Friday, November 27, 2009

Murder Never Takes a Holiday by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain


Well I finally finished my first book for The Christmas Reading Challenge hosted by Michelle of The True Book Addict and The 2009 Holiday Reading Challenge hosted by Nely at All About {n}.

My first book was Murder Never Takes a Holiday by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bains. This was really two books in one as it combined two of the Christmas Murder, She Wrote books. I chose this book because I have always been a fan of the TV show and I felt like reading a quick paced mystery. I loved these two books as separate pieces but having them together was sort of odd. There was a discrepancy between the two books that I'm sure was not intentional but still seemed rather off to me. The first one takes place before the second one but the second feels almost like the first book never took place. Other than that I would highly recommend them to anyone who is a fan of the show, likes a good Christmas murder mystery, or wants to spend a few hours enjoying a wonderful set of characters.

Manhattans & Murder Synopsis

Bestselling mystery writer Jessica Fletcher's new book tour brings her to New York for Christmas. But she learns that Manhattan can be murder when she sees notorious Cabot Cove crook Waldo Morse-now playing a sidewalk Santa. She agrees to meet him the next day, but when Jessica shows up, she instead witnesses a murder. With the police slow on their feet, and the victim's wife fast on the run, Jessica decides to do what she does best, and do whatever it takes to stop a murderer form spoiling the season.

A Little Yuletide Murder Synopsis

When Cabot Cove local Rory Brent is found shot to death on his farm, everyone assumes the culprit is Brent's longtime enemy Jack Walther, the meanest man in town. Jake is crazy as a coot, sour as green apples, and bad tempered as a cat with its tail caught in a screen door. But Jessica Fletcher soon uncovers evidence that makes her believe the sheriff has arrested the wrong person. Snooping into the small town's past for a motive, Jessica is determined to deliver the real killer before Christmas. The trouble is, the next sound she hears this silent night may be a scream-her own.

9 comments:

Rich Mom, Rich Dad. Poor Mom, Poor Dad. said...

I LOVE Murder, She Wrote. I actually just started watching the tv series again on Netflix. Love Jessica Fletcher.

Alexia561 said...

Used to watch Murder She Wrote with my mother. Jessica was something else, wasn't she? Enjoyed your review Ryan! And love your new Christmas look!

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

Nice job! I havent completed a book yet for the challenge... I need to get moving on that! Your book choice looks good too!

A Buckeye Girl Reads said...

Nice choice of books! I loved Murder She Wrote when it was on tv. I'm just about to start my first Christmas Challenge book-The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans.

bookmagic said...

This looks good. It reminded me that I most likely have an Agatha Christie Christmas book (short stories I think) somewhere in my pile.

Elena said...

I was gonna say, "that looks like Angela Lansbury" before I read that it was a Murder, She Wrote series. Hehe love that show!

Nothing like a good Christmas murder mystery for a holiday read

Unknown said...

I used to watch Murder, She Wrote all the time.. I don't think we get it here in the UK any more. I love the cosy mysteries and Angela Lansbury. I didn't know you could get actual books I thought it was just a show. They sound so great :)

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

I too use to watch her shows all the time. I loved how there was a mystery to be solved and always tried to figure out who did it.

These sound like great books, all in one.

Great review.

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I'm so glad you liked it since I was the one that told you about it...LOL! I really need to read it too!

Congrats on completing a book for the challenge!