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Murder, She Wrote #7
A Palette for Murder
Jessica Fletcher has come to the elegant Hamptons on Long Island's gold coast in New York for a sinfully sweet spell by the sea! Plus, she wants a chance to indulge her secret burning passion: painting.
In this lovely place where arts flower and artists flock, she finds a sketching class where she can try to make her dreams of da Vinci-hood come true. Unfortunately, that's not what happens. Murder gets in the way.
Librarian's note #1: there is an earlier MSW series by James Anderson and David Deutsch. Novelizations of TV episodes. The characters, settings, etc. have all been entered for the 4-volume original series: #1, The Murder of Sherlock Holmes (1985); #2, Hooray for Homicide (1985); #3, Lovers and Other Killers (1986); and #4, Murder in Two Acts (1986). But improvements welcome!
Librarian's note #2: the characters, settings, etc. have all been entered for the first 20 books in the current Jessica Fletcher / Donald Bain MSW series. They are #1, Gin & Daggers (1989) with a 2nd edition in (2000); #2, Manhattans & Murder (1994); #3, Rum & Razors (1995); #4, Brandy & Bullets (1995); #5, Martinis & Mayhem (1995); #6, A Deadly Judgment (1996); #7, A Palette for Murder (1996); #8, The Highland Fling Murders (1997); #9, Murder on the QE2 (1997); #10, Murder in Moscow (1998); #11, A Little Yuletide Murder (1998); #12, Murder at the Powderhorn Ranch (1999); #13, Knock 'Em Dead (1999); #14, Trick or Treachery (2000); #15, Blood on the Vine (2001); #16, Murder in a Minor Key (2001); #17, Provence - To Die For (2002); #18, You Bet Your Life (2002); #19, Majoring in Murder (2003), and #20, Destination Murder (2003). But improvements welcome! Needed - a librarian to give the same treatment for #21 and on.
In this lovely place where arts flower and artists flock, she finds a sketching class where she can try to make her dreams of da Vinci-hood come true. Unfortunately, that's not what happens. Murder gets in the way.
Librarian's note #1: there is an earlier MSW series by James Anderson and David Deutsch. Novelizations of TV episodes. The characters, settings, etc. have all been entered for the 4-volume original series: #1, The Murder of Sherlock Holmes (1985); #2, Hooray for Homicide (1985); #3, Lovers and Other Killers (1986); and #4, Murder in Two Acts (1986). But improvements welcome!
Librarian's note #2: the characters, settings, etc. have all been entered for the first 20 books in the current Jessica Fletcher / Donald Bain MSW series. They are #1, Gin & Daggers (1989) with a 2nd edition in (2000); #2, Manhattans & Murder (1994); #3, Rum & Razors (1995); #4, Brandy & Bullets (1995); #5, Martinis & Mayhem (1995); #6, A Deadly Judgment (1996); #7, A Palette for Murder (1996); #8, The Highland Fling Murders (1997); #9, Murder on the QE2 (1997); #10, Murder in Moscow (1998); #11, A Little Yuletide Murder (1998); #12, Murder at the Powderhorn Ranch (1999); #13, Knock 'Em Dead (1999); #14, Trick or Treachery (2000); #15, Blood on the Vine (2001); #16, Murder in a Minor Key (2001); #17, Provence - To Die For (2002); #18, You Bet Your Life (2002); #19, Majoring in Murder (2003), and #20, Destination Murder (2003). But improvements welcome! Needed - a librarian to give the same treatment for #21 and on.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1996
135 people are currently reading
939 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Fletcher
115 books1,062 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 90 reviews
September 28, 2025
3 Stars. It's good. It's a typical Jessica Fletcher Murder, She Wrote. But it needed to be tighter. Maybe a 20 page edit? Am I comparing it to my previous read, Silent Prey, a Lucas Davenport thriller by John Sandford? Taut but I don't think so; I'm omnivorous when it comes to mysteries and thrillers, any style. Our fictional mystery writer has just delivered the manuscript of her latest novel. A little late but Jessica's novels are big sellers so what can they say? Her publisher is Buckley House in New York. Vaughan and Olga Buckley, she is a former fashion model, have invited Jess to the beautiful Hamptons at the east end of Long Island as their guest. Mrs. F. hopes to enjoy herself in the ocean-front life of restaurants, art galleries, beaches and interesting wharves! But she has a second idea - to indulge herself by taking a few art lessons. The place is full of artists, why not join them? Her first session features two nude models! Willard followed by Miki. I don't know how her reputable TV show would have handled this one. It's not long before the young woman collapses dead. Want to know more about the underbelly of the art world? Then read it. (Oc2021/Se2025)
November 12, 2013
Discrepancies between the show and book, J.B, not J.D.
December 16, 2015
I liked the book. It had me going with all the twists and turns. I think it is one of "Murder She Wrote" best stories. I enjoyed reading the very end of the book (The last few pages). Once again I will mention that these books allow me to see through the author how other people live in other cities that I may never see on my own. I'm like a traveling companion with Jessica Fletcher. My husband managed to get a bunch of "Murder She Wrote" books, so I will continue to read these books for a while, between other books.
July 25, 2011
An excellent cozy mystery. I just love the "Murder, She Wrote" series. The mysteries are entertaining with likable characters and no gory details or brazen sex scenes.
Publisher Comments:
"Jessica Fletcher's mid-summer vacation to New York's famed Hampton beaches turns into a lesson in the art of murder. Indulging in a lifelong passion, she enrolls in an art class, but when the model they had been sketching fails to stir--the victim of a deadly poison--Jessica canvasses the area, chasing down a killer with an artistic flair."
Publisher Comments:
"Jessica Fletcher's mid-summer vacation to New York's famed Hampton beaches turns into a lesson in the art of murder. Indulging in a lifelong passion, she enrolls in an art class, but when the model they had been sketching fails to stir--the victim of a deadly poison--Jessica canvasses the area, chasing down a killer with an artistic flair."
March 7, 2020
I want to rate it higher but the J.D. instead of J.B. Fletcher was so annoying and distracting it took away from the rest of the book. Otherwise a fun, easy to solve mystery.
February 20, 2021
ahhh we backslid. #6 in the series seemed to be moving more towards alignment with the show (I measure this in Mort Metzgers - we had a lot of Mortons in #7). I think it's hard to capture all of the qualities Angela Lansbury brings to her character. I wonder about the decision to write these novels from the first person. in any case, the story is about Jessica's trip to the Hamptons and how she immediately gets entangled in some art fraud and murder. she skips a lot of meals and gets weirdly involved in a hostage negotiation. she also interferes with the chain of custody so a lot of evidence is not entered properly. I'm not sure what I would have liked better or what would have felt tonally more like the show.
September 21, 2019
Enjoyable mystery fluff. Having watched a lot of Murder She Wrote, it was fun to imagine the book as an episode. Jessica Fletcher’s voice comes across loud and clear. As does her dry humor. The young artists’ deaths cut a little close to home as I am a young artist, but it never gets too dark.
Content Notes: I mean it is a murder mystery, so people die, but nothing graphic or gory. Some passing sexism and weight talk.
Content Notes: I mean it is a murder mystery, so people die, but nothing graphic or gory. Some passing sexism and weight talk.
June 27, 2022
Jessica teaches a class about writing and then quietly takes an art class. A woman from the class is killed. Jessica's art is stolen and could end leaked to the general public, which is upsetting for Jessica. One of Jessica's students is less talented than he thinks and he sees mysteries as something to write if he needs money. This book takes place outside of Cabot Cove. The majority of it occurs in the Hamptons during Jessica's vacation.
March 27, 2019
While this book had all the research of the art world and great places in the Hamptons - it did not measure up to some of her better works. Jessica decides to take up painting and takes a class while on vacation. During the class someone dies and Jessica is thrown into the middle of an investigation. During the hub bub of taking away the body, her sketch of a nude man is stolen and offered up for sale.
I liked the descriptions of the Hamptons but noticed an error in the story line. Most unusual for these book. Hence the rating. I will continue on with the series because I do enjoy these books.
I liked the descriptions of the Hamptons but noticed an error in the story line. Most unusual for these book. Hence the rating. I will continue on with the series because I do enjoy these books.
January 7, 2018
I like it when Jessica has to travel to someplace or another, for some reason. I'm keeping track of the places she's visited in case I might want to visit them in the future. I might need to visit an art museum in the future, as well. I never knew that apprentices of more famous painters often painted in the same style, thereby making it difficult to tell the difference between the real thing, and a fake one. Interesting tidbit of information.
August 3, 2019
Jess goes on vacation in the Hamptons and tries to indulge herself in her secret hobby of painting, while she's at a art class the nude model dies ( of course). Jess sets out to find out what happened and along the way she meets new friends, uncovers a underworld art ring and of course solves the case. Really love this series.
June 10, 2015
A murder mystery set in the Hamptons, involving the art world. Another great Murder She Wrote book!
February 7, 2015
Who the hell is JD Fletcher?
February 23, 2018
I love love love this series. This started out a little slow but I’m glad I stuck with it, a wonderful story and addition to the series. Art and a beach setting with murders. Bliss!
June 29, 2019
Hard to put down
August 23, 2019
I thoroughly enjoy this series. The books basically all follow a similar outline, it's a formula that happens to work and also remain entertaining.
May 20, 2022
(Svenska följer…)
You can feel the noose tightening around those involved but only sense who they are and, as usual, Jessica has pieced together the whole story. Fun cameo from George Sutherland who brings expertise when Jessica suspects the young model hasn't died of natural causes. Here the romantic theme between them seems to have been dropped entirely. Something that I am reminded of in this book is the width of Jessica's circle of friends. Not just geographically but socially. She meets and befriends high and low, young, and old, and privileged and vulnerable; but never hesitate to stand up for the weaker. Well-written book that you fly through and even though I lack reasoning and pondering from Jessica beyond the big reveal at the end but it's a cozy and charming little book. And if you like the series, you will most certainly also like this one.
*
KONCEPT: Jessica Fletcher besöker sin förläggare i det exklusiva Hamptons, hon ser fram emot 10 dagars semester och att utforska sin nya och fortfarande hemliga hobby: målning. Det står inte på så faller modellen död ned under en krokikurs och alla vet om att Jessica inte bara hittat ett lik igen, hon har skissat av modellen också. Men mordet är bara den begynnande toppen på vad hon skall finna. (Och visst ja: om någon hittar hennes skiss av en manlig nakenmodell så vill hon ha tillbaka den).
FÖRVÄNTNINGAR: En bok som är som ett avsnitt av serien, där det kanske inte är helt uppenbart hur Jessica kommer till sina slutledningar.
TOPP: Bra och tight intrig med intressanta karaktärer där Jessica får bra stöd av den lokala polisen.
FLOPP: Som de tidigare delarna i den här bokserien kommer man aldrig Jessica under huden, trots att den är skriven från hennes perspektiv och i ”jag”-form. Jessica samlar ledtrådar, med dröjer inte vid dem eller funderar över dem.
KONSTATERANDE: Man känner hur snaran dras åt runt de inblandade men anar endast vilka de är och som vanligt har Jessica pusslat ihop hela storyn. Kul cameo från George Sutherland som bidrar med expertis när Jessica misstänker att den unga modellen inte dött av naturliga orsaker. Här verkar man även släppt det romantiska temat dem emellan helt dessutom. Något som jag påminns om i den här boken är bredden på Jessicas vänskapskrets. Inte bara geografiskt utan socialt. Hon träffar och bli vän med hög som låg, ung som gammal och privilegier och utsatt; men tvekar aldrig ifrån att stå upp för de svagare. Välskriven bok som man flyger igenom, jag saknar som sagt någon form av resonemang och funderande från Jessica utöver det stora avslöjandet på slutet men det är en mysig och charmig liten bok. Och gillar man serien så kommer man med all säkerhet även gilla den här.
PS: Nästa bok får den skotske inspektören från Scotland Yard sin vilja igenom tydligen: det vankas resa till Skottland.
You can feel the noose tightening around those involved but only sense who they are and, as usual, Jessica has pieced together the whole story. Fun cameo from George Sutherland who brings expertise when Jessica suspects the young model hasn't died of natural causes. Here the romantic theme between them seems to have been dropped entirely. Something that I am reminded of in this book is the width of Jessica's circle of friends. Not just geographically but socially. She meets and befriends high and low, young, and old, and privileged and vulnerable; but never hesitate to stand up for the weaker. Well-written book that you fly through and even though I lack reasoning and pondering from Jessica beyond the big reveal at the end but it's a cozy and charming little book. And if you like the series, you will most certainly also like this one.
*
KONCEPT: Jessica Fletcher besöker sin förläggare i det exklusiva Hamptons, hon ser fram emot 10 dagars semester och att utforska sin nya och fortfarande hemliga hobby: målning. Det står inte på så faller modellen död ned under en krokikurs och alla vet om att Jessica inte bara hittat ett lik igen, hon har skissat av modellen också. Men mordet är bara den begynnande toppen på vad hon skall finna. (Och visst ja: om någon hittar hennes skiss av en manlig nakenmodell så vill hon ha tillbaka den).
FÖRVÄNTNINGAR: En bok som är som ett avsnitt av serien, där det kanske inte är helt uppenbart hur Jessica kommer till sina slutledningar.
TOPP: Bra och tight intrig med intressanta karaktärer där Jessica får bra stöd av den lokala polisen.
FLOPP: Som de tidigare delarna i den här bokserien kommer man aldrig Jessica under huden, trots att den är skriven från hennes perspektiv och i ”jag”-form. Jessica samlar ledtrådar, med dröjer inte vid dem eller funderar över dem.
KONSTATERANDE: Man känner hur snaran dras åt runt de inblandade men anar endast vilka de är och som vanligt har Jessica pusslat ihop hela storyn. Kul cameo från George Sutherland som bidrar med expertis när Jessica misstänker att den unga modellen inte dött av naturliga orsaker. Här verkar man även släppt det romantiska temat dem emellan helt dessutom. Något som jag påminns om i den här boken är bredden på Jessicas vänskapskrets. Inte bara geografiskt utan socialt. Hon träffar och bli vän med hög som låg, ung som gammal och privilegier och utsatt; men tvekar aldrig ifrån att stå upp för de svagare. Välskriven bok som man flyger igenom, jag saknar som sagt någon form av resonemang och funderande från Jessica utöver det stora avslöjandet på slutet men det är en mysig och charmig liten bok. Och gillar man serien så kommer man med all säkerhet även gilla den här.
PS: Nästa bok får den skotske inspektören från Scotland Yard sin vilja igenom tydligen: det vankas resa till Skottland.
January 6, 2021
Three Stars... Sorry Jessica, this one didn't do it for me.
Jessica Fletcher is a very busy woman. She decides to take a much-needed vacation for 10 days at a quaint inn in the Hamptons. She was originally going to stay with her publisher, Vaughn Buckley, but he and his wife Olga had decided to renovate their entire house because of their latest infatuation with art. Jessica too has recently taken up an interest in art. Seeking another outlet for her creativity, Jessica has decided to start painting. That's when things go pear shaped. Jessica signs up for a model drawing class hosted by a local artist. That's when disaster strikes, and the floodgates open. Maybe the Hamptons aren't as relaxing as they seemed...
It's hard to say if I'd recommend this book to anyone... I'd say probably not, unless you are a huge "Murder, She Wrote" fan.
The storyline seems great at first, but there are just too many moving parts. This is an earlier work of the "Murder, She Wrote" book series. They can't all be winners, I suppose. The entire story seems to revolve around one minor plot point, a drawing by Jessica, and we never really get closure on that in the end. There are just too many things going on within this book. You'd think it were actually written by two, very disconnected authors. That being said, I don't regret reading this book. If anything, I'm more curious about the others so I can see the writing evolve.
Jessica Fletcher is a very busy woman. She decides to take a much-needed vacation for 10 days at a quaint inn in the Hamptons. She was originally going to stay with her publisher, Vaughn Buckley, but he and his wife Olga had decided to renovate their entire house because of their latest infatuation with art. Jessica too has recently taken up an interest in art. Seeking another outlet for her creativity, Jessica has decided to start painting. That's when things go pear shaped. Jessica signs up for a model drawing class hosted by a local artist. That's when disaster strikes, and the floodgates open. Maybe the Hamptons aren't as relaxing as they seemed...
It's hard to say if I'd recommend this book to anyone... I'd say probably not, unless you are a huge "Murder, She Wrote" fan.
The storyline seems great at first, but there are just too many moving parts. This is an earlier work of the "Murder, She Wrote" book series. They can't all be winners, I suppose. The entire story seems to revolve around one minor plot point, a drawing by Jessica, and we never really get closure on that in the end. There are just too many things going on within this book. You'd think it were actually written by two, very disconnected authors. That being said, I don't regret reading this book. If anything, I'm more curious about the others so I can see the writing evolve.
January 9, 2019
A Murder She Wrote book is virtually guaranteed to grab your attention and this novel is no different. No matter whether Jessica Fletcher is home at Cabot Cove or visiting elsewhere, murder always seems to follow her and she can't help herself but get involved. While this is generally the setup, do not confuse it with the various entanglements, red herrings and in-depth investigation that takes place. Each and every story has its own characters, goodies and badies, and they need to be sorted through while the storyline unfolds.
This, too, is a true murder mystery and whodunnit, with the true badies only unveiled right at the end.
This, too, is a true murder mystery and whodunnit, with the true badies only unveiled right at the end.
May 30, 2021
5 star
I have read many of the Murder She Wrote books and have enjoyed them all; however I really enjoyed this one (so far) the best. The storyline flowed just right, not to fast not to slow. Not to many characters to get lost in (although there were several). Ms Fletcher once again got herself into situations that you begin to wonder if she was going to get out of. I don't really know why I enjoyed this story better than the others I just did. Maybe because my 'thinking who did it' changed several times throughout the story
I have read many of the Murder She Wrote books and have enjoyed them all; however I really enjoyed this one (so far) the best. The storyline flowed just right, not to fast not to slow. Not to many characters to get lost in (although there were several). Ms Fletcher once again got herself into situations that you begin to wonder if she was going to get out of. I don't really know why I enjoyed this story better than the others I just did. Maybe because my 'thinking who did it' changed several times throughout the story
January 15, 2017
Great book.
Jessica is off to the the Hamptons to a much needed vacation or is it to indulge in a secret passion? Art? But of course murder and mystery follows her. Or her most adorable character trait, curiosity. A seemingly young art model drops dead during class; natural causes? Ridiculous. Of course, Jessica is on the trail. Of her killer. This case leads to more deaths, killers, art thieves, and poison.
Artist or Writer? This is one determined sleuth.
“Set a stoot hert
To a stey bare.”
A Scottish saying meanings the harder the task, the more determination is needed.
Jessica is off to the the Hamptons to a much needed vacation or is it to indulge in a secret passion? Art? But of course murder and mystery follows her. Or her most adorable character trait, curiosity. A seemingly young art model drops dead during class; natural causes? Ridiculous. Of course, Jessica is on the trail. Of her killer. This case leads to more deaths, killers, art thieves, and poison.
Artist or Writer? This is one determined sleuth.
“Set a stoot hert
To a stey bare.”
A Scottish saying meanings the harder the task, the more determination is needed.
February 26, 2021
Jessica Fletcher is an author on holiday in the Hamptons when a model in her art class dies suddenly. Jessica tries to piece together the mystery as the death toll rises.
I thought this was a great murder mystery with lots of subtle clues to pick up along the way. The only complaint I would have is that the ending seemed a little rushed, and didn't go into details as to the motive and methods of the killer.
I thought this was a great murder mystery with lots of subtle clues to pick up along the way. The only complaint I would have is that the ending seemed a little rushed, and didn't go into details as to the motive and methods of the killer.
April 25, 2017
I love the Murder she wrote books and this one was really good. Jessica is in the Hamptons staying with her publisher and his wife while also doing a little painting and as usual, she gets caught up in a murder. I won't give spoilers but I will say this should have been one of the TV shows.
March 10, 2017
I enjoyed the plot, but this ebook had an excessive amount of typos.
September 29, 2017
Not great literature, but a good mystery nonetheless.
February 16, 2018
What can I say? I like Murder She Wrote. This is one of those quietly entertaining books you can read before bed, and it won't keep you awake.
February 22, 2018
DNF - It had Jessica's name wrong, how could I finish it?!?
August 7, 2018
An enjoyable read.
May 14, 2020
Jessica Fletcher is a shrewd woman! 4.5 stars!
November 6, 2020
😊
☺️ great book worth a read love Jessica fletcher murder she wrote books read a few now great author she is
☺️ great book worth a read love Jessica fletcher murder she wrote books read a few now great author she is
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews