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Murder, She Wrote #40
Close-up on Murder
It’s a brand-new episode of the USA Today bestselling series—and Jessica Fletcher is finding out that some people in the movie biz can make you, break you, or just plain kill you…
Cabot Cove is about to be invaded—by Hollywood. One of Jessica’s older novels is being made into a big-budget movie. The producer has decided to shoot most of the film on location in town, since the book was loosely based on a murder that shocked Cabot Cove over a decade earlier.
The murder occurred when a judge was gunned down while walking her dog. The prime suspect: an enraged husband whom the judge ruled against in a child custody case. But further investigation pointed to the victim’s own husband—and ultimately to his mistress, accused of eliminating her rival.
Unfortunately, everyone on the set has a hidden agenda. A novice director wants his shot at the big-time. A fading star, making a comeback, has many unreasonable demands. Her astrologer sees trouble in the stars. And a stranger on the movie lot is stalking Jessica.
But fiction and reality fatally collide when the actress playing the judge is shot—the only witness her dog—and there’s a cast and crew of possible suspects. With tensions between locals and the Hollywood horde mounting, Jessica must find the killer before anyone else is left on the cutting-room floor.
Cabot Cove is about to be invaded—by Hollywood. One of Jessica’s older novels is being made into a big-budget movie. The producer has decided to shoot most of the film on location in town, since the book was loosely based on a murder that shocked Cabot Cove over a decade earlier.
The murder occurred when a judge was gunned down while walking her dog. The prime suspect: an enraged husband whom the judge ruled against in a child custody case. But further investigation pointed to the victim’s own husband—and ultimately to his mistress, accused of eliminating her rival.
Unfortunately, everyone on the set has a hidden agenda. A novice director wants his shot at the big-time. A fading star, making a comeback, has many unreasonable demands. Her astrologer sees trouble in the stars. And a stranger on the movie lot is stalking Jessica.
But fiction and reality fatally collide when the actress playing the judge is shot—the only witness her dog—and there’s a cast and crew of possible suspects. With tensions between locals and the Hollywood horde mounting, Jessica must find the killer before anyone else is left on the cutting-room floor.
278 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
73 people are currently reading
845 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Fletcher
117 books1,054 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 98 reviews
August 30, 2020
One of Jessica Fletcher’s books is being turned into a Hollywood movie. While Jessica is visiting the set (and helping out with the script) the main female star of the film is found murdered. It’s up to Jessica to look for clues and to find out who the murderer is!
This was an entertaining read with many interesting suspects. As usual, Jessica is way ahead of the police in figuring out who the culprit is. I really liked the setting of the book, on a movie set. The dog Jessica had to temporarily take care of (Cecil) was cute.
Another fine “Murder She Wrote” story.
This was an entertaining read with many interesting suspects. As usual, Jessica is way ahead of the police in figuring out who the culprit is. I really liked the setting of the book, on a movie set. The dog Jessica had to temporarily take care of (Cecil) was cute.
Another fine “Murder She Wrote” story.
June 24, 2022
Good cosy read. My only problem was that one of the evidence appears about 50 or so pages before the end and right away they know who's handwriting it is. I felt that beforehand there was not enough evidence that could have pointed to this person. I usually like a little hint or to be able to say Ohhh that connects points A and B. Overall good twists and turns! Would still recommend on a rainy day.
January 17, 2014
I must start out by stating that I love Murder She Wrote, the series. I have read all of the books, and reading a Jessica Fletcher book is like visiting with old friends. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Close-up on Murder. When a movie is being filmed in Cabot Cove based on one of Jessica’s novels, someone is murdered! Since the novel was based on an actual murder that occurred in Cabot Cove, the filming of the movie prompts further investigation into the actual murder.
If you are looking for complex characters, deep emotional involvement, or spine tingling suspense, read a different book! Close-up on Murder is a great cozy mystery, with Jessica, Seth and Mort doing what they do best – living in Cabot Cove and solving murders. The murder on the movie set, and the new discoveries regarding the actual murder combine for a great mystery. The characters are true to the TV series, with gossip being passed over blueberry pancakes at Mara’s Diner, Eve Simpson trying to launch an acting career while selling real estate, and Maureen Metzger trying new recipes. It is a great book for anyone who enjoys a great Murder She Wrote mystery.
If you are looking for complex characters, deep emotional involvement, or spine tingling suspense, read a different book! Close-up on Murder is a great cozy mystery, with Jessica, Seth and Mort doing what they do best – living in Cabot Cove and solving murders. The murder on the movie set, and the new discoveries regarding the actual murder combine for a great mystery. The characters are true to the TV series, with gossip being passed over blueberry pancakes at Mara’s Diner, Eve Simpson trying to launch an acting career while selling real estate, and Maureen Metzger trying new recipes. It is a great book for anyone who enjoys a great Murder She Wrote mystery.
September 17, 2023
Lettura settembrina perfetta, è stata una così cara coccola!
August 26, 2015
PAROLA DEL MESE: Delitto
Si respira l'aria dei film. Alla nostra Jessica propongono di realizzare un film tratto da un suo libro. Accetta e la troupe si trasferisce a Cabot Cove. Ovviamente ci scappa il morto e ovviamente la nostra scrittrice si mette ad indagare. Per gli amanti della serie tv e per chi vuole rilassarsi leggendo un giallo divertente e leggero.
Si respira l'aria dei film. Alla nostra Jessica propongono di realizzare un film tratto da un suo libro. Accetta e la troupe si trasferisce a Cabot Cove. Ovviamente ci scappa il morto e ovviamente la nostra scrittrice si mette ad indagare. Per gli amanti della serie tv e per chi vuole rilassarsi leggendo un giallo divertente e leggero.
January 22, 2017
A movie company is making a film based on one of Jessica’s books and they’re on location in Cabot Cove. It’s not long before one of the stars is found dead on the set—it’s murder, of course. If you’re tired of the tv re-runs, this one’s for you.
February 18, 2021
One of the better installments in this series that I have read recently.
August 3, 2021
Durante le riprese di un film tratto da un romanzo di Jessica, la protagonista (attrice famosa al suo rientro alle scene) viene assassinata sul set. Jessica indaga insieme allo sceriffo e al dottor Seth Hazlitt.
November 14, 2018
3.5
It's cute and enjoyable but too predictable especially reading this as last of the series to date.
It's cute and enjoyable but too predictable especially reading this as last of the series to date.
May 21, 2024
Stars: 3 / 5
Recommendation: With a cute dog at Jessica's tow, and nasty characters to deal with on the film set, author Bain managed to make this an entertaining read. There are far less twists for the main murder and a predictable culprit, yet this felt like going home and meeting your long lost friends. A beautiful read.
Close-up On Murder is the 40th 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 2013. One of Jessica's book is being made into a movie, and is set in Cabot Cove, Maine, as the story is based on a decades old murder. Now the lead actress gets killed in the same way as the murder victim from that old murder. And it is up to Jessica and her close friends to find the killer before more are taken down.
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 April 2024, 58 books have been written in this series. They are mostly written in first person narration.
Jessica is at it again with this plot trying to solve a murder, albeit she has her Cabot Cove friends to help her this time. It started on slow but half way through the plot picked up. In fact we get to solve two murders in this - one that occurs now and one that occurred a decade ago.
We see cast from Indian origin in this plot with reference to Bollywood - Indian Hindi language film world. This pleased me much to see people from my birth country become part of the plot. Very rarely that happens with a non-Indian writer.
We finally see Loretta in this book. She owns the beauty parlor and had a much more prominent role in the TV show. And also our favorite realtor Eve Simpson appears in this book. Perhaps setting it in Cabot Cove prompted the author to bring the TV characters to page.
With a cute dog at Jessica's tow, and nasty characters to deal with on the film set, author Bain managed to make this an entertaining read. There are far less twists for the main murder and a predictable culprit, yet this felt like going home and meeting your long lost friends. A beautiful read.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. Film Cast and Crew: Terrence Chattergee, Executive Producer; Vera Stockdale, lead actress; Hamilton "Ham" Twomby, the screenwriter; Estelle Fancy, Vera's personal astrologer; Walter Benson, lead actor; Mitchell "Mitch" Elovitz, the director; Lois Brannigan, supporting actress; Ernest "Zee" Zalagarda, lighting crew; Sunny Cee, production assistant; Nicole Domash, script supervisor; Jason "Jase" Griffin, director of photography; Rhonda Chen, casting director; Eric Barry, Assistant Director; Audrey, hair and makeup artist; Karla, wardrobe.
b. Other characters: Judge Jacob Borden, local jurist, and his wife Lorraine; Cecil, Vera's Dog.
2. Sub Plots:
a. Friends of Jessica Fletcher: Dr. Seth Hazlitt; George Sutherland, senior inspector with Scotland Yard; Morton "Mort" Metzger, Cabot Cove Sherriff and his wife Maureen / Adele?; 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 Cabot Cove characters: 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 Thyme Floral; Sam Davis, investment advisor; Jack Decker, publisher of Cabot Cove's monthly magazine; Peter Eder, Cabot Cove's symphony orchestra; Bob Daros, owns Heritage Fuel; Tim Purdy, treasurer of chamber of commerce and historian and president of Cabot Cove's historical society, 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; Sanford Teller, runs public relations agency; Lee, postmistress; Loretta Spiegel, owns beauty salon.
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; Officer Edgar.
e. Jessica Fletcher’s family: Grady Fletcher, nephew that she and her late-husband Frank raise, his wife Donna and child Frank.
f. We know the reason as to why Mort Metzger's wife is called Maureen as of the 20th book A Slaying in Savannah. However, 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. From the 9th book, Murder on the QE2: Mary Ward has been a prominent character in this book. Will she resurface again?
i. From the 10th book, Murder in Moscow:
i. There is still no resolution as to who or how Ward Wenington was killed in D.C. and why Vladislav "Vlady" Staritova was killed in Russia. What was the connection?
ii. Alexandra Kozhina disappears at the end of the plot. And will she surface in another book?
j. In the 27th book Coffee, Tea or Murder? we see that Jed's wife is named Barbara. But up until then she was named Alicia. Wonder if Bain will have a backup story for that in future books.
k. From the 30th book:
i. Tom Craig offers Michael Haggerty a book deal to write about his escapades as an undercover British spy.
ii. There is no closure as to who actually kills the person in the first murder.
iii. Will Jennifer Kahn, the alleged jewel thief, walk away free since they could only find circumstantial evidence against her and nothing concrete?
l. From the 37th book: If I ever try the sidecar recipe I will have to post it again referring the 37th book.
m. 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.
n. From the 51st book, The Murder of Twelve:
i. Author Land gives considerable mystery to Seamus McGilray’s character. I wonder if he resurfaces in a future book.
ii. Towards the end of the book, Mort jokes that Jessica should run for mayor. Hmm…something to look forward to I suppose.
Recommendation: With a cute dog at Jessica's tow, and nasty characters to deal with on the film set, author Bain managed to make this an entertaining read. There are far less twists for the main murder and a predictable culprit, yet this felt like going home and meeting your long lost friends. A beautiful read.
Close-up On Murder is the 40th 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 2013. One of Jessica's book is being made into a movie, and is set in Cabot Cove, Maine, as the story is based on a decades old murder. Now the lead actress gets killed in the same way as the murder victim from that old murder. And it is up to Jessica and her close friends to find the killer before more are taken down.
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 April 2024, 58 books have been written in this series. They are mostly written in first person narration.
Jessica is at it again with this plot trying to solve a murder, albeit she has her Cabot Cove friends to help her this time. It started on slow but half way through the plot picked up. In fact we get to solve two murders in this - one that occurs now and one that occurred a decade ago.
We see cast from Indian origin in this plot with reference to Bollywood - Indian Hindi language film world. This pleased me much to see people from my birth country become part of the plot. Very rarely that happens with a non-Indian writer.
We finally see Loretta in this book. She owns the beauty parlor and had a much more prominent role in the TV show. And also our favorite realtor Eve Simpson appears in this book. Perhaps setting it in Cabot Cove prompted the author to bring the TV characters to page.
With a cute dog at Jessica's tow, and nasty characters to deal with on the film set, author Bain managed to make this an entertaining read. There are far less twists for the main murder and a predictable culprit, yet this felt like going home and meeting your long lost friends. A beautiful read.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. Film Cast and Crew: Terrence Chattergee, Executive Producer; Vera Stockdale, lead actress; Hamilton "Ham" Twomby, the screenwriter; Estelle Fancy, Vera's personal astrologer; Walter Benson, lead actor; Mitchell "Mitch" Elovitz, the director; Lois Brannigan, supporting actress; Ernest "Zee" Zalagarda, lighting crew; Sunny Cee, production assistant; Nicole Domash, script supervisor; Jason "Jase" Griffin, director of photography; Rhonda Chen, casting director; Eric Barry, Assistant Director; Audrey, hair and makeup artist; Karla, wardrobe.
b. Other characters: Judge Jacob Borden, local jurist, and his wife Lorraine; Cecil, Vera's Dog.
2. Sub Plots:
a. Friends of Jessica Fletcher: Dr. Seth Hazlitt; George Sutherland, senior inspector with Scotland Yard; Morton "Mort" Metzger, Cabot Cove Sherriff and his wife Maureen / Adele?; 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 Cabot Cove characters: 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 Thyme Floral; Sam Davis, investment advisor; Jack Decker, publisher of Cabot Cove's monthly magazine; Peter Eder, Cabot Cove's symphony orchestra; Bob Daros, owns Heritage Fuel; Tim Purdy, treasurer of chamber of commerce and historian and president of Cabot Cove's historical society, 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; Sanford Teller, runs public relations agency; Lee, postmistress; Loretta Spiegel, owns beauty salon.
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; Officer Edgar.
e. Jessica Fletcher’s family: Grady Fletcher, nephew that she and her late-husband Frank raise, his wife Donna and child Frank.
f. We know the reason as to why Mort Metzger's wife is called Maureen as of the 20th book A Slaying in Savannah. However, 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. From the 9th book, Murder on the QE2: Mary Ward has been a prominent character in this book. Will she resurface again?
i. From the 10th book, Murder in Moscow:
i. There is still no resolution as to who or how Ward Wenington was killed in D.C. and why Vladislav "Vlady" Staritova was killed in Russia. What was the connection?
ii. Alexandra Kozhina disappears at the end of the plot. And will she surface in another book?
j. In the 27th book Coffee, Tea or Murder? we see that Jed's wife is named Barbara. But up until then she was named Alicia. Wonder if Bain will have a backup story for that in future books.
k. From the 30th book:
i. Tom Craig offers Michael Haggerty a book deal to write about his escapades as an undercover British spy.
ii. There is no closure as to who actually kills the person in the first murder.
iii. Will Jennifer Kahn, the alleged jewel thief, walk away free since they could only find circumstantial evidence against her and nothing concrete?
l. From the 37th book: If I ever try the sidecar recipe I will have to post it again referring the 37th book.
m. 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.
n. 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.
November 3, 2014
Murder, She Wrote: Close Up On Murder is the 40th book in the Murder She Wrote series.
One of Jessica Fletcher's older books is being adapted to the big screen and Jessica has been hired to be a consultant to the scriptwriter. It will be a stormy filming as the star, Vera Stockdale, is being demanding on how she wants things to be in the movie. But when her body is found on the sound stage, filming in put on hold. Stockdale has a past of rubbing people the wrong way and this time she has pushed someone to far.
So Jessica, with her sleuthing expertise and her friends in Cabot Cove are off on another mystery solving adventure. Most of the characters that we have learn to love from the television series are here, too.
I enjoyed the book, but will say that I enjoyed watching the television series more.
One of Jessica Fletcher's older books is being adapted to the big screen and Jessica has been hired to be a consultant to the scriptwriter. It will be a stormy filming as the star, Vera Stockdale, is being demanding on how she wants things to be in the movie. But when her body is found on the sound stage, filming in put on hold. Stockdale has a past of rubbing people the wrong way and this time she has pushed someone to far.
So Jessica, with her sleuthing expertise and her friends in Cabot Cove are off on another mystery solving adventure. Most of the characters that we have learn to love from the television series are here, too.
I enjoyed the book, but will say that I enjoyed watching the television series more.
November 12, 2018
Just like I love the Television show, I love these books by the late Donald Bain. "Close-up on Murder" has Jessica teaming up with frazzled Sheriff Mort Metzger. They investigate the murder of an aging and troublesome Diva playing the lead in a movie based on one of Jessica's novels. The novel was a fictionalized account of a real Cabot Cove crime, one which Jessica had her misgivings about when the killer was tried and sent to prison. This additional plot element adds another layer of suspense. There's plenty of cryptic clues, twists, red herrings and colorful characters to be had throughout. There's also real danger afoot for Jessica the deeper she delves into the investigation. The woman can't help herself. I definitely recommend this one.
March 31, 2025
In Close-up on Murder, Jessica Fletcher’s literary career finally gets the red carpet treatment — one of her books is being made into a movie. Glamorous, right? Until the production team decides to film it in Cabot Cove. Because nothing says box office magic like staging a fake murder in the real-life murder capital of Maine.
The novel being adapted is based on one of Jessica’s actual cases: a local judge, gunned down while walking her dog. The case was closed, but now it’s getting the full cinematic dramatization — with Jessica watching from the sidelines like, “Wow, cool creative liberties, but also someone definitely died here.” And because this is still her town, chaos doesn’t just follow the cameras — it attacks them. When the actress playing the judge is shot on set, everything starts unraveling. Again.
Everyone on this film crew is one caffeine shortage away from a breakdown. You’ve got washed-up actors, ambitious assistants, secret affairs, public meltdowns, and a stalker who might be more obsessed with Jessica than the script. There’s even an astrologer blaming the production’s bad vibes on Mercury retrograde — and honestly? She might be onto something.
As Jessica starts digging through the Hollywood drama to get back to the original murder, things get twisty. Turns out, not everyone was thrilled about revisiting this case — and the deeper she digs, the more she realizes the past isn’t just influencing the present. It’s fueling it.
If you’re new to the Murder, She Wrote books, this one can work as a standalone. You don’t need to know Cabot Cove’s full body count to follow what’s going on — but longtime fans will catch little nods to the town’s cursed history and Jessica’s reputation as the world’s most polite chaos magnet. You’ll get more out of it if you’ve seen her clean up murder scenes before breakfast a few dozen times, but you won’t be lost.
3.5 stars. Close-up on Murder is a cozy mystery wearing a film noir trench coat. It’s got production drama, old secrets, and that unmistakable Cabot Cove charm — where even the boom mic guy might have a motive.
The novel being adapted is based on one of Jessica’s actual cases: a local judge, gunned down while walking her dog. The case was closed, but now it’s getting the full cinematic dramatization — with Jessica watching from the sidelines like, “Wow, cool creative liberties, but also someone definitely died here.” And because this is still her town, chaos doesn’t just follow the cameras — it attacks them. When the actress playing the judge is shot on set, everything starts unraveling. Again.
Everyone on this film crew is one caffeine shortage away from a breakdown. You’ve got washed-up actors, ambitious assistants, secret affairs, public meltdowns, and a stalker who might be more obsessed with Jessica than the script. There’s even an astrologer blaming the production’s bad vibes on Mercury retrograde — and honestly? She might be onto something.
As Jessica starts digging through the Hollywood drama to get back to the original murder, things get twisty. Turns out, not everyone was thrilled about revisiting this case — and the deeper she digs, the more she realizes the past isn’t just influencing the present. It’s fueling it.
If you’re new to the Murder, She Wrote books, this one can work as a standalone. You don’t need to know Cabot Cove’s full body count to follow what’s going on — but longtime fans will catch little nods to the town’s cursed history and Jessica’s reputation as the world’s most polite chaos magnet. You’ll get more out of it if you’ve seen her clean up murder scenes before breakfast a few dozen times, but you won’t be lost.
3.5 stars. Close-up on Murder is a cozy mystery wearing a film noir trench coat. It’s got production drama, old secrets, and that unmistakable Cabot Cove charm — where even the boom mic guy might have a motive.
April 11, 2024
Hollywood has descended on Cabot Cove, Maine and the town is all abuzz. Anticipation of local celebrity Jessica Fletcher's book being made into a movie has everything hopping From hopeful actors and actresses to disgruntled business owners there's not a dull moment. Then, even before the movie starts filming in earnest, the star is killed on-set and found by none other than her personal astrologist accompanied by Jessica Fletcher, Sheriff Mort Metzger, and the movie's director. The 'hot set' becomes a hot crime scene. Pushback from the film people has the Sheriff using every resource available to try and solve the murder. Jessica does her part in trying to coax information out of various employees and stars involved in the movie and finds that the movie 'family' is a den of gossip just like a small town. But gossip often holds a kernel of truth and using those kernels Jessica tries to put together the clues. Issues with a heckler interfering with the film brings back into focus the case Jessica mirrored in the book and the primary characters featured in the case. Questions that were never fully answered are brought into sharp relief.
This entry into the Jessica Fletcher book series has a great somewhat convoluted plot. I guessed who the murderer was much earlier than it was revealed. The road to get there was entirely satisfying and there was even a couple of twists I had not anticipated!
This entry into the Jessica Fletcher book series has a great somewhat convoluted plot. I guessed who the murderer was much earlier than it was revealed. The road to get there was entirely satisfying and there was even a couple of twists I had not anticipated!
December 15, 2022
When one of Jessica's novels is made into a film, Hollywood descends upon Cabot Cove. The cast and crew are met with a mixture of excitement and frustration, as filming the movie takes over the town. When there's a murder on set, production comes to a grinding halt, and Jessica works to solve the murder, which is made difficult due to the absence of crucial clues. Along the way, Jessica begins to suspect that the murder of a local judge (the crime on which she based her novel) may have been adjudicated incorrectly, leading to an innocent woman going to jail. It's up to Jessica to solve not one, but two murders. Along the way, she's helped by her temporary housemates Sunny (a production assistant) and Cecil (a neurotic chihuahua without teeth), as well as Doc Hazlitt and Sheriff Metzger.
This was the first JB Fletcher novel in which I was unsure of the killer. The person I suspected was tangentially involved, but not the actual murderer. I didn't particularly want the murderer to be who it was revealed to be, so that was a bit of a bummer, but it didn't affect my rating of the novel.
This was the first JB Fletcher novel in which I was unsure of the killer. The person I suspected was tangentially involved, but not the actual murderer. I didn't particularly want the murderer to be who it was revealed to be, so that was a bit of a bummer, but it didn't affect my rating of the novel.
August 21, 2019
Yeesh. Why do I do this to myself? We all know Jessica Fletcher is going to solve the damn murder. I would like to know why she is always around when a murder occurs. I'd steer clear of this walking reaper if I lived in Cabot Cove or whatever quaint Maine town bred this black cat.
This one is a doozy (book 40 - 40 murders - seems like Ms Fletcher is serial bystander of sorts). Plot: There is a real murder of a judge, Jessica writes a fictional novel based on this murder, a movie is being made of the book, the actress playing the real murdered judge is murdered. Jessica then solves the murder - reopens the original case - and solves that murder too. Nobody questions why Jessica seems to be involved with all these murders - fictional and otherwise - EXCEPT the guy that actually killed the original judge - he was a bit suspicious of Jessica's murder fetish - how did her husband die anyway....?
This one is a doozy (book 40 - 40 murders - seems like Ms Fletcher is serial bystander of sorts). Plot: There is a real murder of a judge, Jessica writes a fictional novel based on this murder, a movie is being made of the book, the actress playing the real murdered judge is murdered. Jessica then solves the murder - reopens the original case - and solves that murder too. Nobody questions why Jessica seems to be involved with all these murders - fictional and otherwise - EXCEPT the guy that actually killed the original judge - he was a bit suspicious of Jessica's murder fetish - how did her husband die anyway....?
May 10, 2024
This was my first Murder She Wrote book but I loved the show and never missed a episode. Now I watch reruns over and over. I was very excited to read this book and it didn't disappoint. it all takes place in Cabot Cove of course as a movie is being made from one of Jessica Fletcher's many books. Hollywood meets Cabot Cove and some of the citizens can't wait to be in the movie and some especially Sheriff Mort Metzger who is having a hard time dealing with all the distractions the movie crew are creating. The victim is Vera Stockdale the star of the movie who is trying to start a comeback. Vera is very demanding actress and belittles everyone. There are many suspects to choose from and they have their secrets as well. All the elements of the tv show are in the book including the humor and banter between Seth and Jessica. If you loved the show you will love the book series as well. I made me smile to know that Jessica Fletcher is alive and well and still solving murders.
January 27, 2018
Another book inspired by the TV show. In this one, a movie company is making a film based on a book Jessica wrote some time ago about a murder trial held in Cabot Cove. Many people were not sure the woman sent to prison really was the killer. To play the judge in the trial a woman who was a major star some years ago was coming out of retirement. The town was turned upside down with the excitement of the movie people – and the demands of shooting the film “on location.” Jessica was, of course, a “script consultant” so was often on the set. As the movie progressed things started to happen. To everyone’s surprise, the major star was killed – shot in the back!. Jessica began to think that events were tied into the original trial over 20 years ago.
January 10, 2023
A quick whodunit murder mystery that only Jessica Fletcher can solve. Likeable characters a murder in Cabot Cove and a famous film starlet killed on the set on her big comeback movie. Who is the killer? Is it someone from the movie set? Tear into Donald Bains 40th novel and find out for yourself. I quite enjoyed this murder mystery. I still can't believe I've read 40 murder she wrote books. I need a social life.
June 15, 2023
I liked this book well enough. I like reading the series especially when I can hear the actors who play the roles on TV say their lines in the book. I think that makes it even more enjoyable for me. I have to say I didn't guess this murderer at all. I knew where parts of it was leading but I didn't figure out the person AT ALL. It was a quick summer read and I like that part best of all. Great Beach Book!!!
November 18, 2023
I always enjoy the books in this series, and this one was no different. In fact, I enjoyed this one more than I've enjoyed some of the others that I've read. I usually don't suspect the killer, so that's never a criteria that I use to judge a mystery. However, this one had some really interesting twists and turns. It was also fun to read something about the "creation" side of Hollywood. I always recommend these books to Jessica Fletcher fans!
December 5, 2024
When Hollywood arrives in Cabot Cove, mystery and mayhem arrive with it. It's up to Jessica and Mort (and a few others) to get to the bottom of the latest small town murder.
What a fun mystery for Jessica and the gang to solve. I'm a Mainer and this book, with the Hollywood angle, made me think back to when a couple of Stephen King adaptations were filmed here. Of course, no one was killed, but I digress.
Definitely recommend!
What a fun mystery for Jessica and the gang to solve. I'm a Mainer and this book, with the Hollywood angle, made me think back to when a couple of Stephen King adaptations were filmed here. Of course, no one was killed, but I digress.
Definitely recommend!
November 7, 2019
Hollywood 🎥 comes to Cabot Cove and it does NOT end well. To make things even worse the "darling" lead actress is murdered. Poor sheriff Metzger 👮 is popping antacids as if there candy 🍬 and Jessica is feeling guilty😞, so to make up for that guilt she helps investigate. Of course she finds the killer and eventually Cabot Cove goes back to normal (until the next movie deal). 😏
May 21, 2025
The alternative title to this book should be “Will Jessica Never Learn?” Both in the MSW TV show and in the books EVERY time one of her books is made into a film it’s a fiasco. A murder and a fiasco. This story is no different. But it was very well written with lots of fascinating characters and an entertaining plot.
September 16, 2018
This isn't my favorite in the series simply because of the obnoxious supporting players from Hollywood who invade Cabot Cove. But as always I enjoyed spending tine with Jessica, Seth, and Mort along with other Cabot Cove residents.
September 20, 2020
this book was thoroughly entertaining and was just the kind of not-think-too-hard read I needed. but ya know it’s a novelization of a tv series, so the writing was not great. also the character names were just... interesting (see: Estelle Fancy and Hamilton Twomby)
November 12, 2022
Jessica Fletcher is at it again, this time solving the murder of a movie star on a film of one of her older books. Comfortable book, with no real surprises, bringing back various neighbors and friends of Jessica.
May 29, 2023
This one has all my favorite MSW elements: Cabot Cove townies being themselves to the max, Hollywood eccentrics, and a decompressed mystery. Mentions of caftans and iPads. Mort being annoyed with people. Love
December 30, 2024
Two murders entangle as a movie is made in Cabot Cove about a book Jessica wrote involving a local incident.
A bit technical about movie terms...
Like all them, I would recommend. Perhaps this one a little more than most, with its compelling plot.
A bit technical about movie terms...
Like all them, I would recommend. Perhaps this one a little more than most, with its compelling plot.
October 15, 2017
Another fun read for me, which was what I needed.
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