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Murder, She Wrote Challenge: Marta
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Murder, She Wrote is a series of crime fiction and detective novels by Jessica Fletcher of Cabot Cove. She went to college at the Harrison College in Green Falls, New Hampshire, from where she graduated with a degree in journalism. After graduation, she decided to take up a job as a substitute English teacher. She interned at the Appleton Theater for a while and it was while she was working there that she met Frank Fletcher, a United States Air Force Captain that she went on to marry. They have no children of their own but they adopted Grady their nephew, who they raised as their won after his parents perished in an automobile accident. Following the death of her husband Frank, she wrote “The Corpse Danced At Midnight”, which her nephew found and showed to his girlfriend. She had it published by Coventry House who loved it so much that they published it, marking the start of Jessica’s career as an author. In the course of publishing, she would soon be drawn into the intrigues of a homicide that led her to quit Coventry House. During the intervening period, she published with other houses and did other things including serving in the US House of Representative for Maine. Seven years after the publication of the debut novel, she moved to New York where she went back to teaching Creative Writing and Criminology. While she has established herself as an internationally known sleuth, she still continues to publish novels.
The Murder, She Wrote series of novels by Jessica Fletcher was borne from a TV series by the same name that aired on the CBS Network between 1984 and 1996. Jessica Fletcher the author of the novels and lead character in the series was played by Angela Lansbury. The light-hearted series of novels are cozy mysteries set in Cabot Cove, where Jessica Fletcher the amateur sleuth goes about solving a range of homicides. Jessica is a widowed, childless and retired English teacher that became a successful writer of mystery novels. It all began with a small old Royal typewriter but over time and as she became more successful, she moved to a computer that runs on Windows 3.1. While she has amassed quite the fortune, she loves her small coastal community of Cabot Cove in Maine and never wants to leave. She has never let her success go to her head and has kept in touch with all her old friends that she has known since her teaching days. She counts among her friends multi-millionaires with private planes, as well as homeless people with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Nowadays she works as an amateur sleuth occupied in unraveling homicide cases in her small town. While she prefers to work as JB Fletcher both in her writing career and sleuthing work, she increasingly finds that her personal life and work often overlap.
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In order to skip a task, you will need to read any book in the Murder, She Wrote Series. Just list SKIP as the task in your completion post.
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Jessica Fletcher is off to London to deliver the keynote address at a mystery writers convention. She's also looking forward to seeing her mentor, Marjorie Ainsworth, who will be hosting a party at her country estate to celebrate her latest book. Marjorie is the grand dame of mystery writing but she's in frail health.
The routine business trip for Jessica becomes murderous--when she discovers Marjorie stabbed to death in her own bedroom.
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book set in London.
b. Read a book with a female MC.
c. Read a book where the MC is a writer.
d. Read the first book in a series.
Prompt #: 1: Gin & Daggers
Book: Shelter
Author: Harlan Coben
Date Read: 17/08
Pages: 288
Task: Read the first book in a series
How it Fits: "Shelter" is the first book in a series about Micky Bolitar
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The "USA Today" bestselling "Murder, She Wrote" mystery series continues as Jessica Fletcher learns that Manhattan is murder at Christmastime...
Promoting her latest book brings bestselling mystery writer Jessica Fletcher to New York for Christmas. Her schedule includes book signings, restaurants, department stores...and murder?
It all begins with a sidewalk Santa staring at Jessica with fear and recognition. Behind the beard is Waldo Morse, former drug smuggler and the most notorious citizen of Cabot Cove, Maine. Jessica hasn't a clue as to how he ended up as a street corner Saint Nick, but she agrees to meet him at two o'clock the next day.
Jessica shows up with her camera, but in no time at all Santa is dead. While the police are strangely slow on their feet, and the dead man's wife uncommonly fast on the run, Jessica decides to do what she does best: strategically snoop around and graciously outwit the pros on both sides of the law.
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book set in New York City.
b. Read a book with an alliterative title where the first letter of each word is the same.
c. Read a book where someone dresses up in any kind of costume.
d. Read a book with a skull on the cover.
Prompt #: Manhattans & Murder
Book: Miłosna zagrywka
Author: Poppy J. Anderson
Date Read: 24/8
Pages: 365
Task: Read a book set in New York City.
How it Fits: The action takes place in New York
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Jessica is on vacation in St. Thomas in the Caribbean when she discovers the corpse of hotel owner Walter Marschalk. The island police suspect a hot-tempered ex-employee, but cool-headed Jessica sets out to discover who's the real serpent in Eden.
The water's lovely; the scenery's gorgeous, but trouble is waiting for Jessica in paradise.
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book where the MC lives on or vacations at a beach.
b. Read a book published in the 1990s.
c. Read a book with one single person on the cover.
d. Read a book where the author's first and last initial are found in CARIBBEAN.
Prompt #3: Rum & Razors
Book: Love Life
Author: Zeruya Shalev
Date Read: 1/9
Pages: 292
Task: Read a book published in the 1990s.
How it Fits: The book was published in 1997.
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Jessica Fletcher must catch an artistic killer in this mystery in the "USA Today" bestselling "Murder, She Wrote" series.
Cabot Cove in Maine has a cozy country luncheonette, but not much high culture. Mystery author Jessica Fletcher is the only writer in town, but the renovation of the local Worrell mansion into an art colony may bring scores of artistic people to C.C. No one, however, expected a creative killer.
The posh retreat offers struggling artists a European spa, psychiatry, and even hypnotism. But soon the retreat begins to look like a health hazard. In quick succession, a suicide attempt and a brutal murder arouse the sheriff's attention--and Jessica's. When an old friend mysteriously disappears, Jessica fears a twisted genius is at work writing a scenario for murder-- and putting Jessica's own life in peril.
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book set in a small town {your interpretation}.
b. Read a book with a character who is an artist.
c. Read a book where the MC visits a spa.
d. Read a book with a 4 in the page count.
Prompt #4: Brandy & Bullets
Book: Two Can Keep a Secret
Author: Karen M. McManus
Date Read: 4/9
Pages: 329
Task: Read a book set in a small town {your interpretation}.
How it Fits: The book was set in the small town Echo Ridge.
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Cabot Cove, Maine's most famous mystery author, Jessica Fletcher, is excited about promoting her new book in glamourous San Francisco. She can't wait for drinks and dinner on Fisherman's Wharf, a ride on a cable car, and a rendezvous with her visiting Scottish policeman friend, George Sutherland.
But Jess doesn't know that solving a murder may soon be penciled into her agenda.
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book set in California.
b. Read a book that has a character in law enforcement.
c. Read a book where the MC has an alcoholic drink.
d. Read a book where the MC's first initial is found in JESSICA.
Prompt #5: Martinis & Mayhem
Book: Nikt nie odpisuje
Author: Jang Eun-jin
Date Read: 7/9
Pages: 240
Task: Read a book where the MC has an alcoholic drink.
How it Fits: The narrator often drinks alcohol during the plot of the book.
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Jessica Fletcher is off to Boston to help her eccentric lawyer friend, Malcolm McLoon, defend a tycoon accused of fratricide. McLoon had asked her, "Can you help me as a jury consultant?"
Her uncanny sleuthing talents will be important when the two old acquaintances dive into the case with the characteristic vigor each is known for. Even so, Jessica anticipates enough time to take in the charming sights of New England's historic capital.
When the defendant's girlfriend--and his only alibi--is found dead in her apartment, the case takes another turn for the worse. Is someone out to make sure the accused gets convicted? Jessica has her suspicions, and soon--when jurors become victims of deadly accidents--there's even more to ponder. With only her gut feelings at her disposal, Jessica must outwit the tenacious prosecutor determined to get a guilty verdict. She must find the real killer before he, or is it she, finds her!
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book where any character is a lawyer.
b. Read a book set in New England.
c. Read a book with a MPG of Mystery.
d. Read a book with the word GUILTY in the text. {State passage and location.}
Prompt #6: A Deadly Judgment
Book: The Golden Spoon
Author: Jessa Maxwell
Date Read: 16/9
Pages: 288
Task: Read a book where any character is a lawyer.
How it Fits: One of the characters is the lawyer (he is Betsy's lawyer).
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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 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.
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book that mentions a famous painter.
b. Read a book where the author's first and last initials are found in FLETCHER.
c. Read a book with a 7 in the publication date.
d. Read a book where the MC pursues a hobby.
Prompt #7: A Palette for Murder
Book: My Policeman
Author: Bethan Roberts
Date Read: 11/10
Pages: 352
Task: Read a book that mentions a famous painter.
How it Fits: In the book characters go to the art gallery and often discuss the art and painters (like Turner and such).
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Sounds like great fun! A group of friends from Cabot Cove, Maine, take off for the British Isles to join Jessica Fletcher while she's on a book tour in London. They all end up at an ancient castle in Scotland. Exciting. It would have been a great vacation--except for the ghost. And the murders.
Did we mention that the castle is owned by George Sutherland? The Inspector with Scotland Yard. He's the interesting man Jess met in "Gin & Daggers," the first entry in the series. The last time she was in London. It's located in the town of Wick and has been in his family for centuries.
It's a time of witches, both in the distant past and very current, and it's a time of pitchforks to the heart. Can Jessica rise to the occasion in Scotland?
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book set in Scotland.
b. Read a book with a large building on the cover.
c. Read a book with a witch in it.
d. Read a book where the MC's first initial is found in GEORGE.
Prompt #8: The Highland Fling Murders
Book: The Haunting of Hill House
Author: Shirley Jackson
Date Read: 14/10
Pages: 304
Task: Read a book with a large building on the cover.
How it Fits: On the book cover there is a haunted house.
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Bestselling mystery writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher is invited to travel to London on the grand dame of ocean liners, the "Queen Elizabeth II", as one of seven guest lecturers. She's done it before in these novels - speak on mystery writing. This time she's also written a short mystery play, to be performed one act a day during the crossing. The other lecturers will make guest appearances. Sounds like fun.
During the evening of the day they set sail, a fellow speaker is found brutally murdered. Even before the first act! Now Jessica has just four days at sea to find the killer before she finds more of her colleagues, or even herself, dead in the water!
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book at least partially set on a boat or ship.
b. Read a book where a character is in or goes to a play.
c. Read a book with a mostly blue cover {your discretion}.
d. Read a book where someone is murdered.
Prompt #9: Murder on the QE2
Book: Hallowe'en Party
Author: Agatha Christie
Date Read: 18/10
Pages: 336
Task: Read a book where someone is murdered.
How it Fits: This is a mystery novel, which starts with one of teenage girls being murdered
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Mystery writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher visits Moscow as part of a delegation of United States publishers planning to meet with their equivalents in Russia. Intended to be a friendly exchange of ideas. The objective? Assist the publishing industry as it emerges from the Soviet Union era, and help Russia succeed as a new democracy.
But the poisoning of a Moscow publisher, who may have possessed information which could topple the new government, changes everything and places Jess in a dangerous situation. The man was also her new Russian publisher who was planning to translate her mysteries and bring them to a new audience. She turns to the American Embassy for help, only to discover that the United States government may be involved too!
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book set in Russia.
b. Read a book with at least 300 pages.
c. Read a book with a government official in it.
d. Read a book where the MC turns to someone else for help of any kind.
Prompt #10: Murder in Moscow
Book: Mexican Gothic
Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Date Read: 23/10
Pages: 320
Task: Read a book with at least 300 pages.
How it Fits: Book has 320 pages
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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 is found shot to death on his farm just out of town, 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…
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read any book from a series which has more than 10 works.
b. Read a book with less than 300 pages.
c. Read a book set on a farm.
d. Read a book with snow on the cover.
Prompt #11: A Little Yuletide Murder
Book: The Sittaford Mystery
Author: Agatha Christie
Date Read: 29/11
Pages: 248
Task: Read a book with less than 300 pages.
How it Fits: Book has 248 pages
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Best-selling mystery author Jessica Fletcher is visiting an old friend's ranch out west. Bonnie and Jim Cook offered, and she said, "Yes."
It's an adventure in the glorious outdoors of Colorado. But she gets caught in a fiendish plot when one of the guests is found stabbed to death. Soon after, the victim's wife is also discovered murdered in a gruesome fashion. Is it revenge? If so, for what?
With the police at a loss, and the rest of the guests on edge, Jessica decides to do some research into the past of some of them. They've been less than cordial. What she discovers may help her crack the case...if it doesn't get her killed first!
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book with a 5-word title.
b. Read a book set in Colorado.
c. Read a book with a rancher it in.
d. Read a book with a character named Bonnie, Jim, or Jessica.
Mod
"The challenge rules say: 📘Books must be completed after the task has been posted.
HOWEVER, since it's Christmastime, I will allow all participants to use any books read in the month of December 2023 for any task I post as of today. This will be allowed through the end of this month - December 31st in your timezone. So if you read a book a week ago and it works for a task today, or next week, etc., you may use it."
Merry Christmas 🤶🏻
Prompt 12: Murder at the Powderhorn RanchBook: Nie ma przed czym uciekać
Author: Rebecca Makkai
Date Read: 13/03
Pages: 360
Task: Read a book with a 5-word title.
How it Fits: Book has 5-word title
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When one of her mystery books, 'Knock Em' Dead,' is turned into a Broadway play, Jessica is thrilled and hits the Big Apple to help out the production.
But then, as the play is in rehearsals, dead bodies offstage start upstaging the performers onstage! As has happened before, it's up to Jess to drop the curtain on a killer! The show must go on. But will the play and Jessica make it to opening night in one piece?
Complete one of the following tasks:
a. Read a book with a mostly red cover {your discretion}.
b. Read a book that has been made into a play or a movie.
c. Read a book where the MC's first initial is found in BROADWAY.
d. Read a book with an apostrophe in the title.
Hooked on Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Nie ma przed czym uciekać (other topics)The Sittaford Mystery (other topics)
Mexican Gothic (other topics)
Hallowe'en Party (other topics)
The Haunting of Hill House (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Rebecca Makkai (other topics)Agatha Christie (other topics)
Silvia Moreno-Garcia (other topics)
Agatha Christie (other topics)
Shirley Jackson (other topics)
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Begins: April 1, 2023
Ends: April 1, 2025
Hello, Jessica Fletcher fan!!
This is an individual challenge where you will have until April 1, 2025 - yes, 2 years if needed - to complete up to 56 tasks, one for each of the books in the Murder, She Wrote series.
You will have 4 tasks to choose from for each book. You only need to complete one to move on to the next book in the series.
Each time you complete a task, you will post it here in YOUR OWN THREAD. Please copy the following example for your Completion Post.
Prompt #:
Book:
Author:
Date Read:
Pages:
Task:
How it Fits:
If you have any questions, please post them in the Q & A Thread.
Challenge Rules:
📘 Standard Rules Apply
📘I will create an individual thread for you prior to the start date.
📘Your first prompt will be posted on April 1, 2023.
📘Books must be completed after the task has been posted.