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My goodness, do I love Murder She Wrote. Not surprising, since I am fairly sure the tv show was responsible for the cozy mystery trend that followed it. I was so excited to find out that there are books that continue the series only to find out that I have to play catch up on upwards of 50 of them. Missing a detail like that probably means that I won’t be a successful cozy sleuth anytime soon. Oh well, at least I love to read. I only hope that the rest of the books are as good as “Killing in a Koi Pond.”
In this book, Jessica has come into town to visit with an old college friend. At a dinner party on her first night there she can’t help but notice that her friend’s new husband has a temper and is quick to show it. He also seems to have a sadistic side, leaving everyone in the room a suspect when he turns up dead the next morning. There are the classic usual suspects, someone who owes money, someone who has been swindled, the family member about to be cut off, and the ever helpful business partner, to name a few. The only person Jessica is sure of is Delores, the widow.
I am very much aware of the fact that an author would have to do double duty in writing for such a well established series. First they have to remain true to the voice created by the original actors and writers. Then, they must be able to tell a cohesive whodunnit in their own right. Terrie Farley Moran has done a bang up job in both. This book truly felt as if I had been dropped into the show with old friends and new to fill out the cast. I can’t even begin to explain how exciting it was to read Harry Mcgraw in the late Jerry Orbach’s voice. The best part? No commercials. Plus, it reads well, with plenty of clues dropped in just the right places at just the right time with Jessica’s signature withholding of the key piece of evidence until the big reveal. I am going to have to find more books written by Terrie Farley Moran , MSW or otherwise.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
In this book, Jessica has come into town to visit with an old college friend. At a dinner party on her first night there she can’t help but notice that her friend’s new husband has a temper and is quick to show it. He also seems to have a sadistic side, leaving everyone in the room a suspect when he turns up dead the next morning. There are the classic usual suspects, someone who owes money, someone who has been swindled, the family member about to be cut off, and the ever helpful business partner, to name a few. The only person Jessica is sure of is Delores, the widow.
I am very much aware of the fact that an author would have to do double duty in writing for such a well established series. First they have to remain true to the voice created by the original actors and writers. Then, they must be able to tell a cohesive whodunnit in their own right. Terrie Farley Moran has done a bang up job in both. This book truly felt as if I had been dropped into the show with old friends and new to fill out the cast. I can’t even begin to explain how exciting it was to read Harry Mcgraw in the late Jerry Orbach’s voice. The best part? No commercials. Plus, it reads well, with plenty of clues dropped in just the right places at just the right time with Jessica’s signature withholding of the key piece of evidence until the big reveal. I am going to have to find more books written by Terrie Farley Moran , MSW or otherwise.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
I love this show, and I was so excited to pick up this book.
Jessica is visiting a close friend and the friends husband is found dead. Jessica knows something is amiss, and she’s set out to solve the mystery. Although it’s not set in her hometown, it was still a very good story. I enjoyed the cast of characters and finding out who did it.
This is a great cozy mystery that’s exactly like the show, the same vibes and pacing. The story could be a little slow at times, but the characters and Jessica’s inner monologue made up for it. I can’t suggest this book enough for fans of the show and those who like cozy mysteries.
I had so much fun with this read, I can’t wait for more.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley for the ARC shared with no obligation.
Jessica is visiting a close friend and the friends husband is found dead. Jessica knows something is amiss, and she’s set out to solve the mystery. Although it’s not set in her hometown, it was still a very good story. I enjoyed the cast of characters and finding out who did it.
This is a great cozy mystery that’s exactly like the show, the same vibes and pacing. The story could be a little slow at times, but the characters and Jessica’s inner monologue made up for it. I can’t suggest this book enough for fans of the show and those who like cozy mysteries.
I had so much fun with this read, I can’t wait for more.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley for the ARC shared with no obligation.
Murder, She Wrote: Killing in Koi Pond by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran is a 2021 Berkley publication.
In this 53rd installment, Jessica is on one of her many trips away from Cabot Cove. This time she’s off to South Carolina for a small vacation, where she plans to visit Delores, an old college friend.
Delores is blissfully happy in her third marriage, but her happiness is short lived, when Jessica discovers her husband, Willis, dead in the Koi Pond. Jessica immediately suspects foul play, but unfortunately, she has a hard time convincing law enforcement to dig a little deeper. But once it has been established that Willis was indeed murdered, there seems to be no shortage of suspects….
Including Delores!
This is Moran’s first book in the MSW series, and it is the first book I’ve read in the series since 2018. If you are wondering if that is a coincidence- it’s not- and we’ll just leave it at that.
I am so happy the writing is back within the cozy format, and Jessica’s character traits are back to normal.
While I want the series to retain the charm we grew to love through the television series, and keep all the recurring characters, and their unique personalities and mannerisms pretty much the same, in that regard, that is not to say Jessica must stay in her quaint 1980s bubble.
Moran brings her up to date a bit, technology wise, while remaining true to everything else we love about this series- and I think it's about time.
Another thing that is back to normal is the pacing. If you remained loyal to the series, even after Donald Bain's death, you might need to adjust yourself back from the tempo of a thriller to the stride of a cozy- but that's as it should be- and I for one am happy to see the author reign that back in.
When it came to the plot and execution, it is possible Moran played it a little too safe. There were a few warbles, but overall it was a solid mystery.
I’m quite pleased with this addition to the series. Hopefully, I can go back to auto adding MSW to my TBR list again!!
4 stars
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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