Murder, She Wrote: Killing in a Koi Pond

Murder, She Wrote #53

by Jessica Fletcher, Terrie Farley Moran

When a friend’s husband dies while Jessica Fletcher is in town visiting, Jessica’s vacation turns into a murder investigation in this latest entry in the long-running USA Today  bestselling series.

After traveling to Bethesda for a mystery writers’ conference, Jessica Fletcher decides she’s earned a vacation and takes a train to Columbia, South Carolina, to visit her old college friend Dolores, who has recently married her third husband, Willis Nickens, a wealthy and cutthroat businessman. They’ve moved into an opulent historic home with plenty of space for guests, and Jessica is ready for a week of shopping, gossiping, and relaxing at the grand estate.

But the morning after she arrives, Jessica discovers Willis facedown in the koi pond, and despite what the police think, she’s sure foul play is involved. She hadn’t known Willis long, but it’s clear to her that he didn’t concern himself with making friends. The question isn’t if her friend’s husband was murdered but by whom.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Contemporary, Audiobook, Adult Fiction

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 8, 2021

About the author

Librarian’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

Reviews

[megs_bookrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4.5-stars**

After attending a literary conference in Bethesda, Jessica decides to continue her travels further South and visit with her dear friend, Dolores, in South Carolina.

Dolores has recently married her third husband, Willis Nickens, a wealthy businessman. Jess is eager to meet him.



After reaching the Nickens' South Carolina home, she discovers she isn't the couple's only current house guest.

There's staff, of course, as well as Willis' son-in-law, adorable niece and business partner. Through observing Willis' interactions with these other guests, Jessica quickly determines Dolores' new husband is a bit of a jerk.



He seems to bully everyone he comes into contact with. Lording his money and power over them. When Jessica discovers his body, face-down in the koi pond, on her early morning run, she immediately suspects foul play.

The local law enforcement doesn't seemed as convinced, however, and they brush off her initial attempts at assistance. Clearly, Jessica's reputation did not proceed her.



Eventually, they come around to her side of things and admit that Willis was in fact murdered. Their number one suspect: Dolores.

Jessica knows Dolores could never commit murder. Thus, she is forced to begin an investigation of her own, to clear her friend's name and help to capture the real killer.



Killing in a Koi Pond was an absolute delight. Although the 53rd-installment of this beloved series, it's the first penned by veteran Cozy author, Terrie Farley Moran.

She did a fantastic job channeling the original tone of the series. I really hope she continues on!!



This story held to the classic format, read quickly and will definitely keep Cozy fans engaged. I'll admit, there were a couple of moments where the narrative fell into a bit of a lull, but overall, a real treat!



Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

This is the 37th-book in this series that I have read. I am huge fan and will keep on coming back for more as long as they are published!



Reviewer's Note: If you are new to this series, you can jump in anywhere, you do not need to read them in order. Especially if you have ever watched the television program and have that background on Jessica's character.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder, She Wrote: Killing in Koi Pond by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran is a 2021 Berkley publication.

In this 53rd installment, Jessica is on one of her many trips away from Cabot Cove. This time she’s off to South Carolina for a small vacation, where she plans to visit Delores, an old college friend.

Delores is blissfully happy in her third marriage, but her happiness is short lived, when Jessica discovers her husband, Willis, dead in the Koi Pond. Jessica immediately suspects foul play, but unfortunately, she has a hard time convincing law enforcement to dig a little deeper. But once it has been established that Willis was indeed murdered, there seems to be no shortage of suspects….

Including Delores!

This is Moran’s first book in the MSW series, and it is the first book I’ve read in the series since 2018. If you are wondering if that is a coincidence- it’s not- and we’ll just leave it at that.

I am so happy the writing is back within the cozy format, and Jessica’s character traits are back to normal.

While I want the series to retain the charm we grew to love through the television series, and keep all the recurring characters, and their unique personalities and mannerisms pretty much the same, in that regard, that is not to say Jessica must stay in her quaint 1980s bubble.

Moran brings her up to date a bit, technology wise, while remaining true to everything else we love about this series- and I think it's about time.

Another thing that is back to normal is the pacing. If you remained loyal to the series, even after Donald Bain's death, you might need to adjust yourself back from the tempo of a thriller to the stride of a cozy- but that's as it should be- and I for one am happy to see the author reign that back in.

When it came to the plot and execution, it is possible Moran played it a little too safe. There were a few warbles, but overall it was a solid mystery.

I’m quite pleased with this addition to the series. Hopefully, I can go back to auto adding MSW to my TBR list again!!

4 stars

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Fletcher is traveling down to South Carolina to visit a college friend. Delores has just married Willis, and she is over the moon. She is also blind to the way that Willis treats the majority of those around them, but Jessica observes the way others are reacting to his almost abusive behavior at dinner. When Jessica sets out for a run the next morning, she finds Willis dead in the Koi Pond. While Delores doesn’t want to believe that anyone could have killed Willis, the police being to treat Delores as a suspect. Can Jessica figure out what is really happening?

Although I’ve been a fan of the TV show for years, I just started reading the books a couple of years ago. While I enjoyed those books, they felt a little off for the franchise. This book captures the feel of the show much better, especially Jessica on a trip episode (which were the majority). Jessica is her charming best here, and I enjoyed several other characters as well as appreciating the growth in Delores. I did feel that Delores’s step-granddaughter was a bit young for the age she was supposed to be and the suspects were thin. The plot was good, although the pacing was off. Still, it did provide some enjoyable red herrings before we reached a classic Murder, She Wrote climax. Fans of the series will feel right at home here.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Thomas Bruso · Rating 2 out of 5]

With great sadness, I find myself reviewing a Jessica Fletcher mystery with such disappointment. I have enjoyed this series since it appeared on TV in 1984 and all the media-tie-in books penned by its predecessors, Donald Bain and Jon Land.

"Killing in a Koi Pond" has its highlights. But the lows are unforgivable. I enjoyed how J.B. Fletcher was portrayed as a pleasant busybody doing what J.B. does best. Moran does a good job fleshing out the character and making her wholesome and likable, not exactly depicted on TV, but engaging and saccharine.

Murder She Wrote fans recalled seeing Jessica solve cases independently on the TV show, which Angela Lansbury portrayed perfectly, and in past books by Bain and Land. Moran's Jessica is different: Jessica gets a lot of assistance from her friend, Harry McGraw and Seth Hazlitt from Cabot Cove, via cell phone conversations and texts, which becomes burdensome and takes away from what Jessica does best, which is investigating.

My qualms with the book are that none of the secondary characters are described well, and the characterizations are weak. Readers will have a problem distinguishing everybody's characteristics. Also, the story's pacing, although satisfying, is slow. Too slow that it meanders, and some of the chapters where Jessica is in conversation (the excessive dialogue is overkill!) with other characters (ex., the sheriff) could have been omitted. Those scenes add nothing substantial to the story.

Harry McGraw takes over the investigation, which is a low point because I miss Jessica's sleuthing. Most of the story finds Jessica consoling a widow, and the mystery is buried beneath dead-end storylines and conversations.

My other hesitancies with the book are the killer's identity (too obvious!) and the slow-paced narrative. I struggled with the languid pacing, too many descriptions of food and drink, endless conversations that went nowhere, and the characters' wardrobes, all of which were unnecessary.

I love the character of Jessica Fletcher and the mysteries she solves, but I am hesitant about whether or not to continue with Jessica's future travels.

[Mystery, She Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25🌟

Mood/ Seasonal Reading: spring maybe

Started off strong but I found it slowly lost my attention. The killer wasn’t very exciting and when the reveal came I was shocked it was happening cause I didn’t feel as if there was enough investigation or clues. But the characters and setting were cute. Felt a bit like a missed opportunity.

[Abigail Cloutier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Praise God, Jessica is back.
While I harbor no ill will for Jon Land and I am sure he is perfectly competent within his genre, the past several MSW books have left me with the distinct desire to hurl myself off of those picturesque Cabot Cove cliffs.
The narrative of this newest installation has reclaimed more of the original integrity and spirit of both the show and the Donald Bain originals. Murder in Season, Manuscript for Murder (couldn't even finish), and A Date with Murder were filled to the brim with sarcastic, cynical characters, plot holes the size of Africa, and a weird obsession with Harry McGraw. P.S. how many times is he going to make a crack about Jessica's unpaid bill???
All in all, this wasn't necessarily my favorite Murder, She Wrote book but it is such a positive move in the right direction. A warm, whip-smart Jessica Fletcher comes to her friend's aid after the sudden and tragic death of her husband. Familiar friends make an appearance, (yes, including McGraw but don't worry: no mention of any unpaid bills) and plot specifications ring true to the show.

I'm excited to say I am looking forward to the next book with Fletcher and Moran and am relieved to have one of my favorite series return back to "normal."

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another classic JB Fletcher :)

Somehow, the story was not that interesting and in all honesty, not a lot happened, no 'gather all, let's Columbo this culprit' at the end, which is a shame.
Some of the characters seemed to serve no purpose. Just a 'meh' instalment for me.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this would be a little fluff reading but I really found myself engrossed.

[Liz Mannegren · Rating 2 out of 5]

When it comes to cozy mysteries, the Murder, She Wrote books give me all the nostalgic feels. I've read countless novels in the series and Jessica Fletcher will always be one of my favorite characters to return to! Unfortunately, I felt that Killing in a Koi Pond fell a little flat in comparison. Usually, books in this series are quick reads but this time, I really struggled with the pacing, abundance of dialogue, and slow plot. As a reader, I just didn't connect with this story or other characters. I'll definitely be back for more Jessica Fletcher books in the future, but for me, this particular one was a miss. 2.5 stars.

[Jameson · Rating 1 out of 5]

A new writer for the series! We got high hopes, we got hiiiiighhhh hopes, we got high in the sky apple pie… uh, oh.

Ok. We have a woman writer on this series now. And how does she write women any differently than Donald Bain or Jon Land? Her women are different because they’re really into… home ec! That’s right. Home ec. There’s been a murder! Whodunit? Who cares? What about the fashion, food, and home furnishings?

If you hated the homespun JB of the early seasons of MSW but loved the worldly Queen of Pantsuits of the later seasons, you’re in luck. She has evolved to her final form! Mysteries? Pshaw. Substance is so 1980s.

Right away you can tell the book is written by a woman. It’s more feminine. And I don’t mean that in some esoteric way—I mean that superficially: JB is now way more concerned with makeup, fashion, etc, than ever before. I’m of two minds about this: good because JB is a woman, I guess, but bad because she never seemed or was portrayed like that particular type of woman, and worse because I never got the impression she was the kind of writer to include details in her stories like a “little black dress” being made of “lyocell fabric” with a “jeweled neckline” and a “fit-and-flare skirt.” I noticed this right off and hoped it wouldn’t prove to be this author’s version of Bain’s page-filler (random trivia about people and places that had nothing to do with the plot or characters) but then a page or two later Jessica’s admiring her friend’s fashion choices and describing her clothes like she’s an unpaid intern writing captions for a Vogue spread. Uh, oh.

While I have zero doubt that most MSW readers are women, and maybe this kind of thing is pandering, but I doubt it’s something MSW readers of either sex were clamoring for. To be brutally honest: I think either this was the writer’s idea of meeting an editorial mandate for as much fluff as possible or this writer can’t write mysteries so relies on this kind of crap instead of clues and red herrings and plot twists and other boring stuff like that.

Killing in a Koi Pond is a boring short story stuffed to the gills with filler. Mostly that food and fashion and makeup stuff. Oh, and it’s 2021. So Jessica Fletcher does HIIT and uses the word mansplaining. As to the latter, I suffer from third-degree, secondhand embarrassment for the author. That will age about as well as Angela Lansbury’s “sensual” “exercise” VHS tapes. Mansplaining, Jessica? Tell me, is Harry McGraw mansplaining when you rely on him to do all the investigating while you eat scones all day and marvel at the crepe trees over and over? Is that mansplaining, Mrs. Nero Wolfe? Would it be womansplaining then, Jessica, when you make your moral judgements to the faces of all the characters, all the time, sex be damned? Jessica Fletcher is the last female character on earth who would take “mansplaining” seriously. She’s a force to be reckoned with and she’s never anyone’s victim.

Speaking of dumb, the plot: surprisingly, Jessica visits yet another old friend. Her jerk husband is surprisingly murdered. And, surprisingly, Jessica has tea with all the suspects while Harry McGraw does all the legwork. Case closed. She did nearly nil investigating herself. In fact, Jessica and Harry did literally nothing the police would not have done on their own to solve this homicide. Nothing. These kinds of mysteries aren’t usually solved by routine police work.

And why is Jessica best friends with this woman anyway? She’s awful. Now, I don’t think the writer knows she is writing this woman to be awful, though. Like she probably doesn’t know how off her Jessica is either. This old college friend comes off like a manipulative gold digger. Jessica comes off like she’s become a Stepford Wives version of herself. Jessica has been spayed.

I don’t know why these books (mostly) always have to be low-concept, travelogue-esque mysteries. It boggles my mind that writers don’t approach MSW envisioning their work to be of a piece with those Lansbury’s JB Fletcher would herself write. From the show, one would think a JB Fletcher book would be more Agatha Christie or even John Dickson Carr than, I don’t know, Rita Mae Brown. Or what I imagine Brown to be: cozy fluff. More like ‘Murder, She Baked’ or whatever godawful, saccharine stuff Hallmark TV produces. I imagined her books to be atmospheric and suspenseful. With action. Take the opening credits: “Arnold raced out of the door” not “Arnold paused in front of the mirror to admire his black three-pieced suit with its notched lapel and two front French pockets.” Take the titles of her books: The Corpse Danced at Midnight, Sanitarium of Death, The Corpse That Wasn't There, The Messengers of Midnight (these are the best titles and there are certainly a few clunkers in there, don’t get me wrong, but JB made her name with The Corpse Danced at Midnight so you would think that set the bar and tone for what a JB Fletcher novel would be.)

This book feels very post season 9: JB meets an old friend and is immediately thrust into family intrigue in a new town, there’s even a clumsy maid you can see being played by a crappy actress. I can hear the crappy 90s wallpaper music even now. This book would make a very skippable episode. There’s little interesting about the setting, there’s not much local color (although I did learn about Cola Cake), there’s absolutely nothing intriguing about the lone murder nor any Marple-esque magic of its solving, and the atmosphere dial is turned off the whole way through.

As for continuity, we get a Donna name drop (yay!) but poor Seth is a caricature of himself (boo!) At least the overused Harry McGraw is back in Boston and not NYC. And, for the love of God, at this point in her career Jessica shouldn’t be encountering law enforcement officers that don’t know of her reputation. She should be as famous as George Washington at this point. What do you mean you’ve never heard of this woman who has been a bestselling author for decades and has solved hundreds of murders? Are you soft? If you want to give Jessica a stumbling block with the police, be creative. Maybe next time the detective, with all due respect, wants to make a name for himself and would rather they each pursue their own investigation?

I, for one, would prefer a return to basics at this point. How about a few books set between the first two seasons? Something with more life in it? More blood, even! Something thrilling. This is milquetoast stuff. Lactose-free vanilla frozen yogurt. Better yet, keep the milquetoast series going but publish some one-shots. Give us early MSW or find the right author to write The Corpse Danced at Midnight.

Honestly, I’m disappointed. When I found out they switched writers again I was really looking forward to seeing the result. Well, no worse or better than the last but nowhere near as good as Bain at his best, or even Land. All in all, kind of a shame because I do feel like the last writer, Jon Land, was finally shaping up to be the right person for the job. I tore his first MSW book to shreds, I think, but each book improved drastically. Now, we’re back to square one. At least Land, even at his worst, was risky and interesting. This is like watching paint dry. However, I do wish the writer luck and hope the next book will be drastically better. This may have been a last minute assignment, whatever.

You know, I never felt like an old lady reading this series until now. Well, I’m off to buy some hard candies. Where does Woolworth’s keep their blue rinse these days?

[Moondance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 53rd book in the series and Jessica Fletcher does not disappoint.

Jessica travels to Columbia, South Carolina to visit and old friend who has remarried for the third time. The new husband is an obnoxious man with little regard for others. Jessica finds his body in the koi pond the day after her arrival and suspects foul play.

I must admit that I have skipped all over in reading this series but it certainly does not distract from the story. Jessica keeps me entertained with her sleuthing and sheer nosiness. I love that the story was set in an area that I am familiar with. Little tidbits like taking the victim's granddaughter to Riverbanks Zoo made me smile. (One of my favorite zoos, by the way)

Jessica knows that she needs to clear her friend even if it means antagonizing local law enforcement. I had suspicions early on who the culprit was and was delighted to be correct.

This series is like eating potato chips: you can't stop with just one. It is a fun, fast read that I enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Prime Crime for allowing me to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than the others that have been written since the original author passed away. It seems that Terrie Moran has done her homework and now is familiar with the backstory of each character. I like the South Carolina setting of this book. I enjoy the phone appearances of Harry McGraw, always picturing Jerry Orbach in this role. The only problem that I had was that Clancy, the son-in-law of Jessica’s friend is portrayed as kind of a loser right from the start of the book and I think that is an unfair characterization. But otherwise, this was an enjoyable, quick read that I received from NetGalley.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very worthy addition to the Murder She Wrote series. A top notch whodunit that spoke to the hallmarks of the characters and premise.
I’m thrilled to see this series carry on in Ms. Moran’s capable hands!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly it’s a 3 star. She doesn’t completely capture Jessica in book form. The first writer who created this book universe really knew how to describe a location and incorporate Jessica in that culture. This book didn’t do that. BUT! It’s much better than the last author. It’s a start and hopefully I’m right in saying it’ll get better!

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrie Farley Moran captured Jessica’s voice for sure. This was an excellent escape and time well spent with Jessica Fletcher.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Fletcher is back and taking a break in South Carolina while visiting a dear friend from college. Our new scribe for Jessica is a favorite cozy mystery author, and she delivers a new, well-crafted mystery. Jessica, a world traveler, seems comfortable wherever she goes. One thing I enjoyed is that, even as her friend Dolores teachers her a new world of Southern-speak, Jessica brought some of her “Mainer” sayings to Dolores and her husband, Willis. The setting is beautifully described, especially the luxurious estate Willis purchased for his bride.

The night of her arrival, Dolores and Willis had a dinner party that included a handful of neighbors, Willis’s business partner, son-in-law, and darling granddaughter. Willis gives the impression of being a shark of a businessman and a snarky neighbor even as he gets down on the floor with his beloved granddaughter. He insulted his guests, and later, Jessica overheard him having a loud disagreement with his son-in-law Clancy. Clancy had been made administrator of his daughter Abby’s trust after Willis’s daughter, Clancy’s wife, passed away. After learning how some of the money was being misappropriated, Willis is making Dolores the administrator. He knows she genuinely loves Abby and will will look out for her best interests. If anything happens to Willis, Dolores will inherit his enormous estate, the extent of which she is unaware.

Jessica was outdoors the next morning for a brief jog when she saw something unusual at the koi pond. She found Willis with his head partly in the water. She called 911 when certain Willis was dead. The sheriff and his deputy seemed to not want to work very much, as they almost immediately suspected Dolores without evidence, and nothing Jessica could say would dissuade them. With luck, her attorney will at least slow down their plan to arrest her and give them a chance to find whodunit.

Jessica is a gem at getting people to talk, even if she divulges a little more information to some of the “players”. Being away from Cabot Cove and her regular bicycling, she is determined to stay fit by jogging, and the estate is the perfect place to do so. There were several suspects on Jessica’s list from her first night there, and her friend was not one of them. We didn’t see as much of Jessica’s thoughts as she went through each day. Mostly we are privy to surface ideas or events from her history such as friends in college. Having lost her beloved Frank far too young, she helps Dolores through the initial loss of Willis. I enjoy how Jessica is an encourager, sees the best in most people, and has the self-confidence to offer suggestions and opinions.

I had an idea whodunit, yet there were so many surprises, there were times I simply wasn’t sure. Almost everyone had something to hide that could point the finger at them, but Jessica found the truth. I wish I could have seen her deductive process in action, rather than afterwards! I was very pleased with the outcome, and how all loose ends were tied up. I hope to see Dolores again in the future, this lovely woman who exudes sweet Southern charm and strength. I recommend this to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries, a fresh take on classic characters for the new generation of readers, and fans of Jessica Fletcher and the author.

From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good cozy mystery with the intrepid Jessica Fletcher taking center stage in Columbia, South Carolina. Jessica is visiting her old college friend Dolores there and Dolores is eager to show off her new estate and to introduce Jessica to her third husband Willis Nickens. Willis is a piece of work, snooty to the max and not at all likable, so I almost cheered when he ended up dead in the koi pond the day after Jessica’s arrival. It was no surprise that Jessica discovered the body and that Dolores became the main suspect. The intrigue is in following the clues along with Jessica in order to discover the identity of the killer. Since the setting is new, most of the characters are new, although Seth does make a kind of cameo appearance. The characters were fleshed out well, even the housekeeping staff who gave Jessica a lot of insight into the inner workings of the household. I liked the setting and the realistic details there, like the zoo that Jessica visited with Willis’s granddaughter Abby. There were a plethora of suspects and a less than cooperative sheriff who quickly settled on Dolores as the only possible killer. Jessica’s determination to prove her friend innocent was the main thrust of the story. The new author of the series did a good job of presenting the story just as the others in the series and of showing Jessica as a sleuth not easily fooled. The book was entertaining and mostly fast-paced, although I did think some of the mystery dragged at times, especially as Jessica was trying to convince the sheriff to continue to investigate. The book was intriguing with enough plot twists to keep me engaged to the end. I was able to figure out the culprit beforehand, but that did not take away from my enjoyment of the book. Fans of cozy mysteries will want to snatch this one up and dig in!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

MURDER, SHE WROTE: KILLING IN A KOI POND
By Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran
The Fifty-Third Murder, She Wrote Mystery

After a fun mystery conference Jessica Fletcher heads to South Carolina to catch up with her old college friend, Dolores Nickens. It seems that her marriage to Willis, husband number three, agrees with her as Dolores appears happier than she's been in years. As delighted as Dolores is with her new husband, the wealthy businessman has a dark side. Willis changes abruptly from charming host to a belittling, nasty, and cruel man, seeming to take delight in ratcheting the tension and making his other guests uncomfortable. The next morning Jessica's morning jog on their property takes an unexpected turn when she sees a body in the koi pond. Willis is dead. Although they won't get to do touristy things and have fun reminiscing, this may turn out to be the best time for Jessica to visit. Once the sheriff determines that Jessica is correct and Willis was murdered, Dolores is sure to be the main suspect.

Reading MURDER, SHE WROTE: KILLING IN A KOI POND was a nostalgic trip to a comforting past. My mom and I loved watching Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher when the original TV series aired and even though Jessica wasn't in Maine, that good feeling remained as I read this enjoyable mystery. I loved the little details, talking about Malice Domestic, food descriptions that had my mouth watering, and red herrings that I thought for sure would have some bearing on the murder.

Astute readers may pick up a vital clue early in the story. I did and figured out the who, if not the why, but then as I kept reading I kind of forgot about it so near the end I wasn't sure who did it...until Jessica explained and I was like, "Oh yeah".

MURDER, SHE WROTE: KILLING IN A KOI POND is a delightful addition to this long running series. Fully developed characters, both new and old, inhabit these pages providing rich detail bringing the story to life.

FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Murder She Wrote tv show, but I had never read one of the books based on the series. Then I found out that one of my favorite authors, Terrie Farley Moran, was going to be writing the series “with” Jessica Fletcher. I had to give it a try. I loved the book. I could hear Jessica Fletcher talking in my head while reading the dialogue. The book really held my attention…I couldn’t put it down. I would definitely recommend Murder She Wrote Killing in a Koi Pond.

[Maria Civita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy reading a murder mystery

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t going to give this 4 stars because of the genre, but I enjoyed it. It felt true to the show and characters. If you like the show, you’d probably like this book.

[Leila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quinto libro della serie che leggo e per ora anche il più brutto. È pieno di dialoghi inutili, fatti evidentemente per allungare il brodo siccome si capisce chi è l'assassino a metà libro. Inoltre non è davvero Jessica a scoprirne l'identità ma qualche d'un altro.
Sono veramente delusa!

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific! 😁 The new author totally changed the book for the Better! I am thrilled to discover she will also be co-authoring the next book also. 😊

I knew who the killer was the same as Jess. Just a tiny slip of the tongue and I was like got ya. 😉 The story line and the characters (even the sheriff) were Great and I just loved Harry and his usual antics. I am anxious to see what Jess gets into next time, that is if she makes home 😉.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Murder, She Wrote: Killing in a Koi Pond is the 53rd Murder, She Wrote mystery, this one "co-written" by Terrie Farley Moran. Released 8th June 2021 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is a comfortably reliable cozy series with an iconic protagonist (everyone's favorite mystery author Aunt Jessica) and a well known supporting cast of characters. The plots are easy to understand and the puzzles are generally cleverly constructed and well written. This installment revolves around a visit to a friend from Jessica's past who has recently married a wealthy businessman. Jessica's not the only guest however, as the house is full of a stable of potential suspects with good reasons to do away with her friend's husband (who is, admittedly, a world class jerk to everyone except Jess's friend Dolores (who is his wife) and a young granddaughter named Abby).

If it's a bit formulaic, it's a well known quantity and precisely why most readers are drawn to the sub-genre. The plot does lag at a few places; I found myself skimming just a bit. All in all though, it's a sweetly clean murder mystery without on-page violence, bad language, or sexual content. The murder victim is a (mostly) unlamented jerk who makes his exit around page 30 and the rest of the book is spent in information gathering and clever deduction.

I enjoyed the book, but I daresay I'd avoid any college reunion, wedding, or christening to which "Aunt Jess" is invited for fear of tripping over a recently murdered friend or acquaintance. "We know you're busy, just send a card, Auntie!".

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of this series as well as the long running television show will be excited to go on the road again with Jessica Fletcher. She believes she has time for a quiet weekend of reminiscing with a college friend before returning home to her beloved Cabot Cove.

Jessica's friend is recently married to her third husband, but hopefully the love of her life.
At a welcome dinner a mixture of personalities are present, but overall something feels off.
Are these people really friends of the host or too afraid to turn down his invitation?
Well, no one has to pretend for long, as before the next morning the man is dead.
Can you guess who discovers the body?

Of course the spouse is always the first suspect. Knowing her friend is innocent, Jessica can not leave before clearing her of any suspicion. Along the way they also discover other secrets and less than above board activities.

I could hear the voices of my favorite characters on these pages.
The new characters have depth and personality and make a strong impression.
Although I thought I knew who the murderer was early on, there are plenty of motives from everyone present. The addition of secrets being discovered kept my curiosity on alert.

A well done addition to a fine series.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The widowed sleuth we all know and love is back and better than ever! Jessica (JB) Fletcher has arrived in Columbia, South Carolina to visit with her college friend, Dolores, and her husband Willis, and after an interesting first evening Jessica finds Willis dead in the koi pond the next morning! Lots of intrigue and suspects, and a couple of remote appearances from friends Seth and Harry, this latest MSW mystery allows the reader to picture the lovely Angela Lansbury sleuthing her way through this southern city. A+++ to Ms. Moran for for her brilliant first very cozy installment in the MSW series!

[☺Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a viewer who faithfully watched Murder She Wrote every week back-in-the-day, and often watches episodes on Hallmark's Movies and Mysteries channel, I really enjoyed this very entertaining "Jessica Fletcher" cozy mystery!
I could visualize the story Killing In A Koi Pond playing out as if it were an episode of the show!
Looking forward to the next book, Debonair In Death!
Excellent job, Terrie Farley Moran!

[A]

Listened to on audiobook, and felt it to be a nice, tidy little ear candy. I think I maybe listened to the wrong one first, as her series is mainly known for its "cozy" setting in Maine, whereas this book took place at Jessica Fletcher's friend's southern mansion in North Carolina. Don't know if I will return to this series super soon, but it's definitely a cultural touchstone so I'm glad I have some familiarity with "Ms. J.M. Fletcher's" voice now.

[Jasmine Banasik · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does what it sets out to do. It's an easy read of a mystery with Jessica Fletcher's wit and charm. It's not anything fantastic, but it also doesn't have to be. It's fine and sometimes that's what you need from a book. Something easy and sweet with enough oomph to keep you interested in the plot.
A lot of the dialogue is especially cringy and awkward. Maybe the show is as bad but you notice it more written out.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my new favorites in this series! I feel like there was more warmth and coziness in this one. I think in part due to the adorable little granddaughter.

Also, love that that rude lawyer got it good. Jerk!

Gotta love good'ol Jessica Fletcher. 😍