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Murder, She Wrote #46
Hook, Line and Murder
The USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote mystery series continues as Jessica Fletcher takes a relaxing getaway that turns into a reel deadly situation...
Jessica enters a fly-fishing competition at a nearby lake. Joining her is the sheriff’s wife, Maureen Metzger, who surprises Jess with her enthusiasm for the sport. Their guide, however, is a surprise to both...
Brian Kinney is an ex-con. Jailed as an accomplice to Darryl Jepson, a convicted killer, Brian was later exonerated, but not before spending seven years behind bars. He seems like a decent enough fellow. Just a man trying to rebuild his life as a family man and fishing guide.
Yet when Jepson breaks out of prison vowing revenge, and the lawyer for both men is found murdered, Cabot Cove becomes the focus of the nation as local, state, and federal authorities descend on Jessica’s hometown. And to add to the tension, Maureen has gone missing. Is she lost or is she a hostage? Jess soon finds herself caught in a netful of lies, deceit and ulterior motives. In order to save her friend, she’ll need to find some answers by hook or by crook...
Jessica enters a fly-fishing competition at a nearby lake. Joining her is the sheriff’s wife, Maureen Metzger, who surprises Jess with her enthusiasm for the sport. Their guide, however, is a surprise to both...
Brian Kinney is an ex-con. Jailed as an accomplice to Darryl Jepson, a convicted killer, Brian was later exonerated, but not before spending seven years behind bars. He seems like a decent enough fellow. Just a man trying to rebuild his life as a family man and fishing guide.
Yet when Jepson breaks out of prison vowing revenge, and the lawyer for both men is found murdered, Cabot Cove becomes the focus of the nation as local, state, and federal authorities descend on Jessica’s hometown. And to add to the tension, Maureen has gone missing. Is she lost or is she a hostage? Jess soon finds herself caught in a netful of lies, deceit and ulterior motives. In order to save her friend, she’ll need to find some answers by hook or by crook...
265 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2016
89 people are currently reading
1174 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 121 reviews
November 22, 2016
Hook, Line and Murder by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain is a 2016 Berkley publication.
A race against time setup, an emotional story of redemption and long overdue justice makes this a very compelling story. But, of course the tone, as always, stays on the lighter side, and I had to snicker at Jessica a few times when Maureen insisted on butting in.
This story has a strong cast, smart dialogue, and moves at a pretty good clip, which made it hard to put down.
Naturally, fans of the ‘cozy’ genre, and longtime fans of the series will want to grab this one, but I think any mystery lover will find this one to their liking.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. The read the full review, click on this link:
https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
A race against time setup, an emotional story of redemption and long overdue justice makes this a very compelling story. But, of course the tone, as always, stays on the lighter side, and I had to snicker at Jessica a few times when Maureen insisted on butting in.
This story has a strong cast, smart dialogue, and moves at a pretty good clip, which made it hard to put down.
Naturally, fans of the ‘cozy’ genre, and longtime fans of the series will want to grab this one, but I think any mystery lover will find this one to their liking.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. The read the full review, click on this link:
https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
September 3, 2017
Murder She Wrote: Hook, Line, And Sinker is the forty-sixth book in the Murder She Wrote series.
This was another exciting visit with Jessica Fletcher, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, Sheriff Mort Metzger and his wife, Maureen.
Even though there is an escaped convict, Darryl Jepson, who lived in Cabot Cove before being sentenced, reports have him near the Canadian border, So it is thought that the fly fishing derby can be held. So Jessica and Maureen pack their fishing gear and head for the cabin that Jessica has rented. On the first day fishing, Maureen gets a good case of sunburn. Jessica convinces her to forgo the second day and stay in the cabin and recuperate. When Jessica and their guide, Brian Kinney, return to the cabin, Maureen is nowhere to be found. Soon the body of Jepson’s lawyer is found. The dilemma now is whether Maureen has gone for a walk and got lost or is Jepson in the area and has kidnapped her.
Jessica now needs to put her mystery writing talent to work on finding Maureen.
Another exciting story that kept me guessing to the end. I enjoyed watching the Murder She Wrote TV series and every time I read one these books I can see Angela Lansbury and William Windom in my mind’s eye.
Looking forward to reading the next book of these enjoyable residents of Cabot Cove.
This was another exciting visit with Jessica Fletcher, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, Sheriff Mort Metzger and his wife, Maureen.
Even though there is an escaped convict, Darryl Jepson, who lived in Cabot Cove before being sentenced, reports have him near the Canadian border, So it is thought that the fly fishing derby can be held. So Jessica and Maureen pack their fishing gear and head for the cabin that Jessica has rented. On the first day fishing, Maureen gets a good case of sunburn. Jessica convinces her to forgo the second day and stay in the cabin and recuperate. When Jessica and their guide, Brian Kinney, return to the cabin, Maureen is nowhere to be found. Soon the body of Jepson’s lawyer is found. The dilemma now is whether Maureen has gone for a walk and got lost or is Jepson in the area and has kidnapped her.
Jessica now needs to put her mystery writing talent to work on finding Maureen.
Another exciting story that kept me guessing to the end. I enjoyed watching the Murder She Wrote TV series and every time I read one these books I can see Angela Lansbury and William Windom in my mind’s eye.
Looking forward to reading the next book of these enjoyable residents of Cabot Cove.
October 2, 2016
Mystery writer and ameture sleuth, Jessica Fletcher is gone fishin' and wherever she goes murder seems to follow.Cabot Coves annual Derby Days is a flying fish competition. Jessica is spending a weeks vacation in a cabin alone in the woods at Moon Lake, looking for some solitude for reading and fishing in the competition.
Jessica ends up spending the weekend of the derby with the sheriff's wife Maureen to fish together in the competition to teach her how to fish with a guide who is a ex-con who was a partner for a convicted murderer who made good on the outside. A Convicted Murderer,Darryl Jepson escapes from prison and attendance is down for the competition.
Attorney at law, Wes Caruthers who just happens to be an lawyer for prison escapee, is found dead in a boat on the lake and Jessica's friends Maureen turns up missing. Its up to Jessica to finda a killerand find the sheriff's wife Maureen before she is swimming with the fishes.
The theme and setting were not my first choice but still a action-packed,entering read. Jessica Fletcher is always my favorite sleuth and I love every edition of the Murder, She Wrote Series, Hook,Line and Murder is no exception.I look forard to reading and reviewing the next in this series.
FTC Disclosure: Thank you to the publisher and/or author or Net Galley 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 our own.
Jessica ends up spending the weekend of the derby with the sheriff's wife Maureen to fish together in the competition to teach her how to fish with a guide who is a ex-con who was a partner for a convicted murderer who made good on the outside. A Convicted Murderer,Darryl Jepson escapes from prison and attendance is down for the competition.
Attorney at law, Wes Caruthers who just happens to be an lawyer for prison escapee, is found dead in a boat on the lake and Jessica's friends Maureen turns up missing. Its up to Jessica to finda a killerand find the sheriff's wife Maureen before she is swimming with the fishes.
The theme and setting were not my first choice but still a action-packed,entering read. Jessica Fletcher is always my favorite sleuth and I love every edition of the Murder, She Wrote Series, Hook,Line and Murder is no exception.I look forard to reading and reviewing the next in this series.
FTC Disclosure: Thank you to the publisher and/or author or Net Galley 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 our own.
February 5, 2023
I know that I always say that I love these books, but that's because it's true. I love getting to spend more time with Jessica (and friends).
However, I have to admit that this one was, to me, even better than some of the others that I have read from the series. I am not exactly sure why (or how to fully explain what I mean), but the story seemed more well-rounded and was more engrossing than some of the others that I've read.
(After all, even though I love the books in the series, I can admit that some are arguably better than others.)
This was one that I enjoyed a great deal, and I would definitely recommend it. I might even recommend it as a starting point for a fan of the television series that was looking to start reading the cozy mystery novels. (Since, in my opinion, this is very much a series in which you can easily jump around without a problem.)
However, I have to admit that this one was, to me, even better than some of the others that I have read from the series. I am not exactly sure why (or how to fully explain what I mean), but the story seemed more well-rounded and was more engrossing than some of the others that I've read.
(After all, even though I love the books in the series, I can admit that some are arguably better than others.)
This was one that I enjoyed a great deal, and I would definitely recommend it. I might even recommend it as a starting point for a fan of the television series that was looking to start reading the cozy mystery novels. (Since, in my opinion, this is very much a series in which you can easily jump around without a problem.)
July 1, 2018
More like 2.5-2.75 stars.
I’m torn in this one. I love these books in general and fun myself going back to them for comfort and a bit of excitement. They’re plainly cookie cutter, much like the show, but that’s what I love. Such easy reads and a great whodunnit.
This one, however, was less whodunnit and whereisshe? Which make it less exciting.
We are mainly focused on finding Maureen, wife of the great Sheriff, after she disappears.
Weird thing is, I found her disappearance strange and unhinged. It seemed as if it was done for one reason then, in the end, Maureen makes it seem like another.
The murder is actually a subplot, and rarely focused on. In the end I didn’t even remember there was a murder save for the few references sprinkled about.
All in all, I was disappointed. But 🤷🏼♀️ it happens!
I’m torn in this one. I love these books in general and fun myself going back to them for comfort and a bit of excitement. They’re plainly cookie cutter, much like the show, but that’s what I love. Such easy reads and a great whodunnit.
This one, however, was less whodunnit and whereisshe? Which make it less exciting.
We are mainly focused on finding Maureen, wife of the great Sheriff, after she disappears.
Weird thing is, I found her disappearance strange and unhinged. It seemed as if it was done for one reason then, in the end, Maureen makes it seem like another.
The murder is actually a subplot, and rarely focused on. In the end I didn’t even remember there was a murder save for the few references sprinkled about.
All in all, I was disappointed. But 🤷🏼♀️ it happens!
March 19, 2018
Ritrovare J.B. Fletcher è come ritrovare una vecchia amica, ben conosciuta, dall'aspetto rassicurante, ma che riesce sempre a cacciarsi nei guai, fra omicidi e casi strani. Cabot Cove è un luogo che ormai conosciamo bene, conosciamo i suoi abitanti, le loro abitudini, le loro idiosincrasie: le colazioni a base di pancake e sciroppo d'acero nella tavola calda di Mara, gli affettuosi rimproveri del dottor Hazlitt, la generosità di Jessica, sempre dalla parte degli ultimi.
Stavolta a ritrovarsi nei guai è Maureen, la moglie dello sceriffo Metzger. Una gara di pesca si trasforma in un rapimento e Jessica rischia davvero di perdere l'amica. Ma...
Ma, come in ogni buon vecchio giallo, il finale è rassicurante. Ed è questo il bello, e il buono, di questi libri: mi rilassa leggerli, quando desidero letture meno impegnative. E sono affezionata ormai da anni alla cara Signora in Giallo.
Stavolta a ritrovarsi nei guai è Maureen, la moglie dello sceriffo Metzger. Una gara di pesca si trasforma in un rapimento e Jessica rischia davvero di perdere l'amica. Ma...
Ma, come in ogni buon vecchio giallo, il finale è rassicurante. Ed è questo il bello, e il buono, di questi libri: mi rilassa leggerli, quando desidero letture meno impegnative. E sono affezionata ormai da anni alla cara Signora in Giallo.
October 5, 2016
Once again, a great fast-paced mystery! Donald Bain never disappoints!
April 24, 2017
Jessica Fletcher enters a fly-fishing competition in the latest "Murder She Wrote" mystery, “Hook, Line and Murder.”
The Annual Cabot Cove Derby Days arrive in Maine and mystery writer Jessica Fletcher joins the festivities while renting a cabin on Moon Lake with Maureen, Sheriff Mort Metzger’s wife. Looking forward for a few days of R-and-R, and catching the largest fish, Jessica packs a bag and heads to the cabin with her friend.
Along for the trip is fishing guide and ex-con Brian Kinney. Brian was imprisoned as an accomplice to Darryl Jepson, a convicted killer, and later exonerated, after spending seven years behind bars for a crime he did not commit.
During their weekend fishing expedition, Jessica and Maureen learn that Darryl has escaped prison. A manhunt is underway, as local, state and federal authorities are brought in, and Jessica’s quaint hometown becomes the focus of the nation.
The plot thickens when Maureen goes missing and Jessica fears that her friend is lost in the Maine woods or, worse, one of Jepson’s hostages.
Readers with a taste for mystery will enjoy the latest Fletcher adventure, but the story rambles for the first 80 pages, focusing heavily on character backstory to fill time. However, the ending sets up for one of the best manhunts in the history of fiction.
The Annual Cabot Cove Derby Days arrive in Maine and mystery writer Jessica Fletcher joins the festivities while renting a cabin on Moon Lake with Maureen, Sheriff Mort Metzger’s wife. Looking forward for a few days of R-and-R, and catching the largest fish, Jessica packs a bag and heads to the cabin with her friend.
Along for the trip is fishing guide and ex-con Brian Kinney. Brian was imprisoned as an accomplice to Darryl Jepson, a convicted killer, and later exonerated, after spending seven years behind bars for a crime he did not commit.
During their weekend fishing expedition, Jessica and Maureen learn that Darryl has escaped prison. A manhunt is underway, as local, state and federal authorities are brought in, and Jessica’s quaint hometown becomes the focus of the nation.
The plot thickens when Maureen goes missing and Jessica fears that her friend is lost in the Maine woods or, worse, one of Jepson’s hostages.
Readers with a taste for mystery will enjoy the latest Fletcher adventure, but the story rambles for the first 80 pages, focusing heavily on character backstory to fill time. However, the ending sets up for one of the best manhunts in the history of fiction.
June 16, 2022
Una nuova avventura per la nostra infaticabile eroina, una donna eclettica e dai molti intressi: puo' muoversi a proprio agio e con grazia negli ambienti dell'alta societa' newyourkese e, allo stesso tempo, sa pescare e destreggiarsi tra i boschi!
Questa volta la vicenda si svolge vicino a Cabot Cove, in occasione di un torneo di pesca al quale Jessica si iscrive confidando nelle proprie doti di pescatrice e allo stesso tempo alla ricerca di un po' di tranquillita' durante un soggiorno in un cottage che dire spartano e' poco. Eppure gli amici non pensano che sia una buona idea, per lei, alloggiare sola tra i boschi, e convincono Maureen, moglie dello sceriffo, ad andare con lei.
L'avventura prende una brutta piega e Jessica si trova coinvolta in una corsa contro il tempo che la porta a rivangare un passato spiacevole ed ingombrante...ma se qualcuno ha dubbi riguardo alle capacita' di questa meravigliosa signora...be', meglio che cambi libro! :)
Un giallo scorrevole e avvincente, sviluppato in modo asciutto e conciso, senza "allungare il brodo", per cosi dire, proprio come fosse una puntata della serie tv. I personaggi ci vengono presentati in maniera piuttosto chiara e il percorso compiuto da Jessica per arrivare alla soluzione del mistero viene condiviso con il lettore. Una trama interessante ed il fascino di Jessica fanno il resto, rendendolo un libro piacevole e fruibile.
Questa volta la vicenda si svolge vicino a Cabot Cove, in occasione di un torneo di pesca al quale Jessica si iscrive confidando nelle proprie doti di pescatrice e allo stesso tempo alla ricerca di un po' di tranquillita' durante un soggiorno in un cottage che dire spartano e' poco. Eppure gli amici non pensano che sia una buona idea, per lei, alloggiare sola tra i boschi, e convincono Maureen, moglie dello sceriffo, ad andare con lei.
L'avventura prende una brutta piega e Jessica si trova coinvolta in una corsa contro il tempo che la porta a rivangare un passato spiacevole ed ingombrante...ma se qualcuno ha dubbi riguardo alle capacita' di questa meravigliosa signora...be', meglio che cambi libro! :)
Un giallo scorrevole e avvincente, sviluppato in modo asciutto e conciso, senza "allungare il brodo", per cosi dire, proprio come fosse una puntata della serie tv. I personaggi ci vengono presentati in maniera piuttosto chiara e il percorso compiuto da Jessica per arrivare alla soluzione del mistero viene condiviso con il lettore. Una trama interessante ed il fascino di Jessica fanno il resto, rendendolo un libro piacevole e fruibile.
April 4, 2018
Another great Jessica Fletcher mystery!
I appreciated the way the author talked about the condition called trimethylaminuria (TMAU), a disease that impairs the ability of an enzyme to metabolize or transform the compound trimethylamine (TMA) causing uncontrollable (without medication) body odor. I never heard of it until I read this story and it was interesting to read how one of the characters in the story was affected by it and felt sad how the condition led to a life of crime that ruined his life and that of others.
Jessica was at the top of her detective skills and I highly recommend this book to cozy mystery readers everywhere and all who love the Jessica Fletcher stories.
I appreciated the way the author talked about the condition called trimethylaminuria (TMAU), a disease that impairs the ability of an enzyme to metabolize or transform the compound trimethylamine (TMA) causing uncontrollable (without medication) body odor. I never heard of it until I read this story and it was interesting to read how one of the characters in the story was affected by it and felt sad how the condition led to a life of crime that ruined his life and that of others.
Jessica was at the top of her detective skills and I highly recommend this book to cozy mystery readers everywhere and all who love the Jessica Fletcher stories.
September 5, 2019
Gotta love a great Cabot Cove mystery!! This book tested the friendship of Mrs. Fletcher and Sherriff Metzger when the sheriff's wife is missing during a fishing trip. A wonderful read capturing the characters of the show.
November 12, 2024
Stars: 4 / 5
Recommendation: It's race against time mixed with emotional story of redemption with a scope of long overdue justice makes this a strong plot to read. Even though a cozy mystery I read this in one go, and did get my hairs up in some of the scenes.
Hook, Line and Murder is the 46th 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 October 4 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 October 2024, 59 books have been written in this series. They are mostly written in first person narration.
In this book, Jessica participates in the Annual Cabot Cove Derby, a fly fishing competition; and joins her for the weekend is Maureen Metzger, Sherriff Mort Metzger's wife. Little do they know that an escaped convict and murderer Darryl Jepson is waiting to take revenge on the Sherriff. And both ladies get in the middle of all of this when Maureen is kidnapped and the lawyer that Darryl was represented by gets murdered right after he escapes from prison,
For the first time, authors Donald Bain and his wife wrote this plot in three parts. Although the parts continue without break. So why were the chapters split into parts, I Couldn’t understand.
The plot also rehashes why Mort's wife Maureen is his second wife and what happened to his first wife Adele. This is different from the TV show where Mort is married to Adele all through the show's life.
With all the chaos thrown into the plot, it took a while for me to figure out that there are two criminals involved, one an escaped convict and one a killer, involved in two separate crimes. The authors also went towards my gut feeling in the end.
It's race against time mixed with emotional story of redemption with a scope of long overdue justice makes this a strong plot to read. Even though a cozy mystery I read this in one go, and did get my hairs up in some of the scenes.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Grammatical / Character / Plot / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
a. On Pg. 266 and 277, Jessica talks about the entire ordeal taking a day. And that she was going to be picked up by Dr. Seth the next day. However, in the next page when she is in the hospital to visit Maureen, she expresses that it was days for Maureen disappeared and released.
2. Plot Reveals:
a. Maureen Metzger suggests a Veggie Egg Benedict to be on the menu at Mara's Luncheonette. However instead of using just Spinach like the ones we see in restaurants outside, here they use other vegetables also.
b. Brian Kinney's family - He is Jessica and Maureen's fishing guide for the weekend; his wife Alice, daughter Emma; his father Tom Kinney, diseased perhaps; Alice's housekeeper in her maternal home, Helen; his 5 musketeer friends including him - Hank Thomson, Darryl Jepson, Cory Caruthers, Jeff Grusen.
c. Darryl's Aunt Dorothy "Dee" Darcy Luce
d. Sharon Bacon, an acquaintance; Peggy Abelin on and off secretary to the murdered defense attorney Wes Caruthers;
e. Maureen talks about rinsing out the mugs with boiling water before use. This is to remove soap residue. However, at my home we have a practice of rinsing out any dishes or utensils with water prior to use, not necessarily boiling water always.
f. Some of the authors Jessica recommends to Maureen are Molly MacRae, Sheila Connolly and Mary Kennedy
g. Other law enforcement - Brandon Peabody, game warden from Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; Warden Gabrielle "Gabby" Ong and her dog Tigger from the K-9 division; FBI Special Agent Ian Perle;
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 with 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, bush pilot and owner of Jed's Flying Service, and his wife Alicia / Barbara?, His brother Harvey eho rund the local Gas-and-Go; Mara, owns Mara’s Luncheonette; Hank Weathers, a homeless war vet; Seamus McGilray, manager of Hill House Hotel; Richard "Dick" Mann, Fire Chief; Charlene Sassi, 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 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, and investment advisor, and his wife Ellen; Pat Hitchcock, Cabot Cove's popular nurse and teacher?; 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, public relations agency; Lee, postmistress; Loretta Spiegel, owns beauty salon; Barnaby Longshoot;
d. Sheriff Metzger’s staff & other law enforcement: Deputy Andy Jenks; Deputy Jack; Rookie Wendell Watson and his mother Gloria; Deputy Harold; Deputy Jerry; Deputy Evan; Deputy Chip; Alfred Gillo, medical examiner; Judge Kaplan; Marie Poutre, dispatcher; Officer Edgar; Gladys, a civilian dispatcher;
e. Jessica Fletcher’s family: Grady Fletcher, nephew that she and her late-husband Frank raise, his wife Donna and child Frank.
f. We know the reason as to why Mort Metzger's wife is called Maureen as of the 20th book A Slaying in Savannah. Mort and Adele get divorced and Adele goes back to New York. Mort marries Maureen who becomes his second wife. All of Donald Bain's novels starting 20th book have this scenario. However Jon Land novels they remain married and his wife is back to being called Adele. Perhaps starting the 47th book when Jon Land co-authors with Donald Bain. However, I distinctly remember her name being changed to Adele in the 50th book, A Time for Murder.
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.
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. But Angela Lansbury did print a cookbook based on the food items shared either in the episodes or by characters of the series. https://www.silverscreensuppers.com/t...
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: It's race against time mixed with emotional story of redemption with a scope of long overdue justice makes this a strong plot to read. Even though a cozy mystery I read this in one go, and did get my hairs up in some of the scenes.
Hook, Line and Murder is the 46th 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 October 4 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 October 2024, 59 books have been written in this series. They are mostly written in first person narration.
In this book, Jessica participates in the Annual Cabot Cove Derby, a fly fishing competition; and joins her for the weekend is Maureen Metzger, Sherriff Mort Metzger's wife. Little do they know that an escaped convict and murderer Darryl Jepson is waiting to take revenge on the Sherriff. And both ladies get in the middle of all of this when Maureen is kidnapped and the lawyer that Darryl was represented by gets murdered right after he escapes from prison,
For the first time, authors Donald Bain and his wife wrote this plot in three parts. Although the parts continue without break. So why were the chapters split into parts, I Couldn’t understand.
The plot also rehashes why Mort's wife Maureen is his second wife and what happened to his first wife Adele. This is different from the TV show where Mort is married to Adele all through the show's life.
With all the chaos thrown into the plot, it took a while for me to figure out that there are two criminals involved, one an escaped convict and one a killer, involved in two separate crimes. The authors also went towards my gut feeling in the end.
It's race against time mixed with emotional story of redemption with a scope of long overdue justice makes this a strong plot to read. Even though a cozy mystery I read this in one go, and did get my hairs up in some of the scenes.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Grammatical / Character / Plot / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
a. On Pg. 266 and 277, Jessica talks about the entire ordeal taking a day. And that she was going to be picked up by Dr. Seth the next day. However, in the next page when she is in the hospital to visit Maureen, she expresses that it was days for Maureen disappeared and released.
2. Plot Reveals:
a. Maureen Metzger suggests a Veggie Egg Benedict to be on the menu at Mara's Luncheonette. However instead of using just Spinach like the ones we see in restaurants outside, here they use other vegetables also.
b. Brian Kinney's family - He is Jessica and Maureen's fishing guide for the weekend; his wife Alice, daughter Emma; his father Tom Kinney, diseased perhaps; Alice's housekeeper in her maternal home, Helen; his 5 musketeer friends including him - Hank Thomson, Darryl Jepson, Cory Caruthers, Jeff Grusen.
c. Darryl's Aunt Dorothy "Dee" Darcy Luce
d. Sharon Bacon, an acquaintance; Peggy Abelin on and off secretary to the murdered defense attorney Wes Caruthers;
e. Maureen talks about rinsing out the mugs with boiling water before use. This is to remove soap residue. However, at my home we have a practice of rinsing out any dishes or utensils with water prior to use, not necessarily boiling water always.
f. Some of the authors Jessica recommends to Maureen are Molly MacRae, Sheila Connolly and Mary Kennedy
g. Other law enforcement - Brandon Peabody, game warden from Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; Warden Gabrielle "Gabby" Ong and her dog Tigger from the K-9 division; FBI Special Agent Ian Perle;
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 with 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, bush pilot and owner of Jed's Flying Service, and his wife Alicia / Barbara?, His brother Harvey eho rund the local Gas-and-Go; Mara, owns Mara’s Luncheonette; Hank Weathers, a homeless war vet; Seamus McGilray, manager of Hill House Hotel; Richard "Dick" Mann, Fire Chief; Charlene Sassi, 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 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, and investment advisor, and his wife Ellen; Pat Hitchcock, Cabot Cove's popular nurse and teacher?; 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, public relations agency; Lee, postmistress; Loretta Spiegel, owns beauty salon; Barnaby Longshoot;
d. Sheriff Metzger’s staff & other law enforcement: Deputy Andy Jenks; Deputy Jack; Rookie Wendell Watson and his mother Gloria; Deputy Harold; Deputy Jerry; Deputy Evan; Deputy Chip; Alfred Gillo, medical examiner; Judge Kaplan; Marie Poutre, dispatcher; Officer Edgar; Gladys, a civilian dispatcher;
e. Jessica Fletcher’s family: Grady Fletcher, nephew that she and her late-husband Frank raise, his wife Donna and child Frank.
f. We know the reason as to why Mort Metzger's wife is called Maureen as of the 20th book A Slaying in Savannah. Mort and Adele get divorced and Adele goes back to New York. Mort marries Maureen who becomes his second wife. All of Donald Bain's novels starting 20th book have this scenario. However Jon Land novels they remain married and his wife is back to being called Adele. Perhaps starting the 47th book when Jon Land co-authors with Donald Bain. However, I distinctly remember her name being changed to Adele in the 50th book, A Time for Murder.
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.
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. But Angela Lansbury did print a cookbook based on the food items shared either in the episodes or by characters of the series. https://www.silverscreensuppers.com/t...
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.
October 30, 2016
http://openbooksociety.com/article/mu...
Murder She Wrote: Hook, Line and Murder
Murder She Wrote, Book #46
By: Donald Bain, Renee Paley-Bain, Jessica Fletcher
ISBN 9780451477835
Author’s website: www.donaldbain.com
Synopsis:
The USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote mystery series continues as Jessica Fletcher takes a relaxing getaway that turns into a reel deadly situation…
Jessica enters a fly fishing competition at a nearby lake. Joining her is the sheriff’s wife, Maureen Metzger, who surprises Jess with her enthusiasm for the sport. Their guide, however, is a surprise to both…
Brian Kinney is an ex-con. Jailed as an accomplice to Darryl Jepson, a convicted killer, Brian was later exonerated, but not before spending seven years behind bars. He seems like a decent enough fellow. Just a man trying to rebuild his life as a family man and fishing guide.
Yet when Jepson breaks out of prison vowing revenge, and the lawyer for both men is found murdered, Cabot Cove becomes the focus of the nation as local, state, and federal authorities descend on Jessica’s home town. And to add to the tension, Maureen has gone missing. Is she lost or is she a hostage? Jess soon finds herself caught in a net full of lies, deceit and ulterior motives. In order to save her friend, she’ll need to find some answers by hook or by crook.
Review:
Each time I read another “Murder She Wrote” mystery, I learn more about Jessica Fletcher. This time I learned that she enjoyed fishing – enough to have entered a fly fishing contest. She rented out one of two cottages owned by the mayor at Moon Lake for a week. The contest would last a few short days, and the rest of the time she planned to relax with some novels she had been waiting to read. Thanks to her old friend Seth, the local doctor who was concerned for her being on her own for a week where there was little cell service, Sheriff Metzger’s wife Maureen would join her for the days of the fishing derby. Maureen had not been fishing before, so Jessica tried to sound welcoming but her thoughts weren’t quite as charitable.
Shortly before the fishing derby began, a former local man, Darryl Jepson, who had been in prison for murder had broken out. It was thought that he was headed closer to the Maine-Canada border so there were few concerns about him among the locals.
Maureen’s husband dropped her off at the cottage the day before the contest began; Jessica already arrived. She had made arrangements with a local guide to take them to the better fishing places on the lake. Brian, the guide, was a codefendant of Jepson but was later exonerated and released after seven years in prison. While the sheriff was driving Maureen to the lake, he received word of a the body of a local man, the attorney of their guide, Brian, and escaped convict Jepson, being found in a fishing boat.
The first day of fishing was fairly successful, with even Maureen catching one of the types of trout included in the derby. Maureen had quite the sunburn, so she only wanted to rest. When Brian, their guide, stopped in that evening, he brought a remedy for sunburn that his wife wanted Maureen to have. Maureen looked kindly at the young man in spite of his past troubles. The next morning, she was still not feeling well from the sunburn so they agreed she would rest a while longer and if feeling better, she would go out on the late afternoon fishing trip. There wouldn’t be an afternoon trip, though, as when Jessica returned, Maureen was gone. Only one of the books she was going to read of Jessica’s was missing, and some of the food in the cooler. It was a bitter call that Jessica made to the sheriff to let him know that his wife was missing, especially when she learned that the escaped con was thought to be in the area of Cabot Cove after all. The sheriff was someone who Jepson had warned he would one day get even with; they were afraid Maureen would be his next victim.
Jessica Fletcher is someone I’d like to be more like – she is usually calm and level-headed (which I am not), probably from the years she taught high school. She is very well-spoken (the English teacher in her), a good judge of character, respected and esteemed in Cabot Cove. Loyalty is another of her traits, and even though I was surprised at her thoughts about Maureen joining her on the fishing derby, Jessica has lived alone long enough to be comfortable on her own. Maureen is enthusiastic, probably more sheltered, and eager to try things she hasn’t yet done. The sheriff is a man of few words, yet his love for Maureen is obvious. I felt as though I learned a bit more about each of these characters this time, and enjoyed meeting Brian.
The plot is fresh and appealing to this reader, even though I’m not someone who would enter a fishing derby. It was about so much more than fishing or mysteries – how a small community deals with the threat of an escaped felon, whether or not his former co-defendant should be considered innocent even though exonerated, the social status of someone who could commit murder or kidnapping. The plot is logically laid out, and while details are important they are not overwhelming. I appreciate Jessica’s concerns for Maureen and sense of responsibility to help find her – the kind of friend anyone would want. She also felt the importance of keeping her promise to Jepson’s aunt, no matter the risk to herself. It was unique in the series in that there was no significant mention of the latest book Jessica was writing. The end held two surprises with regards to the bad guys; overall the novel was extremely satisfying. It pulled me in from the beginning and held my attention throughout. I highly recommend it to fans of Murder She Wrote, well-written cozy mysteries, and mysteries in gorgeous settings such as Maine.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Murder She Wrote: Hook, Line and Murder
Murder She Wrote, Book #46
By: Donald Bain, Renee Paley-Bain, Jessica Fletcher
ISBN 9780451477835
Author’s website: www.donaldbain.com
Synopsis:
The USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote mystery series continues as Jessica Fletcher takes a relaxing getaway that turns into a reel deadly situation…
Jessica enters a fly fishing competition at a nearby lake. Joining her is the sheriff’s wife, Maureen Metzger, who surprises Jess with her enthusiasm for the sport. Their guide, however, is a surprise to both…
Brian Kinney is an ex-con. Jailed as an accomplice to Darryl Jepson, a convicted killer, Brian was later exonerated, but not before spending seven years behind bars. He seems like a decent enough fellow. Just a man trying to rebuild his life as a family man and fishing guide.
Yet when Jepson breaks out of prison vowing revenge, and the lawyer for both men is found murdered, Cabot Cove becomes the focus of the nation as local, state, and federal authorities descend on Jessica’s home town. And to add to the tension, Maureen has gone missing. Is she lost or is she a hostage? Jess soon finds herself caught in a net full of lies, deceit and ulterior motives. In order to save her friend, she’ll need to find some answers by hook or by crook.
Review:
Each time I read another “Murder She Wrote” mystery, I learn more about Jessica Fletcher. This time I learned that she enjoyed fishing – enough to have entered a fly fishing contest. She rented out one of two cottages owned by the mayor at Moon Lake for a week. The contest would last a few short days, and the rest of the time she planned to relax with some novels she had been waiting to read. Thanks to her old friend Seth, the local doctor who was concerned for her being on her own for a week where there was little cell service, Sheriff Metzger’s wife Maureen would join her for the days of the fishing derby. Maureen had not been fishing before, so Jessica tried to sound welcoming but her thoughts weren’t quite as charitable.
Shortly before the fishing derby began, a former local man, Darryl Jepson, who had been in prison for murder had broken out. It was thought that he was headed closer to the Maine-Canada border so there were few concerns about him among the locals.
Maureen’s husband dropped her off at the cottage the day before the contest began; Jessica already arrived. She had made arrangements with a local guide to take them to the better fishing places on the lake. Brian, the guide, was a codefendant of Jepson but was later exonerated and released after seven years in prison. While the sheriff was driving Maureen to the lake, he received word of a the body of a local man, the attorney of their guide, Brian, and escaped convict Jepson, being found in a fishing boat.
The first day of fishing was fairly successful, with even Maureen catching one of the types of trout included in the derby. Maureen had quite the sunburn, so she only wanted to rest. When Brian, their guide, stopped in that evening, he brought a remedy for sunburn that his wife wanted Maureen to have. Maureen looked kindly at the young man in spite of his past troubles. The next morning, she was still not feeling well from the sunburn so they agreed she would rest a while longer and if feeling better, she would go out on the late afternoon fishing trip. There wouldn’t be an afternoon trip, though, as when Jessica returned, Maureen was gone. Only one of the books she was going to read of Jessica’s was missing, and some of the food in the cooler. It was a bitter call that Jessica made to the sheriff to let him know that his wife was missing, especially when she learned that the escaped con was thought to be in the area of Cabot Cove after all. The sheriff was someone who Jepson had warned he would one day get even with; they were afraid Maureen would be his next victim.
Jessica Fletcher is someone I’d like to be more like – she is usually calm and level-headed (which I am not), probably from the years she taught high school. She is very well-spoken (the English teacher in her), a good judge of character, respected and esteemed in Cabot Cove. Loyalty is another of her traits, and even though I was surprised at her thoughts about Maureen joining her on the fishing derby, Jessica has lived alone long enough to be comfortable on her own. Maureen is enthusiastic, probably more sheltered, and eager to try things she hasn’t yet done. The sheriff is a man of few words, yet his love for Maureen is obvious. I felt as though I learned a bit more about each of these characters this time, and enjoyed meeting Brian.
The plot is fresh and appealing to this reader, even though I’m not someone who would enter a fishing derby. It was about so much more than fishing or mysteries – how a small community deals with the threat of an escaped felon, whether or not his former co-defendant should be considered innocent even though exonerated, the social status of someone who could commit murder or kidnapping. The plot is logically laid out, and while details are important they are not overwhelming. I appreciate Jessica’s concerns for Maureen and sense of responsibility to help find her – the kind of friend anyone would want. She also felt the importance of keeping her promise to Jepson’s aunt, no matter the risk to herself. It was unique in the series in that there was no significant mention of the latest book Jessica was writing. The end held two surprises with regards to the bad guys; overall the novel was extremely satisfying. It pulled me in from the beginning and held my attention throughout. I highly recommend it to fans of Murder She Wrote, well-written cozy mysteries, and mysteries in gorgeous settings such as Maine.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
January 7, 2017
A convict Darryl Jepson escapes from prison and heads home to Cabot Cove, Maine as the town prepares to celebrate the annual fly fishing contest. Jessica has rented a cabin for a week to fish and enjoy some down time as she is roped into inviting the sheriff's wife Maureen to learn to fish. Their fishing guide is Brian Kinney who was convicted in the same crime as Jepson but, after 7 years in prison, Brian was determined to be innocent and set free. After one day of fishing, Maureen goes missing from the cabin and is suspected to be kidnapped by Jepson. You can bet the sheriff is unhappy and Jessica must put her sleuthing skills to work and try to figure out where Jepson is holding Maureen.
I liked watching the TV show Murder She Wrote and these books read just like I'm watching an episode on TV. The books are good, clean mysteries and I enjoy reading this series.
I liked watching the TV show Murder She Wrote and these books read just like I'm watching an episode on TV. The books are good, clean mysteries and I enjoy reading this series.
January 30, 2024
Since when was Maureen an immature ditzy woman? I seem to recall in the show she was former military before moving to Cabot Cove. This version of her doesn't seem like someone who would have made it into the military.
The writing is not very straightforward in here. It was more of the author (authors) just showing off how much they know about this and that. Most of it wasn't even relevant to this actual "mystery". If there was even one.
I wish the writing was consistent in this series. Seems like for every good one I read there are two bad ones that follow.
Edit: My bad. Because I skipped ahead in the series I didn't notice Maureen is the second wife of the sheriff. She's still an irritating character, I would not have lasted one single minute with her in a cabin. I would have sent her off down the water in the boat far away from me.
The writing is not very straightforward in here. It was more of the author (authors) just showing off how much they know about this and that. Most of it wasn't even relevant to this actual "mystery". If there was even one.
I wish the writing was consistent in this series. Seems like for every good one I read there are two bad ones that follow.
Edit: My bad. Because I skipped ahead in the series I didn't notice Maureen is the second wife of the sheriff. She's still an irritating character, I would not have lasted one single minute with her in a cabin. I would have sent her off down the water in the boat far away from me.
July 26, 2023
http://unsolicitedbookreports.com/rep...
2/10
More like ‘Hook, Line, and Stinker’, amirite?
Though this was a short novel, the authors, Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain, and Renée Paley-Bain, two of whom actually exist, compensated with this through rapid exposition and characterisation. “Maureen was our sheriff’s second wife. His ex, Adele, had opted to return to New York City where Mort had been a member of the police force before abandoning the Big Apple for Cabot Cove’s more quiet life. But that was not what Adele had in mind, and after trying out Cabot Cove for a few years she decided it was not for her.”; “Brian went on to say how much he hated Alice’s father back then. He found it ironic that he lived with his father and Alice lived with her father, too. Both men had been widowed and were left to raise a young child alone. Alice had been seven when her mother succumbed to the flu. Brian was three when his mother died giving birth to a stillborn boy. He said that he often thought about his mother and the brother he never got to see, and thought his father probably did, too.” Jessica Fletcher is represented in the text as if she is a perfect and amazing person with zero flaws. Towards the beginning, she reassures the anxious Maureen that fishing takes time to learn and become good at. Her humour is so inoffensive and safe, that I was more laughing at, than with her. “’She’s not much of a baker at three and a half but she loves to make cookies with her mom. And her dad loves to eat them.’ ‘And share them,’ I added.”; “Was that strange odor I detected eau de bear?” Nevertheless, I contend that Jessica is a whiney, judgemental old bat. “I felt myself sigh. Trying to capture the attention of young people on their cellular phones was not an easy task”; “I shook my head. I would be deaf in no time if I listened to music at that volume all day”; “I knew it wasn’t one of my neighbors, who would more likely simply come in through the back porch without a by-your-leave”; “’I thought I was having fun being retired,’ Sharon said, snapping her seat belt over her ample stomach.” It was not enough for her to just diss fat and young people, “a car pulled into one of the driveways, and an elderly lady got out, leaning on a cane… “’Are you looking for things to do?’ I asked. ‘Because our senior center offers lots of activities and courses.’ ‘Do I look that old to you?’ she asked indignantly.” Is Jessica completely oblivious? She is an ‘elderly woman’, and this sighting is just after she describes being totally out of breath after walking up a small hill! I will commend the book for showing some restraint and not making Jessica the winner of the fishing derby. For the most part, I found the plot really boring, stupid, unrealistic, and repetitive. While I predicted early on that Brian was guilty of the murder of Caruthers, of course it couldn’t be such a salt of the earth character. No. Instead, it was the most obviously evil and disagreeable character, Pelletier, whom I disregarded because it was just too obvious. Silly me. Expecting some sort of twist or revelation. His confession was so easily obtained, despite Jessica or Mort having no evidence or any convincing argument to justify accusing him. The hostage situation was totally preposterous, wherein anybody could step up to the bullhorn and have a go. My main criticisms of the book, which is competently written, though nothing special, are that Jessica doesn’t really do any mystery solving and that it’s a book for people who are dumb. The sum total of her investigations are getting a ‘lucky stone’ and note from Jepson’s aunt and asking a legal secretary who the last person that spoke to Wes Caruthers on the phone was. With regard to the book dumbing everything down, Jessica says to Mort; “’Jepson?’ I asked, changing the subject. ‘What?’ he asked. ‘Jepson,’ I said. ‘Have you—?’ ‘You’re thinking the same thing that I am?’ he said.”; about twenty pages after any compos mentis reader would have put two and two together and strongly suspected that Maureen had been kidnapped. When I read the following line, I could visualise the exact expression from my limited knowledge of the TV show. “I raised one brow at my friend and gave him my best skeptical look.” The book also completely disrespects the character Barnaby Longshoot. The poor guy is just relaxing and in both of his appearances in the text, but is treated like garbage. “’Do I get one on the house, too?’ Barnaby asked. ‘Do I ask you to vacate that stool that you occupy all day, keeping paying customers from having a seat?’ ‘No, ma’am.’ ‘Then there’s your answer,’ Mara said.” #Justice4BarnabyLongshoot. I had a good chuckle when a dog who hates the Irish is used to track Maureen. “She ducked beneath the still-spinning blades and ran forward, leading a black-and-tan dog wearing a red collar with a badge attached.” This is before the most irrelevant and pointless details about said dog are included. “’He’s a Belgian Malinois.’ ‘Kind of looks like a small German shepherd to me,’ Mort said. ‘They probably share a common ancestor,’ Ong said. ‘We use both breeds, and sometimes a Labrador retriever as well. The Malinois is a high-energy dog. They’re known for their intensity, endurance, and intelligence.’” Get on with it! For some reason, the book also has some social commentary. “…but I’m sure you won’t be surprised if I remind you how many people don’t read a newspaper or watch television. And those who get their information online are more likely to click on a funny cat video than a news story about an escaped con”. Leave the critiques of modern society to more intelligent books, Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain, and Renée Paley-Bain.
2/10
More like ‘Hook, Line, and Stinker’, amirite?
Though this was a short novel, the authors, Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain, and Renée Paley-Bain, two of whom actually exist, compensated with this through rapid exposition and characterisation. “Maureen was our sheriff’s second wife. His ex, Adele, had opted to return to New York City where Mort had been a member of the police force before abandoning the Big Apple for Cabot Cove’s more quiet life. But that was not what Adele had in mind, and after trying out Cabot Cove for a few years she decided it was not for her.”; “Brian went on to say how much he hated Alice’s father back then. He found it ironic that he lived with his father and Alice lived with her father, too. Both men had been widowed and were left to raise a young child alone. Alice had been seven when her mother succumbed to the flu. Brian was three when his mother died giving birth to a stillborn boy. He said that he often thought about his mother and the brother he never got to see, and thought his father probably did, too.” Jessica Fletcher is represented in the text as if she is a perfect and amazing person with zero flaws. Towards the beginning, she reassures the anxious Maureen that fishing takes time to learn and become good at. Her humour is so inoffensive and safe, that I was more laughing at, than with her. “’She’s not much of a baker at three and a half but she loves to make cookies with her mom. And her dad loves to eat them.’ ‘And share them,’ I added.”; “Was that strange odor I detected eau de bear?” Nevertheless, I contend that Jessica is a whiney, judgemental old bat. “I felt myself sigh. Trying to capture the attention of young people on their cellular phones was not an easy task”; “I shook my head. I would be deaf in no time if I listened to music at that volume all day”; “I knew it wasn’t one of my neighbors, who would more likely simply come in through the back porch without a by-your-leave”; “’I thought I was having fun being retired,’ Sharon said, snapping her seat belt over her ample stomach.” It was not enough for her to just diss fat and young people, “a car pulled into one of the driveways, and an elderly lady got out, leaning on a cane… “’Are you looking for things to do?’ I asked. ‘Because our senior center offers lots of activities and courses.’ ‘Do I look that old to you?’ she asked indignantly.” Is Jessica completely oblivious? She is an ‘elderly woman’, and this sighting is just after she describes being totally out of breath after walking up a small hill! I will commend the book for showing some restraint and not making Jessica the winner of the fishing derby. For the most part, I found the plot really boring, stupid, unrealistic, and repetitive. While I predicted early on that Brian was guilty of the murder of Caruthers, of course it couldn’t be such a salt of the earth character. No. Instead, it was the most obviously evil and disagreeable character, Pelletier, whom I disregarded because it was just too obvious. Silly me. Expecting some sort of twist or revelation. His confession was so easily obtained, despite Jessica or Mort having no evidence or any convincing argument to justify accusing him. The hostage situation was totally preposterous, wherein anybody could step up to the bullhorn and have a go. My main criticisms of the book, which is competently written, though nothing special, are that Jessica doesn’t really do any mystery solving and that it’s a book for people who are dumb. The sum total of her investigations are getting a ‘lucky stone’ and note from Jepson’s aunt and asking a legal secretary who the last person that spoke to Wes Caruthers on the phone was. With regard to the book dumbing everything down, Jessica says to Mort; “’Jepson?’ I asked, changing the subject. ‘What?’ he asked. ‘Jepson,’ I said. ‘Have you—?’ ‘You’re thinking the same thing that I am?’ he said.”; about twenty pages after any compos mentis reader would have put two and two together and strongly suspected that Maureen had been kidnapped. When I read the following line, I could visualise the exact expression from my limited knowledge of the TV show. “I raised one brow at my friend and gave him my best skeptical look.” The book also completely disrespects the character Barnaby Longshoot. The poor guy is just relaxing and in both of his appearances in the text, but is treated like garbage. “’Do I get one on the house, too?’ Barnaby asked. ‘Do I ask you to vacate that stool that you occupy all day, keeping paying customers from having a seat?’ ‘No, ma’am.’ ‘Then there’s your answer,’ Mara said.” #Justice4BarnabyLongshoot. I had a good chuckle when a dog who hates the Irish is used to track Maureen. “She ducked beneath the still-spinning blades and ran forward, leading a black-and-tan dog wearing a red collar with a badge attached.” This is before the most irrelevant and pointless details about said dog are included. “’He’s a Belgian Malinois.’ ‘Kind of looks like a small German shepherd to me,’ Mort said. ‘They probably share a common ancestor,’ Ong said. ‘We use both breeds, and sometimes a Labrador retriever as well. The Malinois is a high-energy dog. They’re known for their intensity, endurance, and intelligence.’” Get on with it! For some reason, the book also has some social commentary. “…but I’m sure you won’t be surprised if I remind you how many people don’t read a newspaper or watch television. And those who get their information online are more likely to click on a funny cat video than a news story about an escaped con”. Leave the critiques of modern society to more intelligent books, Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain, and Renée Paley-Bain.
March 19, 2025
At this point, Jessica Fletcher could go on a silent retreat and someone would still end up suspiciously deceased in the meditation room. In Hook, Line and Murder, Jessica heads off to Moon Lake for Cabot Cove’s annual fishing derby — armed with her fishing permit, a borrowed lakeside cabin, and the wildly naive hope that for once, just once, she might get to relax without stumbling over a corpse. Enter Maureen Metzger — yes, that Maureen, the sheriff’s delightfully chatty and overenthusiastic wife who invites herself along for Jessica’s serene getaway. Spoiler: serenity leaves the chat.
What starts as a cozy weekend with fishing rods and coffee thermoses quickly spirals into murder, federal fugitives, and Jessica doing what she does best: solving other people’s messes with perfect composure and a cardigan that could cut glass. There’s an escaped convict, a wrongly accused fishing guide with more baggage than a holiday flight, a dead lawyer, and Maureen going missing — leaving Jessica to juggle friendship diplomacy and high-stakes sleuthing with the kind of patience only she possesses.
The plot is tight, clever, and comfortingly familiar — like the literary equivalent of rewatching your favorite cozy mystery episode with extra snacks. Jessica navigates red herrings and local secrets with her signature grace, and the added Innocence Project subplot gives the story unexpected depth without ever tipping into grim. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching Jessica tackle justice on both personal and systemic levels, all while politely declining second helpings of dessert.
Character-wise, Jessica is everything we love: whip-smart, empathetic, and endlessly capable. But — and here’s where I furrow my brow — Sheriff Mort Metzger feels weirdly distant in this installment. He’s missing that warm, gruff, slightly exasperated charm that made him a fan favorite on the show and earlier books. Instead, Maureen steps up as the chaotic sidekick we didn’t know we needed. She’s nosy, scattered, occasionally infuriating, and yet? Completely lovable. She brings levity and heart to a plot that could’ve skewed too procedural.
And if you’re wondering whether you can pick this one up cold — absolutely. Each Murder, She Wrote novel stands proudly on its own two sensible heels, and this one is no exception. Whether this is your first trip to Cabot Cove or your fortieth, you’ll feel right at home (just... maybe sleep with the door locked).
Four stars. Not flawless — Mort, where were you emotionally, my dude? — but pure cozy crime comfort with a lakeside twist. Pour yourself some iced tea, settle in, and enjoy the ride.
What starts as a cozy weekend with fishing rods and coffee thermoses quickly spirals into murder, federal fugitives, and Jessica doing what she does best: solving other people’s messes with perfect composure and a cardigan that could cut glass. There’s an escaped convict, a wrongly accused fishing guide with more baggage than a holiday flight, a dead lawyer, and Maureen going missing — leaving Jessica to juggle friendship diplomacy and high-stakes sleuthing with the kind of patience only she possesses.
The plot is tight, clever, and comfortingly familiar — like the literary equivalent of rewatching your favorite cozy mystery episode with extra snacks. Jessica navigates red herrings and local secrets with her signature grace, and the added Innocence Project subplot gives the story unexpected depth without ever tipping into grim. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching Jessica tackle justice on both personal and systemic levels, all while politely declining second helpings of dessert.
Character-wise, Jessica is everything we love: whip-smart, empathetic, and endlessly capable. But — and here’s where I furrow my brow — Sheriff Mort Metzger feels weirdly distant in this installment. He’s missing that warm, gruff, slightly exasperated charm that made him a fan favorite on the show and earlier books. Instead, Maureen steps up as the chaotic sidekick we didn’t know we needed. She’s nosy, scattered, occasionally infuriating, and yet? Completely lovable. She brings levity and heart to a plot that could’ve skewed too procedural.
And if you’re wondering whether you can pick this one up cold — absolutely. Each Murder, She Wrote novel stands proudly on its own two sensible heels, and this one is no exception. Whether this is your first trip to Cabot Cove or your fortieth, you’ll feel right at home (just... maybe sleep with the door locked).
Four stars. Not flawless — Mort, where were you emotionally, my dude? — but pure cozy crime comfort with a lakeside twist. Pour yourself some iced tea, settle in, and enjoy the ride.
January 5, 2018
I can't remember when I was introduced to Murder, She Wrote. As a kid, I used to run around while my mom watched it in syndication. It was part of the background noise of my childhood. I had no idea that this was also a book series. Hook, Line, and Sinker the is 46th book in the series. So, not only did I come late to the party, I also jumped right in with book #46.
image: https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d2EMivmFJ-...
I started reading this book along the same time my daughter had a daycamp thing down by the lake. My husband and I took her, dropped her off, and enjoyed a few hours by the serene landscape. Being in that setting helped me to immerse myself into the world of Murder, She Wrote.
Jessica Fletcher enters into the yearly fly-fishing competition. Looking forward to some quiet time, she's a little disgruntled that first-time fisherman, Maureen, eagerly wants to join her. But Jessica agrees and the two set off for an adventure in Cabot Cove.
Meanwhile, Darryl Jepson, a convicted killer, escapes and a manhunt ensues. Tensions are high around town, but when Maureen goes missing, her husband, the sheriff, will risk anything to get her back. And Jessica puts her detective skills to work to aid in the investigation. But will they find Maureen before it's too late?
If you're a fan of the television series, you'll be a fan of the book series as well. I was pleased that I was able to jump into a series so late in the game and feel like I hadn't missed much. This book was an entertaining weekend read that I would recommend to anyone who loves a bit of mystery in their life.
Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2017...
image: https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d2EMivmFJ-...
I started reading this book along the same time my daughter had a daycamp thing down by the lake. My husband and I took her, dropped her off, and enjoyed a few hours by the serene landscape. Being in that setting helped me to immerse myself into the world of Murder, She Wrote.
Jessica Fletcher enters into the yearly fly-fishing competition. Looking forward to some quiet time, she's a little disgruntled that first-time fisherman, Maureen, eagerly wants to join her. But Jessica agrees and the two set off for an adventure in Cabot Cove.
Meanwhile, Darryl Jepson, a convicted killer, escapes and a manhunt ensues. Tensions are high around town, but when Maureen goes missing, her husband, the sheriff, will risk anything to get her back. And Jessica puts her detective skills to work to aid in the investigation. But will they find Maureen before it's too late?
If you're a fan of the television series, you'll be a fan of the book series as well. I was pleased that I was able to jump into a series so late in the game and feel like I hadn't missed much. This book was an entertaining weekend read that I would recommend to anyone who loves a bit of mystery in their life.
Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2017...
October 23, 2017
The 46th installment in the "Murder, She Wrote" series by Donald Bain & Renee Paley-Bain, "Hook, Line, and Murder" has Jessica Fletcher going to the annual fly fishing derby for Cabot Cove with sheriff Metzger's wife, Maureen as a companion. Upon the start of things, a local lawyers is found murdered & the guide that the 2 women have is an ex-con who the sheriff believes is still guilty despite evidence to the contrary. After the first day, Maureen gets severely sunburned & then turns up missing after being left alone by Jessica at her request to rest. Also in play is an escaped murderer Darryl Jepson who is believed to be somewhere either near Cabot Cove or the Canadian border. With all of those events as a backdrop, the Bains launch us into another mystery for the town and Mrs. Fletcher to help solve.
The book itself is above average for this series in the amount of character development with all of the people involved in town this time as well as the people who may or may not know what exactly happened here. The murder of the attorney almost goes as an afterthought in this book as well with the focus being on where is Maureen Metzger. The emotional toll of Mort (the sheriff) is also well explained which keeps makes this book one that will keep you guessing up until the end. Another thing that is a little different as well about this installment is the book is divided into 3 parts which really aren't all that different from each other & in some cases also serve as a small dividing line for the events in this book. Overall, an above average entry in a series that continues to remind we the reader why we return to sleepy Cabot Cove, Maine.
The book itself is above average for this series in the amount of character development with all of the people involved in town this time as well as the people who may or may not know what exactly happened here. The murder of the attorney almost goes as an afterthought in this book as well with the focus being on where is Maureen Metzger. The emotional toll of Mort (the sheriff) is also well explained which keeps makes this book one that will keep you guessing up until the end. Another thing that is a little different as well about this installment is the book is divided into 3 parts which really aren't all that different from each other & in some cases also serve as a small dividing line for the events in this book. Overall, an above average entry in a series that continues to remind we the reader why we return to sleepy Cabot Cove, Maine.
March 30, 2023
Well, this has a sort of interesting storyline. Book #46. Writers Donald Baine with Renee Paley-Bain. (But nothing like the I couldn't put down Manuscript for Murder... or the really good Date with Murder books...)
It wasn't awful... but not gripping either, in my opinion. ( Thus my shelf note to borrow not purchase)
Jessica signs up for the popular Cabot Cove 'fishing derby' ... the sheriff's wife (Maureen, who is a newbie but does OK overall and is a friend of Jessica ) is Jessica's rustic fishing cabin bunk mate... a body is found drowned... and an escaped convict/murderer is believed to be somewhere in the area, with ties back to childhood in Cabot Cove - old friends- and a mistrial for one of those friends.... and on top of all of that, the sheriff's wife is missing from the cabin. The SWAT team is out in full force, search dogs...the whole nine yards are looking for the convict and now also for Maureen.
The theme is one of prejudice of the sheriff towards the former foolish young men... of the agony of not knowing if his wife is alright or is dead... and of Jessica's seeing the good in people - even though making foolish choices -searching for different angles to help solve an old case and the new challenges.
A clean read. (No swearing, no violence towards women, or inappropriate detail situations. Maureen has a harrowing experience, but no physical harm.)
It wasn't awful... but not gripping either, in my opinion. ( Thus my shelf note to borrow not purchase)
Jessica signs up for the popular Cabot Cove 'fishing derby' ... the sheriff's wife (Maureen, who is a newbie but does OK overall and is a friend of Jessica ) is Jessica's rustic fishing cabin bunk mate... a body is found drowned... and an escaped convict/murderer is believed to be somewhere in the area, with ties back to childhood in Cabot Cove - old friends- and a mistrial for one of those friends.... and on top of all of that, the sheriff's wife is missing from the cabin. The SWAT team is out in full force, search dogs...the whole nine yards are looking for the convict and now also for Maureen.
The theme is one of prejudice of the sheriff towards the former foolish young men... of the agony of not knowing if his wife is alright or is dead... and of Jessica's seeing the good in people - even though making foolish choices -searching for different angles to help solve an old case and the new challenges.
A clean read. (No swearing, no violence towards women, or inappropriate detail situations. Maureen has a harrowing experience, but no physical harm.)
December 8, 2024
“Un assassino all’amo” di Donald Bain pag. 297
Romanzo della prolifica serie che vede Jessica Fletcher, la famosa signora in giallo, protagonista indiscussa.
Sui laghi e i torrenti che circondano Cabot Cove, come ogni anno, si svolge il tradizionale torneo di pesca. Jessica è intenzionata a partecipare e a godersi un po’ di tranquillità e solitudine; per questo ha affittato un piccolo cottage a Moon Lake, immerso nella natura.
Jessica si sta già pregustando il suo programma rilassante, nonostante i borbottii di Seth, quando la moglie dello sceriffo, Maureen, le chiede di potersi unire a lei. Non ha mai pescato in vita sua ma è desiderosa di provarci e Jessica non riesce a dirle di no.
La loro guida durante la gara è Brian Kinney, un ex detenuto che ora si è ravveduto e si sta impegnando a ricostruirsi una vita come padre e guida forestale. Durante il torneo un vecchio complice di Brian, condannato per omicidio, riesce a evadere e l’avvocato che aveva seguito i due uomini durante il processo viene trovato assassinato.
La situazione, già parecchio tesa, è destinata a peggiorare quando Maureen scompare dal cottage senza lasciare traccia e Cabot Cove si ritrova piena di forze dell’ordine.
Una scrittura fluida, scritta in prima persona dalla protagonista, una lettura leggera e piacevole come i noti telefilm.
Romanzo della prolifica serie che vede Jessica Fletcher, la famosa signora in giallo, protagonista indiscussa.
Sui laghi e i torrenti che circondano Cabot Cove, come ogni anno, si svolge il tradizionale torneo di pesca. Jessica è intenzionata a partecipare e a godersi un po’ di tranquillità e solitudine; per questo ha affittato un piccolo cottage a Moon Lake, immerso nella natura.
Jessica si sta già pregustando il suo programma rilassante, nonostante i borbottii di Seth, quando la moglie dello sceriffo, Maureen, le chiede di potersi unire a lei. Non ha mai pescato in vita sua ma è desiderosa di provarci e Jessica non riesce a dirle di no.
La loro guida durante la gara è Brian Kinney, un ex detenuto che ora si è ravveduto e si sta impegnando a ricostruirsi una vita come padre e guida forestale. Durante il torneo un vecchio complice di Brian, condannato per omicidio, riesce a evadere e l’avvocato che aveva seguito i due uomini durante il processo viene trovato assassinato.
La situazione, già parecchio tesa, è destinata a peggiorare quando Maureen scompare dal cottage senza lasciare traccia e Cabot Cove si ritrova piena di forze dell’ordine.
Una scrittura fluida, scritta in prima persona dalla protagonista, una lettura leggera e piacevole come i noti telefilm.
July 3, 2020
This novel, part of a series of Murder she wrote novels by Donald Bain (and "J.B. Fletcher"), was excellent. It is one of the best in the series, if not the best. You really feel for the characters in the story. The story is more about a kidnapping rather than a murder, though there is a murder as well. The entire story takes place in Cabot Cove, and many of the characters are familiar to viewers of the series. Sheriff Metzger's wife, the kidnapping victim, is new. In the TV series his wife was discussed but never seen, but apparently was a tough talking ex-marine. In the books, Bain had them divorce and replaced her with Maureen, who has her quirks but not likely to beat up would be kidnappers. This was an unusual story as Jessica spent as much time fishing as sleuthing, but that is what made it interesting. The plot was well thought out, and ended happily for all, except the kidnapper and murderer. I see this book was co-authored by Bain's wife Renee. Unhappily, Mrs. Bain died the year this book came out (2016) and Bain himself passed away recently. I believe they plan to continue the novels with new writers helping "J.B. Fletcher". I hope so, these are fun reads. I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers and especially fans of the series "Murder She Wrote".
November 6, 2017
I use to watch this from time to time so I decided to try one of the books. To tell you the truth; it was so close to what I recalled of the television show that I had no problem at all picturing the characters & action!
Jessica enters a local fly fishing contest; to her surprise, the Sheriff’s wife wrangles an invitation to spent the weekend with Jessica to fish in the competition.
Their guide is an ex-con who was released from jail after being exonerated; but only after having spent 7 years behind bars; an ex-con that has found himself very much disliked in his town, especially by the sheriff & his own father-in-law.
When another guide shows up on the second morning of the contest, Jessica learns that their originally guide Brian has been placed under house arrest because his so-called, partner-in-crime has escaped from jail.
Maureen, the sheriff’s wife decides to rest instead of fishing in the morning because of sunburn; but when Jessica returns to find her missing, everyone fears the worse.
Easy read.
Exceptionally similar to the old television series, Murder She Wrote.
September 21, 2017
How galling must it be to share a writing credit with a fictional character?
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This is the 46th (!) Jessica Fletcher novel, based on a series that ended 21 (!) years ago.
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Jessica is taking part in the most boring sport of all time, fishing, and is reluctantly allowing Sheriff Metzger's wife Maureen (NOT ADELE) to tag along. Maureen (NOT ADELE) gets kidnapped by an escaped convict, Jessica interferes in the investigation, everybody's okay.
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I mean, spoiler alert, but this IS Murder, She Wrote.
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Jessica is super preachy, and it's really evident in this book. It's easier to withstand a lecture coming from the always charming Angela Lansbury, but it's a bit overpowering in print.
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It's pointed out that Jessica is a former English teacher, but she makes some basic grammar errors and identifies a simile as a metaphor. I wouldn't be so petty if she hadn't given a long speech about why tattling is good.
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No one will ever convince me that Jessica and Seth aren't FWB.
August 4, 2019
I loved the television show and have been reading this series for many years. In this outing, Jessica is looking forward to the Fishing Derby and a week of vacation when Seth convinces her to take along the sheriff's wife who wants to learn to fish. In the process, she gets a bad sunburn and stays at the cabin one morning when Jessica goes out fishing, and Jessica returns to find her gone. Everyone expects that she had been kidnapped by an escaped convict who blames the sheriff for his being in prison. There is a hunt for her and an ex-con fishing guide helps them find her. This is the first book co-written by Donald Bain's daughter, and the writing is excellent. I am looking forward to the next one.
February 15, 2017
Reading this was rather like putting on a pair of old, comfy slippers. I enjoyed the television series. I appreciate Jessica's intelligence, independence, and determination. The novel , I felt , was incredibly predictable.
Jessica signs up for a fly fishing tournament to get off by herself. The good doctor decides that isn't safe, and pretty much forces a partner on her that believes she knows how to rough it because she was in Girl Scouts. Numerous complications arise, including escaped prisoners, falsely accused men, and controlling fathers. Reading it was an easy stroll through familiar territory.
Jessica signs up for a fly fishing tournament to get off by herself. The good doctor decides that isn't safe, and pretty much forces a partner on her that believes she knows how to rough it because she was in Girl Scouts. Numerous complications arise, including escaped prisoners, falsely accused men, and controlling fathers. Reading it was an easy stroll through familiar territory.
May 26, 2021
I find that Jessica seemed more of an airhead in this, not the subtle pretentious classy lady she is. Like Columbo, she is portrayed in the TV series as having a good head on her shoulders and uses it as more clues are revealed to her. But in this book she was constantly forgetting this and that.
It was disconnected in regards to the murder/mystery. And I felt like the end just was thrown together. Where did this character come from?
It was disconnected in regards to the murder/mystery. And I felt like the end just was thrown together. Where did this character come from?
December 23, 2024
I did love the television series. This book reminds me of what a good time they were. The story begins very slowly, but it picks up quite a bit and becomes a special part of a kidnapper going wild. Jessica finds ways to get to the kidnapper and succeeds in getting the hostage back to her husband. There is a death of another person, and there is a good finding out who really did the murder. The book was fun.
May 30, 2025
Surely I can’t be the only reader of this series who finds Maureen Metzger to be incredibly annoying. She’s so ditzy and thoughtless, constantly speaking before thinking. And the lame running joke about her cooking skills, or lack thereof, has worn very thin. I’m hard pressed to find one positive thing about this character so to find her at the center of this book was dismaying. To top it off, the plot was thin and the entire outcome of the book could be pretty much discerned by Chapter 2.
April 18, 2019
Based on the TV series "Murder, She Wrote" Hook, Line and Murder does a decent job of creating the same kind of mystery the TV show offered. I'd expect fans of "Murder, She Wrote" to enjoy this book.
Not quite a cozy mystery, this book offers a limited number of characters, limited setting and a mystery that's solved more by character and sleuthing than forensics.
Not quite a cozy mystery, this book offers a limited number of characters, limited setting and a mystery that's solved more by character and sleuthing than forensics.
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