She did accompany a lobsterman out on his daily chores on the boat
and she's able to see the rules they all have come to light, also the drastic competition and price wars.
Sabotage occurs with many of the lobsterman and the clues are there for others to collect and figure out who is the culprit.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
January 17, 2022
I’m surprised that I’m giving this book four stars, to be honest. If you watched the show, you’ll know that not a lot of episodes were set in Cabot Cove, Jessica’s home town, so it was delightfully refreshing that this book was entirely set there. I may have given it a whole star just for that. Further, it focused on one of Maine’s chief exports, lobsters. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the theme of over half of the book was, “Why are the lobstermen mad at each other?” Which truthfully began to pall after a time… But the second half of the book made up for it, and the resolution was satisfying. So, four stars it is! You’ve done it again, Mrs. Fletcher!
September 18, 2018
I truly love the audiobooks for this series. They're so well done and the voice actor does a fantastic job of voicing various characters.
This one has Jessica in some danger as emotions threaten to boil over in Cabot Cove. The town is planning a lobster boil to attract tourists to the downtown area and the lobster fisherman are worried that they're going to lose money providing lobsters for the event. Pitting the livelihood of the town over the livelihood of the fishermen.
Enjoyable story, exactly as expected.
This one has Jessica in some danger as emotions threaten to boil over in Cabot Cove. The town is planning a lobster boil to attract tourists to the downtown area and the lobster fisherman are worried that they're going to lose money providing lobsters for the event. Pitting the livelihood of the town over the livelihood of the fishermen.
Enjoyable story, exactly as expected.
January 18, 2018
Cabbot Cove is having a lobster festival, but some foul business dealings are occurring with the lobstermen. In this Murder She Wrote, Jessica finds herself in the midst of hometown drama.
This book series is one of the best written tv tie ins that I have read. The details of lobster fishing, the boats, and the fishermen are particularly well done in this volume. It draws the reader in to the mystery like an episode of the show.
Read on my Kindle Fire
This book series is one of the best written tv tie ins that I have read. The details of lobster fishing, the boats, and the fishermen are particularly well done in this volume. It draws the reader in to the mystery like an episode of the show.
Read on my Kindle Fire
July 15, 2018
This had some truly frightening moments!
April 27, 2011
A fairly good read, but lots of unbelievable parts. Like when the normally closed-mouthed lobster fishermen talked to Mrs. Fletcher about who did the crime. And why would the sheriff tell her about his investigations, including letting her go along to interview people, etc.
September 14, 2012
A decent entry in the Murder, She Wrote novel series, but for some reason I had trouble getting into it. About halfway through the novel, I did find myself engrossed in it and I thought it was well enough written, but there was something lacking in the atmosphere for me.
May 9, 2013
I don't know why but I really have started to prefer the books where she stays home. I know that they all can't be in Cabot Cove or there wouldn't be any more residents left to kill of but the ones in other locations always seem forced.
March 27, 2025
Cabot Cove is throwing its first-ever Lobster Festival, which feels like a bold move for a town that averages one murder per clam chowder recipe. In The Maine Mutiny, Jessica Fletcher’s quiet little seaside haven is serving up claws, crustaceans, and cold-blooded murder — and for once, she’s not just attending a quaint event, she’s headlining it… as a nearly murdered amnesiac floating in the Atlantic.
Yep. We start this one off with Jessica literally concussed and adrift on a sabotaged fishing boat. No idea how she got there, no memory, no plan. Just Jessica, the sea, and a serious case of “what the actual hell happened?” It's giving cozy mystery and maritime disaster flick, and I kind of love that for her.
Flashback to pre-floating trauma: Jess is writing a feature for the Lobster Fest’s special edition paper and gets up close and personal with the lobstermen — grizzled, salty, and not even a little thrilled about some broker who’s been cheating them out of fair prices. That guy? Dead, obviously. Found slumped on a boat that’s seen more sabotage than a Real Housewives reunion.
Naturally, Jessica takes it personally — someone left her for dead out there, and she’s not about to let that slide. She digs into shady business deals, bitter rivalries, and more lobster-related tension than should legally exist in one plotline. Oh, and the whole town is either preparing for the festival or pretending they didn’t hear a murder go down next door. Classic Cabot Cove energy.
This one has more action than most — not in a guns-blazing way, but in a “Jessica literally almost drowns and still shows up with receipts” way. She’s tough as nails and once again proves that aging gracefully includes being smarter than everyone in the room… even after head trauma.
4 stars and deserved. The stakes feel higher, the local flavor is chef’s kiss salty, and the structure (starting in the aftermath, then backtracking to fill in the chaos) actually works.
Yep. We start this one off with Jessica literally concussed and adrift on a sabotaged fishing boat. No idea how she got there, no memory, no plan. Just Jessica, the sea, and a serious case of “what the actual hell happened?” It's giving cozy mystery and maritime disaster flick, and I kind of love that for her.
Flashback to pre-floating trauma: Jess is writing a feature for the Lobster Fest’s special edition paper and gets up close and personal with the lobstermen — grizzled, salty, and not even a little thrilled about some broker who’s been cheating them out of fair prices. That guy? Dead, obviously. Found slumped on a boat that’s seen more sabotage than a Real Housewives reunion.
Naturally, Jessica takes it personally — someone left her for dead out there, and she’s not about to let that slide. She digs into shady business deals, bitter rivalries, and more lobster-related tension than should legally exist in one plotline. Oh, and the whole town is either preparing for the festival or pretending they didn’t hear a murder go down next door. Classic Cabot Cove energy.
This one has more action than most — not in a guns-blazing way, but in a “Jessica literally almost drowns and still shows up with receipts” way. She’s tough as nails and once again proves that aging gracefully includes being smarter than everyone in the room… even after head trauma.
4 stars and deserved. The stakes feel higher, the local flavor is chef’s kiss salty, and the structure (starting in the aftermath, then backtracking to fill in the chaos) actually works.
October 3, 2021
The Maine Mutiny (Murder, She Wrote) (2005) by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain is a really enjoyable read.
I noticed this book in the charity shop I work in and was very excited to see Jessica in book form as I absolutely love the Murder, She Wrote episodes and grew up watching them. I very much enjoyed the book which is told from Jessica’s point of view. It was very well done as she seemed so like she does in the show and getting an insight into her thought process during the cases was a really interesting way to write this book. The book is the the twenty-third book in this series and I would love to read more from the series in the future. This particular case is set in Cabot Cove and the town’s very first lobster festival is about to take place. Jessica is giving the job of writing a piece on the life of the lobstermen but she of course ends up getting more than she has bargained for when a man is killed and there is an attempt to kill Jessica. I like how well the small town atmosphere of Cabot Cove is written and I learned a bit about Maine’s association with lobsters and about how lobsterpeople work. There was a lot of research done and a great variety of characters thrown into the mix for us to get to know alongside the well-known characters from the show.
The only part this book fell a little short for me was at the end. Mystery endings are so difficult to write and this ending was not the best. There wasn’t much suspense and I think there was great red herrings thrown in throughout and better, more suspenseful endings available. But apart from the ending, I adored this book. The writing is superb and the story is incredibly interesting. Also the dialogue is amazing, absolutely spot-on and realistic.
Great read.
I noticed this book in the charity shop I work in and was very excited to see Jessica in book form as I absolutely love the Murder, She Wrote episodes and grew up watching them. I very much enjoyed the book which is told from Jessica’s point of view. It was very well done as she seemed so like she does in the show and getting an insight into her thought process during the cases was a really interesting way to write this book. The book is the the twenty-third book in this series and I would love to read more from the series in the future. This particular case is set in Cabot Cove and the town’s very first lobster festival is about to take place. Jessica is giving the job of writing a piece on the life of the lobstermen but she of course ends up getting more than she has bargained for when a man is killed and there is an attempt to kill Jessica. I like how well the small town atmosphere of Cabot Cove is written and I learned a bit about Maine’s association with lobsters and about how lobsterpeople work. There was a lot of research done and a great variety of characters thrown into the mix for us to get to know alongside the well-known characters from the show.
The only part this book fell a little short for me was at the end. Mystery endings are so difficult to write and this ending was not the best. There wasn’t much suspense and I think there was great red herrings thrown in throughout and better, more suspenseful endings available. But apart from the ending, I adored this book. The writing is superb and the story is incredibly interesting. Also the dialogue is amazing, absolutely spot-on and realistic.
Great read.
March 29, 2020
A Cabot Cove si sta organizzando la fiera dell'aragosta, con tanto di incoronazione di Miss Fiera Aragosta (che sul curriculum vale più di laureata con 110 e lode).
Jessica viene bonariamente obbligata a scrivere un articolo sulla giornata tipo dei pescatori di aragoste, un circolo chiuso che puzza q.b. di mafia. Jessica mica si spaventa, eh. Lei va avanti per la sua strada, affrontando una platea di gente ostile fino ad ottenere il permesso di passare una giornata in barca con uno dei pescatori.
Non è tutto rose e fiori perché all'interno della cerchia dei pescatori vi è del malcelato astio.... Ma non temete, arriverà un morto a quietare gli animi burrascosi.
(Premetto che non sto spoilerando nulla perché questo episodio viene narrato nelle prime pagine)
In questo libro, Jessica si ritrova in mezzo all'oceano, da sola, in una barca che sta affondando con un morto a farle compagnia. Lei non si è mai persa d'animo e grazie al suo acume è riuscita a salvarsi e a portare con sè anche la salma. Roba che io mi sarei messa in un angolino, a piangere e a cantare La Morte di De Andrè tanto per farmi coraggio.
Resto sempre più impressionata dal personaggio di Jessica Fletcher!
Inizialmente mi faceva sorridere 'sta vecchietta impicciona ma ora sto cominciando a provare un reverenziale rispetto per la Jessicona nostra.
Purtroppo, in questo capitolo della sua avventurosa vita, Jessica non è caduta.
Nonostante ciò, è stata una piacevole lettura.
Ho letto la versione in inglese: resta una lettura abbastanza semplice, ho dovuto usare il dizionario principalmente per i termini nautici.
Jessica viene bonariamente obbligata a scrivere un articolo sulla giornata tipo dei pescatori di aragoste, un circolo chiuso che puzza q.b. di mafia. Jessica mica si spaventa, eh. Lei va avanti per la sua strada, affrontando una platea di gente ostile fino ad ottenere il permesso di passare una giornata in barca con uno dei pescatori.
Non è tutto rose e fiori perché all'interno della cerchia dei pescatori vi è del malcelato astio.... Ma non temete, arriverà un morto a quietare gli animi burrascosi.
(Premetto che non sto spoilerando nulla perché questo episodio viene narrato nelle prime pagine)
In questo libro, Jessica si ritrova in mezzo all'oceano, da sola, in una barca che sta affondando con un morto a farle compagnia. Lei non si è mai persa d'animo e grazie al suo acume è riuscita a salvarsi e a portare con sè anche la salma. Roba che io mi sarei messa in un angolino, a piangere e a cantare La Morte di De Andrè tanto per farmi coraggio.
Resto sempre più impressionata dal personaggio di Jessica Fletcher!
Inizialmente mi faceva sorridere 'sta vecchietta impicciona ma ora sto cominciando a provare un reverenziale rispetto per la Jessicona nostra.
Purtroppo, in questo capitolo della sua avventurosa vita, Jessica non è caduta.
Nonostante ciò, è stata una piacevole lettura.
Ho letto la versione in inglese: resta una lettura abbastanza semplice, ho dovuto usare il dizionario principalmente per i termini nautici.
December 9, 2024
Plot
Jessica Fletcher is pitching in to help Cabot Cove’s first Lobster Festival by writing an article about the lifestyle of the local lobstermen. But instead of getting the story, she becomes tangled in a net of intrigue and murder. And she better sink her claws into this puzzling case-or she may find herself becoming the next catch of the day.
My Analysis
Standard fare from Bain. Big mystery with very subtle clues tucked in. only the sharpest wits will solve the puzzle.
I do like this one a little better than some of the others in the series, only because Jessica was in serious danger. No, she’s not the action heroine and most of the books are pretty low key when it comes to actually harming or threatening her life. Most of the climactic endings are the revelation of the murderer. This one had her having to save herself, in a sense. I like that the author and the rights owner allowed it.
This one is set in Cabot Cove, murder capital of the world (lol), and I was glad to see that. Usually, the books I’ve read take her out of the city or the country.
It’s a good story with lots of characters, but the author does a nice job keeping everybody straight and distinguishing them. Good voices, especially Spencer.
Nothing fancy here. Just a basic Fletcher mystery. Fans know what to expect and should enjoy this one. Oh, and there’s even a four letter word! (Don’t get all uptight. It ain’t the F-bomb)
My rank:
Blue Belt
Jessica Fletcher is pitching in to help Cabot Cove’s first Lobster Festival by writing an article about the lifestyle of the local lobstermen. But instead of getting the story, she becomes tangled in a net of intrigue and murder. And she better sink her claws into this puzzling case-or she may find herself becoming the next catch of the day.
My Analysis
Standard fare from Bain. Big mystery with very subtle clues tucked in. only the sharpest wits will solve the puzzle.
I do like this one a little better than some of the others in the series, only because Jessica was in serious danger. No, she’s not the action heroine and most of the books are pretty low key when it comes to actually harming or threatening her life. Most of the climactic endings are the revelation of the murderer. This one had her having to save herself, in a sense. I like that the author and the rights owner allowed it.
This one is set in Cabot Cove, murder capital of the world (lol), and I was glad to see that. Usually, the books I’ve read take her out of the city or the country.
It’s a good story with lots of characters, but the author does a nice job keeping everybody straight and distinguishing them. Good voices, especially Spencer.
Nothing fancy here. Just a basic Fletcher mystery. Fans know what to expect and should enjoy this one. Oh, and there’s even a four letter word! (Don’t get all uptight. It ain’t the F-bomb)
My rank:
Blue Belt
February 24, 2025
"The Maine Mutiny" by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain delivers a classic cozy mystery experience with a distinctly Maine flavor. Jessica Fletcher finds herself drawn into a swirling investigation that involves the sleepy town of Cabot Cove and its lobstermen. The local politics surrounding the town's upcoming pageant and the lobstermen's livelihood add layers of complexity to the plot, creating a believable backdrop for the escalating tensions and eventual murder.
Bain effectively captures the charm of Cabot Cove and the close-knit community that Jessica calls home. The cast of characters, from the pageant organizers to the disgruntled fishermen, are well-drawn and contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story. Jessica's sleuthing is as sharp as ever, and she navigates the intricacies of the case with her signature wit and intelligence. While the mystery itself might not be the most intricate, it's the combination of the familiar setting, the engaging characters, and the timely themes of community and livelihood that make this book so enjoyable. Four stars.
Rating: ★★★★☆
#MurderSheWrote #TheMaineMutiny #JessicaFletcher #DonaldBain #CozyMystery #BookReview #Mystery #Bookstagram #BookLover #BookWorm #Reading #Books #Bookish #BookRecommendation #CozyReads #Whodunnit #MysteryBooks #CabotCove #Maine #LobsterFishing #SmallTownMystery #AmateurSleuth
Bain effectively captures the charm of Cabot Cove and the close-knit community that Jessica calls home. The cast of characters, from the pageant organizers to the disgruntled fishermen, are well-drawn and contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story. Jessica's sleuthing is as sharp as ever, and she navigates the intricacies of the case with her signature wit and intelligence. While the mystery itself might not be the most intricate, it's the combination of the familiar setting, the engaging characters, and the timely themes of community and livelihood that make this book so enjoyable. Four stars.
Rating: ★★★★☆
#MurderSheWrote #TheMaineMutiny #JessicaFletcher #DonaldBain #CozyMystery #BookReview #Mystery #Bookstagram #BookLover #BookWorm #Reading #Books #Bookish #BookRecommendation #CozyReads #Whodunnit #MysteryBooks #CabotCove #Maine #LobsterFishing #SmallTownMystery #AmateurSleuth
August 20, 2024
This my favorite of all the Murder, She Wrote tie-in novels I've read. This isn't just good for a tie-in, it's a good cozy mystery period.
The author doesn't rely on previous characterizations (though I appreciated the mentions of recurring characters--particularly Ethan Cragg!) Instead characters are developed within this story. The plot is a solid mystery with a good grounding in the location. I enjoyed the development of the lobstermen's community. There are lots of little touches that really develop the setting.
I'm convinced the author has experience with small-towns. The acknowledgement that, while polite, people aren't really opening up to characters who are 'from away'.
The author doesn't rely on previous characterizations (though I appreciated the mentions of recurring characters--particularly Ethan Cragg!) Instead characters are developed within this story. The plot is a solid mystery with a good grounding in the location. I enjoyed the development of the lobstermen's community. There are lots of little touches that really develop the setting.
I'm convinced the author has experience with small-towns. The acknowledgement that, while polite, people aren't really opening up to characters who are 'from away'.
September 16, 2021
The setting is nice, I like that this is a book set in Cabot Cove and different from all the others set abroad.
I knew next to nothing about lobster fishing. It’s not exactly the most fascinating topic but it’s definitely nice to read about and get to know more.
The opening in medias res is different from the other books in the series and definitely made me want to read in order to see how Jessical would get out of that pickle.
The mystery is never very complex but it was still fun to read. The bad guy was a bit too obvious, but I was still a bit surprised by the end.
I think these books are not of extremely high quality but they have that something that makes me get back to them. I really enjoy reading about Jessica and her life, and the little things she does like having a light dinner or reading before bed. These are definitely very cozy mysteries.
I knew next to nothing about lobster fishing. It’s not exactly the most fascinating topic but it’s definitely nice to read about and get to know more.
The opening in medias res is different from the other books in the series and definitely made me want to read in order to see how Jessical would get out of that pickle.
The mystery is never very complex but it was still fun to read. The bad guy was a bit too obvious, but I was still a bit surprised by the end.
I think these books are not of extremely high quality but they have that something that makes me get back to them. I really enjoy reading about Jessica and her life, and the little things she does like having a light dinner or reading before bed. These are definitely very cozy mysteries.
July 9, 2020
Cabot Cove is preparing for their new lobster festival but while preparations are underway the men of the lobster association are disgruntled about the loss of money from the broker who represents them. Many of the men owe money to the man who is a bully and a cheat. Eventually this leads to murder. Jessica gets caught up in the infighting when she discovers a man beaten and left for dead. When she tries to warn one of the older lobster men about the increasing violence she is hit over the head. The next thing Jessica realizes is she is stranded on a lobster boat in the middle of the ocean with the boat sinking under her feet and the murdered broker lying on a bunk. Jessica must use all of her wits and resources to survive and get back to land and find the killer.
October 14, 2022
In memory of Angela Lansbury, who died this week, I read this 23rd volume in the mystery series based on her TV show. Here, Jessica is in Cabot Cove during the town's first Lobster Festival. Success depends on having enough lobster for the festival, which is causing stress among the town's lobstermen. In her attempts to help, Jessica finds herself floating in the middle of the ocean in a sinking boat with a dead body. Although this is an early book in the series, both Seth and Mort are available to help, as well as many other Cabot Cove townsfolk. There is a mention that Jessica knows how to pilot a plane, a piece of information that I did not know. It is always fun to spend time with Jess and her friends. It is also sad to think that Ms. Lansbury will no longer grace the stage or screen.
December 1, 2022
In this “episode”, Jessica’s home town hosts a lobster festival. Jessica volunteers to write an article on a day in the life of a lobsterman, but in doing so learns of the tense relationship between the lobstermen and the lobster buyer. When one man is found beaten, and another turns up dead, Jessica must unravel a cover-up that nearly takes her own life.
I’d say this is one of her more harrowing and dramatic stories. I didn’t take to the story as well as I do with other Fletcher stories, mainly because the mystery doesn’t seem so mysterious. If I’d paid more attention to the minor details, I might have been able to solve it.
I’d say this is one of her more harrowing and dramatic stories. I didn’t take to the story as well as I do with other Fletcher stories, mainly because the mystery doesn’t seem so mysterious. If I’d paid more attention to the minor details, I might have been able to solve it.
June 18, 2023
My first Murder She Wrote novel and I am surprised over how much I enjoyed it. I really didn't think I would but I'm participating in a. reading challenge so I dived in. Really enjoyed the narration, though it took a bit to get used to the Maine accent :-) and loved all the details about life in a small coastal town, especially about the lobster industry. Who knew that could be so fascinating? Jessica was as canny and intuitive as she is in the classic TV show and that was one of my biggest surprises. I was worried the books would mess with her folksy charm and all the familiar Cabot Cove characters but the author did them justice.
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