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Murder, She Wrote #34
The Queen's Jewels
Jessica Fletcher has always wanted to take a transatlantic voyage on the legendary Queen Mary 2 . Now, she's finally getting her chance. But when the investigation of a stolen diamond follows her up the gangplank, she must try to enjoy the sumptuous seaborne surroundings while searching for a priceless diamond-and the person desperate enough to take a life for it.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 5, 2010
81 people are currently reading
916 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 122 reviews
August 20, 2019
4 1/2 stars for the lovely Jessica Fletcher!
This is the second novel I've read in the Murder, She Wrote series and have decided upon finishing it to read all 40-something novels in the series, and doing so in order. It's not that it was hard to keep up, but there were backstories that were important which I had no idea about so it wasn't easy to fully get emotionally invested in the subplot story line.
The Queen of Sleuth embarks on a cross Atlantic ship aboard the Queen Mary 2, with the original purpose being to give speeches in regards to her highly successful mystery literary career. Of course, this wouldn't be Murder, She Wrote if dear Jessica didn't find herself in the center of a real murder mystery.
This particular installment in the series is unique because it has more than one thing going for it; there's a potential love interest for Jessica, there's more than one murder to solve, and there's the missing Queen of India rare blue diamond mystery to solve.
Ah Jessica, how much I love and adore thee! They just don't make tv characters like you anymore, sadly.
This is the second novel I've read in the Murder, She Wrote series and have decided upon finishing it to read all 40-something novels in the series, and doing so in order. It's not that it was hard to keep up, but there were backstories that were important which I had no idea about so it wasn't easy to fully get emotionally invested in the subplot story line.
The Queen of Sleuth embarks on a cross Atlantic ship aboard the Queen Mary 2, with the original purpose being to give speeches in regards to her highly successful mystery literary career. Of course, this wouldn't be Murder, She Wrote if dear Jessica didn't find herself in the center of a real murder mystery.
This particular installment in the series is unique because it has more than one thing going for it; there's a potential love interest for Jessica, there's more than one murder to solve, and there's the missing Queen of India rare blue diamond mystery to solve.
Ah Jessica, how much I love and adore thee! They just don't make tv characters like you anymore, sadly.
October 21, 2024
3.75 🌟
Mood/Seasonal Reading: absolutely anytime is fine but I read in the summer cause that’s when I most crave a book set on a boat
This one was a mixed bag. So mixed in fact I struggled to rate it. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it. In fact, there was a lot I liked. It had a stellar cast of returning characters, one the likes of classic Murder She Wrote fans will be happy to see. These characters injected some solid humour as well. And the setting was enjoyable having them all forced together on one ship. The mystery was intriguing but as the story went on it felt less like a mystery and more like a case in which we knew the culprits were just didn’t know how they did it. The reveal itself felt lacklustre and this is where it lost points for me. However, the set up for the reveal was something I enjoyed. I found it payed tribute to classic Poirot reveals when the great detective gathers the suspects and almost performs his deductions for them. I also enjoyed how for the most part it steered clear of some of the annoying aspects of cozy mysteries (don’t want to spoil anything). While it tied up nicely I felt it lost some steam near the end. A solid instalment in the series and an A+ for the cast.
Mood/Seasonal Reading: absolutely anytime is fine but I read in the summer cause that’s when I most crave a book set on a boat
This one was a mixed bag. So mixed in fact I struggled to rate it. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it. In fact, there was a lot I liked. It had a stellar cast of returning characters, one the likes of classic Murder She Wrote fans will be happy to see. These characters injected some solid humour as well. And the setting was enjoyable having them all forced together on one ship. The mystery was intriguing but as the story went on it felt less like a mystery and more like a case in which we knew the culprits were just didn’t know how they did it. The reveal itself felt lacklustre and this is where it lost points for me. However, the set up for the reveal was something I enjoyed. I found it payed tribute to classic Poirot reveals when the great detective gathers the suspects and almost performs his deductions for them. I also enjoyed how for the most part it steered clear of some of the annoying aspects of cozy mysteries (don’t want to spoil anything). While it tied up nicely I felt it lost some steam near the end. A solid instalment in the series and an A+ for the cast.
November 25, 2016
I know it might seem a bit silly to some of you, but I can't help it, I'm a sucker for these "Murder, She Wrote" novels! In this one, Jessica finds intrigue on the high seas when she signs up to give lectures on a cruise ship so she can get a free cruise (or "crossing," as the posh folks say). Of course, murder follows her there, as it always does, and before Jessica knows it, her peaceful cruise has turned into a high-stakes hunt for jewel thieves and murderers. Jessica's crime-solving buddies, Dennis Stanton (the reformed jewel thief), Michael Haggerty (the not-so-retired spy), and George Sutherland (the Scotland Yard detective) all appear as well, so it's a really satisfying book as far as I'm concerned.
Bain creates a plausible voice for Jessica Fletcher and makes us see the world through her eyes. Plus, I really enjoy that Jessica is always pursued by an age-appropriate love interest or two in these books. Just goes to show you it's never too late!
Bain creates a plausible voice for Jessica Fletcher and makes us see the world through her eyes. Plus, I really enjoy that Jessica is always pursued by an age-appropriate love interest or two in these books. Just goes to show you it's never too late!
September 18, 2018
A fun read with Jessica crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2 with Michael Haggerty and Dennis Stanton. Even George Sutherland makes an appearance so if you enjoy those side characters, this book is a good one.
Very enjoyable read, but exactly what you'd expect from a Murder, She Wrote novel.
Very enjoyable read, but exactly what you'd expect from a Murder, She Wrote novel.
December 3, 2023
Consistent Jessica Fletcher fun.
January 16, 2025
The best of the series I’ve read so far. The very best! Charming characters, true-to-history writing of Jessica Fletcher and the many recurring favorite friends that arrive. Rapturous descriptions and intriguing situations. I finished it in 3 days — not a standard timetable for me by far! Highly recommend.
December 7, 2020
This was so much fun. The setting was great and the mystery interesting. It was completely original and after 34 books in this series, that is so refreshing. The cruise ship was great and the characters had me guessing. Loved it!
October 21, 2025
This one was really good! I love all the familiar characters that we hadn't seen in a while. And the plot was very solid and enjoyable. I felt that all of the characters held my attention and stuck to the essence of the characters. Finally! 🙌🏽😂
August 18, 2021
Jessica gets hired to lecture during a crossing on the Queen Mary II, and of course there is a murder while on board. There are also jewel thieves, MI6, RAW, and Mossad agents, insurance company investigators, and a mysterious but charming old man. Will everything get resolved before they dock in New York? The description of the ship were very nice, but I wish she's described the food also.
October 29, 2023
Stars: 3 / 5
Recommendation: Despite a little open ended conclusion, it is a very good read and exactly what you expect from a Murder, She Wrote novel or a TV series episode. The setting was great, and the mystery very intriguing involving terrorism and jewel heists keeping the reader on the edge.
The Queen's Jewels is the 34th novel in the long-running Murder She Wrote series co-written by Donald Bain & fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. It was first published on October of 2010. Jessica sets to be onboard the Queen Mary 2 (QM2), a much awaited crossing that she was doing from London to New York, and at the same time taking the much needed downtime and vacation. However, a jewelry heist, espionage and terrorism invades into her peaceful time and is forced to participate in the investigation.
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 2023, 56 books have been written in this series. They are all written in first person narration.
Two things I found different with this book. Firstly, it opens with a prologue that shows the reader the murder and heist in the very first two pages of the book. Secondly, Jessica's 6 to 7 day crossing on Queen Mary 2 is depicted day by day with each day being a subtitle for the chapter.
Surprising character was the entry of Michael Haggerty, the British Spy working for MI6. All along I had thought that Author Bain created George Sutherland, Jessica's love interest and good friend who is also an inspector with Scotland Yard, based on Michael Haggarty. Turns out I was wrong, as he makes his appearance in this book.
He was much better in the TV show than in the book. He was made to look very pushy bordering on threats, and a consummate flirt with pretty ladies, no matter what age they are. I also found a little brashy in the book. And poor Jessica gets torn between her interest for George vs the lure of an investigation that Michael keeps reeling in.
Although he expresses his interest in having more than just friendship with Jessica, I found him very obnoxious and goes as far as blaming Jessica for something she did not do. He does refer to their first meeting in the Season 2 Episode 1 "Widow, Weep for Me" on the TV Series which aired on Sept 29, 1985.
The most interesting fact is that Bain introduces an Indian couple who are becoming a growing community in Cabot Cove, like any town in US. Also there is history about Hope Diamond and how it was separated from a larger piece of diamond, the second one called Heart of India in this book. We also get to see some of Indian Hindi language words creeping into the text.
However, it saddens me that something that was a property of India is still residing in Smithsonian Museum instead being handed back to the Indian Government. I hope one Hope Diamond goes back home.
I remember Jessica taking a crossing on the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) in the 9th book, Murder on the QE2 https://galavantreflections.com/2023/.... However, Bain mentions in this book that she has taken multiple trips on QE2 which never had been mentioned in any books since that 9th book. He however gives a closure to QE2 and why QM2 is replacing it.
Again George Sutherland makes his appearance, which is expected since the beginning of the book is set in London. However, his participation is very brief as he is pulled in different directions trying to follow leads on the murder and diamond heist.
If you remember Dennis Stanton from the TV episode, a jewel-thief turned insurance investigator, then you would be pleased to see him in this book. It felt like Bain got all the TV characters in one place with characters from his book for this episode. However, I didn’t remember that his wife Elizabeth had died, and that is what put him on the edge to do jewel heists in the beginning. I always thought he was a single man with no ties attached and that is the way he liked to live.
We also see reference to the Season 9 Episode 20, "Ship of Thieves" from TV series originally aired on May 2nd 1993. This was the last episode in which we had seen Dennis Stanton make an appearance, and in the book Jessica alludes to that meeting.
We get a lot of history as usual from Jessica's eyes as she spends a few days in London before her trip back on Queen Mary 2. We also get lessons in nautical terminology as well as workings of a ship as big as this cruise. We also get the perils of publishing that authors face and how they get their books published.
I also wish Bain had rectified several errors with various characters - wife's names are different in different books; last names are different; occupations are different. Also may be Bain should tone down Jessica's rumination about always telling that she doesn’t want to be part of a murder investigation. She inadvertently cannot stop her curious brain so he should just make it her character rather than keep giving a sort of guilt feeling for her.
The ending felt so many open ended questions that perhaps could be addressed in the court of law in England. But I felt a closure was missing.
Despite a little open ended conclusion, it is a very good read and exactly what you expect from a Murder, She Wrote novel or a TV series episode. The setting was great, and the mystery very intriguing involving terrorism and jewel heists keeping the reader on the edge.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. Jessica's companions and acquaintances on the QM2: Kim Chin-Hwa, Korean venture capitalist, and his girlfriend Betty LeClair, a once fashion model; Harrison "Harry" Flynn, Richard & Marcia Kensington, a young British couple; Jennifer Kahn and her traveling companion Ms. Kiki Largent;
b. Staff on the QM2: Rupesh, Jessica's cabin steward;
c. Other characters: Thomas "Tom" Craig, Jessica's British publisher; Baroness Cynthia Walthrop & her husband Jacob; Paula Simmons, Jessica's British editor; Madge & Gerald Wilson, American documentary film team; Uri Peretz, an Israeli spy;
d. Tom Craig offers Michael Haggerty a book deal to write about his escapades as an undercover British spy.
e. There is reference to a very expensive luxury perfume called Shalini in the book. The name sounded Indian so I was curious why it was called a luxury perfume. Turns out it is a French Parfum but made with exotic flowers of rare occurrence. No wonder its very pricey.
f. Will Jennifer Kahn, the alleged jewel thief, walk away free since they could only find circumstantial evidence against her and nothing concrete?
g. RAW, the Research and Analysis Wing of India's government intelligence agency, comes to light in this book. Simulated around CIA this is one of the powerful agency in India.
2. Sub Plots:
a. Friends of Jessica Fletcher: Dr. Seth Hazlitt, long-time friend in Cabot Cove, Maine; George Sutherland, senior inspector with Scotland Yard; Morton "Mort" Metzger, Cabot Cove Sherriff and his wife Maureen; Eve Simpson, realtor friend working at Cabot Cove Realty; Sam Booth, mayor of Cabot Cove; Ethan Cragg, Cabot Cove’s chief town elder;
b. Literary contacts and friends: her 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;
c. Other Characters appear frequently: Josh, the mailman; Jed Richardson, only bush pilot for Cabot Cove and owner of Jed's Flying Service, and his wife Alicia / Barbara?; Mara, restaurant owner of Mara’s Luncheonette; Hank Weathers, a homeless war vet; Seamus McGilray, manager of Hill House Hotel; Richard "Dick" Mann, Fire Chief; Charlene Sassi, a 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 flower shop Old Tyme 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, also an investment advisor, and his wife Ellen; Pat Hitchcock, Cabot Cove's popular nurse and teacher?; Gloria Watson, Wendell's mother; 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;
d. Sheriff Metzger’s office staff & other law enforcement: Deputy Andy Jenks; Deputy Jack; Rookie Wendell Watson; Deputy Harold; Deputy Jerry; Alfred Gillo, medical examiner; Judge Kaplan; Marie Poutre, dispatcher;
e. Jessica Fletcher’s family: Grady Fletcher, nephew that she and her late-husband Frank raise, his wife Donna and child Frank;
f. We continue to see Mort Metzger's wife being called as Maureen. Although we know the reason why Mort's wife is different than the TV series, I distinctly remember her name being changed to Adele in the 50th book, A Time for Murder. Looks like the confusion is not completely alleviated.
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. The prominent photographer of Cabot Cove's last name is spelled differently in the 30th book A Slaying in Savannah. Up until the he was "Koser" and now he is "Kaser" in this book. Wonder if it will change back in future.
i. 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. Wonder if Bain will have a backup story for that in future books.
j. From the 9th book, Murder on the QE2: Mary Ward has been a prominent character in this book. Will she resurface again?
k. 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?
l. In the 50th book, A Time for Murder, Jessica is shown at Hill House, Cabot Cove’s very own Inn due to a fire at her Victorian home at 698 Candlewood Lame. I wonder if the 49th book, Murder in Red, has anything to do with her house getting caught fire which almost killed her.
m. 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.
3. Grammatical / Character / Plot / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
a. When Jessica receives two letters from Harry Flynn, it is mentioned that she doesn’t recognize the name addressed to on the second letter. But earlier in the book, Harry does talk about his daughter Melanie with Jessica. I was surprised that Bain mis-quoted it.
Recommendation: Despite a little open ended conclusion, it is a very good read and exactly what you expect from a Murder, She Wrote novel or a TV series episode. The setting was great, and the mystery very intriguing involving terrorism and jewel heists keeping the reader on the edge.
The Queen's Jewels is the 34th novel in the long-running Murder She Wrote series co-written by Donald Bain & fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. It was first published on October of 2010. Jessica sets to be onboard the Queen Mary 2 (QM2), a much awaited crossing that she was doing from London to New York, and at the same time taking the much needed downtime and vacation. However, a jewelry heist, espionage and terrorism invades into her peaceful time and is forced to participate in the investigation.
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 2023, 56 books have been written in this series. They are all written in first person narration.
Two things I found different with this book. Firstly, it opens with a prologue that shows the reader the murder and heist in the very first two pages of the book. Secondly, Jessica's 6 to 7 day crossing on Queen Mary 2 is depicted day by day with each day being a subtitle for the chapter.
Surprising character was the entry of Michael Haggerty, the British Spy working for MI6. All along I had thought that Author Bain created George Sutherland, Jessica's love interest and good friend who is also an inspector with Scotland Yard, based on Michael Haggarty. Turns out I was wrong, as he makes his appearance in this book.
He was much better in the TV show than in the book. He was made to look very pushy bordering on threats, and a consummate flirt with pretty ladies, no matter what age they are. I also found a little brashy in the book. And poor Jessica gets torn between her interest for George vs the lure of an investigation that Michael keeps reeling in.
Although he expresses his interest in having more than just friendship with Jessica, I found him very obnoxious and goes as far as blaming Jessica for something she did not do. He does refer to their first meeting in the Season 2 Episode 1 "Widow, Weep for Me" on the TV Series which aired on Sept 29, 1985.
The most interesting fact is that Bain introduces an Indian couple who are becoming a growing community in Cabot Cove, like any town in US. Also there is history about Hope Diamond and how it was separated from a larger piece of diamond, the second one called Heart of India in this book. We also get to see some of Indian Hindi language words creeping into the text.
However, it saddens me that something that was a property of India is still residing in Smithsonian Museum instead being handed back to the Indian Government. I hope one Hope Diamond goes back home.
I remember Jessica taking a crossing on the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) in the 9th book, Murder on the QE2 https://galavantreflections.com/2023/.... However, Bain mentions in this book that she has taken multiple trips on QE2 which never had been mentioned in any books since that 9th book. He however gives a closure to QE2 and why QM2 is replacing it.
Again George Sutherland makes his appearance, which is expected since the beginning of the book is set in London. However, his participation is very brief as he is pulled in different directions trying to follow leads on the murder and diamond heist.
If you remember Dennis Stanton from the TV episode, a jewel-thief turned insurance investigator, then you would be pleased to see him in this book. It felt like Bain got all the TV characters in one place with characters from his book for this episode. However, I didn’t remember that his wife Elizabeth had died, and that is what put him on the edge to do jewel heists in the beginning. I always thought he was a single man with no ties attached and that is the way he liked to live.
We also see reference to the Season 9 Episode 20, "Ship of Thieves" from TV series originally aired on May 2nd 1993. This was the last episode in which we had seen Dennis Stanton make an appearance, and in the book Jessica alludes to that meeting.
We get a lot of history as usual from Jessica's eyes as she spends a few days in London before her trip back on Queen Mary 2. We also get lessons in nautical terminology as well as workings of a ship as big as this cruise. We also get the perils of publishing that authors face and how they get their books published.
I also wish Bain had rectified several errors with various characters - wife's names are different in different books; last names are different; occupations are different. Also may be Bain should tone down Jessica's rumination about always telling that she doesn’t want to be part of a murder investigation. She inadvertently cannot stop her curious brain so he should just make it her character rather than keep giving a sort of guilt feeling for her.
The ending felt so many open ended questions that perhaps could be addressed in the court of law in England. But I felt a closure was missing.
Despite a little open ended conclusion, it is a very good read and exactly what you expect from a Murder, She Wrote novel or a TV series episode. The setting was great, and the mystery very intriguing involving terrorism and jewel heists keeping the reader on the edge.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. Jessica's companions and acquaintances on the QM2: Kim Chin-Hwa, Korean venture capitalist, and his girlfriend Betty LeClair, a once fashion model; Harrison "Harry" Flynn, Richard & Marcia Kensington, a young British couple; Jennifer Kahn and her traveling companion Ms. Kiki Largent;
b. Staff on the QM2: Rupesh, Jessica's cabin steward;
c. Other characters: Thomas "Tom" Craig, Jessica's British publisher; Baroness Cynthia Walthrop & her husband Jacob; Paula Simmons, Jessica's British editor; Madge & Gerald Wilson, American documentary film team; Uri Peretz, an Israeli spy;
d. Tom Craig offers Michael Haggerty a book deal to write about his escapades as an undercover British spy.
e. There is reference to a very expensive luxury perfume called Shalini in the book. The name sounded Indian so I was curious why it was called a luxury perfume. Turns out it is a French Parfum but made with exotic flowers of rare occurrence. No wonder its very pricey.
f. Will Jennifer Kahn, the alleged jewel thief, walk away free since they could only find circumstantial evidence against her and nothing concrete?
g. RAW, the Research and Analysis Wing of India's government intelligence agency, comes to light in this book. Simulated around CIA this is one of the powerful agency in India.
2. Sub Plots:
a. Friends of Jessica Fletcher: Dr. Seth Hazlitt, long-time friend in Cabot Cove, Maine; George Sutherland, senior inspector with Scotland Yard; Morton "Mort" Metzger, Cabot Cove Sherriff and his wife Maureen; Eve Simpson, realtor friend working at Cabot Cove Realty; Sam Booth, mayor of Cabot Cove; Ethan Cragg, Cabot Cove’s chief town elder;
b. Literary contacts and friends: her 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;
c. Other Characters appear frequently: Josh, the mailman; Jed Richardson, only bush pilot for Cabot Cove and owner of Jed's Flying Service, and his wife Alicia / Barbara?; Mara, restaurant owner of Mara’s Luncheonette; Hank Weathers, a homeless war vet; Seamus McGilray, manager of Hill House Hotel; Richard "Dick" Mann, Fire Chief; Charlene Sassi, a 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 flower shop Old Tyme 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, also an investment advisor, and his wife Ellen; Pat Hitchcock, Cabot Cove's popular nurse and teacher?; Gloria Watson, Wendell's mother; 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;
d. Sheriff Metzger’s office staff & other law enforcement: Deputy Andy Jenks; Deputy Jack; Rookie Wendell Watson; Deputy Harold; Deputy Jerry; Alfred Gillo, medical examiner; Judge Kaplan; Marie Poutre, dispatcher;
e. Jessica Fletcher’s family: Grady Fletcher, nephew that she and her late-husband Frank raise, his wife Donna and child Frank;
f. We continue to see Mort Metzger's wife being called as Maureen. Although we know the reason why Mort's wife is different than the TV series, I distinctly remember her name being changed to Adele in the 50th book, A Time for Murder. Looks like the confusion is not completely alleviated.
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. The prominent photographer of Cabot Cove's last name is spelled differently in the 30th book A Slaying in Savannah. Up until the he was "Koser" and now he is "Kaser" in this book. Wonder if it will change back in future.
i. 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. Wonder if Bain will have a backup story for that in future books.
j. From the 9th book, Murder on the QE2: Mary Ward has been a prominent character in this book. Will she resurface again?
k. 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?
l. In the 50th book, A Time for Murder, Jessica is shown at Hill House, Cabot Cove’s very own Inn due to a fire at her Victorian home at 698 Candlewood Lame. I wonder if the 49th book, Murder in Red, has anything to do with her house getting caught fire which almost killed her.
m. 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.
3. Grammatical / Character / Plot / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
a. When Jessica receives two letters from Harry Flynn, it is mentioned that she doesn’t recognize the name addressed to on the second letter. But earlier in the book, Harry does talk about his daughter Melanie with Jessica. I was surprised that Bain mis-quoted it.
May 31, 2014
If "Murder on the QE2" was a bestseller in Donald Bain's Murder She Wrote book series, then "The Queen's Jewels" is sure to top the sales rank with vengeance. The newest Jessica Fletcher mystery is one of the better reads in the series, and avid fans will be ravenous for more.
From the beginning, the story is reminiscent of the popular TV series. First, the introduction of Michael Haggerty (portrayed by Len Cariou from the show), a British MI6 intelligence agent, enters the picture. His appearance brings a smile to the surface of things. Espionage and danger will soon follow, however, as many fans of the TV series will recall from watching the episodes in which Michael appeared alongside Jessica during her various travels. With Haggerty's interest in the case, nonstop action quickly ensues. And it doesn't let up.
Once aboard the Queen Mary 2, Jessica realizes midway through the crossing that another old friend is onboard--jewel thief turned insurance investigator, Dennis Stanton, played by the charming Keith Michell on the TV serial. Though Stanton does not get enough page time, he is a marvel to watch, as always, and his involvement in the case is limited. I would have thought he would have been better apt for the case than Michael Haggerty, considering Stanton's penchant for jewels and his brush with thievery in the past. Also, his infamous, trusty umbrella cane from the TV series is missing here. I wanted more of his character. Maybe Bain will bring him back, and the cane, in another outing. Aside from Stanton and Haggerty, the story offers a slew of other colorful and interesting characters, some toxic, which Bain paints with a deft hand. George Sutherland makes a cameo, and the moments with he and Jessica are to be savored like fine wine. When they are together, there is a side to Jessica Fletcher, a limitless spark of hope, that endears the heart. But the mystery is what the reader looks forward to. And after 34 books, the core puzzle is a great one.
"The Queen's Jewels" is a strong entry in the popular whodunit series, filled with espionage, well-formed characters, and an intense and complex storyline to die for. A fast-paced caper that will have you finishing the book in one afternoon. The ending is sad, which is an unlikely characteristic for a Murder She Wrote novel, but it works. Quite well indeed.
From the beginning, the story is reminiscent of the popular TV series. First, the introduction of Michael Haggerty (portrayed by Len Cariou from the show), a British MI6 intelligence agent, enters the picture. His appearance brings a smile to the surface of things. Espionage and danger will soon follow, however, as many fans of the TV series will recall from watching the episodes in which Michael appeared alongside Jessica during her various travels. With Haggerty's interest in the case, nonstop action quickly ensues. And it doesn't let up.
Once aboard the Queen Mary 2, Jessica realizes midway through the crossing that another old friend is onboard--jewel thief turned insurance investigator, Dennis Stanton, played by the charming Keith Michell on the TV serial. Though Stanton does not get enough page time, he is a marvel to watch, as always, and his involvement in the case is limited. I would have thought he would have been better apt for the case than Michael Haggerty, considering Stanton's penchant for jewels and his brush with thievery in the past. Also, his infamous, trusty umbrella cane from the TV series is missing here. I wanted more of his character. Maybe Bain will bring him back, and the cane, in another outing. Aside from Stanton and Haggerty, the story offers a slew of other colorful and interesting characters, some toxic, which Bain paints with a deft hand. George Sutherland makes a cameo, and the moments with he and Jessica are to be savored like fine wine. When they are together, there is a side to Jessica Fletcher, a limitless spark of hope, that endears the heart. But the mystery is what the reader looks forward to. And after 34 books, the core puzzle is a great one.
"The Queen's Jewels" is a strong entry in the popular whodunit series, filled with espionage, well-formed characters, and an intense and complex storyline to die for. A fast-paced caper that will have you finishing the book in one afternoon. The ending is sad, which is an unlikely characteristic for a Murder She Wrote novel, but it works. Quite well indeed.
January 3, 2014
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."
Jessica Fletcher has always wanted to take a transatlantic voyage on the legendary Queen Mary II. Now, she's finally getting her chance. She's hoping to fly to London, spend a few quiet days visiting, and then depart on the high seas.
When she calls her old friend, Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland, to let him know she's on her way, he mentions the case of an enormously valuable diamond that was stolen from its wealthy owner, who was murdered during the heist.
Jessica is well aware of the story. But when she finally boards her dream ship, the deadly mystery appears to have followed her up the gangplank. Now, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, she must try to enjoy the sumptuous seaborne surroundings while she tries to find a priceless diamond-and the killer desperate enough to take a life for it.
My Thoughts...
In the 1980s I was a fan of the TV show, Murder, She Wrote. It came on each Sunday evening and I tried never to miss it. Now years later when I get a hankering for a visit with Jessica Fletcher I reach for a book. Therefore, I chose this book for my first book of the year 2014.
As always I was never in doubt that Jessica would get to the bottom of the case. However, the fun is trying to catch the clues that leads Jessica to solving the case. I caught some of the clues to the puzzle, which is why I like cozy mysteries. The story kept me on my toes until the very end.... Another case solved by the renowned Jessica Fletcher.
This book is a part of my personal library and I enjoyed it enough to award it 4 bright and shining diamond stars.
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."
Jessica Fletcher has always wanted to take a transatlantic voyage on the legendary Queen Mary II. Now, she's finally getting her chance. She's hoping to fly to London, spend a few quiet days visiting, and then depart on the high seas.
When she calls her old friend, Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland, to let him know she's on her way, he mentions the case of an enormously valuable diamond that was stolen from its wealthy owner, who was murdered during the heist.
Jessica is well aware of the story. But when she finally boards her dream ship, the deadly mystery appears to have followed her up the gangplank. Now, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, she must try to enjoy the sumptuous seaborne surroundings while she tries to find a priceless diamond-and the killer desperate enough to take a life for it.
My Thoughts...
In the 1980s I was a fan of the TV show, Murder, She Wrote. It came on each Sunday evening and I tried never to miss it. Now years later when I get a hankering for a visit with Jessica Fletcher I reach for a book. Therefore, I chose this book for my first book of the year 2014.
As always I was never in doubt that Jessica would get to the bottom of the case. However, the fun is trying to catch the clues that leads Jessica to solving the case. I caught some of the clues to the puzzle, which is why I like cozy mysteries. The story kept me on my toes until the very end.... Another case solved by the renowned Jessica Fletcher.
This book is a part of my personal library and I enjoyed it enough to award it 4 bright and shining diamond stars.
April 2, 2022
This one was so fun! I really want to read all the mysteries I can find set on cruise ships now. The coincidences of all these characters meeting up on the ship was just ridiculous, but of course it made for a fun mystery. Besides the initial murder that Jessica was not around for, no one else got murdered until about halfway through! But there was plenty happening for Jessica to ponder before that, anyway.
Read
September 3, 2011It seemed to have a slow start, but it definitely picked up and it was a great ending. I love the Murder, She Wrote series, some, of course, are better than others, but I've liked every one that I have read. They are very well written. If you have seen the show's you can kind of picture Jessica Fletcher in the scenes and her facial expressions.
June 24, 2016
This book had more characters/suspects than usual. There were actually two murders and the ending was a little more tangled than the usual MSW. There was an additional element of the side story of another charming character, Harry Flynn, whom I felt should have stayed for future books, but it wasn't meant to be. I also noticed that Jessica showed more human emotion in this one, too.
March 30, 2025
You’d think a luxury cruise on the Queen Mary 2 would be the one place Jessica Fletcher could finally unwind. Maybe sip some champagne, flirt with a man in a tux who’s definitely hiding something, and not stumble over a corpse before dessert. But alas—someone snatches the Queen of India diamond, a body turns up, and Jessica’s dream vacation turns into a floating episode of Law & Order: Nautical Intent.
The setup? Absolute cozy mystery catnip: a priceless gem, shady passengers with secrets, and Jessica trapped at sea with a killer and zero escape pods labeled “Do Not Disturb.” Enter Dennis Stanton, reformed jewel thief turned insurance investigator with charm slick enough to sell cubic zirconia to royalty. Add in Michael Haggerty, her international man of mystery who shows up anytime the plot needs a splash of MI6 and an eyebrow raise. Between those two, Jessica’s basically stuck in a spy sandwich—with murder mayo.
The Queen Mary 2 gives full “gilded cage” energy—glamorous, claustrophobic, and brimming with cocktail-fueled side-eye. Everyone’s playing polite while hiding something, and Jessica’s out here untangling lies faster than the sommelier can pour another round of champagne. And yes, for once, we’re not coasting on vibes alone: the diamond heist actually matters, tying into an entire web of shady backstories, double-crosses, and fake identities. It’s like Knives Out had a very elegant baby with Columbo at Sea.
The twist lands exactly the way we want it to—not flashy, but with that patented Jessica Fletcher smirk that says, “Sweetie, I’ve known since Act One, I was just waiting for you to catch up.” She’s a menace. A well-dressed, typewriter-carrying menace. Four stars. Add another splash of Michael Haggerty flirtation and a second martini, and we’re flirting with five.
The setup? Absolute cozy mystery catnip: a priceless gem, shady passengers with secrets, and Jessica trapped at sea with a killer and zero escape pods labeled “Do Not Disturb.” Enter Dennis Stanton, reformed jewel thief turned insurance investigator with charm slick enough to sell cubic zirconia to royalty. Add in Michael Haggerty, her international man of mystery who shows up anytime the plot needs a splash of MI6 and an eyebrow raise. Between those two, Jessica’s basically stuck in a spy sandwich—with murder mayo.
The Queen Mary 2 gives full “gilded cage” energy—glamorous, claustrophobic, and brimming with cocktail-fueled side-eye. Everyone’s playing polite while hiding something, and Jessica’s out here untangling lies faster than the sommelier can pour another round of champagne. And yes, for once, we’re not coasting on vibes alone: the diamond heist actually matters, tying into an entire web of shady backstories, double-crosses, and fake identities. It’s like Knives Out had a very elegant baby with Columbo at Sea.
The twist lands exactly the way we want it to—not flashy, but with that patented Jessica Fletcher smirk that says, “Sweetie, I’ve known since Act One, I was just waiting for you to catch up.” She’s a menace. A well-dressed, typewriter-carrying menace. Four stars. Add another splash of Michael Haggerty flirtation and a second martini, and we’re flirting with five.
April 5, 2023
Totally made me want to cross the Atlantic on a cruise liner. Six days at sea sound much more entertaining than a long day in the air. Especially with a murder aboard, in connection with an extravagant jewel heist or four. I found this to be a quick, light, entertaining read with compelling characters and a tantalizing plot. Fans of the show will enjoy, as will any fan of murder mysteries.
Jessica finds herself surrounded by a crowd of admiring men prior to and during her crossing from London to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Ranging from salty sea captains to undercover agents, they provide an entertaining support cast as the plot circles a key jewel robbery and its consequences. As the case progresses, Jessica is torn between wanting to throw herself headlong into solving the crimes and lamenting that murder seems to follow her on her vacations. But we know her true feelings; she is a murder mystery junkie just as much as her readers are.
Setting the story on a ship keeps a tight list of suspects, each of whom gets plenty of time for development, making the climax all the more exciting. The resolution is sweet and foreshadows more potential for romance for Jessica in future volumes. I'll definitely keep reading this series.
Jessica finds herself surrounded by a crowd of admiring men prior to and during her crossing from London to New York on the Queen Mary 2. Ranging from salty sea captains to undercover agents, they provide an entertaining support cast as the plot circles a key jewel robbery and its consequences. As the case progresses, Jessica is torn between wanting to throw herself headlong into solving the crimes and lamenting that murder seems to follow her on her vacations. But we know her true feelings; she is a murder mystery junkie just as much as her readers are.
Setting the story on a ship keeps a tight list of suspects, each of whom gets plenty of time for development, making the climax all the more exciting. The resolution is sweet and foreshadows more potential for romance for Jessica in future volumes. I'll definitely keep reading this series.
September 12, 2025
It's a classic mystery setup: a lavish ship, a priceless jewel, and a murder. The Queen's Jewels, the thirty-fourth book in the Murder, She Wrote series by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain, puts Jessica Fletcher on a transatlantic voyage aboard the legendary Queen Mary 2. What was supposed to be a leisurely trip turns into a full-blown investigation when a stolen diamond leads to a deadly crime.
The closed-circle setting of the cruise ship is perfect for a mystery. It creates a great sense of suspense and limits the number of suspects, making the puzzle feel more contained and intricate. The authors do a great job of blending the glamour of the ship with the sinister reality of a murder investigation.
This book delivers a clever and entertaining whodunnit. It's a great example of what the series does best—putting its charming protagonist in a new and exciting location and letting her natural curiosity lead the way. It’s a solid, engaging read for anyone who enjoys a traditional mystery.
★★★★☆
#TheQueensJewels #MurderSheWrote #JessicaFletcher #DonaldBain #CozyMystery #BookReview #Bookstagram #CruiseShipMystery #Whodunnit #MysterySeries
The closed-circle setting of the cruise ship is perfect for a mystery. It creates a great sense of suspense and limits the number of suspects, making the puzzle feel more contained and intricate. The authors do a great job of blending the glamour of the ship with the sinister reality of a murder investigation.
This book delivers a clever and entertaining whodunnit. It's a great example of what the series does best—putting its charming protagonist in a new and exciting location and letting her natural curiosity lead the way. It’s a solid, engaging read for anyone who enjoys a traditional mystery.
★★★★☆
#TheQueensJewels #MurderSheWrote #JessicaFletcher #DonaldBain #CozyMystery #BookReview #Bookstagram #CruiseShipMystery #Whodunnit #MysterySeries
July 30, 2018
Jess is off on another grand adventure, this time flying to London where she stays with friends then returns home crossing the Atlantic on board the Queen Mary 2. (lucky duck) While preparing for her trip she hears about a murder and thief of The Heart of India diamond. What Jess doesn't know is that the killer and thief will be joining her aboard the QM2. Also joining her on board are Dennis Stanton and Michael Haggerty. When another passenger is murdered, Jess sets out to solve the crime. Not only does she solve that crime she gets the murderer and thief that joined her in London. (She shows those boys how it's done!!) 3 love interests on board and 1 waiting for her in New York makes for a very interesting read.
March 12, 2024
This is my first Murder, She Wrote novel. The show has become a comfort one to me while during COVID and I just found out my library has some of these novels. I especially liked how Jessica Fletcher was portrayed, it really felt like I was reading an episode, it was that good.
I had no idea that we would meet some of her acquaintances from the show also joining Jessica on the Queen Mary 2 along with a few other friends. I am also proud to say I figured out why one of the characters was suspicious lol.
The ending though it was so bittersweet. I loved the character and enjoyed their interactions with Jessica, but I didn't realize what would happened to them at the end would leave me with tears.
I had no idea that we would meet some of her acquaintances from the show also joining Jessica on the Queen Mary 2 along with a few other friends. I am also proud to say I figured out why one of the characters was suspicious lol.
The ending though it was so bittersweet. I loved the character and enjoyed their interactions with Jessica, but I didn't realize what would happened to them at the end would leave me with tears.
April 27, 2024
Questa avventura di Jessica Fletcher pubblicata nel 2010 conserva le qualità tipiche di molte altre tra quelle scritte dal compianto autore Donald Bain: è avvincente, divertente, permette al lettore di fare ipotesi sul possibile sospettato del delitto. E' vero che l'omicidio, rispetto ad altri libri della serie, arriva in maniera più lenta e meno sensazionalistica del solito. All'inizio del romanzo, un classico cozy mistery, la Signora in Giallo si trova a Londra per un soggiorno rilassato ma non appena si imbarca sulla Queen Mary 2 per una lussuosa traversa Londra-New York il i misteri fanno capolino insieme al suo vecchio amico dei servizi segreti Michael Haggerty. Molto apprezzabile il personaggio di Harry Flint che offre al libro una chiusura toccante e umana.
December 7, 2020
this is why we love Jessica Fletcher! this book captures some of the series most memorable and favorite characters, (outside of Cabot Cove, Maine.). we travel on an amazing cruise ship across the pond, but will everyone arrive safely? this I couldn't say, but I can say that the plot is interesting and you really get to see J.B. at her best as she divides the vail of stories spun to try and outwit her. I didn't want to put the book down and it was a very satisfying read with danger lurking, but not overwhelming the storyline. really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend if you like a good cozy mystery.
September 28, 2017
This is the second book I've read in the Murder, She Wrote Series, and once again, it did not disappoint.
It was an entertaining, light, and quick read that any fan of murder mysteries is sure to enjoy. Furthermore, those who enjoyed the television show will be happy with how true the author stays to the character of Jessica Fletcher and other recurring characters from the series.
Again, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries, irrespective of whether or not they are a fan of the television show, and cannot wait to read another from this wonderful series.
It was an entertaining, light, and quick read that any fan of murder mysteries is sure to enjoy. Furthermore, those who enjoyed the television show will be happy with how true the author stays to the character of Jessica Fletcher and other recurring characters from the series.
Again, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries, irrespective of whether or not they are a fan of the television show, and cannot wait to read another from this wonderful series.
January 27, 2018
It is only a coincidence that I happened to read this book shortly after completing "Murder on the QE2". Now that it had happened that way, I saw some definite similarities between these two books, but I won't spoil them in this review. I definitely want to go on a cruise sometime, because I imagine they're great, and it is currently my dream vacation. I would love to meet some new people and sit and chat with them, while enjoying the luxuries of a cruise ship. Solving a murder wouldn't be on my agenda, though. Lol
November 26, 2024
Jessica Fletcher flies to London for a few days of sightseeing before boarding the Queen Mary Two for the return crossing back to America. A recent jewelry heist and murder are all the talk in Jessica’s London circle of friends and acquaintances. Once aboard the luxury liner, Jessica reconnects with old friends, meets new and perhaps suspicious characters, and finds herself knee-deep in sleuthing. Luckily for the undercover agents aboard, Jessica is not only a renowned writer of mysteries but also is a wise observer who successfully uses her powers of deduction to solve the case.
June 22, 2017
This was an interesting read. There were aspects I loved: characters from the show that I haven't seen in any of the books before, the setting was fantastic and the mystery was quite compelling. There were aspects I wasn't so fond of one of which is a spoiler so I won't go into details, and some of the character interactions left something to be desired (at least for me). The parts I was less fond of drop this rating for me. I still enjoyed this MSW and will continue on on the series.
June 27, 2018
The book read like I was watching TV. I know this is written based on the TV series, which is why the author needs to be conscious of that when writing. There was too much description that relied on sensory information. I felt like I was watching for afar rather than being fully immersed in the characters and settings.
May 3, 2019
This one had a slightly sad, yet heartwarming ending. I’m not used to this series making me a tad emotional. I really wish I could ask the author about his inspiration for this one. RIP Don.
It was fun to be in London, on the ship, and briefly in NYC in this book.
This series is so much fun to read. I’m so grateful for it!
It was fun to be in London, on the ship, and briefly in NYC in this book.
This series is so much fun to read. I’m so grateful for it!
April 12, 2020
Well, now i wanna take a cruise! This book was a Christmas gift from an aunt of mine. I wouldn’t say it was my favorite, but entertaining. I like how it’s written in first person as though the novelist is the author. Definitely reads like it was written 20 years ago, which was actually kinda fun to see how much writing styles have changed in not that long of a period of time
January 28, 2022
These books are good but another example of a series with a female lead who acts mannish enough to be acceptable outside female readership I guess? I wish the author would have written her with more female attributes but it seems her thinks they are not likable enough? I don't know. Each mystery is well-done.
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