Customer Reviews

Murder, She Wrote: Manhattans and Murder

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For anyone who likes mysteries, this book is for you. It's suspenful yet light-hearted all at the same time. I promise you that this book won't be a dissapointment. You should read it.

Actually this is the second title in the MSW series. The plot was interesting, and kept me at the edge of my seat. Most of the characters are two sided and interesting. I would highly reccomend this to anyone who enjoys the Television series.

Jessica B. Fletcher, the famous character of the mystery writer from Cabot Cove played by Angela Lansbury, needs no introduction. After the TV series came to an end, fans have a new opportunity to further share into the lives of all those beloved characters through this saga of mystery novels.

The first installment, "Manhattans & murder" was published for the Christmas season of 1994. Jessica is in New York for Christmas, doing what most famous authors do when in this city: promoting a new novel through numerous book signings, cocktail parties, TV and radio interviews, etc. The book jumps right in: during her own Christmas shopping spree Jessica happens upon an old acquaintance from Cabot Cove. The man, who goes by the name of Waldo Morse, is working for charity as a Santa Claus on Fifth Avenue . Although Jessica hasn't seen him in years, she remembers that it was rumored back then he'd had to "bolt" from his own wife and children because of some involvement with drug dealers. When her friend recognizes her he tenses up, and asks her to come the next day to talk. But what she witnesses the next day is his murder - or is it? Things are never as they seem and Jessica, who has the curiosity of a cat, is determined to find out what's going on no matter what. For the purpose she disguises her personality, hires a private car, and goes to the most decrepit places in New York (spying from the security of a limousine, of course). Murder is always close to Jessica, who has to deal with an arrogant detective of not too good a fame.

Far from being a particularly interesting plot, it does give a good insight of the dark world of the Federal Witness Protection Program and the NYPD. The setting, however, is wonderfully cozy, making some of us (like me, aspiring writer), do a lot of wishful thinking about the wonderful social life, all the media attention and the stays at wonderful hotels that are a common lifestyle for V.I.P.'s the world over. Even though this is not an extremely good beginning, the book will very much appeal to fans of the show, who will recognize Jessica's friends Dr. Seth Hazlitt and Sheriff Morton Metzger, who are always on hand to accompany Jessica wherever she goes.

Mystery fans and future writers the world over will find in Jessica B. Fletcher a "model", who is always groomed to perfection, intelligent, independent, shrewd and surrounded by the most important people.

This was the first book I have read in the series (after diligently watching every episode on TV) and I have to say it wasn't bad. I felt that some of her TV characters are better developed than one or two of the characters in the book. The ending was also a bit disappointing but overall it was not the worst book I have ever read. I am, however, looking forward to reading the rest.

Great book series. Just like the TV series. If you liked the program, you'll love the books.

Christmas is just mere weeks away. However, as opposed to spending the winter holidays among friends in Cabot Cove, Jessica Fletcher finds herself whisked away to the hustle and bustle of New York City to promote her latest mystery novel. In between book signings, appearances on Larry King Live, various interviews, hearty meals at posh restaurants, and a little holiday shopping, Jessica is excited to not only get a bit of much-needed rest, but re-connect with her publisher, and close friend, Vaughan Buckley, and his wife Olga. When Jessica recognizes a sidewalk Santa as Waldo Morse, one of the most notorious ex-citizens of Cabot Cove, however, she realizes that things will not be as relaxing as she originally thought. Waldo was a part of a big-time drug ring years ago, before disappearing from Cabot Cove without a trace. But since recognizing Jessica, the sidewalk Saint Nick is interested in getting together and discussing the past. When Jessica shows up for their meeting the next day, however, she witnesses Santa get shot, and is shocked to see that the NYPD are dragging their feet in collecting evidence for the murder. Jessica knows that something isn't right, and, with the help of her friends, Seth Hazlitt and Morton Metzger, along with a budding Post journalist named Bobby Johnson, is now determined to solve the murder of Waldo, to ease both her mind, and the mind of his estranged wife and children, back in Cabot Cove. However, the deeper that Jessica digs into the case, the more she realizes how crooked the police force, and supposed friends, can be; and must now watch her back, before the killer decides to strike again, and provide her with a very silent night.

This is my second MURDER, SHE WROTE novel, but it certainly won't be my last. Donald Bain is an excellent writer, whose ability to transfer the character of Jessica Fletcher from the small screen to the fiction world is amazing. The dialogue within the tale is so close to that of the actual show, that you can literally hear the characters speaking their lines. Jessica, as always, is an enchating character, whose groomed and poised demeanor, along with her nose for news - and murder - is enjoyable to follow along with; while her navigation of the Big Apple is humorous, as she encounters a slew of bizarre characters who, oft-times, appear to have absolutely no conscience, and care about nothing but themselves. While Cabot Cove is very rarely featured in this particular installment, having the opportunity to witness both Seth and Mort make their way through F.A.O. Schwartz, along with a variety of other New York hot spots, more than makes up for it. The introduction of the sneaky sleuth/reporter, Bobby Johnson, is also enjoyable, as he plays off of Jessica's character marvelously. A little yuletide murder for Fletcher and friends!

Erika Sorocco

Freelance Reviewer

This book is the first in the "Murder she wrote" series and it deserves 10 stars if that was possible. I read this book and I LOVED IT! The Murder She Wrote Book series comes from the tv series which I am a big fan of as well.It stars Angela Lansbury (my favorite actress by far) as jessica fletcher a writer who stumbles upon murder's.If you have not read this book and you like mysteries read it!

The book arrived just days after I ordered it.

I borrowed the book from a friend and my dog ate it so I needed to replace it.

Very happy I was able to replace book so quickly

Thanks.

Jessica is going to New York City to promote her book, and she even appears on Larry King Live. She see's someone she reconizes from Maine, and takes a picture with a disposible camera. The rest of the book snowballs from there. This was the second Murder She Wrote book I read, but I thought it was kind of slow, and real dumb at some parts.

Reruns of "Murder She Wrote" on cable TV were good for one thing - power naps after work. The episodes put me to sleep every time. I have yet to master the art of falling asleep while reading. The book is dull, routine, and dumb, just like the tv show, but not without that addictive pulp fiction downgraded IQ quality that keeps the pages turning. The resolution is a major let down, like a cold, burnt match concluding the final chapter. When my elderly grandmother died I inherited (took) her boxes of paperback mysteries, which certainly would have been tossed away by less inclined members of my family, mostly classics of the genre and the oddball title like this, based on the popular tv show. Assuming she had read this well-thumbed copy, I'm hoping gramma wasn't bored to, ahem, tears.