A Vote for Murder

Murder, She Wrote #22

by Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain

Jessica Fletcher is in Washington, D.C., to support a new literary initiative set forth by a prominent senator. But when the senator's chief-of-staff dies mysteriously, Jessica discovers just how deadly politics can be.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Murder Mystery

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

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

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

In keeping with the spirit of the TV show, a series of official original novels have been written by American ghostwriter Donald Bain. The author credit for the novels is shared with the fictitious "Jessica Fletcher." The series has been continued by authors Renée Paley-Bain, Jon Land, Terrie Farley Moran, and Barbara Early.

When the first novel in the series, Gin and Daggers, was published in 1989 it included several inaccuracies to the TV series including Jessica driving a car which she could not do as she never learned to drive. Due to fans pointing out the errors, the novel was republished in 2000 with most of the inaccuracies corrected.

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Mystery, She Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🌟

Mood/ Seasonal Reading: No specific time mentioned but the mix of setting and vibes screams a gloomy spring day to me (maybe that’s because that’s when I read it lol)

This was a short instalment in this series that I was putting off because the plot didn’t interest me. However, it became available in my library and I figured why not. I was surprised by how much more I enjoyed it than some of the others I’ve read recently.

While it still won’t enter my all time favourites list I did think it had a decent plot with enough exciting scenes to keep it moving.

It wasn’t my favourite reveal; I had to go back to look up who the killer even was cause I was somewhat half listening to this one to be honest but still an okay ride overall.

As always I will read more of this series. My goal is to one day finish it all (that will be a sad day indeed).

[Courtny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably one my most favorite books so far out of the Murder, She Wrote series. Jessica finds herself in Washington D.C. to support a friend and her literacy drive. Her friend also has a a husband in the senate. There is of course a lot of cheating, bribery, and murder in this book that just makes me so happy. That sounds horrible but I love it in books.

I was not able to figure out the whodunit until the very end which is exciting for me since I read so many cozies and mysteries. This was a great one to pick up on audio!

[Juliet Minerva Swift · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not very interested in politics. I mean, I am interested in the consequences of it on people and all that, but I usually don’t care about reading a novel on politicians. But here the political element is so vague that it’s barely there. We are in Washington DC and the suspects all revolve around a Senator, but pure politics is barely mentioned aside from the occasional mention of an upcoming vote on a new nuclear power plant. So, despite my worry I would not enjoy it, I still had fun.

There are still all the themes of the books in this series that I love, like the descriptions of Jessica taking a nap and her opinion on hotel alarm clocks. Or her trips to restaurants and the description of the food she eats, I love that. I am also a big sucker for the final living room revelation, and I am glad that Jessica gathered all the suspects in the Senator’s house and solved the crime there.

I find it so funny that, as usual, just because she is a mystery writer, the investigator just wants to hear her opinion and get her help, in what universe!

Something I didn’t really like is how we didn’t get to read Nikki’s blackmail letter as I see no point why that couldn’t be shown. I hate it when a crucial clue is given to the sleuth but not to the reader, and I am happy that this was not the case here as this clue was not so important, but then why not show it to us?

Another weak point in this is the mystery itself. I know that these books are not meant to be super ingenious as they are written for the fans of the TV series and are not meant to be super complex, but I like my mysteries to be puzzling and have lots of clues and idiosyncrasies that I have to put in the ir place to solve the crime. I basically want something similar to a book by Agatha Christie. But for Jessica, the mysteries are always very straight-forward, there are no weird inexplicable clues and the solution is always rather simple.

For example, how does she know it was Gruber who killed Nikki? Like, what proof is there??? How did she get there, what was her reasoning to figure that out? We are not given that, she just says that he left her a note with his initials because he was paying everyone and she wanted him to stop. Ok, but that is the motive, not proof??? Where is the evidence that undoubtedly points to him? How can you exclude anyone else? Did you just pick a random suspect and hoped he would confess? I just wish this had been dealt with a bit better.

I thought that Nikki had an affair with Pat, but unfortunately the book was not brave enough to go there. I still appreciated the inclusion of a lesbian character, even though she was the one that died

But yeah, this was the usual fun and light-hearted cozy mystery I read during my lunch break, I like Jessica and her descriptions of the most trivial things she does, but the mystery could be improved with some added complexity.

[Lea Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked the show, you're almost certain to like the book. I leave that to you, of course.

I liked the book because it followed some of the basic tenets of the show. Yes, there was a murder, but there wasn't any gore. Yes, Jessica was in danger a couple of times, but nothing terrifying. Yes, it has a happy ending, but no, I didn't figure out exactly what was going on until that crucial moment when she was laying out the facts.

All in all, a nice way to spend an afternoon. I look forward to reading more of this series.

[Lisa Cornelius Ashby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series! The murder mystery was tricky for me. I thought I had it figured out, but I guessed wrong 😂 This story in the series takes place in Washington DC with a political backdrop in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, as I do with all of the books in this series. 📖📚

[Jeremiah Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can we just solve this murder and go home?

That’s how I felt during the middle chunk of this one. I didn’t find the Washington DC setting very interesting, but as always, it was fun to hang out with Jessica Fletcher. The narrator does a good job bringing the voices to life.

[Crystal Swafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been decades since I’ve watched the TV show, but this is the best book of this series that I’ve read so far. The characters are vivid, true and come alive. The other reviewers that said Donald Bain books get better are completely right. The only thing that would be a bonus in this book is to add a little more descriptions/scenes with more Washington DC points of interest.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good and fine. A nice addition to the series. But there was just sooooo much going on.

[Christine B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had quite a bit of language so not exactly a clean cozy!

[Aparna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: 4 / 5
Recommendation: The killer wasn’t as surprising as the motive and who encouraged the killer. The plot gives readers an insight into Washington Politics and the cheating and bribery that is common even though seldom comes out. This plot stayed very true to the original TV show.

A Vote for Murder is the 22nd novel in the long-running Murder She Wrote series co-written by Donald Bain & fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. It was first published on September of 2005. Jessica is in the nation's capital for a new literacy initiative and comes upon the dead body of Maine's junior Senator's aide. Amidst many political conspiracies, she has to work with her good friend Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland to reveal the killer.

This is my take on the series of books written by a plethora of authors and Jessica Fletcher (fictional author) based on the 80s and 90s popular American crime drama television series Murder, She Wrote. These books are ghost written by Donald Bain and fictional author Jessica Fletcher for the first 43 books until 2015. Then Donald Bain wrote these with Renee Paley Bain and Jon Land for four more books. After Donald Bain passed away in 2017, Jon Land alone took the baton and continued with Jessica Fletcher for 5 more books until 2020. Starting 2021 the series was picked by Terrie Farley Moran again pairing with the fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. As of 2023, 56 books have been written in this series. They are all written in first person narration.

George Sutherland is in Washington D.C. at the same time as Jessica Fletcher. How charming! He is attending a conference on terrorism while Jessica is part of the literacy initiative. We see a little progress in their romance that they obviously deny.

We see reference to another case that George and Jessica worked together in Napa Valley and few books ago, the 15th book, Blood on the Vine; and two other cases on which both of them worked together - the very first book Gin and Daggers; and the 8th book The Highland Fling Murders.

But George called away to attend to a terrorist attack in London, although he was overseeing it from D. C. In real life, there was indeed London Train Bombings in 2005, and author Bain was certainly alluding to them in this plot. Poor George he gets injured again, albeit this time it’s a mugging. Looks like every book he is in he somehow is getting hurt. Again we get a lot of history lesson as Jessica and George traverse through D.C.

It's a political drama that touches closely to reality. Specially when the case looks like straight out of Gary Condit's scandal regarding disappearance of Chandra Levy, intern in Condit's district. A case that has not been solved still unlike the one we see in the book.

The book touches upon homosexuality and homophobia. It was much less accepted in 2005 compared to the present world. Also Jessica frowns upon people using mobile phones in public places. I wonder if her opinion changed in the later books cause now mobile phones have become an extension to one's palms.

The killer wasn’t as surprising as the motive and who encouraged the killer. The plot gives readers an insight into Washington Politics and the cheating and bribery that is common even though seldom comes out. This plot stayed very true to the original TV show.

Spoiler Alerts:

1. Plot Reveals:
a. Politicians in Washington D.C: Warren Nebel, Maine's Junior Senator; his wife Patricia; his son Jack; his daughter Christine & her fiancee Joe Radisch; President Dimond; Dr. Thomas Lester, Librarian of Congress; Walter Grusin, lobbyist; Richard Carraway, assistant to Nebel's aide; James Barzelouski, Ohio congressman; Gail Marsha-Miner, Congresswoman for a district in California; Hal Duncan, Nebel's attorney; Sandy Teller, Nebel's press aide; Eleanor Atherton, public affairs specialist;
b. Other authors in the literacy initiative: Karl von Miller, young adult novel writer; Marsha Jane Grane; Bill Littlefield, author of Korean and Vietnam war histories;
c. Other characters: Mrs. Carmela Martinez, Nebel's cook; Detective Joe Moody, McLean District Station; Jardine, Nebel's butler; Natalie Mumford, a reporter; Oscar Brophy, an eccentric Cabot Cove resident; Greg & Charlotte Farlow, Nikki Farlow's parents; Dr. Morris Young, Physician;

2. Sub Plots:
a. Friends of Jessica Fletcher: Dr. Seth Hazlitt, long-time friend in Cabot Cove, Maine; George Sutherland, senior inspector with Scotland Yard; Morton "Mort" Metzger, Cabot Cove Sherriff and his wife Adele / Maureen?; Eve Simpson, realtor friend working at Cabot Cove Realty; Sam Booth, mayor of Cabot Cove; Ethan Cragg, Cabot Cove’s chief town elder;
b. Literary contacts and friends: her publisher Vaughan Buckley of Buckley House, his fashion model wife Olga Buckley and their dogs Sadie and Rose; Harry McGraw, her private eye friend; Matt Miller, her literary agent & his wife Susan; Paulette, Matt's assistant;
c. Other Characters appear frequently: Josh, the mailman; Jed Richardson, only bush pilot for Cabot Cove and owner of Jed's Flying Service, and his wife Alicia; 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 who is the Mayor of Cabot Cove; Professor Donskoy; Roberta Dougherty, bookstore owner; Richard Koser, photographer, and his wife MaryJane; Barbara DePaoli, Chamber of Commerce's secretary; Anthon Colarusso, dentist; Beth and Peter Mullin, owners of flower shop Old Tyme Floral; Sam Davis, investment advisor; Jack Decker, publisher of Cabot Cove's monthly magazine; Peter Eder, Cabot Cove's symphony orchestra; Bob Daros, owns Heritage Fuel; Tim Purdy, treasurer of chamber of commerce and historian and president of Cabot Cove's historical society, also an investment advisor; 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;
d. Sheriff Metzger’s office staff & other law enforcement: Deputy Andy Jenks; Deputy Jack; Rookie Wendell Watson; Deputy Harold; Deputy Jerry; Alfred Gillo, medical examiner; Judge Kaplan; Marie Poutre, dispatcher;
e. Jessica Fletcher’s family: Grady Fletcher, nephew that she and her late-husband Frank raise, his wife Donna and child Frank;
f. We continue to see Mort Metzger's wife being called as Maureen. But she was named Adele in the TV show…and also in the 50th book, A Time for Murder, she was back to Adele. Not sure when Bain changed it back to Adele since I have a few more books to go before I reach the 50th book, but perhaps the readers made him change it back.
g. From the 9th book, Murder on the QE2: Mary Ward has been a prominent character in this book. Will she resurface again?
h. 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?
i. 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.
j. From the 51st book, The Murder of Twelve:
i. Author Land gives considerable mystery to Seamus McGilray’s character. I wonder if he resurfaces in a future book.
ii. Towards the end of the book, Mort jokes that Jessica should run for mayor. Hmm…something to look forward to I suppose.

3. Grammatical / Character / Plot / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
a. On Pg. 150, Line 6 from bottom, shouldn’t it be "shown to me by Detective Moody…"?

[Melissa Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Vote for Murder is a mystery that tied in the importance of literacy with a murder the shined the spotlight on corruption. It was an interesting storyline that kept my attention, even though the literacy event did take a backseat to that of the politicians involved. Unfortunately I did have some issues with the final revelations, mostly pertaining to one character whose actions didn’t exactly line up with the initial traits given to them earlier in the novel.

Still I think that Jessica Fletcher is a wonderful character and I like how she always manages to stay poised and level-headed during the situations she finds herself in.

It is nice to come across a larger series where each book can be read as a stand-alone. Mention of previous mysteries are noted, but it isn’t necessary for the reader to have read them in order to understand the current installment.

Cynthia Darlow was a good narrator, however I was slightly disappointed that it wasn’t done by Angela Lansbury herself. After-all no one would be better suited to voice Jessica Fletcher than the actress who made the character famous.


I would recommend A Vote for Murder and the Murder, She Wrote series to fans of the television show and light mysteries.

[Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

possibly my least favorite in the series so far. Jessica seems like such a weird, indecisive and scattered person -- inviting Seth to a dinner, when the reservations were made by another man she's developing a slightly romantic relationship with? constantly trying to justify what she's said or done? allowing people to badger her and drag her around and invite themselves to her social events? I also realized that these books are kind of disappointing because they're told from her perspective, but never develop her inner world. everything she says and thinks is so bland, but Angela Lansbury on the show has never given me the impression that her character is as polite and pleasant as the face she presents - she does that to get what she wants.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica is in Washington, DC, to support a senator's new literacy initiative. The week-long literacy event includes visiting the White House to meet the president and a lavish party or two. But during one affair at the senator's home in Virginia, Jessica discovers the dark side of politics. She finds the senator's chief of staff at the foot of a staircase—and he has taken a permanent recess. Her search for culprits leads her from the halls of the Library of Congress to the DC social scene—and even to the FBI.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ💚♫.•💜
This is only the second book in the series. I love that it sounds so much like the show, and it helps me picture it better. However, the Narrator is a mixed bag. I do not like the way she does her accents. It makes me want to just read it instead of listen.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as charming and enjoyable as the TV show. Loved it!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will only listen to the books in this series read by Cynthia Darlow. She makes the books as good as watching the show!! This was a fun romp through D.C. Man, are those politicians shady...

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Fletcher is in Washington, D.C., trying to do something wholesome — advocate for literacy. But we all know how this goes: someone’s going to drop dead, someone else is going to lie (probably badly), and Jessica will politely dismantle everyone in a cardigan and heels. In A Vote for Murder, politics aren’t just dirty — they’re deadly, and the halls of power get a little blood on their marble.

Jessica’s friend, a senator’s wife, is trying to launch a national reading initiative (bless her), and Jessica’s there for moral support. But moral support quickly turns to murder investigation when the senator’s chief of staff, Nikki, is found dead — and not in a “scandalous affair gone wrong” way, but in a very suspicious, someone-wanted-her-silenced kind of way.

This one gives full West Wing with a body count energy. There are rumors, bribes, blackmail, career-ending secrets, and a whole lineup of suspects who all have too much access and not enough alibis. And while the book technically has politics in the background — senators, votes, and a nuclear energy bill making low-key waves — it smartly dodges anything too heavy. The real intrigue is behind closed doors, where assistants know too much and campaign donations come with skeletons attached.

Jessica does what she does best: smile sweetly, listen harder than anyone else, and then eviscerate the killer with quiet logic and zero tolerance for BS. And yes, there’s a glorious final reveal scene — the classic “gather all the suspects in a very fancy room” moment where Jessica drops truth bombs like it’s her job. Which, let’s be honest, at this point it is.

The only weak spot? The mystery’s a bit straightforward. You won’t exactly need a corkboard and red string to follow it. And there’s a lot of setup before the murder happens, which feels a bit like waiting for the good cheese tray to come out at a fundraiser. Still, 3.5 stars for classy sleuthing and Capitol Hill chaos.

[Ben Goodridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, look at this. I seem to have fallen behind on my reading list.

Used to love Murder, She Wrote as a kid - even though I was hardly the series' target demographic. Never read any of the tie-in books, though. This one came via my beloved local library. And no, I don't want to hear your stupid theory about how she commits all the murders herself or how Cabot Cove is a dumpster fire of corruption and crime. I've only been hearing that joke for thirty years and it's not like it ever got old or anything.

But is the book any good? Well, to be honest, I can sort of see this one going down the memory hole in the future. Doesn't make it a bad book, just gives it a sort of placeholder quality. Jessica is at the home of a prominent senator when the murderer takes out his chief-of-staff, which is a dynamic that doesn't really fit the Murder, She Wrote formula - that's the sort of thing that kicks off a political potboiler.

Looks like I have some reading to catch up on.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even the appearance of George Sutherland and Seth Hazlitt couldn’t save this book. “A Vote for Murder” reads like a DC guidebook combined with every possible stereotype of Washington DC and Beltway politicians - violence, corruption, and death threats, oh my! Anyone who believes this plot is an accurate representation of DC or national politics - particularly in the early 2000s - must get their perspective from cable news.

Considering that “Murder, She Wrote” had an episode where Jessica served (ever so briefly) in Congress, you might think her interactions with politicians, lobbyists, and DC residents would be better informed. There were so many unnecessary plot diversions - including quite a bit of homophobia - that I was ready for the conclusion halfway through the book. It didn’t help that the audiobook is filled with over the top accent work from the narrator.

[Sarah Jowett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, seemed to take me forever! I thought the aide would be having an affair with the wife, that's why the senator never revealed her orientation to the public even though there were rumors about the two of them going at it.

[John Wetterholt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rumors of an illicit affair, bribery, lobbyists for and against building a nuclear power plant, and everyone seemingly out to protect their own hide, all in a day’s work in Washington, DC. When a senatorial aide turns up murdered at a party at her boss’s home, even the nation’s capital gets turned on its ear. Fortunately mystery writer Jessica Fletcher is on hand to help solve the mystery.

This series of mystery novels based on the hit TV series is always enjoyable. The plots are well constructed, with just enough clues to point the reader in the right direction without giving away too much. They can be read in any order, and the audio rendering by Cynthia Darlow sounds comfortingly like Angela Lansbury, so pour a cup of tea, pull on your favorite sweater, and enjoy.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a theory: people see that Jessica👩 is in town or coming to town and so they decide to commit murder 🔪 just to see if Jessica can figure it out. Thoughts?😕
Oh well 😉 back to the book, Jessica travels ✈ to Washington DC to help the wife of the Maine state Senator with her literacy program. To sweeten the pot her beau George Sutherland 👨 also happens to be in Washington at a law enforcement conference. 😍 Unfortunately for them while attending a party at the Senator's house they find a dead body😱. While looking into the death Jessica finds that the Senator isn't as faithful to his family or his state as he wants people to think but is he a killer?

[Candyce Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit surprised that I liked and enjoyed this book, not because of any faults it may have had but because I don’t usually like political type books or books with a political setting. I think it’s fascinating that while this book is set in Washington D.C. and the surrounding area and Jessica has frequent dealings with a Senator from her home state of Maine, we never really learn what side of the political spectrum she might be on. Very clever that—making sure not to alienate readers who may want to see themselves in the character, or just want to see her as a friend. It was a compelling mystery, with interesting twists and turns. One of my favorites of this series so far.

[S.R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting reinterpretation of an older Murder She Wrote episode. The audiobook reader did a very good job of making folks sound like they did on the show.

I am not sure about the way the author has depicted the relationship between Jessica and Doc Hazlett. I'm reading another book in the series now and they've really gone all in on Jessica wanting a relationship with George from Scotland Yard (who I do not remember from the show at all so I need to go back and rewatch some more).

If you are a cozy mystery fan, this series is a decent one. If you are a MSW fan, you definitely will want to check these out

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica, as a member of a Literacy Initiative headed by the wife of Maine’s junior senator, travels to D.C. for a week of activities. Her good friend, Inspector George Sutherland is also in town allowing them for some welcome time together. Unfortunately, on the first night at a large party hosted by the Senator, well, you’ll never guess what happens. That’s right! Someone is murdered. I really enjoy the books where George is a part of Jessica’s posse and this one was no exception. But let’s face it: Mrs. Fletcher is the real detective here. A great murder mystery mixed in with a political thriller.

[Aine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder She Wrote - A Vote for Murder ✨ 4.5/5

This felt authentically like an episode of MSW. I love that it brought back George Sutherland (& Seth as well). In true MSW style, the true killer only came out in the final chapters.

It's a great one for diving into the book series! I would have loved to have seen more of an interaction between Seth and George or for Seth's character to have been used a little more after his unexpected arrival. Though I really enjoyed the plot and the various twists throughout the case.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately another dud for me.
It was nice that George showed up yet again and came to Jessica’s aid, but the mystery itself really didn’t capture my interest. I didn’t care about any of the secondary characters (usually I can find one or two), and I wasn’t in a rush to finish. The political backstabbing just wasn’t dramatic enough I guess. 🤷‍♀️ I will say I did not expect the whodunit, but even that wasn’t enough to redeem the story. Boring and underwhelming. Definitely one I won’t be rereading.

[Katherine Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to a favorite series is always a fun time and this one lived up to my expectations. Jessica is in Washington D.C. for a literary initiative and a chance to spend some time with her favorite Scotland Yard Inspector, George Sutherland. But no trip for Jessica can really be complete without stumbling into a dead body in one way or another. This time it involves the senator who invited her to D.C. and his wife who's a friend of Jessica. Political agendas attempt to interfere with the investigation, but that won't stop Mrs. Fletcher. Having Seth show up was a nice touch.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica has been brought to Washington, DC to celebrate Literacy programs. While she is the guest of her friend, Pat, and her Senator husband a young woman is murdered. She is encouraged by the Senator's Staff to let them handle all the reporters, etc and she needs to be supportive of Pat, but when Jessica starts looking at the woman's murder, she is treated differently.



I really do enjoy these stories.

[Jaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good episode in the Murder, She Wrote series. I enjoyed the political background to the storyline. The "love triangle" trope was a slight disappointment because it made it so Jessica didn't have a real partner-in-crime while she solved the mystery. I think George Sutherland could have been used better in the plot. However, I still really enjoyed the story, and I love this series.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone. The plot is a standard murder mystery, with Jessica constantly being pulled in (in my opinion) too many directions by different characters. She graciously accommodates all of the demands on her time and wraps everything up at the end, while still managing to lend her support to a national literacy program.