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Murder, She Wrote #49
Murder in Red
In the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series, Jessica loses a loved one to unnatural causes and sets her sights on the mysterious local hospital before more people wind up dead on arrival...
Jessica Fletcher's favorite gin rummy partner, Mimi Van Dorn, checks into the brand-new Clifton Care Partners, a private hospital that's just opened up shop in town, for a simple procedure--one that leads tragically, and inexplicably, to her death. Seeking justice in her inimitable fashion, Jessica decides to pursue her own investigation on the hospital and its shadowy business dealings.
On the trail of what initially appears to be medical malpractice, Jessica digs deeper and learns her friend was actually a victim of something far more sinister. Death is bad for business, but murder is even worse, and Jessica will find plenty of both as she races to bring down Clifton Care Partners before someone else flatlines...
Jessica Fletcher's favorite gin rummy partner, Mimi Van Dorn, checks into the brand-new Clifton Care Partners, a private hospital that's just opened up shop in town, for a simple procedure--one that leads tragically, and inexplicably, to her death. Seeking justice in her inimitable fashion, Jessica decides to pursue her own investigation on the hospital and its shadowy business dealings.
On the trail of what initially appears to be medical malpractice, Jessica digs deeper and learns her friend was actually a victim of something far more sinister. Death is bad for business, but murder is even worse, and Jessica will find plenty of both as she races to bring down Clifton Care Partners before someone else flatlines...
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2019
105 people are currently reading
880 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 160 reviews
June 1, 2019
I love pretty much ALL cozy mysteries, but I have a special place in my heart for a few of my favorite amateur sleuths—Nancy Drew, Miss Marple, and of course, the irreplaceable Jessica Fletcher. In Jon Land’s latest installment in the Jessica Fletcher catalog, Murder She Wrote: Murder in Red, Jessica Fletcher is back with a mystery that hits close to home in Cabot Cove, ME. The death of a friend, a suspicious medical clinic, and the return of an old friend make this a fun read with a good mystery and an ending I never would have guessed!
About the Book
As the book opens, the residents of Cabot Cove are at a funeral for the local librarian. A new clinic poaching clients right and left from Jessica Fletcher’s long time friend and physician Seth is the talk of the reception. The Clifton Clinic seems to operate in flashy yet mysterious ways, touting a number of services without clear medical protocol. Jessica’s friend Mimi Van Dorn is one of the patients, there for treatment of her diabetes and some anti-aging regimen.
But when Mimi dies suddenly of seemingly medical-related complications, Jessica and Seth suspect that there may be more to Mimi’s death than meets the eye. And they soon discover they are right—Mimi’s death is anything but natural. And then one of Jessica’s dear friend George arrives in town for a medical procedure at the Clifton Clinic… Jessica knows she must get to the bottom of what is happening at that clinic before another person loses their life.
Reflection
I was so excited to pick this up and see Jessica Fletcher back in Cabot Cove, ME for this book, after her wild adventures all the way to the white house in the last one! Really, I like to see Jessica Fletcher anywhere, if I’m being honest. But boy, Cabot Cove is sure a dangerous place to live!!!
I have to say, that Clifton Clinic really had me suspicious! It was a bit too slick, and the owner a bit too smug. But the patients seemed happy, even if they were paying an arm and a leg for their procedures and treatment. You do have to wonder though if they’d be quite as happy if they found out that they may pay with their life!
Jessica’s friend George was such a sweet part to this. They are a couple that would be together if their work and geography didn’t separate them. Jessica’s fondness for her friends and loved ones is one of her most endearing qualities, and it softens her up when she can be quite sassy and direct other times! I loved her repartee with the other characters too. Jessica Fletcher may be getting older, but her mind is sharp as a tack!
And the mystery was pretty engaging! I couldn’t quite tell where it would go, but let’s just say an old scandal may come to light and hold the key to a few of the answers to this mystery! And even when that was revealed, I wouldn’t have guessed the ending. This was a great mystery with a fantastic conclusion, that fans of Jessica Fletcher and first-timers alike will love!
Thank you to Berkley for my copy. Opinions are my own.
About the Book
As the book opens, the residents of Cabot Cove are at a funeral for the local librarian. A new clinic poaching clients right and left from Jessica Fletcher’s long time friend and physician Seth is the talk of the reception. The Clifton Clinic seems to operate in flashy yet mysterious ways, touting a number of services without clear medical protocol. Jessica’s friend Mimi Van Dorn is one of the patients, there for treatment of her diabetes and some anti-aging regimen.
But when Mimi dies suddenly of seemingly medical-related complications, Jessica and Seth suspect that there may be more to Mimi’s death than meets the eye. And they soon discover they are right—Mimi’s death is anything but natural. And then one of Jessica’s dear friend George arrives in town for a medical procedure at the Clifton Clinic… Jessica knows she must get to the bottom of what is happening at that clinic before another person loses their life.
Reflection
I was so excited to pick this up and see Jessica Fletcher back in Cabot Cove, ME for this book, after her wild adventures all the way to the white house in the last one! Really, I like to see Jessica Fletcher anywhere, if I’m being honest. But boy, Cabot Cove is sure a dangerous place to live!!!
I have to say, that Clifton Clinic really had me suspicious! It was a bit too slick, and the owner a bit too smug. But the patients seemed happy, even if they were paying an arm and a leg for their procedures and treatment. You do have to wonder though if they’d be quite as happy if they found out that they may pay with their life!
Jessica’s friend George was such a sweet part to this. They are a couple that would be together if their work and geography didn’t separate them. Jessica’s fondness for her friends and loved ones is one of her most endearing qualities, and it softens her up when she can be quite sassy and direct other times! I loved her repartee with the other characters too. Jessica Fletcher may be getting older, but her mind is sharp as a tack!
And the mystery was pretty engaging! I couldn’t quite tell where it would go, but let’s just say an old scandal may come to light and hold the key to a few of the answers to this mystery! And even when that was revealed, I wouldn’t have guessed the ending. This was a great mystery with a fantastic conclusion, that fans of Jessica Fletcher and first-timers alike will love!
Thank you to Berkley for my copy. Opinions are my own.
June 9, 2019
Jon Land is still really missing the mark on this series. It is better than his efforts with Manuscript for Murder, but faithful fans of the books will still likely be disappointed. His dialogue is not true to the longtime characters. Background information seems to be made up for this book alone. Jessica's actions are definitely not true to her character.
I absolutely hated Manuscript for Murder, but I thought I would give Land another chance. I'm not sure I will give him a third chance. I don't believe he respects the series, the characters or its fans. Murder She Wrote fans are cozy mystery fans, and that is what we want. After 46 mostly successful novels (his 48th and 49th weren't successful in my opinion and I haven't read A Date with Murder), fans don't need an author to come in to "make their mark" on the series. #SaveJessicaFletcher
I absolutely hated Manuscript for Murder, but I thought I would give Land another chance. I'm not sure I will give him a third chance. I don't believe he respects the series, the characters or its fans. Murder She Wrote fans are cozy mystery fans, and that is what we want. After 46 mostly successful novels (his 48th and 49th weren't successful in my opinion and I haven't read A Date with Murder), fans don't need an author to come in to "make their mark" on the series. #SaveJessicaFletcher
July 11, 2019
Goodbye Jessica. I will miss you greatly. I actually wish Donald Bain had just written one last book where Jessica married George or even got killed off, anything would be better than her becoming this.
I have read every Murder She Wrote as they have come out except Manuscript for Murder. I decided not to read that after reading A Date With Murder and seeing the discrepancies in the series, the writing and Jessica herself. However, I gave in. I miss the series and wanted to try again, just in case.
I shouldn't have. See, Jessica on TV or Donald Bain's books was always nosy and well, a bit annoying. Oddly though she was also likable. Land's Jessica is not likable. She is grating, as are the other characters. Seth sounded like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. The Sheriff is just a nasty person. Harry had the same joke over and over. George, well there is another disappointment.
The complaint among many of the loyal readers in book #47 was that it said Jessica hadn't dated since her husband's death and we all said, "But what about George Sutherland???" Well, Land gave us George back and I did laugh a bit because he even covered the "well, the dated but not really" discussion. Then the author got a bit ridiculous with trying to prove he knew Jessica by telling us everything about her history (some new, some old and some that didn't match) just to try to prove he knew her.
The mystery was OK although
I have read every Murder She Wrote as they have come out except Manuscript for Murder. I decided not to read that after reading A Date With Murder and seeing the discrepancies in the series, the writing and Jessica herself. However, I gave in. I miss the series and wanted to try again, just in case.
I shouldn't have. See, Jessica on TV or Donald Bain's books was always nosy and well, a bit annoying. Oddly though she was also likable. Land's Jessica is not likable. She is grating, as are the other characters. Seth sounded like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. The Sheriff is just a nasty person. Harry had the same joke over and over. George, well there is another disappointment.
The complaint among many of the loyal readers in book #47 was that it said Jessica hadn't dated since her husband's death and we all said, "But what about George Sutherland???" Well, Land gave us George back and I did laugh a bit because he even covered the "well, the dated but not really" discussion. Then the author got a bit ridiculous with trying to prove he knew Jessica by telling us everything about her history (some new, some old and some that didn't match) just to try to prove he knew her.
The mystery was OK although
April 27, 2019
Murder in Red is book forty-nine in the "Murder, She Wrote" series by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land. Jessica Fletcher friend Mimi Van Dorn dies after visiting a new Medical Client for a simple procedure. Jessica decides to investigate due to her feeling of uneasiness in regards to the death of Mimi. However, Jessica's investigation unearths more then she thought. The readers of Murder in Red will continue to follow Jessica's to find the answer into the death of Mimi Van Dorn.
Murder in Red is another excellent addition to the "Murder, She Wrote" mystery series. I love the way Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land portrayed their characters. Murder in Red is well written and researched by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land. I like the way Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land describe the setting of Murder in Red. While reading Murder in Red, it transported me back to Cove Grove, Maine.
The readers of Murder in Red will learn about medical malpractice and how it can affect everyone involved. Also, the readers of Murder in Red will start to understand the consequences the vanity can have on a person.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishers for my ARC copy for an honest review. I recommend this book.
Murder in Red is another excellent addition to the "Murder, She Wrote" mystery series. I love the way Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land portrayed their characters. Murder in Red is well written and researched by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land. I like the way Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land describe the setting of Murder in Red. While reading Murder in Red, it transported me back to Cove Grove, Maine.
The readers of Murder in Red will learn about medical malpractice and how it can affect everyone involved. Also, the readers of Murder in Red will start to understand the consequences the vanity can have on a person.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishers for my ARC copy for an honest review. I recommend this book.
July 17, 2019
I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion. I enjoyed this Jessica Fletcher mystery book. Reminds me of all the shows I used to watch when I was growing up. Really fun read.
June 24, 2019
The latest book in this series is an improvement over the last one, but is still seriously lacking. To give the author credit, it does seem like some attention has been given to Jessica Fletcher's fully developed backstory, and there are plot elements that are true to her storyline. The writing also starts off stronger, but then unfortunately resorts back to being lazy, tedious and snarky later in the book. Jessica is not some sassy dame in a cheap PI paperback, nor is she an endearing character when portrayed this way:
"You sure can pick them, Jessica.
Men or investigators?"
I found this storyline to be uninteresting in general. I was not riveted and I had to push myself to finish the book. The male characters continue to be in a never ending pissing match (this time it's Seth versus the new Doctor in town) and I have no interest in that kind of male bravado. It's exactly why I am reading a book with a female protagonist! The last few chapters are absurd:
Will I keep reading this series? Maybe for another a book or two, before I give them up for good. What a waste of a legacy.
"You sure can pick them, Jessica.
Men or investigators?"
I found this storyline to be uninteresting in general. I was not riveted and I had to push myself to finish the book. The male characters continue to be in a never ending pissing match (this time it's Seth versus the new Doctor in town) and I have no interest in that kind of male bravado. It's exactly why I am reading a book with a female protagonist! The last few chapters are absurd:
Will I keep reading this series? Maybe for another a book or two, before I give them up for good. What a waste of a legacy.
March 19, 2019
I love the Murder, She Wrote tv series and religiously watch episodes on tv when I like to have something on; that said, I have never read any of the mystery novels. Having the opportunity to read an ARC copy of the newest one, I thought I would give it a try. Unfortunately, I’ll be sticking to the tv series.
The novel was in no way bad, but things that worked on the tv series just didn’t translate in book form. The parts where she’s constantly trying to remember something become annoying in their repetition. Also, a little more proofreading and editing needs to be done as facts kept changing. Both of these problems are non issues when on tv.
The novel was in no way bad, but things that worked on the tv series just didn’t translate in book form. The parts where she’s constantly trying to remember something become annoying in their repetition. Also, a little more proofreading and editing needs to be done as facts kept changing. Both of these problems are non issues when on tv.
June 8, 2019
I still think Jon Land is missing the mark with these books since taking over the series. A lot of scenarios and dialogue are not true to character. I also think he makes stuff up about Jessica’s past as he goes along to better fit whatever the plot pertains to. I’m willing to keep reading future books in the series but I’m conflicted. The plots are fairly interesting but it feels less and less like Murder, She Wrote with every installment.
September 13, 2019
Another disappointment. If you are a fan of this series don't even bother. While some things have improved from the last book, it just does not give justice to the wonderful series it has always been.
March 15, 2020
This author is trying but failing to understand Jessica and the Cabot cove family. Interactions aren’t similar to previous books or tv episodes, important facts are forgotten. Honestly they should just start the books over at number 1 since Land is creating his own version of events that will disappoint many long term Bain fans
July 7, 2019
This 49th book in the Jessica Fletcher series is my first to read. though I certainly saw many of the older ones on the telly years ago. It was somewhat entertaining with rather a large number of blind leads or twists...all in good fun.
May 29, 2019
Suspicious situations are transpiring in Cabot Cove, Maine, in Jon Land’s ingeniously crafted 49th Murder She Wrote Mystery, “Murder in Red.”
Jessica Fletcher’s gin rummy partner and good friend Mimi Van Dorn dies unexpectedly from unusual complications at a local hospital on the outskirts of Cabot Cove.
Mimi had a lifelong struggle with diabetes, but when Jessica hears that she has died the following day at the Clifton Care Partners Clinic, the amateur sleuth goes in search for answers. What she discovers will change the landscape of future medicine and the Cabot Cove community forever.
Fighting to keep his patients from the new private business, Jessica’s friend, and the town’s leading physician, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, finds Dr. Charles Clifton specializing in a groundbreaking clinical trial for people with multiple sclerosis, diabetes and cancer.
Things don’t bode well for Jessica when she learns that her good friend Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland has arrived in Cabot Cove and checked into the Clifton Care Partners Clinic with mysterious health concerns.
It is only the private business that can help him.
With Dr. Hazlitt and Sheriff Mort Metzger at her side, Jessica wades through the dark underbelly and shady business dealings of the new private practice. But she must hurry before another innocent life is lost.
The narrative is compulsively readable and engrossing, and Land is a consummate professional when writing suspense scenes. “Murder in Red” is a highlight in the Murder She Wrote canon.
Jessica Fletcher’s gin rummy partner and good friend Mimi Van Dorn dies unexpectedly from unusual complications at a local hospital on the outskirts of Cabot Cove.
Mimi had a lifelong struggle with diabetes, but when Jessica hears that she has died the following day at the Clifton Care Partners Clinic, the amateur sleuth goes in search for answers. What she discovers will change the landscape of future medicine and the Cabot Cove community forever.
Fighting to keep his patients from the new private business, Jessica’s friend, and the town’s leading physician, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, finds Dr. Charles Clifton specializing in a groundbreaking clinical trial for people with multiple sclerosis, diabetes and cancer.
Things don’t bode well for Jessica when she learns that her good friend Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland has arrived in Cabot Cove and checked into the Clifton Care Partners Clinic with mysterious health concerns.
It is only the private business that can help him.
With Dr. Hazlitt and Sheriff Mort Metzger at her side, Jessica wades through the dark underbelly and shady business dealings of the new private practice. But she must hurry before another innocent life is lost.
The narrative is compulsively readable and engrossing, and Land is a consummate professional when writing suspense scenes. “Murder in Red” is a highlight in the Murder She Wrote canon.
May 28, 2019
When Jessica Fletcher’s friend Mimi Van Dorn collapses, Jessica is naturally concerned, but when Mimi passes away later that night, Dr. Seth Hazlitt thinks she had help. Naturally, Jessica starts investigating, and she quickly finds evidence that Mimi was indeed murdered. Does the new clinic outside town hold the answers to Mimi’s death? Or is a secret from her past responsible for her murder? Jessica will have to figure it out fast since another old friend has checked into the new clinic and could be in mortal danger himself.
Yes, we are once again in Cabot Cove and environs for much of the book, although Jessica finds herself traveling quite a bit as she tries to piece together this puzzle. Things start off a bit slowly, but they gain speed as the book progresses, and by the end I was completely hooked. Part of the early slowness are attempts to develop Jessica with her thoughts about life, but they come across as forced and don’t add much to the book. Still, I was turning pages quickly at the end to see just how Jessica would bring everything together. I was happy to find that the foul language that has bothered me in the last two books wasn’t present here, which is much more like the franchise of old. I was also happy to find that Jessica’s relationships with Seth and Sheriff Mort Metzger were much closer to how I remember them from the TV series. George Sutherland, a recurring character in the books, is present here and I enjoyed getting to meet him for the first time. Fans of the franchise will be very happy with this book. I know I was.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Yes, we are once again in Cabot Cove and environs for much of the book, although Jessica finds herself traveling quite a bit as she tries to piece together this puzzle. Things start off a bit slowly, but they gain speed as the book progresses, and by the end I was completely hooked. Part of the early slowness are attempts to develop Jessica with her thoughts about life, but they come across as forced and don’t add much to the book. Still, I was turning pages quickly at the end to see just how Jessica would bring everything together. I was happy to find that the foul language that has bothered me in the last two books wasn’t present here, which is much more like the franchise of old. I was also happy to find that Jessica’s relationships with Seth and Sheriff Mort Metzger were much closer to how I remember them from the TV series. George Sutherland, a recurring character in the books, is present here and I enjoyed getting to meet him for the first time. Fans of the franchise will be very happy with this book. I know I was.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
June 23, 2019
Jessica Fletcher's friend Mimi Van Dorn checks into the new Clifton Care private partners health facility for a simple procedure, and ends up dying. Jessica, of course, is not convinced the death was natural, especially when she gets a phone call from Mimi's son, a man she never knew existed. It's up to Jessica to figure out what happened, and gets to the bottom of things before anyone else dies.
Wonderfully plotted with characters that always make me smile, Murder in Red is a wonderful addition to the Murder, She Wrote series. I love the way these books reveal clues, and red herrings, that make me want to keep reading. You can't go wrong with a Murder, She Wrote novel.
After reading this book I searched for others in the series to add to my TBR mountain.
I read a digital copy of this book through Penguin's First to Read program.
Wonderfully plotted with characters that always make me smile, Murder in Red is a wonderful addition to the Murder, She Wrote series. I love the way these books reveal clues, and red herrings, that make me want to keep reading. You can't go wrong with a Murder, She Wrote novel.
After reading this book I searched for others in the series to add to my TBR mountain.
I read a digital copy of this book through Penguin's First to Read program.
December 19, 2019
Better end than I honestly thought it would have. Most of the book was fun, but I thought it was too predictable (even some but not most of the end). Also, it ended up being less melodramatic than I feared in the end. Yes, a good, light read but nothing of real literary wealth, but wasn't supposed to be.
July 15, 2019
I give the book 3 1/2 stars. There was a different tension in this book than the ones I read before because George Sutherland, a very good friend (and hopefully more in the future) of Jessica's, had a very prominent and important part in the story. When one reads all the books in a series, one gets close to the characters and that can add a special and important tension to the stories when they are threatened. I did enjoy the story and can't wait to for the next one and hoping that, once and for all, George and Jessica get together.
June 2, 2022
The big business that is medicine has made its way into the sleepy hamlet of Cavot Cove. And despite all promises to the contrary. The outcome for one Mimi Vandorne proves nothing short of deadly.
Murder In Red may be the 49th offering in this iconic series. But the plot, pacing, characters, and twists are fresher and more engaging than ever. Things seem to take more of a personal turn for Jessica this time around however. As it seems that she is forced to come to grips with her own mortality.
First, with the passing of her friend and local librarian, Jane. At the start of things.
Then with the suspicious death "a la murder" of one Mimi Vandorne.
Questions that need answers abound.
But each answer does little more than lead to more questions.
Questions about Mimi, her past, her secrets, and a long ago choice. That her present day quest for health and wellness at the newly minted Clifton Clinic may now bring to light.
Couple this with a peek into the darker side of medicine. As per goings on at the clinic. And what we have here is a book that lovers of a more cerebral cozy won't want to miss.
There's even an assist from across the pond in the form of George Sutherland. Scotland Yard Inspector, and dare we to hope "potential love interest" for Jessica,?
That is if she can stay alive long enough...
That being said...
This one sitting wonder has it all.
Big pharma, greed, scandal, family secrets, hints of romance and more. All brought together with that Jessica Fletcher panache that we all know and love.
Reviewer's Note
This title is the 49th of a continuous series that may be read on whole or in part.
All opinions herein are those of WTF Are You Reading? And as such the critique provided bears no influence from the publisher or it agents.
Murder In Red may be the 49th offering in this iconic series. But the plot, pacing, characters, and twists are fresher and more engaging than ever. Things seem to take more of a personal turn for Jessica this time around however. As it seems that she is forced to come to grips with her own mortality.
First, with the passing of her friend and local librarian, Jane. At the start of things.
Then with the suspicious death "a la murder" of one Mimi Vandorne.
Questions that need answers abound.
But each answer does little more than lead to more questions.
Questions about Mimi, her past, her secrets, and a long ago choice. That her present day quest for health and wellness at the newly minted Clifton Clinic may now bring to light.
Couple this with a peek into the darker side of medicine. As per goings on at the clinic. And what we have here is a book that lovers of a more cerebral cozy won't want to miss.
There's even an assist from across the pond in the form of George Sutherland. Scotland Yard Inspector, and dare we to hope "potential love interest" for Jessica,?
That is if she can stay alive long enough...
That being said...
This one sitting wonder has it all.
Big pharma, greed, scandal, family secrets, hints of romance and more. All brought together with that Jessica Fletcher panache that we all know and love.
Reviewer's Note
This title is the 49th of a continuous series that may be read on whole or in part.
All opinions herein are those of WTF Are You Reading? And as such the critique provided bears no influence from the publisher or it agents.
June 27, 2019
https://openbooksociety.com/article/m...
Murder, She Wrote: Murder In Red
Murder She Wrote #49
By Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land
ISBN 9780451489333
Author’s website: jonlandbooks.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
In the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series, Jessica loses a loved one to unnatural causes and sets her sights on the mysterious local hospital before more people wind up dead on arrival…
Jessica Fletcher’s favorite gin rummy partner, Mimi Van Dorn, checks into the brand-new Clifton Care Partners, a private hospital that’s just opened up shop in town, for a simple procedure–one that leads tragically, and inexplicably, to her death. Seeking justice in her inimitable fashion, Jessica decides to pursue her own investigation on the hospital and its shadowy business dealings.
On the trail of what initially appears to be medical malpractice, Jessica digs deeper and learns her friend was actually a victim of something far more sinister. Death is bad for business, but murder is even worse, and Jessica will find plenty of both as she races to bring down Clifton Care Partners before someone else flatlines…
Review:
Jessica Fletcher has been one of our favorite female sleuths for over three decades. She changes with the times in every way except that she still doesn’t drive. Jessica, a former substitute high school English, still rides her bicycle around Cabot Cove, Maine, and still takes the train to major metropolises such as Boston, DC, or the Big Apple. Each mystery is better than the last. Her delightful, challenging mysteries are interrelated. For example, in Murder in Red, we again see Chief Inspector George Sutherland from Scotland Yard, introduced to us – and to Jessica – in the 1990 series opener, Gin and Daggers. This time I learned something I hadn’t remembered from the past, that she is a jogger.
Dr. Seth Hazlitt, a close friend of Jessica, has been losing patients in recent months to Clifton Clinic/ Clifton Care Partners. Dr. Clifton opened the clinic just outside Cabot Cove less than a year ago, and it is incredibly popular for “regenerative” medicine and for clinical trials of serious or lethal diseases. It is also known among those with the best insurance available or the ability to pay cash for their services.
Jean O’Neal, former librarian in Cabot Cove, was well-known and loved. After suffering for years with MS, she finally retired when she could not physically do the work. Jean was a patient at Clifton, participating in a trial that gave her several months of life with a better quality until succumbing to her disease. Most folks in Cabot Cover attended her funeral, then headed to the library for the reception.
Mimi Van Dorn moved to town nearly 10 years ago. She and Jessica bonded through their love of books, volunteering for Friends of the Library, and playing cards. Jessica discovers how little she really knew Mimi. When they were leaving the funeral, Jessica saw Mimi during an angry conversation on her cell phone. Mimi stepped into the road as an old Jeep Cherokee came around the corner, revved the engine, and raced directly to Mimi. Jessica dashed after her and pushed Mimi out of the way. Mimi went back to her heated call, and Jessica saw her at the library reception.
Mimi is now a patient of Dr. Clifton. The specialist has her off caffeine, sugar, and gluten. Seth had been treating her for diabetes for quite some time, but Mimi was a challenge, not wanting to give everything up. Seth speculates that she is going to the clinic for regenerative – primarily cosmetic – medicine. When Mimi has a seizure at the at the reception, Seth gives CPR until the EMT’s take over. At the hospital, she is in a coma, but at least stable.
It is when Jessica goes into the hospital that she sees George Sutherland coming into the hospital, a special friend she was thinking of a short time earlier. He is at Cabot Cove Hospital to see Dr. Clifton and have tests done that can’t be done at Clifton Clinic. George has a room already at Hill House, where Jessica is staying while her home undergoes extensive repairs. He promised to call her when he was done at the hospital.
Not only did George not call or return to his room at Hill House, Seth called early the next morning with the shocking news that early that morning, Mimi died at the hospital. It is noted that the plug for the ventilator was pulled almost out of the socket, but its alarm had not sounded, suggesting murder. According to security tapes, only the nurse making regular rounds had been there, and Dr. Clifton, claiming to be unable to sleep, was there to see how she was doing. Seth believes Clifton is at fault, and George, his new patient, is missing. As Jessica tries to find who tried to run Mimi over and locate George, she learns some of Mimi’s secrets, including the adult son she never talked about.
The author shows throughout how Jessica’s thought processes work, especially as she seeks to discover what or who killed Mimi, where George is, why he is in Cabot Cove, and exactly what kinds of trials Clifton conducts at his clinic. I find Jessica’s musings interesting as she considers this stage of her life and her friends. Even after almost 50 novels, there is something more to learn about Jessica, Seth, Mort, Cabot Cove’s sheriff, and Harry McGraw, the best PI Jessica has worked with. Clifton, Tripp, Fred and others specific to this novel are defined as well as necessary.
This mystery captivated me from the beginning and held my attention throughout. It is fast-paced, with stunning plot twists that keep it fresh and exciting. I like how observant Jessica is, and wish I had the talent of seeing and processing the clues as she does. She and George have made a good team over the years, able to discuss cases and bounce ideas off each other. There were a couple things I did figure out, but Mimi’s secrets were a challenge, as well as what happened to her and where George is – a man with a secret or two of his own. The end brought a huge surprise I didn’t anticipate; overall, I was very satisfied with the resolution. I highly recommend this mystery and am looking forward to many more!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Murder, She Wrote: Murder In Red
Murder She Wrote #49
By Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land
ISBN 9780451489333
Author’s website: jonlandbooks.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
In the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series, Jessica loses a loved one to unnatural causes and sets her sights on the mysterious local hospital before more people wind up dead on arrival…
Jessica Fletcher’s favorite gin rummy partner, Mimi Van Dorn, checks into the brand-new Clifton Care Partners, a private hospital that’s just opened up shop in town, for a simple procedure–one that leads tragically, and inexplicably, to her death. Seeking justice in her inimitable fashion, Jessica decides to pursue her own investigation on the hospital and its shadowy business dealings.
On the trail of what initially appears to be medical malpractice, Jessica digs deeper and learns her friend was actually a victim of something far more sinister. Death is bad for business, but murder is even worse, and Jessica will find plenty of both as she races to bring down Clifton Care Partners before someone else flatlines…
Review:
Jessica Fletcher has been one of our favorite female sleuths for over three decades. She changes with the times in every way except that she still doesn’t drive. Jessica, a former substitute high school English, still rides her bicycle around Cabot Cove, Maine, and still takes the train to major metropolises such as Boston, DC, or the Big Apple. Each mystery is better than the last. Her delightful, challenging mysteries are interrelated. For example, in Murder in Red, we again see Chief Inspector George Sutherland from Scotland Yard, introduced to us – and to Jessica – in the 1990 series opener, Gin and Daggers. This time I learned something I hadn’t remembered from the past, that she is a jogger.
Dr. Seth Hazlitt, a close friend of Jessica, has been losing patients in recent months to Clifton Clinic/ Clifton Care Partners. Dr. Clifton opened the clinic just outside Cabot Cove less than a year ago, and it is incredibly popular for “regenerative” medicine and for clinical trials of serious or lethal diseases. It is also known among those with the best insurance available or the ability to pay cash for their services.
Jean O’Neal, former librarian in Cabot Cove, was well-known and loved. After suffering for years with MS, she finally retired when she could not physically do the work. Jean was a patient at Clifton, participating in a trial that gave her several months of life with a better quality until succumbing to her disease. Most folks in Cabot Cover attended her funeral, then headed to the library for the reception.
Mimi Van Dorn moved to town nearly 10 years ago. She and Jessica bonded through their love of books, volunteering for Friends of the Library, and playing cards. Jessica discovers how little she really knew Mimi. When they were leaving the funeral, Jessica saw Mimi during an angry conversation on her cell phone. Mimi stepped into the road as an old Jeep Cherokee came around the corner, revved the engine, and raced directly to Mimi. Jessica dashed after her and pushed Mimi out of the way. Mimi went back to her heated call, and Jessica saw her at the library reception.
Mimi is now a patient of Dr. Clifton. The specialist has her off caffeine, sugar, and gluten. Seth had been treating her for diabetes for quite some time, but Mimi was a challenge, not wanting to give everything up. Seth speculates that she is going to the clinic for regenerative – primarily cosmetic – medicine. When Mimi has a seizure at the at the reception, Seth gives CPR until the EMT’s take over. At the hospital, she is in a coma, but at least stable.
It is when Jessica goes into the hospital that she sees George Sutherland coming into the hospital, a special friend she was thinking of a short time earlier. He is at Cabot Cove Hospital to see Dr. Clifton and have tests done that can’t be done at Clifton Clinic. George has a room already at Hill House, where Jessica is staying while her home undergoes extensive repairs. He promised to call her when he was done at the hospital.
Not only did George not call or return to his room at Hill House, Seth called early the next morning with the shocking news that early that morning, Mimi died at the hospital. It is noted that the plug for the ventilator was pulled almost out of the socket, but its alarm had not sounded, suggesting murder. According to security tapes, only the nurse making regular rounds had been there, and Dr. Clifton, claiming to be unable to sleep, was there to see how she was doing. Seth believes Clifton is at fault, and George, his new patient, is missing. As Jessica tries to find who tried to run Mimi over and locate George, she learns some of Mimi’s secrets, including the adult son she never talked about.
The author shows throughout how Jessica’s thought processes work, especially as she seeks to discover what or who killed Mimi, where George is, why he is in Cabot Cove, and exactly what kinds of trials Clifton conducts at his clinic. I find Jessica’s musings interesting as she considers this stage of her life and her friends. Even after almost 50 novels, there is something more to learn about Jessica, Seth, Mort, Cabot Cove’s sheriff, and Harry McGraw, the best PI Jessica has worked with. Clifton, Tripp, Fred and others specific to this novel are defined as well as necessary.
This mystery captivated me from the beginning and held my attention throughout. It is fast-paced, with stunning plot twists that keep it fresh and exciting. I like how observant Jessica is, and wish I had the talent of seeing and processing the clues as she does. She and George have made a good team over the years, able to discuss cases and bounce ideas off each other. There were a couple things I did figure out, but Mimi’s secrets were a challenge, as well as what happened to her and where George is – a man with a secret or two of his own. The end brought a huge surprise I didn’t anticipate; overall, I was very satisfied with the resolution. I highly recommend this mystery and am looking forward to many more!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
August 18, 2019
This was so far fetched and disappointing. Since Mr Bain’s passing, Jessica just hasn’t been the same. Sadly, I will be saying goodbye to this series.
January 5, 2020
Murder in Red is the first Murder She Wrote book I've had the chance to read. I enjoyed the show when I was growing up and loved Angela Lansbury's character. As I read Murder in Red, Angela is who I channeled as Jessica Fletcher, as I'm sure others have done, as well. I found the mystery surrounding her friends and a shady new private hospital well written. I enjoyed the characters, how Jessica was able to ferret out the mysteries and solve the murder of one friend and the disappearance of another.
Clifton Clinic's portrayal as a shady clinic and worthy of such suspicions intrigued me. The entire book, plot, and characters kept me engaged in the story from start to finish. I was completely surprised by the ending and how everything wrapped up. I will definitely be reading more of the books in the series now that I've had a taste.
I was provided a hardcover copy of this book to read.
Clifton Clinic's portrayal as a shady clinic and worthy of such suspicions intrigued me. The entire book, plot, and characters kept me engaged in the story from start to finish. I was completely surprised by the ending and how everything wrapped up. I will definitely be reading more of the books in the series now that I've had a taste.
I was provided a hardcover copy of this book to read.
April 4, 2021
First of all, let me just say this was a terrific book. It was very imagery, and I could almost always picture what was happening. This is the first book I’ve read that’s part of the Murder, She Wrote series, but I will definitely be reading more. One thing that I couldn’t wrap my head around, though, was the fact that there were things in this book like Uber, Google, cell phones, Mac and Windows computers, and other very modern things; I think I am just so used to watching the original television series from the 80’s and 90’s! Murder In Red has many twists and things you probably would never suspect, which are the things I like the best in these types of books. I can’t wait to see where Jessica Fletcher goes next in this wonderful book series!
January 8, 2022
What an awful, awful, awful book! Would not recommend if you like the Murder She Wrote books by Donald Bain. I couldn’t even read the whole book it was that bad, I read about 60 odd pages and then skipped to the end. I hate the way this author has made changes to the characters personalities and has changed background information like where Jessica comes from etc. Jessica in this book is not a likeable character nor is anyone else for that matter! If you have this book I recommend you burn it!
June 21, 2019
Another good installment in one of my favorite series! I was pleased to see George in this story as he is a favorite of mine. The mystery is very good with two unexplained deaths and kept me guessing. Jessica’s still got it, that’s for sure!! Looking forward to more of Jessica’s adventures. Great read!
June 19, 2024
I always enjoy these easy to read murder mysteries maybe because I can visualize the characters 😊
January 2, 2025
Loved Seth in this one!
December 30, 2024
Stars: 2 / 5
Recommendation: This was my least favorite of Jon Land's books as he continuously misses the mark. The longtime characters seems more sarcastic than usual. It still lacks something that Donald Bain had infused so well. Perhaps future books may be better by Jon Land.
Murder in Red is the 49th novel in the long-running Murder She Wrote series co-written by Jon Land & fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. It was first published on May of 2019.
This is my take on the series of books written by a plethora of authors and Jessica Fletcher (fictional author) based on the 80s and 90s popular American crime drama television series Murder, She Wrote. These books are ghost written by Donald Bain and fictional author Jessica Fletcher for the first 43 books until 2015. Then Donald Bain wrote these with Renee Paley Bain and Jon Land for four more books. After Donald Bain passed away in 2017, Jon Land alone took the baton and continued with Jessica Fletcher for 5 more books until 2020. Starting 2021 the series was picked by Terrie Farley Moran again pairing with the fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. As of October 2024, 59 books have been written in this series. They are mostly written in first person narration.
A new medical care center has opened on the outskirts of Cabot Cove, that specializes in medical treatments that no one practices anywhere in the world. Despites several doubts and questions, people seem to be joining the care center to make them better in looks wise and may be health wise. However, when two people die, even though the circumstances are natural to look on the face, Seth's comments convinces Jessica to look into those deaths, and may be get a shot at shutting the place down, before she is shut down permanently.
In the 47th book A Date With Murder, I noticed that Land forgot that Jessica has fondness for George Sutherland, Scotland Yard Inspector, that we had seen him in several of her books penned by Donald Bain. He has Jessica reminisce about George in this book. Perhaps feedback was provided.
I was wondering if Jon Land would bring George Sutherland back in his books. He did indeed bring him in this book. George has a significant presence in Jessica's investigation although there is a kind of pain involved. Nothing a pain that wont bring two people closer, but Jessica still doesn’t take on George as her beau in the end even though she goes through lot of heartache with him.
And so does Harry McGraw make an appearance. I never understood why the authors made him very cynical and sometimes rude in the book as opposed to how he was in the TV series. Even they make Sherriff Mort frustrated with Jessica and at times sarcastic too. He was more open to her involvement in the TV series. In fact when he gets frustrated he calls her Mrs. Fletcher otherwise she is Jessica to him.
This story reminds me of one episode on Murder, She Wrote TV series, Armed Response from Season 1 (Episode 19) where Jessica while recovering from a fractured leg at a hospital investigates the murder of a doctor.
Jessica also takes us back to one of her old case where she is almost run down by a vehicle and gets her bike destroyed. I believe it was three books or so before this.
This was my least favorite of Jon Land's books as he continuously misses the mark. The longtime characters seems more sarcastic than usual. It still lacks something that Donald Bain had infused so well. Perhaps future books may be better by Jon Land.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Grammatical / Character / Plot / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
a. On Pg. 71, Line 1 it should be "…of those pictures."
2. Plot Reveals:
a. Characters we see here: Dr. Charles Clifton, Director of The Clifton Clinic and Clifton Care Partners; Mutt and Jeff, part of Zoning Board; Tripp Van Dorn Jessup, song of Mimi Van Dorn who gets murdered; Fred Cooper, Tripp's lawyer; Frank, security guard at Cabot Cove Hospital; Amy Billings, chief ICU Nurse; Arthur Noble, FDA field agent; Jane Willow, nurse; Barnes, State police captain; Jeffrey Archibald, CEO of LGX Pharmaceuticals, and his wife Allison; Tom Grimes, Police Chief of Marblehead; Alvin McCandless, ex-police chief of Marblehead;
b. George Sutherland is diagnosed with Pheochromocytomas, for now benign tumors of the adrenal gland. But we come to know in the end that he makes it up as part of undercover investigation. Nonetheless Jessica went thru a lot of heartache.
c. Jessica's maiden name is MacGills per this book, not sure if it was the same in the TV show.
3. Sub Plots:
a. Friends of Jessica Fletcher: Dr. Seth Hazlitt; George Sutherland, senior inspector with Scotland Yard, formerly with British Special Air Service; Morton "Mort" Metzger, Cabot Cove Sherriff and his wife Maureen / Adele ?; Eve Simpson, realtor friend with Cabot Cove Realty aa Simpson Realty; Sam Booth, mayor of Cabot Cove; Ethan Cragg, Cabot Cove’s chief town elder.
b. Literary contacts and friends: her American publisher Vaughan Buckley of Buckley House, his fashion model wife Olga Buckley and their dogs Sadie and Rose; Harry McGraw, her private eye friend; Matt Miller, her literary agent & his wife Susan; Paulette, Matt's assistant; her British Publisher Griffin Semple, son of her original publisher Archibald Semple; Herb Mason, her accountant.
c. Other Cabot Cove characters: Josh, the mailman; Jed Richardson, bush pilot and owner of Jed's Flying Service, and his wife Alicia / Barbara?, His brother Harvey, owns the local Gas-and-Go; Mara, owns Mara’s Luncheonette; Hank Weathers, a homeless war vet; Seamus McGilray, manager of Hill House Hotel per the 51st book / Thomas Wilkerson per the 47th book; Richard "Dick" Mann, Fire Chief; Charlene Sassi, baker; Susan Shevlin, travel agent and her husband Jim, Mayor of Cabot Cove; Professor Donskoy; Roberta Dougherty, bookstore owner; Richard Koser, photographer, and his wife MaryJane; Barbara DePaoli, Chamber of Commerce's secretary; Anthon Colarusso, dentist; Beth and Peter Mullin, owners of Old Thyme Floral; Sam Davis, investment advisor; Jack Decker, publisher of Cabot Cove's monthly magazine; Peter Eder, Cabot Cove's symphony orchestra; Bob Daros, owns Heritage Fuel; Tim Purdy, treasurer of chamber of commerce and historian and president of Cabot Cove's historical society, and investment advisor, and his wife Ellen; Pat Hitchcock, Cabot Cove's popular nurse and teacher?; Joseph "Joe" Turco, an attorney; Marcia Davis, costume designer; David and Jim Raneri, owners of Charles Department Store; Ralph Mackin, town attorney; Ed and Joan Lerner, retirees; Brenda Brody, copy editor of Cabot Cove Insider; Doug Treyz, dentist, and his wife Tina; Jack and Marilou Decker, publishers of Cabot Cove Insider; Peter and Roberta Walters, owners of the radio station; Horace Teller, publisher of Cabot Cove News; Doris Sitar, assistant manager at Cabot Cove Savings Bank; Dmitri, owner of local taxi company; Phil Wick, field manager of the phone company; John St. Clair, professor of business law at Cabot Cove Community College; Dr. Jennifer "Jenny" Countryman, Seth's partner; Reginald "Reggie" Weems, insurance agent; Richard Jenkins & Sal Marterella, city council members; Jack Wilson, the Veterinarian, and his wife Tobe; Evelyn Phillips, editor of Cabot Cove Gazette; Maniram Chatterjee & his wife Hita, jewelry shop owners; Sanford Teller, public relations agency; Lee, postmistress; Loretta Spiegel, owns beauty salon; Barnaby Longshoot; Brad Crandall; SeaBasket, a supermarket; Father Donald Barnes; Becky Thayer, owner of Cabot Cove Catering; Doris Ann, librarian; Ansell Hodges, homeless veteran; Clara, Seth's longtime receptionist;
d. Sheriff Metzger’s staff & other law enforcement: Deputy Andy Jenks; Deputy Jack; Rookie Wendell Watson and his mother Gloria; Deputy Harold; Deputy Jerry; Deputy Evan; Deputy Chip; Alfred Gillo, medical examiner; Judge Kaplan; Marie Poutre, dispatcher; Officer Edgar; Gladys, a civilian dispatcher; Deputy Billy Simms; NYPD lieutenant with Major Case Squad Artie Gelber.
e. Jessica Fletcher’s family: Grady Fletcher, nephew that she and her late-husband Frank raise, his wife Donna and child Frank.
f. We know the reason as to why Mort Metzger's wife is called Maureen as of the 20th book A Slaying in Savannah. Mort and Adele get divorced and Adele goes back to New York. Mort marries Maureen who becomes his second wife. All of Donald Bain's novels starting 20th book have this scenario. However Jon Land novels they remain married and his wife is back to being called Adele. However, I distinctly remember her name being changed to Adele in the 50th book, A Time for Murder.
g. I remember reading one of the later books (and couldn’t figure out which one was that) where we see Sam Booth as the mayor of Cabot Cove. However, since I started reading the series from the beginning, looks like the mayor of Cabot Cove is Jim Shevlin. I wonder if Sam Booth surfaces as I remember from way back read.
h. From the 9th book, Murder on the QE2: Mary Ward has been a prominent character in this book. Will she resurface again?
i. From the 10th book, Murder in Moscow:
i. There is still no resolution as to who or how Ward Wenington was killed in D.C. and why Vladislav "Vlady" Staritova was killed in Russia. What was the connection?
ii. Alexandra Kozhina disappears at the end of the plot. And will she surface in another book?
j. In the 27th book Coffee, Tea or Murder? we see that Jed's wife is named Barbara. But up until then she was named Alicia. Now that Bain is gone and Land has taken over, will there be a back story or will he just leave it as one of the names without explanation.
k. From the 30th book:
i. Tom Craig offers Michael Haggerty a book deal to write about his escapades as an undercover British spy.
ii. There is no closure as to who actually kills the person in the first murder.
iii. Will Jennifer Kahn, the alleged jewel thief, walk away free since they could only find circumstantial evidence against her and nothing concrete?
l. From the 37th book: If I ever try the sidecar recipe I will have to post it again referring the 37th book. But Angela Lansbury did print a cookbook based on the food items shared either in the episodes or by characters of the series. https://www.silverscreensuppers.com/t...
m. From the 47th book:
i. Mort jokes that Jessica is a magnet for murder; and Jessica quips that can she use that as a title. We know that this title has never been done so far in her books or the fictional ones she wrote on the TV show. May be a future book?
ii. Again we don’t see the criminal Armand Dejong's body found. So did he succumb to the injuries caused by fire or escape?
n. From the 48th book, Manuscript for Murder:
i. We come to know that Mort was in Vietnam that we had never heard either on TV show or the earlier books.
o. From the 51st book, The Murder of Twelve:
i. Author Land gives considerable mystery to Seamus McGilray’s character. I wonder if he resurfaces in a future book.
ii. Towards the end of the book, Mort jokes that Jessica should run for mayor. Hmm…something to look forward to I suppose.
Recommendation: This was my least favorite of Jon Land's books as he continuously misses the mark. The longtime characters seems more sarcastic than usual. It still lacks something that Donald Bain had infused so well. Perhaps future books may be better by Jon Land.
Murder in Red is the 49th novel in the long-running Murder She Wrote series co-written by Jon Land & fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. It was first published on May of 2019.
This is my take on the series of books written by a plethora of authors and Jessica Fletcher (fictional author) based on the 80s and 90s popular American crime drama television series Murder, She Wrote. These books are ghost written by Donald Bain and fictional author Jessica Fletcher for the first 43 books until 2015. Then Donald Bain wrote these with Renee Paley Bain and Jon Land for four more books. After Donald Bain passed away in 2017, Jon Land alone took the baton and continued with Jessica Fletcher for 5 more books until 2020. Starting 2021 the series was picked by Terrie Farley Moran again pairing with the fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. As of October 2024, 59 books have been written in this series. They are mostly written in first person narration.
A new medical care center has opened on the outskirts of Cabot Cove, that specializes in medical treatments that no one practices anywhere in the world. Despites several doubts and questions, people seem to be joining the care center to make them better in looks wise and may be health wise. However, when two people die, even though the circumstances are natural to look on the face, Seth's comments convinces Jessica to look into those deaths, and may be get a shot at shutting the place down, before she is shut down permanently.
In the 47th book A Date With Murder, I noticed that Land forgot that Jessica has fondness for George Sutherland, Scotland Yard Inspector, that we had seen him in several of her books penned by Donald Bain. He has Jessica reminisce about George in this book. Perhaps feedback was provided.
I was wondering if Jon Land would bring George Sutherland back in his books. He did indeed bring him in this book. George has a significant presence in Jessica's investigation although there is a kind of pain involved. Nothing a pain that wont bring two people closer, but Jessica still doesn’t take on George as her beau in the end even though she goes through lot of heartache with him.
And so does Harry McGraw make an appearance. I never understood why the authors made him very cynical and sometimes rude in the book as opposed to how he was in the TV series. Even they make Sherriff Mort frustrated with Jessica and at times sarcastic too. He was more open to her involvement in the TV series. In fact when he gets frustrated he calls her Mrs. Fletcher otherwise she is Jessica to him.
This story reminds me of one episode on Murder, She Wrote TV series, Armed Response from Season 1 (Episode 19) where Jessica while recovering from a fractured leg at a hospital investigates the murder of a doctor.
Jessica also takes us back to one of her old case where she is almost run down by a vehicle and gets her bike destroyed. I believe it was three books or so before this.
This was my least favorite of Jon Land's books as he continuously misses the mark. The longtime characters seems more sarcastic than usual. It still lacks something that Donald Bain had infused so well. Perhaps future books may be better by Jon Land.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Grammatical / Character / Plot / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
a. On Pg. 71, Line 1 it should be "…of those pictures."
2. Plot Reveals:
a. Characters we see here: Dr. Charles Clifton, Director of The Clifton Clinic and Clifton Care Partners; Mutt and Jeff, part of Zoning Board; Tripp Van Dorn Jessup, song of Mimi Van Dorn who gets murdered; Fred Cooper, Tripp's lawyer; Frank, security guard at Cabot Cove Hospital; Amy Billings, chief ICU Nurse; Arthur Noble, FDA field agent; Jane Willow, nurse; Barnes, State police captain; Jeffrey Archibald, CEO of LGX Pharmaceuticals, and his wife Allison; Tom Grimes, Police Chief of Marblehead; Alvin McCandless, ex-police chief of Marblehead;
b. George Sutherland is diagnosed with Pheochromocytomas, for now benign tumors of the adrenal gland. But we come to know in the end that he makes it up as part of undercover investigation. Nonetheless Jessica went thru a lot of heartache.
c. Jessica's maiden name is MacGills per this book, not sure if it was the same in the TV show.
3. Sub Plots:
a. Friends of Jessica Fletcher: Dr. Seth Hazlitt; George Sutherland, senior inspector with Scotland Yard, formerly with British Special Air Service; Morton "Mort" Metzger, Cabot Cove Sherriff and his wife Maureen / Adele ?; Eve Simpson, realtor friend with Cabot Cove Realty aa Simpson Realty; Sam Booth, mayor of Cabot Cove; Ethan Cragg, Cabot Cove’s chief town elder.
b. Literary contacts and friends: her American publisher Vaughan Buckley of Buckley House, his fashion model wife Olga Buckley and their dogs Sadie and Rose; Harry McGraw, her private eye friend; Matt Miller, her literary agent & his wife Susan; Paulette, Matt's assistant; her British Publisher Griffin Semple, son of her original publisher Archibald Semple; Herb Mason, her accountant.
c. Other Cabot Cove characters: Josh, the mailman; Jed Richardson, bush pilot and owner of Jed's Flying Service, and his wife Alicia / Barbara?, His brother Harvey, owns the local Gas-and-Go; Mara, owns Mara’s Luncheonette; Hank Weathers, a homeless war vet; Seamus McGilray, manager of Hill House Hotel per the 51st book / Thomas Wilkerson per the 47th book; Richard "Dick" Mann, Fire Chief; Charlene Sassi, baker; Susan Shevlin, travel agent and her husband Jim, Mayor of Cabot Cove; Professor Donskoy; Roberta Dougherty, bookstore owner; Richard Koser, photographer, and his wife MaryJane; Barbara DePaoli, Chamber of Commerce's secretary; Anthon Colarusso, dentist; Beth and Peter Mullin, owners of Old Thyme Floral; Sam Davis, investment advisor; Jack Decker, publisher of Cabot Cove's monthly magazine; Peter Eder, Cabot Cove's symphony orchestra; Bob Daros, owns Heritage Fuel; Tim Purdy, treasurer of chamber of commerce and historian and president of Cabot Cove's historical society, and investment advisor, and his wife Ellen; Pat Hitchcock, Cabot Cove's popular nurse and teacher?; Joseph "Joe" Turco, an attorney; Marcia Davis, costume designer; David and Jim Raneri, owners of Charles Department Store; Ralph Mackin, town attorney; Ed and Joan Lerner, retirees; Brenda Brody, copy editor of Cabot Cove Insider; Doug Treyz, dentist, and his wife Tina; Jack and Marilou Decker, publishers of Cabot Cove Insider; Peter and Roberta Walters, owners of the radio station; Horace Teller, publisher of Cabot Cove News; Doris Sitar, assistant manager at Cabot Cove Savings Bank; Dmitri, owner of local taxi company; Phil Wick, field manager of the phone company; John St. Clair, professor of business law at Cabot Cove Community College; Dr. Jennifer "Jenny" Countryman, Seth's partner; Reginald "Reggie" Weems, insurance agent; Richard Jenkins & Sal Marterella, city council members; Jack Wilson, the Veterinarian, and his wife Tobe; Evelyn Phillips, editor of Cabot Cove Gazette; Maniram Chatterjee & his wife Hita, jewelry shop owners; Sanford Teller, public relations agency; Lee, postmistress; Loretta Spiegel, owns beauty salon; Barnaby Longshoot; Brad Crandall; SeaBasket, a supermarket; Father Donald Barnes; Becky Thayer, owner of Cabot Cove Catering; Doris Ann, librarian; Ansell Hodges, homeless veteran; Clara, Seth's longtime receptionist;
d. Sheriff Metzger’s staff & other law enforcement: Deputy Andy Jenks; Deputy Jack; Rookie Wendell Watson and his mother Gloria; Deputy Harold; Deputy Jerry; Deputy Evan; Deputy Chip; Alfred Gillo, medical examiner; Judge Kaplan; Marie Poutre, dispatcher; Officer Edgar; Gladys, a civilian dispatcher; Deputy Billy Simms; NYPD lieutenant with Major Case Squad Artie Gelber.
e. Jessica Fletcher’s family: Grady Fletcher, nephew that she and her late-husband Frank raise, his wife Donna and child Frank.
f. We know the reason as to why Mort Metzger's wife is called Maureen as of the 20th book A Slaying in Savannah. Mort and Adele get divorced and Adele goes back to New York. Mort marries Maureen who becomes his second wife. All of Donald Bain's novels starting 20th book have this scenario. However Jon Land novels they remain married and his wife is back to being called Adele. However, I distinctly remember her name being changed to Adele in the 50th book, A Time for Murder.
g. I remember reading one of the later books (and couldn’t figure out which one was that) where we see Sam Booth as the mayor of Cabot Cove. However, since I started reading the series from the beginning, looks like the mayor of Cabot Cove is Jim Shevlin. I wonder if Sam Booth surfaces as I remember from way back read.
h. From the 9th book, Murder on the QE2: Mary Ward has been a prominent character in this book. Will she resurface again?
i. From the 10th book, Murder in Moscow:
i. There is still no resolution as to who or how Ward Wenington was killed in D.C. and why Vladislav "Vlady" Staritova was killed in Russia. What was the connection?
ii. Alexandra Kozhina disappears at the end of the plot. And will she surface in another book?
j. In the 27th book Coffee, Tea or Murder? we see that Jed's wife is named Barbara. But up until then she was named Alicia. Now that Bain is gone and Land has taken over, will there be a back story or will he just leave it as one of the names without explanation.
k. From the 30th book:
i. Tom Craig offers Michael Haggerty a book deal to write about his escapades as an undercover British spy.
ii. There is no closure as to who actually kills the person in the first murder.
iii. Will Jennifer Kahn, the alleged jewel thief, walk away free since they could only find circumstantial evidence against her and nothing concrete?
l. From the 37th book: If I ever try the sidecar recipe I will have to post it again referring the 37th book. But Angela Lansbury did print a cookbook based on the food items shared either in the episodes or by characters of the series. https://www.silverscreensuppers.com/t...
m. From the 47th book:
i. Mort jokes that Jessica is a magnet for murder; and Jessica quips that can she use that as a title. We know that this title has never been done so far in her books or the fictional ones she wrote on the TV show. May be a future book?
ii. Again we don’t see the criminal Armand Dejong's body found. So did he succumb to the injuries caused by fire or escape?
n. From the 48th book, Manuscript for Murder:
i. We come to know that Mort was in Vietnam that we had never heard either on TV show or the earlier books.
o. From the 51st book, The Murder of Twelve:
i. Author Land gives considerable mystery to Seamus McGilray’s character. I wonder if he resurfaces in a future book.
ii. Towards the end of the book, Mort jokes that Jessica should run for mayor. Hmm…something to look forward to I suppose.
February 7, 2020
This was my first Murder, She Wrote book in the series, and I think I'm going to start from the beginning to get an idea of Jessica's character development. Overall, really enjoyed the book. I'm not usually a huge fan of mysteries because I'm a huge wimp when it comes to mysteries and murder, but I was pleasantly surprised, I was chilled but not too much. I will definitely be picking up another Jessica Fletcher book.
May 19, 2019
"Murder in Red" is a cozy mystery (#49 in the series). At first, this book seemed more like the earlier stories: friendly, nosy Jessica Fletcher asked questions about suspicious deaths and tracked down clues. But the new author has re-written some of the series history, though the characters were closer to what I expected. But "smart" Jessica didn't catch on to some very obvious things. She also did some very illogical things to add suspense opportunities, like run after a man with a gun who'd just shot at her (and, no, she had no weapon).
Also, it was obvious who was involved in the murders and even the "surprise" twists. The only reason a reader can't figure out all the details is because some information is held back until Jessica explained everything. Other (critical) details made no sense if you think about them but you're just supposed to accept them. For example,
There was no sex. There were a few uses of bad language.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
Also, it was obvious who was involved in the murders and even the "surprise" twists. The only reason a reader can't figure out all the details is because some information is held back until Jessica explained everything. Other (critical) details made no sense if you think about them but you're just supposed to accept them. For example,
There was no sex. There were a few uses of bad language.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
December 29, 2021
I read this book as research for a cozy mystery series I'm writing (my first). I've read tons of cozy mysteries in 2021, and most of them are not great. This one, thankfully, was great. I learned a lot about how to set up clues, how the amateur sleuth interrogates the suspects, about red herrings, etc. This book is exactly like the series. It's fun.
June 18, 2019
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
"Well, Jessica, at least I wasn't murdered."
The story opens at the funeral of the town's former librarian. She has written personal messages to various townspeople rather than have eulogies. Cabot Cove has a huge amount of murders per capita for such a small town.
I must admit that I have not read any if the previous books in this series. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. The writing is solid and the mystery is clever. I enjoyed meeting the townspeople. Their characters are well written and they feel like friends or neighbors.
Jessica's concern over the death of a friend leads her into dangerous situations involving a clinic on the edge of town. She becomes doubly concerned when her good friend, George Sutherland, checks in as a patient.
Jessica is a bright, outgoing, mettlesome woman that you can't help but love. She worms her way into situations that have you shaking your head. Her mind is always filtering information and allowing her to come to concrete conclusions. I love that she is a woman of "a certain age" yet remains fit and active.
I may need to go back and read earlier books to learn more about some of the recurring characters.
A lovely afternoon read that held my interest. It is most definitely
recommended for Fletcher fans!
3.5 stars
"Well, Jessica, at least I wasn't murdered."
The story opens at the funeral of the town's former librarian. She has written personal messages to various townspeople rather than have eulogies. Cabot Cove has a huge amount of murders per capita for such a small town.
I must admit that I have not read any if the previous books in this series. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. The writing is solid and the mystery is clever. I enjoyed meeting the townspeople. Their characters are well written and they feel like friends or neighbors.
Jessica's concern over the death of a friend leads her into dangerous situations involving a clinic on the edge of town. She becomes doubly concerned when her good friend, George Sutherland, checks in as a patient.
Jessica is a bright, outgoing, mettlesome woman that you can't help but love. She worms her way into situations that have you shaking your head. Her mind is always filtering information and allowing her to come to concrete conclusions. I love that she is a woman of "a certain age" yet remains fit and active.
I may need to go back and read earlier books to learn more about some of the recurring characters.
A lovely afternoon read that held my interest. It is most definitely
recommended for Fletcher fans!
3.5 stars
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