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Murder, She Wrote #11
A Little Yuletide Murder
It’s beginning to look a lot like murder...
Jessica Fletcher is planning to spend a cozy Christmas at home in Cabot Cove. This year she's not on the circuit being interviewed about her latest novel or autographing copies at local bookstores. But when Rory Brent, he plays Santa in the town festival, is found shot to death on his farm, there will be no peace on earth until his killer is found.
Snooping into Cabot Cove's past for a motive, Jessica is determined to deliver the killer before Christmas. The trouble is that the next sound she might hear this silent night may be a scream—her own…
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.
Jessica Fletcher is planning to spend a cozy Christmas at home in Cabot Cove. This year she's not on the circuit being interviewed about her latest novel or autographing copies at local bookstores. But when Rory Brent, he plays Santa in the town festival, is found shot to death on his farm, there will be no peace on earth until his killer is found.
Snooping into Cabot Cove's past for a motive, Jessica is determined to deliver the killer before Christmas. The trouble is that the next sound she might hear this silent night may be a scream—her own…
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.
290 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
183 people are currently reading
1234 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 162 reviews
December 19, 2017
Cabot Cove is preparing for its annual Christmas celebration when a beloved citizen, Rory Brent, is found murdered on his farm. Fellow farmer, Jake Walther, is the prime suspect and is arrested for the crime, but Jessica has her doubts about Jake being the killer. This was a good enough read but not as good as the other Murder, She Wrote books I've read so far. It was lacking in potential suspects for the crime, and Jessica didn't seem to do as much investigating as she usually does. I was hoping for a bit more Christmas, too. Still, it was nice visiting with familiar faces, and it was a quick and easy, enjoyable enough read.
December 29, 2024
I refuse to believe Jessica Fletcher is pro-life
September 13, 2025
3 Stars. Good but it lacked a little something; I read it in Barbados and an extra rum punch might have heled me to bump it to four. I just finished Jessica's QE2 outing and hoped this one would reach that level of suspense too. Close but no candy cane. Our hero is between books - no PR work in New York or elsewhere this year publicizing her latest work during the lead up to Christmas. For the first time in a while, she's home for the holidays. She dives right into local activities, what better than the annual Christmas Festival? It's the town's pride and joy, a tourist attraction across Maine. Mayor Shevlin chairs a citizens meeting and Dr. Seth Hazlitt asks him, "Where's Rory Brent?" He's the pleasant, rather plump farmer who plays Santa during the festival. Soon he's found murdered and Jessica is reluctantly back in business! It becomes a media frenzy when a local unlikeable is taken into custody. What can Jessica do? She doesn't like the obnoxious guy either, but she did help his daughter a few years ago get a scholarship. Christmas in Cabot Cove - a little over the top, but I felt rewarded when finished. (Ja2020/Se2025)
December 29, 2023
jessica: "We don't have many murders in Cabot Cove. My hope is that Rory was killed by someone passing through, not anyone who lives here."
me: 🤨
me: 🤨
December 26, 2017
A Christmas book read for Christmas, finished on Christmas.
Just a light little Mrs. Fletcher story about murder in Cabot Cove for Christmas. Somebody murders the local farmer who annually portrays Santa Claus. Yes, they murdered Santa Claus.
In the end, Jessica plays Santa Claus herself.
Just a light little Mrs. Fletcher story about murder in Cabot Cove for Christmas. Somebody murders the local farmer who annually portrays Santa Claus. Yes, they murdered Santa Claus.
In the end, Jessica plays Santa Claus herself.
December 13, 2015
A wonderful festive murder mystery.
When Christmas comes to Cabot cove Jessica is looking forward to a peaceful time with family and friends, she is between writing a book so intends to catch up on some card writing and Christmas shopping and attending the winter festival thats planned.
But as always for Jessica things don't go to plan, the town Santa Claus is murdered in the barn out on his farm.
The most likely suspect and whom the whole town assumes is the perpetrator is an old, grouchy farmer called Jake who ekes out a living out on his own farm along with his wife Mary, their daughter Jill and Mary's brother Dennis.
But not EVERYTHING is adding up for Jessica, she believes the murderer of Rory Brent aka Santa Claus may not be the most obvious suspect so its upto her, Seth Hazlitt and Mort Metzger to find out.
A whimsical, small town mystery that is sure to entertain on a cold, December winter night.
Thoroughly enjoyed this, a great read.
When Christmas comes to Cabot cove Jessica is looking forward to a peaceful time with family and friends, she is between writing a book so intends to catch up on some card writing and Christmas shopping and attending the winter festival thats planned.
But as always for Jessica things don't go to plan, the town Santa Claus is murdered in the barn out on his farm.
The most likely suspect and whom the whole town assumes is the perpetrator is an old, grouchy farmer called Jake who ekes out a living out on his own farm along with his wife Mary, their daughter Jill and Mary's brother Dennis.
But not EVERYTHING is adding up for Jessica, she believes the murderer of Rory Brent aka Santa Claus may not be the most obvious suspect so its upto her, Seth Hazlitt and Mort Metzger to find out.
A whimsical, small town mystery that is sure to entertain on a cold, December winter night.
Thoroughly enjoyed this, a great read.
December 16, 2008
I challenged myself to read as many of the Murder She Wrote series as I could this year (2008). I have 4 left to read out of 18.
For me these books give my mind a rest from self help and heavy duty thought provoking subjects. They help me to escape into a make believe world of light mystery. I like this series probably because the character 'Jessica' is a writer.
For me these books give my mind a rest from self help and heavy duty thought provoking subjects. They help me to escape into a make believe world of light mystery. I like this series probably because the character 'Jessica' is a writer.
December 17, 2019
Look. This is not really great. The writing's terrible (why do we need to know the colour of Jessica Fletcher's socks?). But it's got so many bad puns and Jessica Fletcher's social life is nothing short of amazing.
January 4, 2023
Esta serie es mi comodín en el género de Misterio cozy, ya lo he explicado muchas veces pero el factor nostalgia es clave. Para mí es reconfortante volver a leer o ver las andadas de Jessica Fletcher porque me recuerda a mi infancia.
En esta ocasión, y de manera excepcional, Jessica va a pasar las vacaciones en su pueblo natal, Cabot Cove. Por supuesto, las celebraciones navideñas se verán truncadas por el asesinato de "Santa Claus".
Curiosamente, este es el segundo misterio que leo estas Navidades en el que el personaje que se vestía de Santa Claus es asesinado 😂 Curioso cuanto menos. ¿Se trata de un cliché típico del género en esta época del año?
Quizás sea por eso que este no ha sido mi favorito de los que he leído de esta serie hasta el momento. No es que esté mal escrito o me haya aburrido pero no me ha enganchado tanto como lo hicieron otros de los libros de Fletcher.
En cuanto a la edición, este es el primer libro en formato físico que tengo de Murder, She Wrote y decidí elegirlo con una premisa navideña para hacer una lectura por estas fechas (sí, estamos a día 3 de enero pero hasta el día 6 para mí, y muchos españoles, no termina la Navidad). La lástima es que tuve que comprarlo en formato de bolsillo. Como punto positivo, es muy cómodo de leer pese al tamaño porque el lomo es muy flexible. Letra de tamaño medio. Por supuesto, en su idioma original, inglés. La ilustración de la cubierta no me convence pero qué se le va a hacer. Aún así me hace mucha ilusión tenerlo. La edición es de Signet, publicada por primera vez en el año 1998.
En esta ocasión, y de manera excepcional, Jessica va a pasar las vacaciones en su pueblo natal, Cabot Cove. Por supuesto, las celebraciones navideñas se verán truncadas por el asesinato de "Santa Claus".
Curiosamente, este es el segundo misterio que leo estas Navidades en el que el personaje que se vestía de Santa Claus es asesinado 😂 Curioso cuanto menos. ¿Se trata de un cliché típico del género en esta época del año?
Quizás sea por eso que este no ha sido mi favorito de los que he leído de esta serie hasta el momento. No es que esté mal escrito o me haya aburrido pero no me ha enganchado tanto como lo hicieron otros de los libros de Fletcher.
En cuanto a la edición, este es el primer libro en formato físico que tengo de Murder, She Wrote y decidí elegirlo con una premisa navideña para hacer una lectura por estas fechas (sí, estamos a día 3 de enero pero hasta el día 6 para mí, y muchos españoles, no termina la Navidad). La lástima es que tuve que comprarlo en formato de bolsillo. Como punto positivo, es muy cómodo de leer pese al tamaño porque el lomo es muy flexible. Letra de tamaño medio. Por supuesto, en su idioma original, inglés. La ilustración de la cubierta no me convence pero qué se le va a hacer. Aún así me hace mucha ilusión tenerlo. La edición es de Signet, publicada por primera vez en el año 1998.
June 3, 2015
I have great memories of enjoying the Murder, She Wrote TV series, but I haven't seen it in over 10 years. So it's possible that this book is true to the series, and I'm just not remembering how incredibly dull it was.
Because that's what this is: dull. For a book about murder, there is surprisingly (and sadly) very little detective work or action. Jessica Fletcher occasionally pokes her nose into other people's business and learns something, but it's amidst the play-by-play of her life:
Thank goodness we know exactly how she prepares her food.
How people prepare food is kind of a running theme. A very boring one.
The writing is just dry and boring. I didn't get much sense of the supposed writer's personality, and there often were no descriptors with dialog between characters. It was as if someone were telling the story in a slow monotone.
She ends up getting the sheriff a cribbage board, "making sure that none of the inlaid pieces on the board of the pegs themselves were green," in case you were wondering.
There's no tension. I want don't gore and lots of drama, but when you reach the climax of a story and it feels exactly the same as the rest of the story, something's wrong.
Because that's what this is: dull. For a book about murder, there is surprisingly (and sadly) very little detective work or action. Jessica Fletcher occasionally pokes her nose into other people's business and learns something, but it's amidst the play-by-play of her life:
Happy to be home and away from the subject of murder and murderers, I placed water, two bay leaves, and a splash of white wine in the bottom of a very large lobster pot and put it on the stove. When it started to send up steam, I dumped in the clams. In the ten minutes it took for them to open, I melted some butter, cut off two pieces of crunchy French bread, and settled down at my kitchen table for one of my favorite meals.
Thank goodness we know exactly how she prepares her food.
Our hosts parboiled the oysters in their own juices, washed them in warm water, dried them, seasoned them with pepper, nutmeg, yolks of hard eggs, and salt, and wrapped them in a wonderful homemade piecrust, and baked them in the oven. It was a superb entree; everything else served was on the same level of excellence.
How people prepare food is kind of a running theme. A very boring one.
Although my doctor friend wasn't a particularly creative chef, he always did nicely with basic dishes. After scallops wrapped in bacon as an appetizer, we went on to a hearty navy bean soup, followed by what Seth insists is an original recipe--creamed crab meat on freshly baked waffles, a combination I never would have thought of, but admit is delicious--and filling.
The writing is just dry and boring. I didn't get much sense of the supposed writer's personality, and there often were no descriptors with dialog between characters. It was as if someone were telling the story in a slow monotone.
In previous years, when I'd been away from Cabot Cove in the days leading up to Christmas, I'd done my shopping in big cities like New York or London. Shopping for gits in Cabot Cove would be a welcome deviation from that pattern, and I looked forward to it. With only a few exceptions, Cabot Cove's shopkeepers are extremely pleasant and helpful. Not only do they offer an array or interesting and useful gifts, there is psychic satisfaction from buying locally and supporting their efforts.
She ends up getting the sheriff a cribbage board, "making sure that none of the inlaid pieces on the board of the pegs themselves were green," in case you were wondering.
There's no tension. I want don't gore and lots of drama, but when you reach the climax of a story and it feels exactly the same as the rest of the story, something's wrong.
July 16, 2021
4 stars for this Christmas story
This story starts off ok then kind of spins it’s wheels about half way, but then the writer found themselves and the story finally took off. Was very nice in the end. A few curve balls you didn’t see coming, and was neat ( for me) to figure out the killer before Jessica did. And in the end Christmas Spirit was still alive and well in Cabot Cove.
As in all these books they are stand alones but if you can read in order you get to know people and places etc making it more familiar/ homey to the reader. Also like in them all there is no sexual references or language so I can recommend this book to anyone who wants a good book
This story starts off ok then kind of spins it’s wheels about half way, but then the writer found themselves and the story finally took off. Was very nice in the end. A few curve balls you didn’t see coming, and was neat ( for me) to figure out the killer before Jessica did. And in the end Christmas Spirit was still alive and well in Cabot Cove.
As in all these books they are stand alones but if you can read in order you get to know people and places etc making it more familiar/ homey to the reader. Also like in them all there is no sexual references or language so I can recommend this book to anyone who wants a good book
January 5, 2022
There’s literally nothing better than Cabot Cove in the Winter. Gosh I love that setting more than anything. Even though the mystery was an easy one to figure out this time around, I still loved seeing Jessica search for clues and flit around town talking to the locals.
May 26, 2020
This book...it is not festive.
I was hoping to be brought into a Christmas-sy Cabot Cove but there isn't really any mention of Christmas, it is actually set a little before. Which in fact is in line with my reading, since I picked this up in February.
It was very cosy, but a bit...meh. Still a three star book but it lacked something. Maybe I am not a fan of Jessica's novels set in Cabot Cove, or maybe I didn't really like the families' troubles and members, but this one just wasn't one of my favourites.
I was hoping to be brought into a Christmas-sy Cabot Cove but there isn't really any mention of Christmas, it is actually set a little before. Which in fact is in line with my reading, since I picked this up in February.
It was very cosy, but a bit...meh. Still a three star book but it lacked something. Maybe I am not a fan of Jessica's novels set in Cabot Cove, or maybe I didn't really like the families' troubles and members, but this one just wasn't one of my favourites.
May 17, 2021
We’ve been binge watching the entire Murder She Wrote series so thought it would be a good time to read this one. It’s based on all the same characters but was luckily not an episode from the series and was all new to me. I love all those characters and the interactions they have with the town folk. I had the murderer down to one of two people but didn’t quite narrow it down enough to put a finger in whodunit. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t overly Christmassy as sometimes those types of tales get a little too sickly sweet.
December 17, 2023
The pacing was SO SLOW with this one. It normally takes me one or two days to read a Murder, She Wrote, but this one took me a week because while I was busy, I also didn’t feel like picking it up. It was also pretty depressing for one of the ones set around Christmas.
The whole town believes Jake Walther, a poor farmer with a nasty reputation, killed Rory Brent, a rich farmer who played Santa Claus at the yearly festival. Almost the whole book passes without any progress on the case one way or the other, and it’s not until the last 60-70 pages that the pace picks up.
The whole town believes Jake Walther, a poor farmer with a nasty reputation, killed Rory Brent, a rich farmer who played Santa Claus at the yearly festival. Almost the whole book passes without any progress on the case one way or the other, and it’s not until the last 60-70 pages that the pace picks up.
December 18, 2017
Being in Cabot Cove at Christmas time is a treat. I always enjoy a good mystery set at Christmas. Plenty of Christmas and Maine small town atmosphere.
Unfortunately the mystery was a bit simple, red herrings and suspect pool rather weak.
Guessing the murdered too easy.
More upsetting were the outdated views on sexual assault.
Unfortunately the mystery was a bit simple, red herrings and suspect pool rather weak.
Guessing the murdered too easy.
More upsetting were the outdated views on sexual assault.
January 6, 2019
Another great murder mystery from Jessica Fletcher. Really enjoyed this book and all the suspense and wondering who did it for a long time. Who killed the man that played Santa every year in the yearly Christmas eve celebration? It may be a surprise for many since one person keep getting convicted. Did the sheriff arrest the wrong person. Hope you enjoy this book like I did.
March 22, 2021
You can read my full review at: https://strangersights.com/murder-she...
You might be wondering – how did the book stack up to the show? Was it just as good? Was it like watching an episode of Murder, She Wrote?
A resounding ‘not really’ to both questions.
You might be wondering – how did the book stack up to the show? Was it just as good? Was it like watching an episode of Murder, She Wrote?
A resounding ‘not really’ to both questions.
April 9, 2021
This one was pretty good, and it's got everything you would want in a cozy little Christmas mystery. I didn't suspect the killer, so that was a surprise, but I did feel like the ending didn't quite pack the punch that I'd hoped for while reading.
Still, I love "Murder, She Wrote," so I'll be reading more of the series.
Still, I love "Murder, She Wrote," so I'll be reading more of the series.
April 17, 2021
It is three weeks before Christmas in Cabot Cove, and the man who plays Santa is murdered. The obvious choice of murderer, an unpopular farmer, is not Jessica's choice, so she jumps into the fray to solve the mystery. I love visiting with Jess, Seth, Mort, and their charming town, especially at Christmas. And the new Santa is an unexpected selection! Fun read!
April 17, 2017
I wished I had timed this better and read it over the Christmas holiday. Oh well, I love J.B. Fletcher any time of year! My only regret is that I did not count how many cups of tea Jessica had. That woman must have a savage bladder.
June 28, 2018
It's Christmas time in Cabot Cove and Jess is home this holiday season. When the local man who has played Santa for the last few years is murdered, Jess can't help but investigate. When secrets come out everyone finds out that "Santa" wasn't as nice as he seemed.
Another fantastic story!!
Another fantastic story!!
January 2, 2019
“We don’t have many murders here in Cabot Cove.”
I love these Jessica Fletcher mysteries but I had to laugh when Jessica says that line above. Cabot Cove has lots of murders and Jessica should know this as she’s the intrepid sleuth who solves them.
I love these Jessica Fletcher mysteries but I had to laugh when Jessica says that line above. Cabot Cove has lots of murders and Jessica should know this as she’s the intrepid sleuth who solves them.
December 16, 2020
Jessica Fletcher writing some murder = my appt place. Add a holiday theme and voila seasonal mystery. I enjoy reading these episodes. I am old at heart so I love her narration and I plan to retire to Cabot Cove (even though it doesn’t exist) so it is good to be familiar with the town.
May 16, 2021
It s a rare Christmas that Jessica is home but she is this yr. Unfortunely someone has murder the town Santa. With the Christmas festival coming up and one of her favorite students father under suspension of murder what can Jessica do but jump in to help
June 21, 2021
The Murder, She Wrote books are much like the TV show was: entertaining, predictable.
This one disappointed me in the sense that there were quite a few grammar mistakes. Irritating. Enough for me to be irritated, anyway.
This one disappointed me in the sense that there were quite a few grammar mistakes. Irritating. Enough for me to be irritated, anyway.
June 24, 2021
I enjoyed this one very much. A few little details bothered me, that's the reason for four stars. I also got the murderer wrong as I usually do with the Murder, She Wrote series. I will definitely be reading more books from this series.
April 12, 2013
Not bad... I hate it when people Jessica knows are guilty, even if justifiably so.
April 11, 2017
Overall, wasn't a bad book. Would recommend it.
October 10, 2017
Another great mystery!
It read well and quick. Easy to follow and enjoyable as always. Just enough clues to follow and solve the mystery alongside Jessica Fletcher.
It read well and quick. Easy to follow and enjoyable as always. Just enough clues to follow and solve the mystery alongside Jessica Fletcher.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews