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Murder, She Wrote #45
Design For Murder
In the newest in the USA Today bestselling mystery series, Jessica Fletcher visits New York City during fashion week, only to discover someone has rather fatal designs...
Jessica is in Manhattan to attend the debut of a new designer. Formerly Sandy Black of Cabot Cove, the young man has reinvented himself as Xandr Ebon, and is introducing his evening wear collection to the public and—more important—to the industry’s powers-that-be: the stylists, the magazine editors, the buyers, and the wealthy clientele who can make or break him. At the show, the glitz and glamour are dazzling until a young model—a novice, taking her first walk down the runway—shockingly collapses and dies. Natural causes? Perhaps. But when another model is found dead, a famous cover girl and darling of the paparazzi, the fashion world gets nervous.
Two models. Two deaths. Their only connection? Xandr Ebon. Jessica’s crime-solving instincts are put to the test as she sorts through the egos, the conflicts of interest, the spiteful accusations, and the secrets, all the while keeping an amorous detective at arm’s length. But she’ll have to dig deep to uncover a killer. A designer’s career is on the line. And another model could perish in a New York minute.
Jessica is in Manhattan to attend the debut of a new designer. Formerly Sandy Black of Cabot Cove, the young man has reinvented himself as Xandr Ebon, and is introducing his evening wear collection to the public and—more important—to the industry’s powers-that-be: the stylists, the magazine editors, the buyers, and the wealthy clientele who can make or break him. At the show, the glitz and glamour are dazzling until a young model—a novice, taking her first walk down the runway—shockingly collapses and dies. Natural causes? Perhaps. But when another model is found dead, a famous cover girl and darling of the paparazzi, the fashion world gets nervous.
Two models. Two deaths. Their only connection? Xandr Ebon. Jessica’s crime-solving instincts are put to the test as she sorts through the egos, the conflicts of interest, the spiteful accusations, and the secrets, all the while keeping an amorous detective at arm’s length. But she’ll have to dig deep to uncover a killer. A designer’s career is on the line. And another model could perish in a New York minute.
259 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2016
78 people are currently reading
797 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 105 reviews
May 19, 2016
My review for Murder, She Wrote: Design for Murder by Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain, and Renee Paley Bain is a 2016 NAL publication.
This addition to the long-running TV tie-in series is a dependable installment that is pretty much par for the course and is basically what we’ve come to expect from this series. I don’t mean that in a bad way, either, because readers want the books to remain true to the characters we have come to know and love.
The mystery was solid, the characters were very well-drawn, and the story is entertaining. I recommend this book to those following the series or anyone who enjoys a clean cozy mystery.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the entire review, click on this link: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
This addition to the long-running TV tie-in series is a dependable installment that is pretty much par for the course and is basically what we’ve come to expect from this series. I don’t mean that in a bad way, either, because readers want the books to remain true to the characters we have come to know and love.
The mystery was solid, the characters were very well-drawn, and the story is entertaining. I recommend this book to those following the series or anyone who enjoys a clean cozy mystery.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the entire review, click on this link: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
April 3, 2016
High fashion murder meets its match with Jessica Fletcher!
I can only dream that some of my favorite cancelled TV shows had been blessed with a new breath of life in novels such as this series.
The Murder, She Wrote books were always to me a series my late mother enjoyed as much as the television show that spawned them, and books my older sister still looks forward to reading. Not having been a fan of the show due to a childhood fear of actress Angela Lansbury (Don’t ask), I saw no reason to read the books. Now having read several in the series, I can see why Murder She Wrote is still going strong.
MURDER, SHE WROTE: DESIGN FOR MURDER is another fascinating, well plotted book that I found difficult to put down. High fashion and murder go wonderfully together as the theme for this story. Throw the brains of Jessica Fletcher into the mix, and you have a fantastic mystery that you’ll be talking about with your friends.
So, to my Mom, sister, Mr. Bain, and most of all, Ms. Lansbury, I have been converted, and am now a Murder, She Wrote fan.
I can only dream that some of my favorite cancelled TV shows had been blessed with a new breath of life in novels such as this series.
The Murder, She Wrote books were always to me a series my late mother enjoyed as much as the television show that spawned them, and books my older sister still looks forward to reading. Not having been a fan of the show due to a childhood fear of actress Angela Lansbury (Don’t ask), I saw no reason to read the books. Now having read several in the series, I can see why Murder She Wrote is still going strong.
MURDER, SHE WROTE: DESIGN FOR MURDER is another fascinating, well plotted book that I found difficult to put down. High fashion and murder go wonderfully together as the theme for this story. Throw the brains of Jessica Fletcher into the mix, and you have a fantastic mystery that you’ll be talking about with your friends.
So, to my Mom, sister, Mr. Bain, and most of all, Ms. Lansbury, I have been converted, and am now a Murder, She Wrote fan.
June 3, 2023
The book was good but somehow I find it very hard to see Jessica Fletcher sought after by men lol I want to see her more like Miss Marple.
The detective’s romantic interest just didn’t seem realistic -sorry Jessica
The detective’s romantic interest just didn’t seem realistic -sorry Jessica
June 29, 2018
I'm about ninety pages from the end and I wish it would already end. I don't like this one.
I should have known when the word "jailbait" popped up that it wouldn't be my cup of tea.
Jessica is very out of character. She's very pushy. And not her normal pushy. She has no real reason to be invested in the case. Normally she has a tie to it. But here she's just butting her nose in for no reason, and she's arrogant.
She's not the only out of character character either. Seth Hazlitt has a small cameo. Jessica asks him to poke around for her and not once does he suggest she not butt her nose in, as he is wont to do.
Another OOC thing is that she [small spoiler] is leading on the detective on the case. And I mean leading on. She's using him to get information. Jessica is usually up front about wanting info and not wanting romance. Here she almost willfully strings this man (Who never stops mentioning his dead wife) along. She'll cut him off when he gets romantic and then say she's tired. Every time. She's blatantly using him and playing with his feelings and it's not cool and very not Jessica.
Which takes us to a plot error. If you've read the books you know Jessica has a sort of Suitor named George Sutherland. On her first date with Detective Kopecky he asks her if she's seeing anyone and she says no. All the while her inner monologue is thinking of George Sutherland and how she would be uncomfortable mentioning him to the detective. Which was why I was surprised when Detective Kopecky suddenly says "Must be some of that Scotland Yard fella rubbing off on you." and In another scene Jessica says to him "I've indicated to you there is another man in my life." Uh, Jessica, no, no you didn't. That never happened!
Another plot error [No Spoiler] is the detective makes a decision about a huge plot detail and tells Jessica. Two chapters later he tells her again, as though it was the first time he'd told her. And Jessica had already been snooping around in that area because of what he told her, so for her to acted surprised and him tell her again is just weird. Especially when she goes on to mention the stuff she was snooping for the the next breath.
Also everyone keeps telling her she's gorgeous and attractive which is unusual (not that she's not, Angela Lansbury is gorgeous). They really beat you over the head with it. They also keep pointing out how attractive Jessica's old student Sandy is. And weirdly so does Jessica. And even more weirdly so does his mom.
Then we get back to the creepy jailbait comments. Everyone is weirdly cavalier about adult men dating underage girls. One of the models is 17 and everyone repeatedly calls her a child. But they refer to her dating "older men" as though she's a woman. Every reference to these men going after young women feels almost endorsing of it. It just feels weird the way they go about it.
The characters also freak out about Rowena making her own lipstick and eyeshadow and say how weird it is. But that's pretty popular right now, I think that shows how out of touch the writers were when it came to the subject matter.
This one feels outdated but not in the way watching older episodes does. It feels almost like Murder She Wrote fanfiction. The characters are dislikeable. All of them. Including Jessica. The whole story feels weird and out of touch and it needed better editing.
But the show must go on (or the book series) and hopefully the next one will go down easier for me.
I should have known when the word "jailbait" popped up that it wouldn't be my cup of tea.
Jessica is very out of character. She's very pushy. And not her normal pushy. She has no real reason to be invested in the case. Normally she has a tie to it. But here she's just butting her nose in for no reason, and she's arrogant.
She's not the only out of character character either. Seth Hazlitt has a small cameo. Jessica asks him to poke around for her and not once does he suggest she not butt her nose in, as he is wont to do.
Another OOC thing is that she [small spoiler] is leading on the detective on the case. And I mean leading on. She's using him to get information. Jessica is usually up front about wanting info and not wanting romance. Here she almost willfully strings this man (Who never stops mentioning his dead wife) along. She'll cut him off when he gets romantic and then say she's tired. Every time. She's blatantly using him and playing with his feelings and it's not cool and very not Jessica.
Which takes us to a plot error. If you've read the books you know Jessica has a sort of Suitor named George Sutherland. On her first date with Detective Kopecky he asks her if she's seeing anyone and she says no. All the while her inner monologue is thinking of George Sutherland and how she would be uncomfortable mentioning him to the detective. Which was why I was surprised when Detective Kopecky suddenly says "Must be some of that Scotland Yard fella rubbing off on you." and In another scene Jessica says to him "I've indicated to you there is another man in my life." Uh, Jessica, no, no you didn't. That never happened!
Another plot error [No Spoiler] is the detective makes a decision about a huge plot detail and tells Jessica. Two chapters later he tells her again, as though it was the first time he'd told her. And Jessica had already been snooping around in that area because of what he told her, so for her to acted surprised and him tell her again is just weird. Especially when she goes on to mention the stuff she was snooping for the the next breath.
Also everyone keeps telling her she's gorgeous and attractive which is unusual (not that she's not, Angela Lansbury is gorgeous). They really beat you over the head with it. They also keep pointing out how attractive Jessica's old student Sandy is. And weirdly so does Jessica. And even more weirdly so does his mom.
Then we get back to the creepy jailbait comments. Everyone is weirdly cavalier about adult men dating underage girls. One of the models is 17 and everyone repeatedly calls her a child. But they refer to her dating "older men" as though she's a woman. Every reference to these men going after young women feels almost endorsing of it. It just feels weird the way they go about it.
The characters also freak out about Rowena making her own lipstick and eyeshadow and say how weird it is. But that's pretty popular right now, I think that shows how out of touch the writers were when it came to the subject matter.
This one feels outdated but not in the way watching older episodes does. It feels almost like Murder She Wrote fanfiction. The characters are dislikeable. All of them. Including Jessica. The whole story feels weird and out of touch and it needed better editing.
But the show must go on (or the book series) and hopefully the next one will go down easier for me.
April 2, 2016
Death Stalks the Catwalk
High fashion is in high demand and so is murder in New York City when mystery writer, Jessica Fletcher comes to town. She is in New York to visit her nephew Grady and his wife and son but is side tracked by New York's Fashion Week and Xandr Ebon aka Sandy Black from Cabot Cove, Maine where Jessica Fletcher resides. Sandy as Jessica prefers to call him is a evening wear fashion designer and Jessica is friends with his mother, Maggie.
Grady has found a production company for Xandr's fashion show to display some of his most exquisite gowns and has dreams after returning from a disappointing stint in Los Angeles. At the fashion show teenage model, Rowena Roth who aunt's PR agency hype's ups Xandr's shows suddenly collapses and dies on the runway at finale of the show. Rowena was a rookie and not well liked among the other models. If that wasn't enough supermodel Latavia Moore who once had a relationship with Xandr and her husband accused him of theft is found murdered in her apartment.
These models are cut from the same cloth and Jessica wonders if there is a connection with these two suspicious deaths, each happening on the same day. She can't help but insert herself into the investigation of the deaths along with the New York City Police Detective who wants Jessica for more than her amateur sleuthing skills.
Xandr's fashion world is full of possible suspects including him and it's up to Jessica to unveil her latest killer. Jessica Fletcher's foray into the fashion world was stylish and very entertaining in Murder She Wrote: Design for Murder.
Although the premise of the story was not my cup of tea or something I don't relate too and show no interest in, the plot kept me engaged though out the story. It will always be a favourite series of mine that no matter the plot of the story may be Jessica Fletcher, mystery writer and ameture sleuth always has me coming back for more and if you can't help but love her.
FTC Disclosure Thank you to the publisher and/or author or Netgalley for providing us with a copy of this book for review.This did not influence our thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book are honest and our own.
High fashion is in high demand and so is murder in New York City when mystery writer, Jessica Fletcher comes to town. She is in New York to visit her nephew Grady and his wife and son but is side tracked by New York's Fashion Week and Xandr Ebon aka Sandy Black from Cabot Cove, Maine where Jessica Fletcher resides. Sandy as Jessica prefers to call him is a evening wear fashion designer and Jessica is friends with his mother, Maggie.
Grady has found a production company for Xandr's fashion show to display some of his most exquisite gowns and has dreams after returning from a disappointing stint in Los Angeles. At the fashion show teenage model, Rowena Roth who aunt's PR agency hype's ups Xandr's shows suddenly collapses and dies on the runway at finale of the show. Rowena was a rookie and not well liked among the other models. If that wasn't enough supermodel Latavia Moore who once had a relationship with Xandr and her husband accused him of theft is found murdered in her apartment.
These models are cut from the same cloth and Jessica wonders if there is a connection with these two suspicious deaths, each happening on the same day. She can't help but insert herself into the investigation of the deaths along with the New York City Police Detective who wants Jessica for more than her amateur sleuthing skills.
Xandr's fashion world is full of possible suspects including him and it's up to Jessica to unveil her latest killer. Jessica Fletcher's foray into the fashion world was stylish and very entertaining in Murder She Wrote: Design for Murder.
Although the premise of the story was not my cup of tea or something I don't relate too and show no interest in, the plot kept me engaged though out the story. It will always be a favourite series of mine that no matter the plot of the story may be Jessica Fletcher, mystery writer and ameture sleuth always has me coming back for more and if you can't help but love her.
FTC Disclosure Thank you to the publisher and/or author or Netgalley for providing us with a copy of this book for review.This did not influence our thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book are honest and our own.
March 6, 2017
Murder, She Wrote – Design For Murder is the 45th book in the A Murder, She Wrote Series.
It’s always a joy to spend some time in Cabot Cove with Jessica Fletcher, but with this book she is in New York City attending a fashion show which a former resident is showing his new line of dresses. It was very interesting to get a look at what happens prior to the time the models go down the runway.
The models are getting the final touches to their makeup when Rowena excuses herself claiming not to be feeling well and returns just in time to take her stroll down the runway. Shortly after, she returns backstage, collapses and dies. When another model, who had nothing to do with the show is also found dead, the police aren’t considering them related, but Jessica is so sure. When Jessica learns that the former Cabot Cove resident, Sandy Black had ties to both of the females she feels the need to learn what happened to them and hopefully clear Sandy Black of any involvment.
Jessica finds herself looking into the practice of a prominent plastic surgeon who has done work on both of the women. She is also interested in investigating the cosmetic business sponsoring the fashion show.
I addition, Jessica is becoming a little concerned about all the attention that recently widowed lead detective Aaron Kopecky is paying her. She’s not sure if he is just friendly, interested in her thoughts since she is a mystery writer or something more personal
A well plotted story with an interesting “behind the scenes” look at the fashion industry.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
It’s always a joy to spend some time in Cabot Cove with Jessica Fletcher, but with this book she is in New York City attending a fashion show which a former resident is showing his new line of dresses. It was very interesting to get a look at what happens prior to the time the models go down the runway.
The models are getting the final touches to their makeup when Rowena excuses herself claiming not to be feeling well and returns just in time to take her stroll down the runway. Shortly after, she returns backstage, collapses and dies. When another model, who had nothing to do with the show is also found dead, the police aren’t considering them related, but Jessica is so sure. When Jessica learns that the former Cabot Cove resident, Sandy Black had ties to both of the females she feels the need to learn what happened to them and hopefully clear Sandy Black of any involvment.
Jessica finds herself looking into the practice of a prominent plastic surgeon who has done work on both of the women. She is also interested in investigating the cosmetic business sponsoring the fashion show.
I addition, Jessica is becoming a little concerned about all the attention that recently widowed lead detective Aaron Kopecky is paying her. She’s not sure if he is just friendly, interested in her thoughts since she is a mystery writer or something more personal
A well plotted story with an interesting “behind the scenes” look at the fashion industry.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
February 4, 2021
This one was just okay for me... likable because I love the series and characters, but not great. The behind the scenes look at the world of high fashion and modeling was interesting for about a minute, then I was bored with it. The two murders were more of a challenge, although I had one figured out almost immediately. I think the thing that really brought this one down for me was Jessica center of all adulation- not for her writing but for her looks. I never thought of the character as frumpy by any means, but a knockout that makes all men drool and women comment constantly about her beauty? Really?
April 24, 2020
Quite enjoyed this one!!! Hilarious reading as Jessica tried to constantly evade the Detective's advances and even funnier when the surgeon told her she looked old. But it was the best that in this particular book, Jessica actually didnt quite put together who murdered whom and why until the very very end! And she almost got murdered herself ! Ha!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2017
Good take on the fashion industry. A real eye opener to the backstage drama and cut throat tactics that happen backstage.once Again Jessica "tries " not to involve her self. But a detective makes the bait to tough to resist
September 9, 2021
A great addition to the series!
January 4, 2023
Si fa leggere.
Non mi è piaciuto particolarmente come caso, ma leggerò sicuramente altro della serie.
Non mi è piaciuto particolarmente come caso, ma leggerò sicuramente altro della serie.
January 8, 2017
Danger alert: Jessica Fletcher's in town...
During a catwalk show in New York's Fashion Week, a young model collapses and dies. Rowena Roth had been an unpleasant girl, arrogant and rude, so few people other than her mother could truthfully say they grieved for her loss. It seems like one of those tragic things that happen sometimes – perhaps a heart condition that she had never been aware of. But then a second model is found dead. The question is: are the deaths connected? Fortunately for the NYPD, Jessica Fletcher is in town, ready to offer them as much advice as they can take...
I love the TV series of Murder, She Wrote. It's my go-to cosy for winter afternoons, and I've been known to binge-watch several shows one after the other. This is largely because I think Angela Lansbury is fab in the role, plus the style of the show means that, despite the phenomenal murder rate, nothing distasteful ever really happens, and Cabot Cove still looks like a wonderful spot to spend some time. Would the books work as well without Lansbury's presence?
The story is told in the first-person (past-tense) from Jessica's perspective, so we get to see the thoughts inside her head. Jessica is all sweetness and charm on the outside, and full of some rather waspish thoughts on the inside. I kinda liked that – I always assumed on the TV show that, behind that ultra-friendly exterior, an astute and clear-sighted brain must be ticking away. Like Miss Marple (from whom she's clearly directly descended), Jessica must be an 'expert in wickedness' if she's to see through the façade the villain erects to cover his/her crimes. I found I could easily imagine Angela Lansbury speaking her lines, and the marvellous facial expressions she would have used to convey the unspoken thoughts.
I was rather disappointed that the book was set in New York rather than Cabot Cove. But Seth and Mort both appear during phone conversations, so I didn't have to do without my two favourite men completely. The description of Fashion Week felt thoroughly researched – though given, of course, that Murder, She Wrote spin of cosiness that means it doesn't feel quite authentic to real life. The plot covers the lengths to which young girls will go to succeed in the cut-throat world of modelling, touching on subjects like extreme dieting and cosmetic surgery. The jealousies are shown too, but it's all done with a light touch. And, of course, we don't care about the murder victims, so no dismal grief or angst to contend with.
Jessica is just as irresistible to men as she is in the show – this time it's Detective Aaron Kopecky who's badly smitten by her charms. Got to admit, this was the one bit of the book that I found tedious – Kopecky's admiration became repetitive and his attempts to woo Jessica by dangling information about the case in front of her became laboured and annoying in the end. But it wasn't enough of an issue to spoil the book for me overall.
The plot is quite interesting, and stays more or less within the bounds of credibility. Jessica is at the show because of her friendship with the designer's mother – she and her son both hail from Cabot Cove originally. And it's not long before Jessica is nosing around amongst the models, publicity people, cosmetic surgeons, et al, coming up with stunning insights long before poor Detective Kopecky is even close. I don't think it could really count as fair-play, though maybe that's just sour grapes because I didn't work out the solution. But it's well written – a nice cosy, with the genuine feeling of the show and enough contact with the familiar characters to prevent me missing the Cabot Cove setting too much. I'll cheerfully read more of these, and recommend it not just to fans of the show, but to cosy lovers in general. Good fun!
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
During a catwalk show in New York's Fashion Week, a young model collapses and dies. Rowena Roth had been an unpleasant girl, arrogant and rude, so few people other than her mother could truthfully say they grieved for her loss. It seems like one of those tragic things that happen sometimes – perhaps a heart condition that she had never been aware of. But then a second model is found dead. The question is: are the deaths connected? Fortunately for the NYPD, Jessica Fletcher is in town, ready to offer them as much advice as they can take...
I love the TV series of Murder, She Wrote. It's my go-to cosy for winter afternoons, and I've been known to binge-watch several shows one after the other. This is largely because I think Angela Lansbury is fab in the role, plus the style of the show means that, despite the phenomenal murder rate, nothing distasteful ever really happens, and Cabot Cove still looks like a wonderful spot to spend some time. Would the books work as well without Lansbury's presence?
The story is told in the first-person (past-tense) from Jessica's perspective, so we get to see the thoughts inside her head. Jessica is all sweetness and charm on the outside, and full of some rather waspish thoughts on the inside. I kinda liked that – I always assumed on the TV show that, behind that ultra-friendly exterior, an astute and clear-sighted brain must be ticking away. Like Miss Marple (from whom she's clearly directly descended), Jessica must be an 'expert in wickedness' if she's to see through the façade the villain erects to cover his/her crimes. I found I could easily imagine Angela Lansbury speaking her lines, and the marvellous facial expressions she would have used to convey the unspoken thoughts.
I was rather disappointed that the book was set in New York rather than Cabot Cove. But Seth and Mort both appear during phone conversations, so I didn't have to do without my two favourite men completely. The description of Fashion Week felt thoroughly researched – though given, of course, that Murder, She Wrote spin of cosiness that means it doesn't feel quite authentic to real life. The plot covers the lengths to which young girls will go to succeed in the cut-throat world of modelling, touching on subjects like extreme dieting and cosmetic surgery. The jealousies are shown too, but it's all done with a light touch. And, of course, we don't care about the murder victims, so no dismal grief or angst to contend with.
Jessica is just as irresistible to men as she is in the show – this time it's Detective Aaron Kopecky who's badly smitten by her charms. Got to admit, this was the one bit of the book that I found tedious – Kopecky's admiration became repetitive and his attempts to woo Jessica by dangling information about the case in front of her became laboured and annoying in the end. But it wasn't enough of an issue to spoil the book for me overall.
The plot is quite interesting, and stays more or less within the bounds of credibility. Jessica is at the show because of her friendship with the designer's mother – she and her son both hail from Cabot Cove originally. And it's not long before Jessica is nosing around amongst the models, publicity people, cosmetic surgeons, et al, coming up with stunning insights long before poor Detective Kopecky is even close. I don't think it could really count as fair-play, though maybe that's just sour grapes because I didn't work out the solution. But it's well written – a nice cosy, with the genuine feeling of the show and enough contact with the familiar characters to prevent me missing the Cabot Cove setting too much. I'll cheerfully read more of these, and recommend it not just to fans of the show, but to cosy lovers in general. Good fun!
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
November 8, 2024
Stars: 3 / 5
Recommendation: Another decent read where Jessica delves into the fashion world. I have mixed feelings about this book, started of slow and then suddenly jumped into excitement three quarters in. A cozy read for sure.
Design For Murder is the 45th novel in the long-running Murder She Wrote series co-written by Donald Bain, his wife Renee Paley-Bain & fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. It was first published on April 5 of 2016.
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.
This is the second book Donald Bain has his wife co-author as well. And for the first time he dedicates it to the fans of the TV show Murder, She Wrote. In this, Jessica heads to New York City to attend a fashion show by one of Cabot Cove resident's son. Needless to say she lands in a murder mix on the cat walk of all the places.
We see more of Jessica's nephew Grady and his family, we also meet young Frank their son. Loved the way the author weaved everything within the main plot without making them main focus and awkward to read.
Normally even when a character drones along I feel ok to continue to read and ignore them. But two characters kind of bothered me bordering on irritation. The way Jessica was nice to Maggie, even when her son wasn’t nice to her irked me. And the way Detective Aaron Kopecky pursued her even though she was clear about intentions from her side. Almost felt like a stalker to me. I guess Jessica also gets stalkers. Aaron also irritated me when he constantly droned about his dead wife.
However, the author highlights the negative side of fashion world as well, how women starve themselves or let get carved by a surgeon in the name of fashion and beauty. So sad.
Another decent read where Jessica delves into the fashion world. I have mixed feelings about this book, started of slow and then suddenly jumped into excitement three quarters in. A cozy read for sure.
Spoiler Alerts:
2. Plot Reveals:
a. People from Fashion World: Models - Dolores Marshall, Sanderson, Baps Sipos, Isla Banning; Dressmaker Miss Ann Milburn; Philip Gould, owner of New Cosmetics, and his wife Linda; Polly Roth, Runway Public Relations; Jordan Verne, Xandr's financial analyst; Dr. Edmund Sproles, Cosmetic Surgeon;
b. Fashion designer Xandr Ebon aka Sandy Black; his mother Maggie
c. Grady has his own firm now with his former boss Carl Zucker. Company name is Zucker and Fletcher.
3. 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 American publisher Vaughan Buckley of Buckley House, his fashion model wife Olga Buckley and their dogs Sadie and Rose; Harry McGraw, her private eye friend; Matt Miller, her literary agent & his wife Susan; Paulette, Matt's assistant; her British Publisher Griffin Semple, son of her original publisher Archibald Semple
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: Another decent read where Jessica delves into the fashion world. I have mixed feelings about this book, started of slow and then suddenly jumped into excitement three quarters in. A cozy read for sure.
Design For Murder is the 45th novel in the long-running Murder She Wrote series co-written by Donald Bain, his wife Renee Paley-Bain & fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. It was first published on April 5 of 2016.
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.
This is the second book Donald Bain has his wife co-author as well. And for the first time he dedicates it to the fans of the TV show Murder, She Wrote. In this, Jessica heads to New York City to attend a fashion show by one of Cabot Cove resident's son. Needless to say she lands in a murder mix on the cat walk of all the places.
We see more of Jessica's nephew Grady and his family, we also meet young Frank their son. Loved the way the author weaved everything within the main plot without making them main focus and awkward to read.
Normally even when a character drones along I feel ok to continue to read and ignore them. But two characters kind of bothered me bordering on irritation. The way Jessica was nice to Maggie, even when her son wasn’t nice to her irked me. And the way Detective Aaron Kopecky pursued her even though she was clear about intentions from her side. Almost felt like a stalker to me. I guess Jessica also gets stalkers. Aaron also irritated me when he constantly droned about his dead wife.
However, the author highlights the negative side of fashion world as well, how women starve themselves or let get carved by a surgeon in the name of fashion and beauty. So sad.
Another decent read where Jessica delves into the fashion world. I have mixed feelings about this book, started of slow and then suddenly jumped into excitement three quarters in. A cozy read for sure.
Spoiler Alerts:
2. Plot Reveals:
a. People from Fashion World: Models - Dolores Marshall, Sanderson, Baps Sipos, Isla Banning; Dressmaker Miss Ann Milburn; Philip Gould, owner of New Cosmetics, and his wife Linda; Polly Roth, Runway Public Relations; Jordan Verne, Xandr's financial analyst; Dr. Edmund Sproles, Cosmetic Surgeon;
b. Fashion designer Xandr Ebon aka Sandy Black; his mother Maggie
c. Grady has his own firm now with his former boss Carl Zucker. Company name is Zucker and Fletcher.
3. 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 American publisher Vaughan Buckley of Buckley House, his fashion model wife Olga Buckley and their dogs Sadie and Rose; Harry McGraw, her private eye friend; Matt Miller, her literary agent & his wife Susan; Paulette, Matt's assistant; her British Publisher Griffin Semple, son of her original publisher Archibald Semple
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.
July 5, 2016
It's pretty random that I picked up this audiobook from the library. I thought it would be a nice, easy choice, seeing as I like watching Murder, She Wrote on Netflix. In general, Murder, She Wrote has just enough suspense that you have to use your brain, but no sex scenes or gory murders. It's nice, pleasant murder.
Well, 8+ hours later and I am done, slightly regretting my choice. NOW, I'd like to say that I'm writing this as a newcomer to any Jessica Fletcher books, and as such am probably not the normal audience. After all, I'm in my 20's, probably not the target demographic for the book.
This was made incredibly obvious by perhaps the most annoying and irritating thing about the book, the constant re-explaining who everyone is. "I was really excited about finally spending more time with my nephew Grady, his wife Donna, and their son, Frank. After all, that was one of my primary purposes in coming to New York." is a sentence that occurs in the LAST CHAPTER of the book. Y'all. She has spent the entire book reminding us that she did not come to New York to be involved in this murder investigation, but instead to spend time with family, namely her nephew Grady, his wife Donna, and their lovely son, Frank. Let me be clear: every time the book refers to any other character, or any time Jessica mentions a player in the story, she describes them by their first and last name. Even the murder victims. Even the amorous detective that appears in every page. Everyone. I found myself getting (clearly) irritated. Who on earth constantly uses someone's first and last name (and often an explanation of what role they play in the plot?). Well, Jessica Fletcher apparently does.
I get it. The book is written with an older target audience in mind. But for goodness sake, there's only 10 or so characters in the entire book. This isn't War and Peace. And if you cut out all the repetitive explanatory narration, the book would be short enough that no one would forget who was who. (In other words, the plot was a little plodding)
As for the rest of the book, it was pretty typical Jessica Fletcher fare, complete with a (stupid) confrontation of the murderer at the end. Why does she do that? Why is she always directly confronting murderers alone? Anyway, this is probably one of those books that you know if you'll like it or not, and no review is really going to change that. I was right, by the way, there was no gore and no sex scenes - so even if it wasn't the best, it was clean fun.
Well, 8+ hours later and I am done, slightly regretting my choice. NOW, I'd like to say that I'm writing this as a newcomer to any Jessica Fletcher books, and as such am probably not the normal audience. After all, I'm in my 20's, probably not the target demographic for the book.
This was made incredibly obvious by perhaps the most annoying and irritating thing about the book, the constant re-explaining who everyone is. "I was really excited about finally spending more time with my nephew Grady, his wife Donna, and their son, Frank. After all, that was one of my primary purposes in coming to New York." is a sentence that occurs in the LAST CHAPTER of the book. Y'all. She has spent the entire book reminding us that she did not come to New York to be involved in this murder investigation, but instead to spend time with family, namely her nephew Grady, his wife Donna, and their lovely son, Frank. Let me be clear: every time the book refers to any other character, or any time Jessica mentions a player in the story, she describes them by their first and last name. Even the murder victims. Even the amorous detective that appears in every page. Everyone. I found myself getting (clearly) irritated. Who on earth constantly uses someone's first and last name (and often an explanation of what role they play in the plot?). Well, Jessica Fletcher apparently does.
I get it. The book is written with an older target audience in mind. But for goodness sake, there's only 10 or so characters in the entire book. This isn't War and Peace. And if you cut out all the repetitive explanatory narration, the book would be short enough that no one would forget who was who. (In other words, the plot was a little plodding)
As for the rest of the book, it was pretty typical Jessica Fletcher fare, complete with a (stupid) confrontation of the murderer at the end. Why does she do that? Why is she always directly confronting murderers alone? Anyway, this is probably one of those books that you know if you'll like it or not, and no review is really going to change that. I was right, by the way, there was no gore and no sex scenes - so even if it wasn't the best, it was clean fun.
April 24, 2016
in honor of shakespeare's birthday...
i read this drivel.
let's get this straight: i love jessica fletcher, murder she wrote, and 80s/early-90s nostalgia. i will read these forever. FOR-EV-ER.
that said, this series isn't great. i mean SOME JB Fletcher is better than NO JB Fletcher...and maybe I just don't remember her voice / character right...but this version seems colder. harder. less lovable.
or something?
JB gets a lot of play, and the joke about how she's this geriatric bella swan in this series is running a bit thin. particularly since she's coldly shutting down suitors. of course, that may just be my patriarchally-ingrained mindset that females should "let down" aggressive suitors gently, so as not to hurt their feelings, even when they're stalker-y septuagenarians who can't seem to understand "I'm tired" means "no" and that they really just need to stop tryin' to get in my granny panties.
i don't know.
like the tv show, bain generally focuses a little too closely on the murderer initially (this one was actually sort of a riff on two of the old episodes, so it was pretty easy to figure out the murder "weapon" in one of the cases...and no one except maybe frank here comes off as particularly likable.
another "wish it were better" and "would read the next one regardless"...
i read this drivel.
let's get this straight: i love jessica fletcher, murder she wrote, and 80s/early-90s nostalgia. i will read these forever. FOR-EV-ER.
that said, this series isn't great. i mean SOME JB Fletcher is better than NO JB Fletcher...and maybe I just don't remember her voice / character right...but this version seems colder. harder. less lovable.
or something?
JB gets a lot of play, and the joke about how she's this geriatric bella swan in this series is running a bit thin. particularly since she's coldly shutting down suitors. of course, that may just be my patriarchally-ingrained mindset that females should "let down" aggressive suitors gently, so as not to hurt their feelings, even when they're stalker-y septuagenarians who can't seem to understand "I'm tired" means "no" and that they really just need to stop tryin' to get in my granny panties.
i don't know.
like the tv show, bain generally focuses a little too closely on the murderer initially (this one was actually sort of a riff on two of the old episodes, so it was pretty easy to figure out the murder "weapon" in one of the cases...and no one except maybe frank here comes off as particularly likable.
another "wish it were better" and "would read the next one regardless"...
April 19, 2016
"Design For Murder" is a cozy mystery. You don't need to read the previous novels in the series to understand this one, and this one didn't spoil any previous whodunits.
Jessica came across as pushy and arrogant, assuming she had the right to do certain things because she was going to solve the crime. She'd think bad things about people but act all nice toward them.
The story also had a lot of filler. Much of the fashion stuff had little to do with actual clues (or misdirection) in the mystery. When a character reappeared, we'd get a summary of what happened the last time that character appeared. It's like the writers thought we couldn't remember what happened a chapter ago.
It was a clue-based puzzle mystery. I solved the first mystery practically before it happened, and I guessed the main whodunit about halfway through. While not obvious, it also wasn't difficult for me to see where any of the clues were leading. I wouldn't have minded except I felt like Jessica was acting like a jerk, and she was even affronted when people noticed it.
There was no sex or bad language.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
Jessica came across as pushy and arrogant, assuming she had the right to do certain things because she was going to solve the crime. She'd think bad things about people but act all nice toward them.
The story also had a lot of filler. Much of the fashion stuff had little to do with actual clues (or misdirection) in the mystery. When a character reappeared, we'd get a summary of what happened the last time that character appeared. It's like the writers thought we couldn't remember what happened a chapter ago.
It was a clue-based puzzle mystery. I solved the first mystery practically before it happened, and I guessed the main whodunit about halfway through. While not obvious, it also wasn't difficult for me to see where any of the clues were leading. I wouldn't have minded except I felt like Jessica was acting like a jerk, and she was even affronted when people noticed it.
There was no sex or bad language.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
August 31, 2016
Jessica Fletcher wants to support the son of her Cabot Cove friend as he debuts his designs during New York's fashion week. Besides, it's always fun to touch base with family and friends in the big city. When a young model dies during the fashion show Jessica is attending, she feels that there's something wrong. Soon she meets a New York police detective who shares her feelings, but the widower also falls for her in a big--and unreciprocated--way. Another, more famous model dies, too, and Jessica ends up figuring out both cases.
May 11, 2016
Audio.
I tried one of these in print and didn't get more than 5 pages in before putting down and the audio isn't much better.
It feels like the writer never watched an episode of MSW in their life.
Somehow Jessica didn't know that aconite is a poision and her behaviour/manner didn't seem in character at all.
I tried one of these in print and didn't get more than 5 pages in before putting down and the audio isn't much better.
It feels like the writer never watched an episode of MSW in their life.
Somehow Jessica didn't know that aconite is a poision and her behaviour/manner didn't seem in character at all.
April 14, 2016
I was a bit disappointed in this book, and thought it wasn't as fun as others in the series. The Detective was a weird and concerning character, and for some odd reason all of the flamboyant men involved in the fashion industry seemed to be straight? That made the story awkward and unbelievable.
June 5, 2016
The writing seems to be going downhill with the addition of the new co-author. So much forced adoration of Jessica Fletcher. Every man she meets is hitting on her and women go out of their way to say she's so pretty? Stop it already and just have a good mystery.
May 2, 2016
This was probably the best of all the Murder she wrote books. I really enjoyed it so much. Lots of action and lots of mystery. Finished it yesterday and could not put it down last few days.
February 19, 2025
Jessica Fletcher solving a murder at New York Fashion Week? Incredible. Jessica Fletcher wishing she were back in Cabot Cove instead of New York Fashion Week? Honestly, same. Design for Murder throws our favorite small-town sleuth straight into the high-drama world of haute couture, where the outfits are bold, the egos are bigger, and the crime scene is right on the runway.
Jessica’s here to support designer Xandr Ebon (formerly known as Sandy Black, because you can’t be a fashion designer with a normal name, obviously), a Cabot Cove kid who reinvented himself after some past legal troubles. But when a model drops dead mid-show (which, to be fair, is an iconic way to cause a scene at Fashion Week), Jessica gets pulled into the kind of mystery that only she can solve. Soon, another model turns up dead (because, of course), and everyone from Xandr’s glamorous colleagues to his rattled mother is looking to Jessica to figure out who’s slashing more than just fabric.
Now, I love when Jessica takes her sleuthing skills outside Cabot Cove, but something about this one felt a little off the rack. The fashion industry elements feel very much like someone’s idea of what fashion is (from maybe 20 years ago), and Jessica’s usual effortless charm comes across as a little too pushy here. But! The mystery itself is solid, the twists are fun, and there’s something weirdly delightful about picturing Jessica Fletcher critiquing runway trends and solving a double homicide in the same breath. A solid 3.5 out of 5 stars—great if you’re in the mood for some stylish sleuthing, but don’t be surprised if you, like Jessica, find yourself longing for a quiet afternoon back in Cabot Cove.
Jessica’s here to support designer Xandr Ebon (formerly known as Sandy Black, because you can’t be a fashion designer with a normal name, obviously), a Cabot Cove kid who reinvented himself after some past legal troubles. But when a model drops dead mid-show (which, to be fair, is an iconic way to cause a scene at Fashion Week), Jessica gets pulled into the kind of mystery that only she can solve. Soon, another model turns up dead (because, of course), and everyone from Xandr’s glamorous colleagues to his rattled mother is looking to Jessica to figure out who’s slashing more than just fabric.
Now, I love when Jessica takes her sleuthing skills outside Cabot Cove, but something about this one felt a little off the rack. The fashion industry elements feel very much like someone’s idea of what fashion is (from maybe 20 years ago), and Jessica’s usual effortless charm comes across as a little too pushy here. But! The mystery itself is solid, the twists are fun, and there’s something weirdly delightful about picturing Jessica Fletcher critiquing runway trends and solving a double homicide in the same breath. A solid 3.5 out of 5 stars—great if you’re in the mood for some stylish sleuthing, but don’t be surprised if you, like Jessica, find yourself longing for a quiet afternoon back in Cabot Cove.
March 10, 2025
I thought this one - which I believe is among the last of the Donald Bain manuscripts finished by / collabed with Renee Paley-Bain - was a really solid and well paced addition to the series. I have only a few left in the series - a couple of early Donald Bain entries from the 90s (which I love because they're SO 90s) and then whatever future clunkers TFM might have left up her sleeve (given the recent backslide in quality and the new author coming on, that could be any number). So I am definitely trying to cherish the last few DB books.
I have seen other reviewers mention that they didn't care for the awkward romantic overtures by the detective in this book, which I partially get, but mostly think that it was a lot more realistic than the books typically portray with the many men who cross paths with Jeh Fleh. I am the last person who wants to imagine our heroine in the throes of passion, okay? I think the long distance relationship with George Sutherland is plenty of romance for our gal, and I like him as a character. But it is quite realistic and a fun complication for the book to have dudes trying to date her. Have you met Dudes? They definitely try to date ya.
I appreciated that this book didn't have too many Cabot Cove yokels in it, and it did have wealthy / elitist rude people in it, which I always enjoy.
Special appearances by:
Grand-nephew short story folder
Grady and Donna being clueless about Dudes
Makeup artists who can fight
Restaurant with bras on the ceiling
Fancy glass bowl from Italy
Plastic surgeon office Wall of Celebrities!
I have seen other reviewers mention that they didn't care for the awkward romantic overtures by the detective in this book, which I partially get, but mostly think that it was a lot more realistic than the books typically portray with the many men who cross paths with Jeh Fleh. I am the last person who wants to imagine our heroine in the throes of passion, okay? I think the long distance relationship with George Sutherland is plenty of romance for our gal, and I like him as a character. But it is quite realistic and a fun complication for the book to have dudes trying to date her. Have you met Dudes? They definitely try to date ya.
I appreciated that this book didn't have too many Cabot Cove yokels in it, and it did have wealthy / elitist rude people in it, which I always enjoy.
Special appearances by:
Grand-nephew short story folder
Grady and Donna being clueless about Dudes
Makeup artists who can fight
Restaurant with bras on the ceiling
Fancy glass bowl from Italy
Plastic surgeon office Wall of Celebrities!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2025
Once again, Jessica Fletcher solves a murder, this time with a murder dealing with two models during NYC Fashion Week.
I enjoyed this book, but what took me out of it was the detective, Aaron Kopecky, coming around every time she wanted to do something. It irritated me, like he wanted her to be his new wife because he talks about her ALL THE TIME. It got on my last nerve, and I wanted to scream, because bruh, I wanted him to focus on his job, not on her. I felt like he showed up and wanted to be around Jessica, not giving her any room to breathe or to do anything, but in a Jessica way, he does back off and he gets that she's not interested in him right now.
But the mystery felt...boring, in my opinion. Two models died--one was seventeen, another twenty-something, and they were and weren't weirdly connected. One died from a poisonous lipstick while another was killed in her apartment by someone named Jordon Verne. I kept trying to figure out what was going on in the story, to see if I could figure it out...But I thought that the doctor did it, but when this Jordon Verse confessed after being in a room with both Jessica and Sandy Black, then I just felt...disappointed.
I wanted it to be a bit...better, in my opinion. But all it did was make me a bit sad and a little bit excited for it, and I did enjoy myself reading this book because this was all I really wanted to read once I was done with Shield of Sparrows. But because of the stalking Detective and the clues that kinda went nowhere, I'm giving this book a 4.75 stars.
I enjoyed this book, but what took me out of it was the detective, Aaron Kopecky, coming around every time she wanted to do something. It irritated me, like he wanted her to be his new wife because he talks about her ALL THE TIME. It got on my last nerve, and I wanted to scream, because bruh, I wanted him to focus on his job, not on her. I felt like he showed up and wanted to be around Jessica, not giving her any room to breathe or to do anything, but in a Jessica way, he does back off and he gets that she's not interested in him right now.
But the mystery felt...boring, in my opinion. Two models died--one was seventeen, another twenty-something, and they were and weren't weirdly connected. One died from a poisonous lipstick while another was killed in her apartment by someone named Jordon Verne. I kept trying to figure out what was going on in the story, to see if I could figure it out...But I thought that the doctor did it, but when this Jordon Verse confessed after being in a room with both Jessica and Sandy Black, then I just felt...disappointed.
I wanted it to be a bit...better, in my opinion. But all it did was make me a bit sad and a little bit excited for it, and I did enjoy myself reading this book because this was all I really wanted to read once I was done with Shield of Sparrows. But because of the stalking Detective and the clues that kinda went nowhere, I'm giving this book a 4.75 stars.
May 23, 2017
Molti si chiedono come sia leggere un libro del genere, dopo essere stati abiuati per anni alla serie, posso solo dirvi che è come vivere una puntata nero su bianco. Una nota di merito va sicuramente al ghost writer che ha scritto la storia, non è facile dare vita a un personaggio del genere senza conoscerlo, la sua serie infatti va avanti sicuramente per l’amore che ha riposto per la scrittrice più famosa della televisione. I personaggi sono stati tratteggiati a dovere, lasciati nel loro alone di mistero, come la stessa serie faceva, è solo andando avanti con la storia che si conosco più particolari e il quadro viene messo a fuoco. La storia viene narrata in prima persona, dal punto di vista di Jessica Fletcher, per tutta la lettura mi è sembrato di avere la sua voce nella testa che mi raccontava il caso, accompagnata dall’indimenticabile sigla.
Recensione completa: http://stambergadinchiostro.altervist...
Recensione completa: http://stambergadinchiostro.altervist...
June 11, 2019
I was a big fan of the television show so have followed this series of books up to this point. In this one, Jessica is in Manhattan for Fashion Week and the debut of designer Sandy Black, now Xandr Ebon, formerly of Cabot Cove. At his show, a young model collapses and dies. It was thought to be of natural causes, but when a well known model dies the same day, it raises doubt as to the cause of both deaths. Unfortunately, the only connection between the two models is Sandy Black. Jessica attempts to find the cause of the first models death through all the egos involved. In the process, she also has to fend off an amorous detective. I enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone who loves the series.
May 29, 2017
As a fan of the TV show, I picked this book up on a whim after accidentally running across it at Barnes and Noble, and I couldn't be more delighted that I did. This was a fast, entertaining, and well-written read.
Fans of the TV are sure to appreciate how accurately the characters are portrayed in relation to their TV counterparts, but whether one has seen the show or not, all fans of mystery novels are sure to enjoy this book.
I have since discovered that this is just one of many in the Murder, She Wrote series of novels, and I know this title will not be the last from this series that I read. Highly recommend!
Fans of the TV are sure to appreciate how accurately the characters are portrayed in relation to their TV counterparts, but whether one has seen the show or not, all fans of mystery novels are sure to enjoy this book.
I have since discovered that this is just one of many in the Murder, She Wrote series of novels, and I know this title will not be the last from this series that I read. Highly recommend!
March 24, 2020
Formulaic, yes. But very enjoyable nonetheless. (And I was very proud of myself that I solved the first of the two murders almost as it happened. The second one completely caught me off guard so I will stick to my day job.) The book has a first person narrator (and the entire time I heard the voice of Angela Lansbury...wow. That's a powerful stamp. The characters were typical of those on the TV shows, but they were colorful and diabolical (a great distraction in these times.) And it was a quick read which is always a bonus.
June 1, 2025
It’s Fashion Week in New York and the son of one of Jessica’s Cabot Cove friends is having his first show. But when one of his young models dies on the runway and then another famous model dies in her apartment, Jessica’s curiosity is on high alert. Lots of interesting and well defined characters and a great plot that had this reader guessing until the end. Grady & Donna also feature in, as well as young great-nephew Frank, who’s now a budding writer. (Grady did start that payroll accounting service and it’s a success!) I enjoyed this book very much.
July 15, 2017
Love reading the Murder,She Wrote books. They are well written and always keep me guessing who the murderer is. I'm looking forward to reading future books in the series. This book did not disappoint. Kept me guessing with twists and turns throughout the story. Finding out who
Loved reading this book. Lots of twists and turns to keep me guessing who the murderer was. Looking forward to the next book.
Loved reading this book. Lots of twists and turns to keep me guessing who the murderer was. Looking forward to the next book.
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