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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This Murder She Wrote was just okay for me. With another switch in author I was eager to see how this one would write the series. I think, at least with this book that the writing style might not jive with my reading style. The story felt very bogged down with dialogue which could sometimes fill most of a page. I was really happy to see she brought back Harry Mcgraw who is my favorite side character both in the books and show. When he gets introduced Jessica has a nearly *five page* long conversation with him over the phone with nothing to break up the dialogue. It was hard to follow and I kept having to re-read parts of not just this conversation but the whole book. I found it hard to follow who some of the characters were too.
She did write Harry really well though. I really feel like she got him right on the money, and I also like some of the details included in this book. She describes some of Jessica's outfits, which is great because Jessica is nothing if not stylish.
Other details I wasn't so keen on, like how the story is filled with Jessica's and the other character's near constant eating. At some points it was every other page at others every few pages that muffins or scones or catfish or asparagus or cakes or rootbeer floats would be mentioned. A couple of times, fine. But this much food was too much. It was a veritable Thanksgiving feast of food writing. At one point a character randomly comments on Jessica's eating and she has a thought about how he doesn't know how hard she has to work out just so she can eat like this, which felt out of character and a little icky. Jess is also very domineering in this (more than usual, ha.) She steps up to plate and doesn't just help out but kind of takes over everything. I was also surprised that when she saw someone being cruel to someone else she didn't comment on it either directly or indirectly which feels like something she'd do.
This was a mixed bag for me so I'm giving it three stars. Not bad, just not my style. The author is skilled and writes well and I've already bought the next one written by her. I'm excited to see if the next one is more my style.
She did write Harry really well though. I really feel like she got him right on the money, and I also like some of the details included in this book. She describes some of Jessica's outfits, which is great because Jessica is nothing if not stylish.
Other details I wasn't so keen on, like how the story is filled with Jessica's and the other character's near constant eating. At some points it was every other page at others every few pages that muffins or scones or catfish or asparagus or cakes or rootbeer floats would be mentioned. A couple of times, fine. But this much food was too much. It was a veritable Thanksgiving feast of food writing. At one point a character randomly comments on Jessica's eating and she has a thought about how he doesn't know how hard she has to work out just so she can eat like this, which felt out of character and a little icky. Jess is also very domineering in this (more than usual, ha.) She steps up to plate and doesn't just help out but kind of takes over everything. I was also surprised that when she saw someone being cruel to someone else she didn't comment on it either directly or indirectly which feels like something she'd do.
This was a mixed bag for me so I'm giving it three stars. Not bad, just not my style. The author is skilled and writes well and I've already bought the next one written by her. I'm excited to see if the next one is more my style.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This story and its characters (regulars and special ones just for this book) would fit right into a season of MSW. Just the right balance of sweet characters and nefarious ones, and a fun plot. I didn't see much of an opportunity to figure out the bad guy on my own, but I didn't try very hard and that is how most MSW episodes have worked for me, too. I'm just here for a cozy mystery, not to test my brain.
Jessica's friend was a little odd at times (vacillating pretty wildly between grieving widow and action-oriented type A). There were a few moments where I just had to accept some action or conclusion as natural even though it wasn't, but no more so than most other mysteries I have read.
The narrator's voice was a little distracting for me but not enough to notice most of the time.
Well worth a read (or listen).
Jessica's friend was a little odd at times (vacillating pretty wildly between grieving widow and action-oriented type A). There were a few moments where I just had to accept some action or conclusion as natural even though it wasn't, but no more so than most other mysteries I have read.
The narrator's voice was a little distracting for me but not enough to notice most of the time.
Well worth a read (or listen).
Although this is Book #53 from the MURDER, SHE WROTE novels and I've been a huge fan of the television show since it ran originally, I had never read a J.B. Fletcher book until now. It was perfectly paced with characters one-hundred-percent true to the show. Killing in a Koi Pond takes place outside of Cabot Cove, Maine, but there are still cameos of Dr. Seth Hazlitt and Boston-based P.I. Harry McGraw.
Jessica is in South Carolina to visit a college friend, Dolores Nickens. Dolores married well. The estate is grand. There are full time kitchen staff and eventually a driver. The good ol' southern accents easily come through without the authors having to write phonetically. There are plenty of nods of southern cuisine including cola cake and benne wafers.
Killing in a Koi Pond is a perfect cozy mystery or beach/poolside read. For me, it was rainy afternoons in New Jersey. Readers are led to the body of Dolores's wealthy husband, Willis, a man with so many business dealings even his wife doesn't know what it is he does. The body appears after a few chapters to slowly ease readers into murder rather than take off running at page one.
The cook, Lucinda and the maid (I guess? Title is never given) Marla Mae are the first friends Jessica makes when she begins her own investigation into the death of Willis Nickens. Eventually, a relative of Marla Mae comes on board as their driver, Elton. The trio match the more innocent type of gossips back in Cabot Cove that Jessica and fans are used to.
The book is modern with amenities that were first-gen luxuries in the TV show. Jessica always has her cell phone and she's comfortable using it to search the internet. If you remember the show, there were several Cabot Cove sheriffs. The book names Sheriff Mort Metzger as the present top cop in Cabot Cove which he was at the show's end.
Jessica has two possible lines of inquiry to figure out who, besides her dear friend Dolores, had a motive to kill her husband. She looks into business and personal connections. The local cops don't welcome Jessica's meddling. She gets her information from other ways including Dolores doing whatever she can to learn more about her husband. Something else that brings the character of Jessica Fletcher back to life for us is that she cleverly drops nuggets of this information she has learned to different people to see where any leaks in the grapevine might be.
Dolores Nickens is a sweet character. She comes across much younger than she is due to her naivete and rich woman shallow existence. She grows from a clueless and as-expected frazzled widow into a competent woman ready to learn how to operate her husband's financial matters.
In all honesty, the clues were not difficult to note and the murder was obvious as long as you catch one that's particularly revealing. One thing is a bit unfair to readers is that Harry McGraw does his part in the investigation off-page. When he does call Jessica to explain what he found, she holds onto the information until confronting the murderer in her typical Miss Marple way. In other words, readers don't have the same information as Jessica even though it's told in first person POV.
To summarize, Killing in a Koi Pond is a delightful read whether you've seen an episode of Murder, She Wrote or not. You don't need to know about the characters in the cameos in order to enjoy the story about greed and consequences in the elite world of South Carolina.
Jessica is in South Carolina to visit a college friend, Dolores Nickens. Dolores married well. The estate is grand. There are full time kitchen staff and eventually a driver. The good ol' southern accents easily come through without the authors having to write phonetically. There are plenty of nods of southern cuisine including cola cake and benne wafers.
Killing in a Koi Pond is a perfect cozy mystery or beach/poolside read. For me, it was rainy afternoons in New Jersey. Readers are led to the body of Dolores's wealthy husband, Willis, a man with so many business dealings even his wife doesn't know what it is he does. The body appears after a few chapters to slowly ease readers into murder rather than take off running at page one.
The cook, Lucinda and the maid (I guess? Title is never given) Marla Mae are the first friends Jessica makes when she begins her own investigation into the death of Willis Nickens. Eventually, a relative of Marla Mae comes on board as their driver, Elton. The trio match the more innocent type of gossips back in Cabot Cove that Jessica and fans are used to.
The book is modern with amenities that were first-gen luxuries in the TV show. Jessica always has her cell phone and she's comfortable using it to search the internet. If you remember the show, there were several Cabot Cove sheriffs. The book names Sheriff Mort Metzger as the present top cop in Cabot Cove which he was at the show's end.
Jessica has two possible lines of inquiry to figure out who, besides her dear friend Dolores, had a motive to kill her husband. She looks into business and personal connections. The local cops don't welcome Jessica's meddling. She gets her information from other ways including Dolores doing whatever she can to learn more about her husband. Something else that brings the character of Jessica Fletcher back to life for us is that she cleverly drops nuggets of this information she has learned to different people to see where any leaks in the grapevine might be.
Dolores Nickens is a sweet character. She comes across much younger than she is due to her naivete and rich woman shallow existence. She grows from a clueless and as-expected frazzled widow into a competent woman ready to learn how to operate her husband's financial matters.
In all honesty, the clues were not difficult to note and the murder was obvious as long as you catch one that's particularly revealing. One thing is a bit unfair to readers is that Harry McGraw does his part in the investigation off-page. When he does call Jessica to explain what he found, she holds onto the information until confronting the murderer in her typical Miss Marple way. In other words, readers don't have the same information as Jessica even though it's told in first person POV.
To summarize, Killing in a Koi Pond is a delightful read whether you've seen an episode of Murder, She Wrote or not. You don't need to know about the characters in the cameos in order to enjoy the story about greed and consequences in the elite world of South Carolina.
Another fun Jessica Fletcher mystery - these don't disappoint!
2021 PopSugar List #22
2021 PopSugar List #22
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Killing in a Koi Pond by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran is a fantastic book that made me think that it was an episode of Murder, She Wrote.
Jessica Fletcher is a sleuth that everyone should know about if they saw a commercial for Murder, She Wrote, or even seen these books in a bookstore. She is a mystery writer that also somehow stumbles onto a body. Ms. Fletcher has the worst luck ever when it comes to finding dead bodies. This is my first time reading a book that is based on the show, and I have to say that I liked it. The author did a good job of capturing Jessica. I liked how Jessica uses all of her resources to help her old college friend out of the bind that she's in. Jessica is a great friend, and I wouldn't mind knowing a person like her. Well, except for the dead bodies always hanging around her.
The Mystery
Now comes the whole reason why Jessica Fletcher is our sleuth. Jessica was out running the morning after she arrived in Columbia, South Carolina, and finds the dead body of Willis Nickens in his wife's koi pond. Well, not all the way in the koi pond, but enough to warrant them to get taken away to make sure they didn't eat any evidence. Someone lured the old man outside, killed him, and tried to mask what they did. As in true Jessica Fletcher fashion, she is on the case to see why someone would kill this man.
Could it be the son-in-law that is stealing from his daughter's trust fund? Maybe the business partner who seems like a joke? Could it be the lady that Willis is letting stay on the property? Could it be a servant? Or even more, could it be neighbors? What motive could have lead to this death? Jessica is on the case, especially when her best friend is on the verge of being arrested.
Killing in a Koi Pond by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran is a fantastic book that I'm happy to have picked up to read. Ms. Moran did a fantastic job capturing Jessica and maybe two other people from the show that we fans truly adore. I won't say who since you will need to read the book, know that the author has done a great job. For the mystery, I did figure out who did it but not why they did it. I was actually surprised by the motive for it. I am giving this four stars and recommending it to any fan of the show to try this one out.
Prize:(2) Print Copy - MSW: Killing in a Koi Pond (U.S. Only)
Who had the best motive to kill Willis Nickens?
Jessica Fletcher
Jessica Fletcher is a sleuth that everyone should know about if they saw a commercial for Murder, She Wrote, or even seen these books in a bookstore. She is a mystery writer that also somehow stumbles onto a body. Ms. Fletcher has the worst luck ever when it comes to finding dead bodies. This is my first time reading a book that is based on the show, and I have to say that I liked it. The author did a good job of capturing Jessica. I liked how Jessica uses all of her resources to help her old college friend out of the bind that she's in. Jessica is a great friend, and I wouldn't mind knowing a person like her. Well, except for the dead bodies always hanging around her.
The Mystery
Now comes the whole reason why Jessica Fletcher is our sleuth. Jessica was out running the morning after she arrived in Columbia, South Carolina, and finds the dead body of Willis Nickens in his wife's koi pond. Well, not all the way in the koi pond, but enough to warrant them to get taken away to make sure they didn't eat any evidence. Someone lured the old man outside, killed him, and tried to mask what they did. As in true Jessica Fletcher fashion, she is on the case to see why someone would kill this man.
Could it be the son-in-law that is stealing from his daughter's trust fund? Maybe the business partner who seems like a joke? Could it be the lady that Willis is letting stay on the property? Could it be a servant? Or even more, could it be neighbors? What motive could have lead to this death? Jessica is on the case, especially when her best friend is on the verge of being arrested.
Four Stars
Killing in a Koi Pond by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran is a fantastic book that I'm happy to have picked up to read. Ms. Moran did a fantastic job capturing Jessica and maybe two other people from the show that we fans truly adore. I won't say who since you will need to read the book, know that the author has done a great job. For the mystery, I did figure out who did it but not why they did it. I was actually surprised by the motive for it. I am giving this four stars and recommending it to any fan of the show to try this one out.
Other Books in Series
Coming out on November 2nd, 2021
Giveaway
Prize:(2) Print Copy - MSW: Killing in a Koi Pond (U.S. Only)
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Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Killing in a Koi Pond by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran. Check out the other stops and giveaway if you have time.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
Victim/Toe Tag: Willis Nickens (W)
Beachcomber Weapons: white river rock
Beachcomber Crime Scene: garden
Detectives: Jessica Fletcher (F)
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Lacking the usual charm, sparkle, and wit of the other books in this series, this was, sadly, a dud.
If only the powers of description used on the baked goods, dinners, and tea were brought to bear on the actual mystery. Alas.
If only the powers of description used on the baked goods, dinners, and tea were brought to bear on the actual mystery. Alas.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder
My least favorite MSW book so far, mostly as Jessica doesn’t do much investigating in this one
Okay, I've read a lot from this series, and I have to say that this book was my favorite so far. The writing was superb, the characters were fun as always, and the murder mystery was intriguing. I did figure out the major clue and identity of the killer about halfway through the book, but I think that's just because I knew what to look for, knowing how this series usually hides its clues. I think if you don't read a lot of Murder, She Wrote books, you may not see the clue as quickly as I did. Nonetheless, I very much enjoyed reading Killing in a Koi Pond, and I look forward to reading the books in this series I haven't read yet.
The most comforting book I've read with 'Murder' in the title.
Jessica Fletcher is looking forward to shopping, gossip and catchup with her dear friend from college, Dolores Nickens.
Dolores has found true love with her third and richest husband, Willis NIckens. But Jessica's first view of the man is Willis at his worst, insulting and firing the help and Jessica suspects she's seen the man's true nature.
Out for a jog the day after she arrives, Jessica comes across a dead body and it's Willis. When the police arrive, they're quick to poo-poo Jessica's verdict of murder and brush off her concerns.
A true friend, Jessica immediately rethinks her stay from vacation to murder investigation --but the only thing that's more plentiful than the good food and beautiful surroundings in this story, is the number of suspects and it's a twisty hunt for clues. Terrie Farley Moran is the perfect match for Jessica's cowriter.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for my advance copy--loved it.
Jessica Fletcher is looking forward to shopping, gossip and catchup with her dear friend from college, Dolores Nickens.
Dolores has found true love with her third and richest husband, Willis NIckens. But Jessica's first view of the man is Willis at his worst, insulting and firing the help and Jessica suspects she's seen the man's true nature.
Out for a jog the day after she arrives, Jessica comes across a dead body and it's Willis. When the police arrive, they're quick to poo-poo Jessica's verdict of murder and brush off her concerns.
A true friend, Jessica immediately rethinks her stay from vacation to murder investigation --but the only thing that's more plentiful than the good food and beautiful surroundings in this story, is the number of suspects and it's a twisty hunt for clues. Terrie Farley Moran is the perfect match for Jessica's cowriter.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for my advance copy--loved it.