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juliwi's review against another edition
3.0
Murder, She Wrote has been one of my favourite TV series for ages. I'm not quite sure there's a time where I didn't watch it or dropped everything in order to turn the TV on ASAP whenever it was one. But somehow I never got around to actually reading any of the books spanned by the TV show about my favourite literary female detective and writer, so when I saw one of Fletcher's novels on Netgalley I knew I wanted to get on it. Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As I said above, Murder, She Wrote is one of my favourite things to watch on a lazy Saturday. And that is all down to the amazing Jessica Fletcher, played by the brilliant Angela Lansbury. She is a star and she infuses the character of Jessica with so much warmth and enthusiasm that you simply can't help but follow her. I also really enjoyed seeing an older woman taking part in the fun than seeing another twenty-year old experiencing all the world. So I was really hoping that her character would translate as easily into the books. On the one hand book-Jessica had the same eye for detail, the kindness and the politeness. On the other hand, she comes across as somehow colder, a little bit stifled and almost, dare I say it, annoying. Where this difference comes from I'm not quite sure but I think Lansbury probably has a big part to play in it.
I still love Jessica Fletcher and I did enjoy finally reading a Murder, She Wrote book. However, Design for Murder wasn't entirely my cup of tea. The pace was a little bit too slow for me but the Bains clearly put effort into the research for this novel. I'd recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries and, of course, Murder, She Wrote novels.
For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/review-murder-she-wrote-design-for.html
As I said above, Murder, She Wrote is one of my favourite things to watch on a lazy Saturday. And that is all down to the amazing Jessica Fletcher, played by the brilliant Angela Lansbury. She is a star and she infuses the character of Jessica with so much warmth and enthusiasm that you simply can't help but follow her. I also really enjoyed seeing an older woman taking part in the fun than seeing another twenty-year old experiencing all the world. So I was really hoping that her character would translate as easily into the books. On the one hand book-Jessica had the same eye for detail, the kindness and the politeness. On the other hand, she comes across as somehow colder, a little bit stifled and almost, dare I say it, annoying. Where this difference comes from I'm not quite sure but I think Lansbury probably has a big part to play in it.
I still love Jessica Fletcher and I did enjoy finally reading a Murder, She Wrote book. However, Design for Murder wasn't entirely my cup of tea. The pace was a little bit too slow for me but the Bains clearly put effort into the research for this novel. I'd recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries and, of course, Murder, She Wrote novels.
For full review: http://universeinwords.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/review-murder-she-wrote-design-for.html
fictionfan's review against another edition
4.0
Danger alert: Jessica Fletcher's in town...
During a catwalk show in New York's Fashion Week, a young model collapses and dies. Rowena Roth had been an unpleasant girl, arrogant and rude, so few people other than her mother could truthfully say they grieved for her loss. It seems like one of those tragic things that happen sometimes – perhaps a heart condition that she had never been aware of. But then a second model is found dead. The question is: are the deaths connected? Fortunately for the NYPD, Jessica Fletcher is in town, ready to offer them as much advice as they can take...
I love the TV series of Murder, She Wrote. It's my go-to cosy for winter afternoons, and I've been known to binge-watch several shows one after the other. This is largely because I think Angela Lansbury is fab in the role, plus the style of the show means that, despite the phenomenal murder rate, nothing distasteful ever really happens, and Cabot Cove still looks like a wonderful spot to spend some time. Would the books work as well without Lansbury's presence?
The story is told in the first-person (past-tense) from Jessica's perspective, so we get to see the thoughts inside her head. Jessica is all sweetness and charm on the outside, and full of some rather waspish thoughts on the inside. I kinda liked that – I always assumed on the TV show that, behind that ultra-friendly exterior, an astute and clear-sighted brain must be ticking away. Like Miss Marple (from whom she's clearly directly descended), Jessica must be an 'expert in wickedness' if she's to see through the façade the villain erects to cover his/her crimes. I found I could easily imagine Angela Lansbury speaking her lines, and the marvellous facial expressions she would have used to convey the unspoken thoughts.
I was rather disappointed that the book was set in New York rather than Cabot Cove. But Seth and Mort both appear during phone conversations, so I didn't have to do without my two favourite men completely. The description of Fashion Week felt thoroughly researched – though given, of course, that Murder, She Wrote spin of cosiness that means it doesn't feel quite authentic to real life. The plot covers the lengths to which young girls will go to succeed in the cut-throat world of modelling, touching on subjects like extreme dieting and cosmetic surgery. The jealousies are shown too, but it's all done with a light touch. And, of course, we don't care about the murder victims, so no dismal grief or angst to contend with.
Jessica is just as irresistible to men as she is in the show – this time it's Detective Aaron Kopecky who's badly smitten by her charms. Got to admit, this was the one bit of the book that I found tedious – Kopecky's admiration became repetitive and his attempts to woo Jessica by dangling information about the case in front of her became laboured and annoying in the end. But it wasn't enough of an issue to spoil the book for me overall.
The plot is quite interesting, and stays more or less within the bounds of credibility. Jessica is at the show because of her friendship with the designer's mother – she and her son both hail from Cabot Cove originally. And it's not long before Jessica is nosing around amongst the models, publicity people, cosmetic surgeons, et al, coming up with stunning insights long before poor Detective Kopecky is even close. I don't think it could really count as fair-play, though maybe that's just sour grapes because I didn't work out the solution. But it's well written – a nice cosy, with the genuine feeling of the show and enough contact with the familiar characters to prevent me missing the Cabot Cove setting too much. I'll cheerfully read more of these, and recommend it not just to fans of the show, but to cosy lovers in general. Good fun!
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
During a catwalk show in New York's Fashion Week, a young model collapses and dies. Rowena Roth had been an unpleasant girl, arrogant and rude, so few people other than her mother could truthfully say they grieved for her loss. It seems like one of those tragic things that happen sometimes – perhaps a heart condition that she had never been aware of. But then a second model is found dead. The question is: are the deaths connected? Fortunately for the NYPD, Jessica Fletcher is in town, ready to offer them as much advice as they can take...
I love the TV series of Murder, She Wrote. It's my go-to cosy for winter afternoons, and I've been known to binge-watch several shows one after the other. This is largely because I think Angela Lansbury is fab in the role, plus the style of the show means that, despite the phenomenal murder rate, nothing distasteful ever really happens, and Cabot Cove still looks like a wonderful spot to spend some time. Would the books work as well without Lansbury's presence?
The story is told in the first-person (past-tense) from Jessica's perspective, so we get to see the thoughts inside her head. Jessica is all sweetness and charm on the outside, and full of some rather waspish thoughts on the inside. I kinda liked that – I always assumed on the TV show that, behind that ultra-friendly exterior, an astute and clear-sighted brain must be ticking away. Like Miss Marple (from whom she's clearly directly descended), Jessica must be an 'expert in wickedness' if she's to see through the façade the villain erects to cover his/her crimes. I found I could easily imagine Angela Lansbury speaking her lines, and the marvellous facial expressions she would have used to convey the unspoken thoughts.
I was rather disappointed that the book was set in New York rather than Cabot Cove. But Seth and Mort both appear during phone conversations, so I didn't have to do without my two favourite men completely. The description of Fashion Week felt thoroughly researched – though given, of course, that Murder, She Wrote spin of cosiness that means it doesn't feel quite authentic to real life. The plot covers the lengths to which young girls will go to succeed in the cut-throat world of modelling, touching on subjects like extreme dieting and cosmetic surgery. The jealousies are shown too, but it's all done with a light touch. And, of course, we don't care about the murder victims, so no dismal grief or angst to contend with.
Jessica is just as irresistible to men as she is in the show – this time it's Detective Aaron Kopecky who's badly smitten by her charms. Got to admit, this was the one bit of the book that I found tedious – Kopecky's admiration became repetitive and his attempts to woo Jessica by dangling information about the case in front of her became laboured and annoying in the end. But it wasn't enough of an issue to spoil the book for me overall.
The plot is quite interesting, and stays more or less within the bounds of credibility. Jessica is at the show because of her friendship with the designer's mother – she and her son both hail from Cabot Cove originally. And it's not long before Jessica is nosing around amongst the models, publicity people, cosmetic surgeons, et al, coming up with stunning insights long before poor Detective Kopecky is even close. I don't think it could really count as fair-play, though maybe that's just sour grapes because I didn't work out the solution. But it's well written – a nice cosy, with the genuine feeling of the show and enough contact with the familiar characters to prevent me missing the Cabot Cove setting too much. I'll cheerfully read more of these, and recommend it not just to fans of the show, but to cosy lovers in general. Good fun!
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
historical_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
In the latest installment of Murder She Wrote, Jessica Fletcher goes into the world of models and Fashion Week in New York City. With plenty of twists and turns, the reader is led on a delightful journey that gives plenty of clues but red herrings as well as to all the reader some fun in guessing whodunit. Not one of more favorite novels of the series, the detective that was a little too pushy and the behavior of Sandy at times irked me. Those things aside the novel was delightful and a fun quick read that ended with a satisfying conclusion.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
tarana's review against another edition
5.0
Another enjoyable mystery focusing on Fashion Week in New York.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
My review for Murder, She Wrote: Design for Murder by Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain, and Renee Paley Bain is a 2016 NAL publication.
This addition to the long-running TV tie-in series is a dependable installment that is pretty much par for the course and is basically what we’ve come to expect from this series. I don’t mean that in a bad way, either, because readers want the books to remain true to the characters we have come to know and love.
The mystery was solid, the characters were very well-drawn, and the story is entertaining. I recommend this book to those following the series or anyone who enjoys a clean cozy mystery.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the entire review, click on this link: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Reviews/Gpangel-reviews-Design-For-Murder-by-Jessica-Fletcher-and-Donald-Bain-and-Ren-e-Paley-Bain
This addition to the long-running TV tie-in series is a dependable installment that is pretty much par for the course and is basically what we’ve come to expect from this series. I don’t mean that in a bad way, either, because readers want the books to remain true to the characters we have come to know and love.
The mystery was solid, the characters were very well-drawn, and the story is entertaining. I recommend this book to those following the series or anyone who enjoys a clean cozy mystery.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the entire review, click on this link: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Reviews/Gpangel-reviews-Design-For-Murder-by-Jessica-Fletcher-and-Donald-Bain-and-Ren-e-Paley-Bain
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