Review: Murder, She Wrote: Manuscript for Murder by: Jessica Fletcher & Jon Land

Title: Murder She Wrote: Manuscript for Murder
Author: Jessica Fletcher & Jon Land
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: Murder She Wrote #48
Pages: 307
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

Jessica Fletcher investigates a mysterious manuscript with deadly consequences in the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series...

Jessica Fletcher has had plenty to worry about over her storied career, both as a bestselling novelist and amateur sleuth. But she never had any reason to worry about her longtime publisher, Lane Barfield, who also happens to be a trusted friend. When mounting evidence of financial malfeasance leads to an FBI investigation of Lane, Jessica can't believe what she's reading.

So when Barfield turns up dead, Jessica takes on the task of proving Barfield's innocence--she can't fathom someone she's known and trusted for so long cheating her. Sure enough, Jessica's lone wolf investigation turns up several oddities and inconsistencies in Barfield's murder. Jessica knows something is being covered up, but what exactly? The trail she takes to answer that question reveals something far more nefarious afoot, involving shadowy characters from the heights of power in Washington. At the heart of Jessica's investigation lies a manuscript Barfield had intended to bring out after all other publishers had turned it down. The problem is that manuscript has disappeared, all traces of its submission and very existence having been wiped off the books.

With her own life now in jeopardy, Jessica refuses to back off and sets her sights on learning the contents of that manuscript and what about it may have led to several murders. Every step she takes brings her closer to the truth of what lies in the pages, as well as the person who penned them.

My Thoughts: 

Jessica Fletcher is back at it again this time she gets handed a manuscript of a book called The Affair.  The author being a total unknown.  Jessica decides to give the book a try.  Of course not before a fellow author and her long time publisher wind up dead.  Jessica begins to wonder if it's all connected to the manuscript.  As she digs deeper she travels from Boston, to Cabot Cove to New York along with a trip to D.C.  We also get to see Seth, and Mort and even Harry McGraw.  

There were a few things in this book that are inaccurate.  Like Jessica's lack of cooking skills.  She's a good cook and it shows up time and again.  In the scheme of things they are miniscule but if you know msw then you know those parts aren't accurate.  The mystery was typical JBL fashion. You find yourself pulled in and the ending was fabulous I couldn't put it down.

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Review: Chocolate Cream Pie Murder by: Joanne Fluke

Title: Chocolate Cream Pie Murder
Author: Joanne Fluke
Publisher: Kensington
Series: Hannah Swenson #24
Pages: 304
Format: e-book ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Not even Lake Eden’s nosiest residents suspected Hannah Swensen would go from idealistic newlywed to betrayed wife in a matter of weeks. But as a deadly mystery unfolds in town, the proof is in the pudding . . .

When The Cookie Jar becomes the setting of a star-studded TV special about movies filmed in Minnesota, Hannah hopes to shine the spotlight on her bakery—not the unsavory scandal swirling around her personal life. But that’s practically impossible with a disturbing visit from the shifty character she once believed was her one and only love, a group of bodyguards following her every move, and a murder victim in her bedroom. Now, swapping the crime scene in her condo for her mother Delores’s penthouse, Hannah and an old flame team up to solve a case that’s messier than an upended chocolate cream pie. As suspects emerge and secrets hit close to home, Hannah must serve a hefty helping of justice to an unnamed killer prowling around Lake Eden . . . before someone takes a slice out of her!

My Thoughts: 

After learning about her "husband" Hannah has decided it's time to fill the town on Ross and what he did to Hannah and move on with her life.  As she tries to move on the one thing she didn't count on was Ross to rear his ugly head again.  He's determined to get money he gave to Hannah back but he's turned a nasty streak and playing multiple roles as a bad guy and intimidating Hannah into doing things she doesn't want to do.  Will Hannah ever be free of Ross or will he continue to haunt her forever?

I liked this book as it went back to earlier formats although it took a long time for a crime to be committed.  More than half the book to be precise.  The mystery itself felt very rushed and wasn't with Hannah doing her normal snooping.  Things seem to fall to easily into Hannah's lap and that made it seem too easy.

Can't wait to see what Hannah will do next and of course to see what continues at the end of this story it's enough to make you wonder what Joanne will do with our beloved heroin.

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Review: Steamed Open by; Barbara Ross

Title: Steamed Open
Author: Barbara Ross
Publisher: Kensington
Series: A Maine Clambake Mystery #7
Pages: 263
Format: e-book
Source: GEBT & NetGalley

Description:

It’s summertime in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and the clamming is easy—or it was until a mysterious new neighbor blocks access to the beach, cutting off the Snowden Family Clambake’s supply. Julia Snowden is just one of many townspeople angered by Bartholomew Frick’s decision. But which one of them was angry enough to kill?

Beachcombers, lighthouse buffs, and clammers are outraged after Frick puts up a gate in front of his newly inherited mansion. When Julia urges him to reconsider, she’s the last to see him alive—except the person who stabs him in the neck with a clam rake. As she pores through a long list of suspects, Julia meets disgruntled employees, rival heirs, and a pair of tourists determined to visit every lighthouse in America. They all have secrets, and Julia will have to work fast to expose the guilty party—or see this season’s clam harvest dry up for good.

My Thoughts: 

This is the seventh book in the series and it keeps getting better in this one a local woman died and her relative Bartholomew Frick has moved in and closed off the beach and angered alot of people including local clammers who have been clamming in that area for a long time.  When Julia tries to reason with him she finally sees that there is no reasoning with him.  Next thing Julia finds out that someone has killed Bartholomew she is determined to figure out who killed him and why?

This was such a great trip back to Busman's Harbor to see how Julia, Chris and everyone else in town is doing.  We also see Julia struggle with a secret Chris has kept from her and how she decides to handle it.  I loved walking around with Julia has she deals with potential suspects.  And of course the guilty party will keep you guessing until the end.

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