Happy Friday, all! Today I am super excited to share my review of another book I group read, and we unanimously endorsed, Manuscript for Murder by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land, and now available from Berkley! My mom was a huge Murder She Wrote fan, so we are both really excited about this addition to the series!
My Thoughts:
This is Jon Land’s second installment in the Murder, She Wrote series, though many other books (over 40 to be exact!) have been written.
I expected Manuscript for Murder to be light and cozy, but there is plenty of depth and suspense. In case you didn’t know, Jessica Fletcher is a novelist and sleuth-on-the-side. A friend of hers, Lane Barfield, who also happens to be her publisher, gets in hot water due to money corruption leading to an FBI investigation.
This friend later turns up dead. Jessica’s mission becomes proving her dear friend’s innocence. She senses a cover-up almost immediately. At the root of it all? A mysterious manuscript that Lane planned to publish, which is now missing.
Jessica is risking it all to find the manuscript. She is searching to not only find the document, but to discover who wrote it. Jessica’s sleuthing is her own signature style.
I found Manuscript for Murder to be exciting and suspenseful, and the writing is solid and engaging. If I can no longer see new episodes of the TV show (and haven’t been able to for some time!), this series is the next best thing and then some. I highly recommend this to suspense and mystery fans. It’s good stuff!
Many thanks to Berkley for the copy to review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
Jessica Fletcher investigates a mysterious manuscript with deadly consequences in the latest entry in this USA Todaybestselling 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.
Check out these reviews by the other Book Besties:
Berit at Audio Killed the Bookmark
Holly at Dressed to Read
Mackenzie at PhDiva
Fantastic review, Jennifer. I was a huge fan of the tv show and have added to my tbr list. Thanks, Jennifer and happy weekend.🕵️♀️👣💕📚
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Thanks so much, Virginia! As a fan of the show, I hope you love the books just as much! ♥️ Happy weekend to you! Xoxo
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This was a great review Jennifer. I will check this book one. I loved the whole murdermystery theme never gets old with me
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Thanks, Shalini! I was really impressed with this and it turns out there’s over 40 books so plenty to read in the backlist! Yes, if done well, murder mysteries always keep me entertained. ♥️
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Great review, Jennifer. I’m so glad to see this series continuing on after the death of the original writers.
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Thanks, Laurie! It’s such a wonderful series, and I’m so happy to know about it now. ♥️
P.s. I emailed you back, but it says your email is full or unreachable?
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You did? That’s odd. 🤔 I’ve been getting my emails. Try sending it again and if that doesn’t work message me through FB, okay?
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I sent it again, and it hasn’t come back to me yet, so far! ♥️
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My mother too, was an avid fan of the show and of course Angela Landsbury. So glad you all enjoyed this on.
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Thank you, Marialyce! Such a special show and seems to have so many fans! ♥️
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Fun read and great review Jennifer! ❤
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Loved reading this with you, Holls! ♥️
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I’ve never read or watched this show, but it’s so iconic. I feel like I’m missing out, so I may need to start reading these. 😊
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You should check them out, LP! Easy to read and intriguing, I definitely plan to pick more up! I’m going to try to watch the show on Prime and see if it holds up to how I remember it!
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Awesome review, Jenn! We used to watch this show when I was a kid. Such a great one! ❤ I'll add it.
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Thanks, favorite M! I think you will LOVE this series, and it’s another I’d recommend to your sweet mom. It really, really surprised me how engaging it is- and the nostalgia! ♥️ Happy weekend! Xoxoxo
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This was such a fun one ladies! Loved it!! <3.
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Me, too! Thanks, Kendall! ♥️
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I used to love this show Jen! Awesome review and 40 books wow! I’m going to see what my library has. Have a great weekend!😊🦃💕☔
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Thanks, Sus! Yes, please check your library! I think you’ll love these. We were told it’s a cozy, and I can see that, but it has some hints of thriller, too. I hope your weekend is amazing too! 💗 xoxo
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OMG, this is awesome! I used to watch this series all the time!
That cover tho…
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All those yummy books in that cover! Aww, Norrie! You may want to check this series out then! It actually had some tiny touches of thriller, but was more on the suspenseful mystery side. I really, really loved it, and it reminded me of the show- nostalgia! ♥️
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Good stuff indeed! Wonderful review!💛
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Thanks, Berit! 💗
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Brill review, Jennifer. I loved Murder She Wrote. In fact, it still turns up on British TV – I don’t think it has ever stopped! 🗡️🔫🌺
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Thanks, Paula! Your comment was in spam! 😬 This book is a great fit with the TV series. It holds the same charm. Happy to know the Brits are still enjoying Jessica’s sleuthing! ♥️
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How rude! 😉
Yes, we’re big fans of Jessica Fletcher in Blighty. Is Angela Lansbury still working? I haven’t seen her for a long time. 💙
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I know! She was married to a Brit! I just read a recent interview, and she is 93 and “still proud to be asked to work occasionally.” ♥️
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What a lady!
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This is a great review – I think Murder She Wrote is one of those shows that is a perenniel favourite…
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Thank you, Sarah! It seems like it has a bunch of well-earned fans!
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Yes – a part of my viewing past:))
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How fun! I had no idea there was a book series.
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So fun, Jonetta! And a wonderful series!
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This book was just compulsively good!!! I agree, if we can’t have the show I’m beyond glad to have these amazing books!!! Loved reading this together, Jennifer! 💕
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Thanks, Mack! Me, too! It gives us that warm sense of nostalgia, and the writing is terrific! Can’t wait to read more! ♥️
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I loved the show and have a couple of the books, but didn’t realise there were that many. Glad to hear the book turned out to be a good one.
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It surprised me, too, Mallika! Now I feel like I have lots of fun ahead of me to explore the backlist whenever I can fit one in because they don’t need to be read in order.
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The ones I have are the first couple based on the episodes of the show. So plenty left for me to read as well. Have fun!
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I’ve never watched the TV show, but this sounds like a fun one! And gosh, I didn’t know there were so many books written about it. That’s a LOT of sleuthing for one person! 😀
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She lived a long, long life! It is fun and held quite the tension. It was a surprise of a read for me, Kath!
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My mom absolutely loved this show, it was her favorite. Great review Jennifer, thanks for sharing this, it brings memories of my mama back 😉
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Thanks so much, Jody! It warms my heart that my review brought back some good memories! This series is terrific and the nostalgia that comes with it is the best part. ♥️
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Sounds good! I haven’t read any of the Jon Land ones, but I’ve read a couple by – I think his name is Donald Bain, if my memory serves me right. And I thought they were very good at catching the tone of the TV shows. I still watch re-runs of Murder, She Wrote as afternoon comfort viewing if I’m feeling blue… 😀
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This was really terrific, FF, and it’s good to know about the Bain versions. I’m going to check those out, too. Aw, I hope you aren’t feeling blue often, but it’s nice to have a reliable afternoon comfort. 😊
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Glad this was suspenseful and well written! I’ve always been curious about this series. Great review!
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Thanks so much! I think it deserves more attention than it’s gotten so far, especially because so many are attached to the show. Most were ghostwritten by another author, and I plan to try those too.
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Oh wow, I’m going to have to tell my mom and sister about this series. We all used to watch Murder She Wrote together when I was still living at home. Just reading this post gives me such nostalgia for those days, lol.
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Yes, the book really brings the nostalgia along with it. I’m so excited to have discovered such a large series! I hope your mom and sister enjoy the books, if they try them, Suzanne! ♥️
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I haven’t read any of these but I think I’d like them – I loved the series.
Lynn 😀
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It’s a wonderfully nostalgic and well-written series. I’m so happy I discovered them! ♥️
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I used to love this television series when it was on, I am obviously closer to your mother’s age than yours. I did not know that there were new books written about Jessica Fletcher. I will have to check this out. Nice review Jennifer.
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Thanks, Carla! Oh, yes, these would be perfectly suited for you because of your love of cozies. You should definitely check them out when you have time, and we were able to read this as a standalone with over 40 others in the series, so that speaks volumes to the writing.
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Fab review, Jennifer. This sounds like such a great series. Glad to hear that you enjoyed this installment 🙂
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Thanks, Diana! It’s quite the charming series and really surprised me!
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I love “Murder she wrote”!! Haven’t seen it in years… But this looks like so much fun!
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It is so terrific, Nicole! If you get a chance, you can pick up any of the series. I think they stand alone. Wonderful cozies!
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With all the other shows being brought back to television I wouldn’t be surprised to see this one revived some day. I guess the fans still have the books though in the meantime. 🙂
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That’s true, Carrie. I bet it will, but I definitely don’t think it could be the same without Angela Lansbury. At least with the books I can pretend it’s still her! ♥️
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