Christmas is not an easy time to sell a house, but in Boston tycoon John Bragdon, Cabot Cove Realtor Eve Simpson has found a buyer for the old Jarvis homestead. Unfortunately, Eve gets a lump of coal in her stocking in the form of Kenny Jarvis, who has been missing for years and presumed dead but has now come back to stop his sister from selling their childhood home.
Eve presses on, organizing a welcome dinner for Bragdon and his wife, Rose Marie, to meet the leading citizens of the town, including Jessica Fletcher. Dinner is interrupted by an uninvited guest—not Santa but Kenny, who threateningly promises Rose Marie she will never live in his house.
When Rose Marie is found dead a few days later, Kenny is the natural suspect. But Jessica isn′t so sure he′s on the naughty list . . .
Release Date: Oct 8, 2024
Series:Â Murder She Wrote
Book: 59
Publisher:Â Penguin Group
Imprint:Â BerkleyÂ
Price: $14.99
Mystery writer Jessica Fletcher is preparing for a visit from her nephew and his family for Christmas, but she also has her hands full with the town’s Christmas festivities committee. The mayor is encouraging residents to participate in a statewide contest to increase tourism to Maine in the off season. The mayor wants to up the excitement from the usual parade and pageant so Cabot Cove will have a chance to win. Most residents are excited about the contest, but real estate agent Eve Simpson is excited that a large commission may be coming her way. A wealthy client is planning to buy a huge home that has been vacant for a while, but there could be an obstacle to the sale. Things get worse when the tycoon’s wife is killed during a welcome dinner that Eve had planned. Now it’s up to Jessica to find out who the real killer is.
This book series is based on the Murder, She Wrote television program, but it’s not necessary to have watched the tv show to enjoy the books. If you are a fan of the series, you will be happy with the way Farley Moran portrays the main characters from the show, especially Jessica, Mort, and Seth. Along with Mort’s wife, Maureen, the friendship and camaraderie between these characters is one of my favorite parts of this book series. Jessica is more forgiving of side-character, Eve, than I would be. I find Eve to be self-centered and pusy, but Jessica is supportive of her friend throughout the book, showing what a loyal friend she is.
This book is a fun way to spend time with favorite characters in a heartwarming holiday story. The emphasis is definitely on the Christmas festivities over the mystery. The murder doesn’t occur until close to the halfway point of the book, and it was very easy to figure out who the killer was. The book is still entertaining as a whole, and I enjoyed reading it, but this installment of the series is more a cozy holiday story than a murder mystery.
~ Christine                            Â
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