Martinis & Mayhem

Murder, She Wrote #5

by Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain

Cabot Cove's most famous mystery author, Jessica Fletcher, is excited about promoting her new book in glamourous San Francisco. She can't wait for drinks and dinner on Fisherman's Wharf, a ride on a cable car, and a rendezvous with her visiting Scottish policeman friend, George Sutherland.

But Jess doesn't know that solving a murder may soon be penciled into her agenda.

Librarian's note #1: there is an earlier MSW series by James Anderson and David Deutsch. Novelizations of TV episodes. The characters, settings, etc. have all been entered for the 4-volume original series: #1, The Murder of Sherlock Holmes (1985); #2, Hooray for Homicide (1985); #3, Lovers and Other Killers (1986); and #4, Murder in Two Acts (1986). But improvements welcome!

Librarian's note #2: the characters, settings, etc. have all been entered for the first 20 books in the current Jessica Fletcher / Donald Bain MSW series. They are #1, Gin & Daggers (1989) with a 2nd edition in (2000); #2, Manhattans & Murder (1994); #3, Rum & Razors (1995); #4, Brandy & Bullets (1995); #5, Martinis & Mayhem (1995); #6, A Deadly Judgment (1996); #7, A Palette for Murder (1996); #8, The Highland Fling Murders (1997); #9, Murder on the QE2 (1997); #10, Murder in Moscow (1998); #11, A Little Yuletide Murder (1998); #12, Murder at the Powderhorn Ranch (1999); #13, Knock 'Em Dead (1999); #14, Trick or Treachery (2000); #15, Blood on the Vine (2001); #16, Murder in a Minor Key (2001); #17, Provence - To Die For (2002); #18, You Bet Your Life (2002); #19, Majoring in Murder (2003), and #20, Destination Murder (2003). But improvements welcome! Needed - a librarian to give the same treatment for #21 and on.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Crime, Tv, Media Tie In

287 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 1995

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Jessica Fletcher (born Jessica Beatrice MacGill, and writes under the initialed J.B. Fletcher) is a fictional character from the US television series Murder, She Wrote.

In keeping with the spirit of the TV show, a series of official original novels have been written by American ghostwriter Donald Bain and published by the New American Library. The author credit for the novels is shared with the fictitious "Jessica Fletcher." When the first novel in the series, Gin and Daggers, was published in 1989 it included several inaccuracies to the TV series including Jessica driving a car which she could not do as she never learned to drive. Due to fans pointing out the errors, the novel was republished in 2000 with most of the inaccuracies corrected.

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. This series grows on you. They're a touch better than the TV show and I do enjoy those episodes too. Here we find the connectivity and development needed for a good mystery story, and also character exploration, some at least. It doesn't match The Maltese Falcon, but Martinis & Mayhem has its share of reading pleasure. There's humour too. Jessica is on a book tour in San Francisco for her latest, Blood Relations. At one point she's questioning the owner of a wig store, gets recognized, and agrees to tend the store while the owner rushes down the street to purchase the book in order to get it autographed. She concludes, "At least one copy of my newest novel had been sold!" No wigs though. For personal reading, she's into a book by her friend Neil Schwartz about true murder cases. One entry refers to Kimberley Steffer who wrote children's stories. She had been convicted of murdering her husband 3 years earlier. Jessica meets her while speaking to female inmates in prison - it's a publicity tour after all. She takes up Kimberley's case. There's even a little romance; her old friend, Scotland Yard's George Sutherland, is in San Fran too. (Ja2021/Se2025)

[Ta || bookishbluehead · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book we follow Jessica to San Francisco. She’s supposed to give a seminar about writing and journaling to some female inmates, enjoy a few days of vacation and meet her Scottish friend George. After the course however she finds a notebook in her pocket that doesn’t belong to her and contains the notes of a convicted murderer, who says she didn’t do it. Of course Jessica is intrigued and soon learns that maybe she’s the only one willing to listen to an innocent woman.

The first book in this series, where Jessica tries to solve a murder that happened years ago and that is supposed to be solved. I was a little disappointed, because the last book was set in Cabot Cove and I hoped we would get to see a little more of the eerie small town in Maine.

This book actually gave me some feelings. There’s a scene in the beginning where Jessica cries for her dead husband and I cried with her. That’s one reason I didn’t want her to stay single, even though there are a lot of men interested in her. The other reason is that I read in an interview once that Angela Landsburry didn’t want Jessica to have a new love interest and instead show that an older woman can be happy, content, independent and not in need of a man to make her life complete.

I’ll repeat myself by saying this, but these books give me such a cozy vibe and I’m always happy to revisit my childhood memories.

[Cari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay but I don't like how it makes the main characters cuss, including Jessica, & less old-fashioned. Another error in this one as it states Jessica never ever jogs...wrong. Wish it would stay true to the original beloved characters.

[The Frahorus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ho trovato questo libro in una bancarella dell'usato e non appena ho visto che esiste un romanzo con protagonista la Signora in Giallo non ho resistito e l'ho comprato subito, visto che seguo con piacere la serie che trasmettono, da anni ormai, su Rete 4. E poi ho scoperto che questo fa parte di una serie di romanzi, ed è esattamente il quinto di cinquantasei! Pazzesco, quanti ne hanno scritti sulla signora Fletcher!

In questo romanzo la signora Fletcher va a San Francisco, una delle sue città preferite, dove tiene una conferenza e va pure a visitare alcune detenute in un carcere. Quando ritorna nella sua stanza in hotel si accorge che una delle detenute le ha messo il suo diario nella borsa dove scrive di essere innocente. Da quel momento la nostra scrittrice di gialli decide di aiutare la ragazza e indaga sul suo passato, ma questo le procurerà non pochi rischi per la sua stessa vita.

Devo dire che la storia mi è piaciuta, sembra proprio scritta dalla signora Fletcher in persona, piena di colpi di scena e interessante anche scoprire chi siano stati i veri colpevoli. Se mi capiterà leggerò volentieri altri romanzi di questa serie.

[Rachaelbookhunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica is off to San Francisco to promote her latest mystery novel. It comes at the right time as there is a heat wave in Cabot Cove. While Jessica knows she is there to work she is also excited to get some time to relax and catch up with George Sutherland, her policeman friend from Scotland. Jessica should know by now not to expect things to go her way.

The setting is fun maybe because I know many of the places Jessica visits. Like the Golden Gate Bridge where something scary happens. Another place she visits is a women's prison which is where the mystery begins as she finds a diary slipped into her bag. Leave it to Jessica to always do the right thing and begin an investigation to see if the diary writer was indeed wrongfully imprisoned.

The story in Martinis & Mayhem is very good. You can't help but hope everything turns out well. There are heartwarming moments between a couple characters and a great confrontation with the killer. George Sutherland isn't my favorite for some reason. The potentially romantic moments between him and Jessica are repetitive and slow things down. Otherwise this is a memorable Murder She Wrote book.

[Sofina Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, I really enjoy reading the books in this series. However, certain aspects, situations, personalities in the books sometimes surprise me because they're so out of place. They're annoying. In comparison to the television show, us readers of the books sometimes find little inconsistencies here and there that could be avoided. Did Donald Bain not ever watch Murder, She Wrote on TV before embarking on this series? I would have rated this book a full 5 stars, if it wasn't for the ongoing cheesy relationship between Jessica and Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland. I find his character irritating and in the way of Jessica's independant sleuthing. In the show, Jessica never dated, and her life was always busy and fulfilled. His character is pointless as he serves no purpose, aside from being a 'long distance friend on-the-verge of a romantic relationship that will never be definite due to their busy schedules'.

While I enjoyed this book, I didn't enjoy the prolonged focus on Jessica and George. The flirting, constant checking in with each other, tagging along with Jessica, him showing up everywhere she is due to "police related work" and his weird Scottish sayings were rediculous!

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martinis & Mayhem ticked a lot of boxes for me. Firstly, I have worked in prison, so the opening chapters were obviously big draws for me. Secondly, I have always been interested in San Francisco, but never visited. This, therefore, was a thrill. And finally, the gay subplot was something very close to home for me - I am gay, and so it was nice to see this series being so mixed in terms of characters’ sexuality. Several issues, however. George Sutherland may be a huge favourite with plenty of fans, but not so much with me. He’s okay, and well-characterised (I understand he is actually based on Donald Bain’s father) but I feel he is too much. His Scottish phrases were overdone—constantly put in for no apparent reason that I can see. I don’t like this “almost romance” between he and Jessica. It’s not true to what we see onscreen, and therefore it is difficult to imagine it happening with Angela Lansbury playing it. Jessica is like a tittering schoolgirl around him, insisting that he extend his plans to involve her, which is a bit selfish considering he is in San Fran for work purposes. Otherwise, it was very enjoyable, as I have said.

[Sonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book, Martinis & Mayhem, is a simple read for those who like light murder mystery books, which I do. This murder mystery story is told in San Francisco. Besides the fact, there's a plot and an innocent victim is sent to jail and only Jessica Fletcher gets to the bottom of the crime, the book tells a lot about San Francisco. Mrs. Fletcher takes us to some places where I wish I could have checked out when I was there a few times. Walking over the Golden Gate Bridge would have been a splendid idea if I knew about it or thought about it. If I ever go again to San Francisco, that would be on my list to do. But I did once walk down the crookedest street; whereas Mrs. Fletcher drove down it. That was very nice.

Whenever I get a chance, I enjoy watching Murder, She Wrote series. I personally think the Murder, She Wrote books are more enjoyable-more detail. I hate to say this, but as much as I like the series, I usually fall asleep with them.

[Susan Jo Grassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

And again our intrepid author is investigating murder. This time she's going to prison. Hope she likes orange.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author. When I read these books its like I'm sitting in Jessica's kitchen having coffee or tea and hearing about her latest adventure! Watch the show everyday and read the books as much as possible!

[Ricky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t let the 3-star rating fool you. They’re three glorious stars for the ultimate palate cleanser book. Loved it!

[Kaylee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t know what this author was doing but he wasn’t writing Jessica Fletcher. She wouldn’t do most of the things in this book.

[EuroHackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessica is in San Francisco to promote her latest novel. As part of her tour, she visits the Women's Correctional Facility to speak with some of the inmates about keeping a journal. She is struck by a beautiful blonde woman who asks whether or not she's ever falsely accused one of her characters in one of her novels. This leads to an interesting side debate. When Jessica leaves the facility, she discovers that the blonde woman has slipped her journal into Jessica's bag, and she begins to read it out of curiosity.

Turns out the beautiful blond is Kimberly Steffer, who was infamously convicted of her husband's murder three years earlier based on a purely circumstantial case. There aren't many who believe Kimberly is actually guilty of the crime, and Jessica soon finds herself among those ranks. She starts digging around a bit and is almost thrown off the Golden Gate Bridge for her troubles. With the help of her friend, Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland, she is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and set Kimberly free.

This was a 'new' read for me. It was impulsively readable, and better than the last couple in the series, though I wouldn't exactly call it good. The resolution of the murder mystery was just a little OTT and eyeroll-inducing. Everyone, including Jessica, fawned over Kimberly to such a degree that I was half-convinced that she'd done it, and that would be the big reveal: she'd framed herself and was trading on her looks to try to gain her freedom. Frankly, that would've made a more interesting story, and would've made a lot more sense than the three-man conspiracy trio that *did* do the deed.

This book marks a new chapter in the George and Jessica relationship. I understand that the rights holders didn't want Jessica to actually be in a relationship (and forbid kissing in the novels), the awkward exposition here is the result. There is a lot of uneven intimacy in this book, including the fact that George goes home with Jessica at the end and stays as her houseguest! Meanwhile, not a kiss to be seen, and they seem to be unsure of their feelings for each other. It's really, really awkward. I'm glad these rules were eventually relaxed because this is no way to write a romantic undercurrent.

Speaking of romance, one of the inconsistencies in this novel is the fact that Jessica proclaims that she started her writing career writing basically teenage/YA romance and it went over like a lead balloon, hence switching to murder mysteries *shakes head* Other booboos include:
*Since when is Jessica famed for her iced tea?
*Jessica has never jogged a day in her life?!
*Does Jessica have any Cabot Cove friends, other than Seth and Mort? Because nobody else has made an appearance, and the two of them vs George makes a seriously weird love triangle *shudder*

On the upside, there is a sly bit of meta on page 185:

"Joan Fontaine," I answered matter-of-factly. "Or Vivien Leigh. Of course, I'd be pleased if Angela Landsbury played me in a film version of my book."

😂😂😂

[Juliet Minerva Swift · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another nice book following Jessica in her adventures.
I will never stop saying how much I like this type of cozy. comforting mysteries.
I have to say, the plot for this one wasn't the most exciting one. Not much really happens and there is no murder on page, as she is trying to free a woman from jail. I didn't really like this, I prefer the kind of mysteries where you bump into the corpse and work to solve the crime.

Here the mystery itself was also quite simple, and the solution wasn't that far-fetched. Jessica is spoon-fed the information she needs to solve it so I wouldn't really say it keeps you on edge.

However, I liked it enough. There was a lot of Jessica going around San Francisco and seeing nice places (I have never been there so I didn't know much about it, and it was quite cool), and quite a bit of her going for interviews.

A big chuck was taken by George Sutherland. He is adorable and charming and I can picture him perfectly and I can get why she likes him so much. But their meetings and the talking about their feelings is just too much. I guess they had to introduce one of the next books, taking place in his Scottish castle/house, but I was growing a bit bored of them going on dates and him being protective of her. Jessica in the TV series has no love interest, and she is very independent and fullfilled without a boyfriend. So I don't really get why they had to push for this storyline.
I mean, I don't mind some changes as this is another medium and some other characters can be introduced, but I would have preferred for George to have a more marginal role and let more space to the actual plot.
I have read mutliple books in a random order and I think I remember the newest ones do not have him starring so heavily (or maybe this is my wishful thinking).

All in all, it is always a nice pleasure to read Jessica's books, they are light and quick, and this one was a good example of this.

[Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

some of these early MSW novelizations are written like the writer has never seen an episode of MSW. Jessica comments that she would never go jogging - she definitely jogs on the show, more than once. She doesn't really flirt or pursue relationships with any of the men in the show, certainly never to the degree that occurs in this book. (Jessica worrying about being jealous!) I can't remember any of the people in Cabot Cove ever saying "gorry" or "jo-jeezly," even if people in Maine may do so in real life. Jessica has traveled all around the world and Mort and Seth really don't make a habit of just showing up because they think this grown woman is incapable of taking care of herself. It's like the character has had some of her more interesting traits substituted with some generic idea of "women."

and then, on top of that, why was this set in San Francisco? it should have been Sacramento. there is no women's prison in SF, but there is in Sacramento. furthermore, the plot hinges on Jessica repeatedly running into all of the people involved in the original case randomly in SF, as if there are about 300 people in the city. Sacramento is much smaller and that kind of thing is way more likely. perhaps things were quite different when this book was written... for example, all of the prison stuff rang false with me. a warden is unlikely to take that much time out of the day to sit with a volunteer, there would be a boatload of security checks, and even if someone's sentence is reversed, our broken legal system could take weeks or months to process and free them. maybe in the 90s things weren't like that? but really, much of the writing was lazy, and the plot was dependent on many, many convenient coincidences.

[Jordan (Murder, He Read) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish Donald Bain was more faithful to the tv show his novels are based off of. It’s like he read a synopsis of the show & went from there (especially in his early novels). In this book the mystery was interesting but we keep getting Jessica’s “love interest”, George Sutherland, shoved down our throats (You’d think this was a romance novel or something lol). The problem is that it’s canon that Jessica Fletcher was not interested in a romantic relationship since her husband died, and that her writing & many friends fulfilled her life instead. On top of that, the actual character of George is pretty annoying. It seemed like Jessica couldn’t do ANYTHING without George either tagging along or checking in on her constantly & coddling her like she was a child.

Another problem I had was the way that Donald Bain wrote the gay characters in this novel. I know this was written back in the 90s & I’m all for having more LGBTQ+ representation in novels like this but I’m sure they were only written in because this story takes place in San Francisco & the storyline he gave his gay characters just left a really bad taste in my mouth.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica's on tour in San Francisco to promote her latest book, with stops at a women's prison, a high school, the Golden Gate Bridge, and—you guessed it—murder. But this isn't a new murder; rather, it's a cold case that's about to warm up again in the Northern California sunshine. Will Jessica have time for romance with her old friend George Sutherland of Scotland Yard, or will she fall victim to a killer who got away with a perfect crime?

This is another enjoyable visit to the murder-heavy world of Jessica Fletcher. "Jessica's" love of the city by the bay is evident in its vivid descriptions of real settings. Sensitive readers, however, are advised to skip this one, as there is some rather insensitive treatment of gay and drag queen characters.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the TV show that I watched many times. I am not sure if the show or book series came first.

This time Jessica is in San Francisco for a book tour, and she stops at a woman’s prison for a journaling workshop. She finds a journal in her bag and realizes that someone is probably not guilty and should not be in prison. Using a lot of common sense, she investigates and uses the help of her Scotland Yard friend George to help an innocent wife. Jessica encounters a close call on the Golden Gate Bridge, but the plot is not violent.

A little dated (written in 1995) so voicemails are prevalent in continuity of the story. Jessica enjoys her outfits, sightseeing, food and drink and the descriptions add to the lightheartedness of the crime solving.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars
When a book signing week, turns into a talk/teaching to a group of inmates. That’s when it all begins... a sad teenager, suicide or murder? Attempted murder, beautiful view and wonderful company makes this Murder She Wrote a very interesting intriguing one. See if you can figure out the mystery before Jessica and George do.
No sexual references or language so I can recommend this to anyone who wants a good clean mystery.
You don’t have to read in order as they are stand alone,.... BUT if you read in order you get to know Cabot Cove, and the people who they are and why they behave the way they do. I wonderful world to step into with each book

[Rachel N. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded down.
Jessica Fletcher (yes from the Murder she wrote tv show) is on a book tour in San Francisco. While speaking at a woman's prison she is given a journal by one of the inmates. Jessica decides the woman is innocent of killing her husband and sets out to get her released from jail. The book reads more like a travelogue of San Francisco than a mystery novel. The character also doesn't entirely ring true compared to the television show. I own a few more books in the series which I'll probably read but I doubt I'll read any more after that.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Promoting her newest book in glamorous San Francisco, Jessica Fletcher visits a women's prison and afterwards finds a mysterious diary in her bag that makes her suspect that an inmate has been falsely accused of murder.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very disappointed in this particular storyline because it was just too predictable. I correctly guessed who the real murderer was by the end of the 3rd chapter and that ruined the enjoyment of this book for me.

[Katey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun, but difficult to wrap my head around the case once everything came out into the open. Basically it was a trio of people who wanted the person dead; all for different reasons. And they attempted to frame someone else in the process.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica travels to San Francisco for a book promotion tour and inevitably gets caught up in a murder mystery. She is soon joined by her friend, George Sutherland, and they work together to figure out what happened.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like any other Jessica Fletcher book. Not especially great, but also not too bad. Glad, Mort and Seth didn’t join her for once.
But I still am not a fan of the romance between Jessica and George.

[Sarah Jowett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one.. I don't know if was the locale or the addition of George, again.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book. Easy reading. Nice descriptions of San Francisco. Make you want to walk the Golden Gate Bridge (if you can still do that) and see the views. Interesting plot.

[Tomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since this a little early in the series the interactions between the characters is still fairly stiff. I haven't read the series in order so it is fairly obvious. The plotline was interesting.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Or Vivien Leigh. Of course, I'd be please if Angela Lansbury played me in a film version of my book."
- Jessica Fletcher
Cute little extras like this warm my heart to no end.

[Bryan Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy was everything in this book a coincidence! Still a good read, but I rolled my eyes a few times at how these "clues" fell into Jessica's lap.