Jessica Fletcher has taken a nasty spill on the ice, leaving her in a wheelchair for several weeks. She tries to work on her latest manuscript but finds herself distracted by a new neighbor moving in across the street. There’s good reason for her to be distracted, because soon after unpacking his sparse belongings, Mr. Rymer is out in the front yard, building somewhat risqué (read: naked) snow sculptures.
While Cabot Cove debates whether the sculptures are a protected form of art or a public display of lewdness, someone starts destroying them at night. Rymer doesn’t seem upset. He just makes new ones. No need to get the police involved over a little snow, he says. Especially when there’s plenty more of it and a blizzard in the forecast.
The morning after the storm, Jessica looks out the window to see a new sculpture across the street—and the body of Mr. Rymer half-buried in the snow. Can Jessica catch a cold-blooded killer from her chair by the window?
Release Date: Mar 18, 2025
Series:Â Murder She Wrote
Book: 60
Publisher:Â Penguin Group
Imprint:Â BerkleyÂ
Price: $14.99
Mystery writer Jessica Fletcher is ready to go on a cruise for a working vacation. However, on the way to get into her taxi cab to start the trip, she slips on the ice. Instead of a cruise to warmer climates, her injuries keep Jessica home in cold, snowy Maine. This is disappointing, but Jessica starts to enjoy the company of her home health aide, Alice Myers. Jessica is also interested in what’s going on with her temporary neighbor, an artist who is renting a house across the street. Rymer’s controversial artwork has all of Cabot Cove talking. Soon, a suspicious death takes over as the topic everyone is talking about, and homebound Jessica is determined to solve the case.
I have read all of the prior Murder, She Wrote books, but that’s not necessary to enjoy the book. This is the first book written by author Barbara Early, and she has done a great job creating a compelling plot and keeping Jessica, Mort, Seth, and others true to their characters. Jessica proves nothing can keep her down, and she is able to put the pieces of a complex crime together even though she is temporarily in a wheelchair and needs assistance with everyday tasks. While she researches the crimes, she also gets to know Alice better. I enjoyed the writing advice Jessica gives her and the story within-a-story as Jessica critiques the aspiring writer’s work.
Jessica’s injuries and the winter storm that hits Cabot Cove contribute to a claustrophobic atmosphere that adds to the story’s suspense. On the other hand, the way Jessica’s friends come together for her, bringing meals and lending a hand when needed, shows how loyal her friends are. There is a subplot involving plagiarism that I quickly figured out. However, the solution to the main crimes shocked me, and the ending was satisfying and a little bittersweet. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
~ Christine
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