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Murder, She Wrote #15
Blood on the Vine
There's a victim in the vineyard. Or is the person in the castle next door?
Jessica Fletcher is visiting Napa Valley wine country in California while doing research for her next book and invites her old friend, Scotland Yard detective George Sutherland to join her at a cozy bed and breakfast. Just friends mind you. No sooner do they arrive than they find the valley abuzz over the murder of a waiter at the restaurant owned by infamous, ex-Hollywood power figure, Bill Ladington. His blatant womanizing and involvement in a bitter vineyard land dispute have already marked him as a dubious character - and a possible suspect.
But when Ladington turns up dead from a supposed suicide, Jessica knows that a murderer is on the loose. With help from George, she must try and bottle up a motive for murder from an extensive list of less-than-vintage suspects!
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 visiting Napa Valley wine country in California while doing research for her next book and invites her old friend, Scotland Yard detective George Sutherland to join her at a cozy bed and breakfast. Just friends mind you. No sooner do they arrive than they find the valley abuzz over the murder of a waiter at the restaurant owned by infamous, ex-Hollywood power figure, Bill Ladington. His blatant womanizing and involvement in a bitter vineyard land dispute have already marked him as a dubious character - and a possible suspect.
But when Ladington turns up dead from a supposed suicide, Jessica knows that a murderer is on the loose. With help from George, she must try and bottle up a motive for murder from an extensive list of less-than-vintage suspects!
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.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2001
168 people are currently reading
898 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Fletcher
115 books1,060 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 75 reviews
September 28, 2025
3 Stars. Blood on the Vine isn't the chardonnay which wins the gold medal; it more closely resembles the many good ones needed to fill out the competition. Don't make a mistake. Some MSW entries are better than just "worth reading." Perhaps I'm too critical or too easy but, of the nineteen I've read, five have ranked 4 or 5 Stars. The rest? Three - good. Jessica Fletcher is attending a wine-tasting class in Cabot Cove. One of the wines she and Seth Hazlitt have been learning about is Ladington Creek from Napa Valley, California. Bill Ladington is the former movie producer with such a terrible reputation. Jess asks if he is still alive! Then a coincidence, don't such things always happen in MSW, two former Cabot Cove-ers have set up a B&B in Napa and they invite Jess to visit. Ladington's winery is nearby! Here's another; Jessica's more-than-a-friend-but-less-than-a-boyfriend Inspector George Sutherland from London is in San Francisco at the same time! She asks him about spending a few days at the B&B. Platonic of course. They soon meet Ladington and the many others who seem to hate him. Shortly afterwards, he's found dead. Murder? (Oc2022/Se2025)
October 10, 2022
An entertaining who-dun-it. Jessica and her friend George rom Scotland Yard meet in Napa Valley for what they hope will be a relaxing week. It's interrupted by the murder of a cantankerous winemaker at his vineyard home- Laddington Castle. It has all the ins and outs of a "Murder She Wrote" mystery. I could picture the face of "Jessica Fletcher" from the TV show as I read it. BTW, in real life Dame Angela Lansbury will celebrate her 97th birthday on 16 October 2022... in just a few days of this review.
October 24, 2017
As per usual, I enjoy reading Murder she Wrote books. This book, Blood on the Vine, is no exception. It's a good story - I'd say average. Jessica again gets involved with solving a murder while trying to relax with a special friend in Napa Valley. I don't know why, but these books (and the TV shows) are calming on my nerves and that really came in handy this time while going thru family sorrow - the passing of a loved one.
March 7, 2018
Just like the television series. Bain manages to capture the essence of each character just as originally created. The reader feels as if she is right there with Jessica from start to finish. It’s alwYs a challenge to solve her mysteries because there is usually some sort of little twist along the way. And that is the hallmark of a good book —- the characters carry you away with them on all their adventures.
February 19, 2023
Sometimes you just have to go back to your roots..and read what you love. This particular paperback was given to my late great grandmother by my mother, and this type of book is one thing I enjoyed in common with my beloved great grandmother. A classic “there’s a body in the mansion” with a cast of suspects kind of story has been weaved with California wine country setting, I had fun guessing whodunnit along the way.
August 26, 2025
I really wanted to like this book as it contained so many elements I like about the series: a trip to California wine country with many locations and restaurants described in great detail; George Sutherland accompanies Jessica on her trip; a good array of characters. But something fell flat, mostly because the bulk of the characters were supremely unlikeable. The murderer was easily guessed from the get go, as was the reason why Jessica’s writer friend - perpetually hard up for money - is suddenly flush with cash. No surprises, except for George being unusually ineffective and passive.
September 21, 2023
Stars: 3 / 5
Recommendation: It is a decent read that looks simple and easy murder to solve, but we get to see how horrible and cruel one can be towards your own family and friends, and even betrays them. The final chapters were more chilling than the entire plot.
Blood on the Vine is the 15th novel in the long-running Murder She Wrote series co-written by Donald Bain & fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. It was first published on April 1, 2001. Jessica heads to the wine country in San Francisco for researching for her next book. And again she gets caught in a murder mystery. However this time the Scotland Yard Chief Inspector George Sutherland is right beside her helping her solve the crime.
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 before Jon Land alone 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 and Jessica are reunited for the entire plot this time. In fact, George helps her in the investigation of the murders. Interesting to see that even though Jessica denies about any romance between them, there is apparent attraction that neither can deny. I hope one of the 56 books so far written has at least made them a couple.
Finally we see Jessica taking flying lessons and in fact she gets private pilot's license too in this book. We also get to ride along with Jessica seeing San Francisco and Napa Valley through her eyes and learn a lot about the buildings and history behind some of them.
I found Sherriff Davis's character really off-putting. He behaved as though he was the owner of Ladington house as opposed to being a Sherriff. That was why perhaps I considered him as one of the suspects who had gotten away with the murders. But later he looked more helpful though.
The whole episode of George getting hurt seemed unnecessary. The author could have omitted that and have George and Jessica working together on the murder. With George laid down it falls on Jessica's shoulders to do her sleuthing alone. So what was the need of George here other than to keep stressing on their romance that they deny.
It is a decent read that looks simple and easy murder to solve, but we get to see how horrible and cruel one can be towards your own family and friends, and even betrays them. The final chapters were more chilling than the entire plot.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. William "Bill" Ladington's family and staff, owns Ladington Crreek and a person embroiled in one conspiracy after the other: Raoul Sebastian, driver; Robert Jenkins, Ladington's neighbor; Bruce, Ladington's son; Laura, Bruce's wife; Wade Grosso, vineyard manager; Tennessee, Ladington's eighth wife; Roger Stockdale, business manager; Consuela and her husband Fidel, work around Ladington house; Nick Potmos, chef at Ladington's restaurant; Mercedes, cook; Willy, security;
b. Other characters of interest: Marsha Monroe, executive at St. Francis Hotel; Margaret and Craig Sansdell, owners of Cedar Gables Inn; Barbara, manager at Cedar Gables Inn; ; Winston Wallace, reporter; Edith Saison and her lover Yves LeGrand, Ladington's new partners; Sherriff Davis; Mary Jane Proll, waitress; Bill Ayala, Medical Examiner;
c. The puffer fish poison reminded me of a Columbo (https://galavantreflections.com/tag/c...) episode from Season 7, Episode 22, Murder Under Glass. The key murder weapon is puffer fish poison here too.
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;
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;
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. 29, Margaret actually gets irked by the reporter Winston Wallace and calls him "That devil". But on Pg. 129, Jessica calls Margaret and Winston to be friends. That is contradictory for sure.
b. On Pg. 196, Line 10 from bottom, a missing opening quote before "Mr. Ladington".
Recommendation: It is a decent read that looks simple and easy murder to solve, but we get to see how horrible and cruel one can be towards your own family and friends, and even betrays them. The final chapters were more chilling than the entire plot.
Blood on the Vine is the 15th novel in the long-running Murder She Wrote series co-written by Donald Bain & fictional writer Jessica Fletcher. It was first published on April 1, 2001. Jessica heads to the wine country in San Francisco for researching for her next book. And again she gets caught in a murder mystery. However this time the Scotland Yard Chief Inspector George Sutherland is right beside her helping her solve the crime.
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 before Jon Land alone 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 and Jessica are reunited for the entire plot this time. In fact, George helps her in the investigation of the murders. Interesting to see that even though Jessica denies about any romance between them, there is apparent attraction that neither can deny. I hope one of the 56 books so far written has at least made them a couple.
Finally we see Jessica taking flying lessons and in fact she gets private pilot's license too in this book. We also get to ride along with Jessica seeing San Francisco and Napa Valley through her eyes and learn a lot about the buildings and history behind some of them.
I found Sherriff Davis's character really off-putting. He behaved as though he was the owner of Ladington house as opposed to being a Sherriff. That was why perhaps I considered him as one of the suspects who had gotten away with the murders. But later he looked more helpful though.
The whole episode of George getting hurt seemed unnecessary. The author could have omitted that and have George and Jessica working together on the murder. With George laid down it falls on Jessica's shoulders to do her sleuthing alone. So what was the need of George here other than to keep stressing on their romance that they deny.
It is a decent read that looks simple and easy murder to solve, but we get to see how horrible and cruel one can be towards your own family and friends, and even betrays them. The final chapters were more chilling than the entire plot.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. William "Bill" Ladington's family and staff, owns Ladington Crreek and a person embroiled in one conspiracy after the other: Raoul Sebastian, driver; Robert Jenkins, Ladington's neighbor; Bruce, Ladington's son; Laura, Bruce's wife; Wade Grosso, vineyard manager; Tennessee, Ladington's eighth wife; Roger Stockdale, business manager; Consuela and her husband Fidel, work around Ladington house; Nick Potmos, chef at Ladington's restaurant; Mercedes, cook; Willy, security;
b. Other characters of interest: Marsha Monroe, executive at St. Francis Hotel; Margaret and Craig Sansdell, owners of Cedar Gables Inn; Barbara, manager at Cedar Gables Inn; ; Winston Wallace, reporter; Edith Saison and her lover Yves LeGrand, Ladington's new partners; Sherriff Davis; Mary Jane Proll, waitress; Bill Ayala, Medical Examiner;
c. The puffer fish poison reminded me of a Columbo (https://galavantreflections.com/tag/c...) episode from Season 7, Episode 22, Murder Under Glass. The key murder weapon is puffer fish poison here too.
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;
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;
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. 29, Margaret actually gets irked by the reporter Winston Wallace and calls him "That devil". But on Pg. 129, Jessica calls Margaret and Winston to be friends. That is contradictory for sure.
b. On Pg. 196, Line 10 from bottom, a missing opening quote before "Mr. Ladington".
March 14, 2023
Cozy like the tv show
November 23, 2013
For the Murder, She Wrote book series, this one wasn't too bad, although it did seem to take a long time to wrap up.
Jessica wants to research winemaking in Napa Valley for a future novel, and she agrees to meet up with her Scotland Yard friend George Southerland for a vacation. The recent murder of a waiter has made waves in the region, and former movie producer, now wine producer Bill Ladington, is rumored to have had the waiter killed. Ladington approaches Jessica to write his biography, and even though Jessica is less than thrilled at such a prospect, when Ladington turns up dead of an apparent suicide, Jessica and George investigate.
A little less of the "You're a famous mystery writer! I love your books!" would be nice.
Despite the insistence of describing Jessica's meals, the author has little imagination when it comes to food.
On a related note, several characters had "Ugh! It's so strange... and dangerous. I never eat that sort of thing" reactions to sushi, which I (a non-sushi eater) found a bit silly. What made it even more funny was that an ex-cop went on into a monologue about marijuana and claimed that "everyone smokes weed now and then," but Jessica barely reacted to this strange assertion. So everybody tokes, but nobody experiments with food? Ooooooo-kay, then.
One of the characters also made a comment that the term "dating" is so old-fashioned, and then went on to use "heavy" in the 1960's slang sense of the word, and also referred to "uppers." Hehe.
The goody-two-shoes-ness of Jessica wasn't so bad in this one (she even deigned to drink alcohol!), but her insistence that nothing romantic was going on between her and George was a waste of space. It strikes me as silly that she would have to pretend to be so pure when obviously she and George are in love with each other. A little bit of the insistence would have been cute, but it crossed the line and became annoying.
Not too bad, but long. The unintentional humor was good, though.
Jessica wants to research winemaking in Napa Valley for a future novel, and she agrees to meet up with her Scotland Yard friend George Southerland for a vacation. The recent murder of a waiter has made waves in the region, and former movie producer, now wine producer Bill Ladington, is rumored to have had the waiter killed. Ladington approaches Jessica to write his biography, and even though Jessica is less than thrilled at such a prospect, when Ladington turns up dead of an apparent suicide, Jessica and George investigate.
A little less of the "You're a famous mystery writer! I love your books!" would be nice.
Despite the insistence of describing Jessica's meals, the author has little imagination when it comes to food.
On a related note, several characters had "Ugh! It's so strange... and dangerous. I never eat that sort of thing" reactions to sushi, which I (a non-sushi eater) found a bit silly. What made it even more funny was that an ex-cop went on into a monologue about marijuana and claimed that "everyone smokes weed now and then," but Jessica barely reacted to this strange assertion. So everybody tokes, but nobody experiments with food? Ooooooo-kay, then.
One of the characters also made a comment that the term "dating" is so old-fashioned, and then went on to use "heavy" in the 1960's slang sense of the word, and also referred to "uppers." Hehe.
The goody-two-shoes-ness of Jessica wasn't so bad in this one (she even deigned to drink alcohol!), but her insistence that nothing romantic was going on between her and George was a waste of space. It strikes me as silly that she would have to pretend to be so pure when obviously she and George are in love with each other. A little bit of the insistence would have been cute, but it crossed the line and became annoying.
Not too bad, but long. The unintentional humor was good, though.
January 19, 2023
Jessica travels to California to visit friends that own a B&B in Napa valley. While there, the owner of a neighboring vineyard is murdered. The victim's son enlists Jessica's aid in finding out who killed his father. Jessica's friend, George, a detective in Scotland Yard, joins her in California and together they try to find the killer.
July 15, 2024
"Blood on the Vine," the fifteenth installment in the *Murder, She Wrote* series, is an enjoyable read with an intriguing setting in Napa Valley. The picturesque vineyards of Napa provide a rich backdrop for the mystery, adding a unique flavor to the story.
In this book, we continue to witness significant character growth, particularly with Jessica Fletcher and George Sutherland, who can be seen as this book’s version of Holmes and Watson, though with romantic undertones. Their evolving relationship adds depth and charm to the narrative.
The variety of characters in this story reminded me of a game of Clue, with different suspects and motives keeping me guessing until the end. The diverse directions the plot took ensured a satisfying and unpredictable conclusion.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this installment and would place it in the upper echelon of the *Murder, She Wrote* series. It's a must-read for fans who appreciate a well-crafted mystery with engaging characters and a captivating setting.
In this book, we continue to witness significant character growth, particularly with Jessica Fletcher and George Sutherland, who can be seen as this book’s version of Holmes and Watson, though with romantic undertones. Their evolving relationship adds depth and charm to the narrative.
The variety of characters in this story reminded me of a game of Clue, with different suspects and motives keeping me guessing until the end. The diverse directions the plot took ensured a satisfying and unpredictable conclusion.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this installment and would place it in the upper echelon of the *Murder, She Wrote* series. It's a must-read for fans who appreciate a well-crafted mystery with engaging characters and a captivating setting.
July 23, 2021
Jessica goes to California, to a vineyard. The owner, once a successful movie producer, now grows vine successfully too. There has been a murder of someone in his restaurant. He too is murdered soon after Jessica arrives. The murderers were his son, whose wife was pregnant by his father, and the father's wife, who along with his business manager (?) poisoned him with fugu fish toxin. He died from poisoning and from being pushed by his son into a moat at his residence. To Jessica's trip goes as well George her Scotland Yard inspector friend. As well, another one of her friends is found out to have delivered illegal drugs.
I can't quite say why I only gave this book three stars. It's similar to the others I have read from the series, I just somehow enjoyed it less.
Anyhow, a solid book.
I can't quite say why I only gave this book three stars. It's similar to the others I have read from the series, I just somehow enjoyed it less.
Anyhow, a solid book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2019
The Murder She Wrote series on TV was one of those special past times that I shared with my Kocum. As I got older the novels presented another way to have that cozy comforting feeling from times gone. I never read them in order but just when the mood or need strikes me. This was one a good one but I would have to say not on my list of the better ones. Jessica Fletcher and her knack of getting wrapped into a murder investigation was expected but the backdrop was described in wonderful detail. The cast of the Ladington mansion were people who leave an unpleasant impression as a whole but Jessica does not fail to brighten the pages. A great way to spend the afternoon or a weekend in the wine country of California.
July 9, 2020
This was probably one of my favourite novels of this series. What I look for in these books is some fun, light story with a nice mystery that Jessica investigates on.
And here I got it. We are in Napa, where I have never been, and it was nice to visit it thought the book.
I still don't care much for Sutherland, Jessica didn't need a love interest, especially since they are not involved in a romantic way. He also spent much time in bed, so why even add him in? Since Jessica could conduct the investigation without.
As for the mystery, there was a good quantity, Jessica spoke with many people and was nosing around much more than in previous books. I liked the resolution too, and the way the killer acted.
And here I got it. We are in Napa, where I have never been, and it was nice to visit it thought the book.
I still don't care much for Sutherland, Jessica didn't need a love interest, especially since they are not involved in a romantic way. He also spent much time in bed, so why even add him in? Since Jessica could conduct the investigation without.
As for the mystery, there was a good quantity, Jessica spoke with many people and was nosing around much more than in previous books. I liked the resolution too, and the way the killer acted.
September 10, 2020
So “Murder, She Wrote,” the show and this book series, is a guilty pleasure of mine. I enjoy a cozy mystery and I’ve read these books since the 90s (which tells you exactly the kind of kid I was). They’re structured just like expanded episodes of the show. This one lands Jessica in a Napa Valley winery known for its Cabernet Sauvignon. If you want a mystery that doesn’t require too much effort, there are lots of books in this series and they’re easy to find on bargain tables and in used bookshops for next to nothing.
June 18, 2022
Murder She Wrote mysteries are comfort reads for me and we can all agree the comfort is what needed these days. I’m reading one a month so finished book 15, Murder on the Vine at the end of May.
What’s comforting about these reads?
They all follow a formula and the predictability of that formula soothes my soul.
Despite the formula, I am usually guessing until the end.
Jessica typically travels during the novel and mentions many real places (which allows for some fun googling on my part–a little armchair travel).
They remind me of watching the TV show with my grandmother.
What’s comforting about these reads?
They all follow a formula and the predictability of that formula soothes my soul.
Despite the formula, I am usually guessing until the end.
Jessica typically travels during the novel and mentions many real places (which allows for some fun googling on my part–a little armchair travel).
They remind me of watching the TV show with my grandmother.
July 4, 2015
Jessica has been thinking about using a vineyard as the setting for her next novel, so when a friend calls and invites her to Napa Valley she quickly agrees to go. She also finds that an old friend of hers from Scotland Yard is giving a talk in San Francisco so invites him to join her when he is done in SF. Of course, they find themselves embroiled in a suicide(?)/murder case at one of the major vineyards. Good for an entertaining few hours.
April 10, 2018
The Murder, She Wrote books are consistent and predictable, but a nice, relaxing read. In this one, Jessica Fletcher is visiting friends in Napa Valley, Calif. A former mover producer and wine maker invites her to visit him. The next morning he is found dead of an apparent suicide. His son thinks it is murder and gets Jessica to stay with him and investigate. Lots of suspects.
The Murder, She Wrote books are consistent, but fun to read. Good to relax and escape with.
The Murder, She Wrote books are consistent, but fun to read. Good to relax and escape with.
September 13, 2020
I enjoyed the setting and the mystery kept me guessing. It's a real testament to the strength of this series that I never get tried of it. This one in particular got me through an overnight train trip.
We talked about this and other books we read in one sitting over on the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/ep...
We talked about this and other books we read in one sitting over on the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/ep...
March 25, 2019
I'm kind of sad to mark this as abandoned, I was well over half way through but then my ereader crapped out and forgot where I was. It jumped me all the way back to page forty. At that point I decided to drop it, I can't keep going, it was a slog. Maybe it's because I've been reading it a few pages at a time over three months, who knows maybe I'll pick it back up someday.
June 23, 2019
Probably 2-1/2 stars for me. Not crazy about the writing style here, and there were things which happened which made no sense to me, including a few things about the ending. But I got a kick out of Jessica’s relationship with George.
Not my favorite mystery, but I might try one more from the series since so many people have loved Jessica Fletcher for so many years.
Not my favorite mystery, but I might try one more from the series since so many people have loved Jessica Fletcher for so many years.
July 10, 2019
Jess 👩 heads to wine 🍷country to do research for a new book📙. Unfortunately she finds herself investigating 🔎 two murders. But as luck 🍀 would have it she has a very special friend along to help her investigate, George Sutherland👨. There are a few quirky twists and turns and a couple of questions ❓ we never get answers to but it was still a really good story.
November 17, 2021
A fun, cheeky book with our lady Jessica Fletcher! Quick read, we’ll paced with a small twist in The Who-Done-It realm but good character and environment building.
I’d definitely read more in this series, especially on vacation or over a weekend. Doesn’t take itself too seriously and was quite a fun/quick read.
I’d definitely read more in this series, especially on vacation or over a weekend. Doesn’t take itself too seriously and was quite a fun/quick read.
October 19, 2023
I loved this one, especially since George Sutherland shows up here. I love when he and Jessica are working/spending time together.
As for the story itself, it was a pretty simple cozy mystery. It was a "locked door" sort of story. I still didn't know who the killer was, but that's nothing unusual for me!
If you're a fan of Jessica Fletcher and cozy mysteries, I always recommend these!
As for the story itself, it was a pretty simple cozy mystery. It was a "locked door" sort of story. I still didn't know who the killer was, but that's nothing unusual for me!
If you're a fan of Jessica Fletcher and cozy mysteries, I always recommend these!
February 10, 2015
My fourth MSW book of the series. This one seemed to be a bit more complex, with more than one sub plot going on. I actually figured out who the killer was this time, and that just about never happens. An enjoyable, quick read.
January 10, 2020
This book was very informative about wind production in Californis and delves into the mind of a 'guilty' person who could have easily gotten away with murder. A puzzling scenario that both Jessica and George solved. What a vacation
February 13, 2018
Typical Murder Mystery
No surprises, very predictable Murder She Wrote. Entertaining with enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. Not a great read bit certainly easy to read and informative about wine production.
No surprises, very predictable Murder She Wrote. Entertaining with enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. Not a great read bit certainly easy to read and informative about wine production.
February 28, 2018
The Jessica Fletcher books are charming, if somewhat predictable. Jessica has a penchant for describing clothing choice, dinner selections, and the background history of places she goes. The solutions to the two mysteries presented were a bit unsatisfying. Nevertheless, a pleasant read.
June 22, 2018
Picked this book up because I'm a huge fan of the tv show. I have spent many a sick day marathoning Murder, She Wrote. It was an easy read and had the flair of the show but nothing to "write home about". Pacing was decent but the characters were stereotypes. It was okay.
November 27, 2018
Always good comfort food. I grab these puppies any time Bookbub tells me one's available for $1.99, vs the regular price of $7. Got to act fast. The price jumps back up, often the very next day. Always takes me back to the old show with Angela Lansbury. And where is the flaw in that?
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