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melmo2610's review
5.0
Fantastic read! Terrie has picked up the Murder, She Wrote torch and absolutely ran with it. I really enjoyed my latest visit to Cabot Cove, the mystery was very very good and I loved seeing familiar faces. This was a fun read for me as MSW stories always are. Can't wait till the next book! That's the only problem with devouring them within 48 hours of release-I have to wait months for the next one!
anki47's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
akolb51's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
When Nelson Penzell, co-owner of a local art store in Cabot Cove, is murdered, the nail tech from Jessica Fletcher's favorite beauty parlor is the main suspect. After all, she's the one who was found with the body holding the murder weapon. Jessica is positive that Coreen is innocent and is determined to prove it. When Michael Haggerty, handsome MI-6 agent, is found investigating the victim, Jessica knows there's more to the story. Can she find the truth before it's too late?
I love the Murder She wrote series and feel that this is a great installment. I love all the characters, especially Jessica who is the quintessential amateur sleuth. The plot was confounding because I thought I knew who the culprit was but was surprised in the end. If you love the series, then read this book.
I love the Murder She wrote series and feel that this is a great installment. I love all the characters, especially Jessica who is the quintessential amateur sleuth. The plot was confounding because I thought I knew who the culprit was but was surprised in the end. If you love the series, then read this book.
nick_27's review against another edition
5.0
A classic J. B. Fletcher mystery. Do not expect an in depth criminal crime solver in this book, but a nice cozy mystery along the docks of Cabot Cove.
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
MURDER SHE WROTE: DEBONAIR IN DEATH
By Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran
The Fifty-Fourth Murder, She Wrote Mystery
Jessica Fletcher is home in Cabot Cove, Maine trying to finish the synopsis for her latest manuscript when murder once again interrupts. Coreen, a timid young manicurist, is found screaming in the street, covered in blood and incoherent. Nelson Penzell, a newcomer, has been bludgeoned to death in his shop. Coreen's boss and Jessica know she wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone a person, and are determined to protect the young woman. As Jessica learns more about Nelson she soon realizes there are several other possible suspects, including his business partner. When her old friend, MI6 agent Michael Haggerty, turns up in town it's apparent there's much more than murder going on in Cabot Cove.
There's something intrinsically comfortable about a Murder, She Wrote Mystery. Returning to Cabot Cove is like slipping into a comfortable old robe and settling in with a nice cup of tea. The characters are familiar, the setting perfectly charming. I enjoyed the way Jessica's daily normal life, her writing life, the murder, and the possible smuggling ring meld into a comprehensive story. The mystery is intriguing and the slow reveal about the victim's lecherous ways as well as the smuggling ring and its possible players kept my interest.
MURDER SHE WROTE: DEBONAIR IN DEATH is a steadily paced mystery with a solid plot and great character dynamics.
By Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran
The Fifty-Fourth Murder, She Wrote Mystery
Jessica Fletcher is home in Cabot Cove, Maine trying to finish the synopsis for her latest manuscript when murder once again interrupts. Coreen, a timid young manicurist, is found screaming in the street, covered in blood and incoherent. Nelson Penzell, a newcomer, has been bludgeoned to death in his shop. Coreen's boss and Jessica know she wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone a person, and are determined to protect the young woman. As Jessica learns more about Nelson she soon realizes there are several other possible suspects, including his business partner. When her old friend, MI6 agent Michael Haggerty, turns up in town it's apparent there's much more than murder going on in Cabot Cove.
There's something intrinsically comfortable about a Murder, She Wrote Mystery. Returning to Cabot Cove is like slipping into a comfortable old robe and settling in with a nice cup of tea. The characters are familiar, the setting perfectly charming. I enjoyed the way Jessica's daily normal life, her writing life, the murder, and the possible smuggling ring meld into a comprehensive story. The mystery is intriguing and the slow reveal about the victim's lecherous ways as well as the smuggling ring and its possible players kept my interest.
MURDER SHE WROTE: DEBONAIR IN DEATH is a steadily paced mystery with a solid plot and great character dynamics.
suzydemric's review against another edition
3.0
This was a slightly slower story than it needed to be, with a side smuggling operation in the mix. Still, an enjoyable cozy though.
cyireadbooks's review
5.0
Can you hear it? It’s the Murder, She Wrote jingle from the television series starring Angela Lansbury as the mystery writer and crime solver, Jessica (JB) Fletcher. Murder, She Wrote: Debonair in Death is the 54th installment of the famous series started by ghost writer, Donald Bain. Now Terrie Farley-Moran is carrying forth the torch to continue Jessica’s crime solving adventures.
In the book, Debonair in Death, Jessica’s friend, Coreen Wilson is taken into custody by Sheriff Metzger as a suspect in the murder of Nelson Penzell, a dockside shopkeeper known for his womanizing.
Determined to prove Coreen’s innocence, Jessica embarks on a quest to uncover clues that will lead to Coreen’s exoneration. Along the way, Jessica uncovers more than she bargained for as MI6 agent Michael Hagerty arrives on the scene with his own agenda that seemingly dovetails with Jessica’s discoveries.
Debonair in Death, the 54th book in the Murder, She Wrote series continues along the same vein and locale as the prior novels. The characters remain the same, with the staples being Jessica Fletcher, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, Eve Simpson, and Loretta Speigel. That being said, Debonair in Death should not be the first read in the Murder, She Wrote series. This reader had to Google the cast of characters to re-aquaint myself with them.
The plot is a simple whodunnit but at a slower place. It is a cozy mystery, afterall. As such, there is a lot of atmosphere that may or may not appeal to readers of this novel.
If you are a fan of the television series, you won’t be disappointed by the books. Five fabulous stars.
I received a digital ARC from Berkley Publishing Group. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
In the book, Debonair in Death, Jessica’s friend, Coreen Wilson is taken into custody by Sheriff Metzger as a suspect in the murder of Nelson Penzell, a dockside shopkeeper known for his womanizing.
Determined to prove Coreen’s innocence, Jessica embarks on a quest to uncover clues that will lead to Coreen’s exoneration. Along the way, Jessica uncovers more than she bargained for as MI6 agent Michael Hagerty arrives on the scene with his own agenda that seemingly dovetails with Jessica’s discoveries.
Debonair in Death, the 54th book in the Murder, She Wrote series continues along the same vein and locale as the prior novels. The characters remain the same, with the staples being Jessica Fletcher, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, Eve Simpson, and Loretta Speigel. That being said, Debonair in Death should not be the first read in the Murder, She Wrote series. This reader had to Google the cast of characters to re-aquaint myself with them.
The plot is a simple whodunnit but at a slower place. It is a cozy mystery, afterall. As such, there is a lot of atmosphere that may or may not appeal to readers of this novel.
If you are a fan of the television series, you won’t be disappointed by the books. Five fabulous stars.
I received a digital ARC from Berkley Publishing Group. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
emintobooks's review
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is the second one in the series "co written" by Terrie Farley Moran after the departure of Jon Land and the passing of Donald Bain. So far I haven't really felt connected to her writing like I was with the Bain books, or like I was starting to become with the last couple Land books.
I like that it's set back in Cabot Cove. It really harkens to some of the earlier season episodes. At times it really felt like the author was just shoe horning in as many characters as she could possibly fit which gave me a bit of whiplash, though I liked reading about some familiar faces. You can tell she has both read the books and watched the series, which is nice. I wasn't sure on her characterization of Loretta the beauty parlor owner. It seemed out of character for such a strong, independent seemingly woman to become a weepy mess who was unsure of herself. The author even has Jessica internally comment that it seemed like Loretta, and her employee (who normally is more of a weepy mess) had switched places.
As the book summary states Michael Haggerty makes an appearance. Nice to see him in the books and I hope he makes another appearance, though he genuinely didn't fit in the plot of this one. He seemed like he showed up just to bother Jessica.
George Sutherland also returns. In Land's version he was skipped over entirely and maybe written out (?). I was glad to see him back too, though I wish Jessica would have taken further steps with him. The way both of these characters were written in felt very forced into the plot.
I think the greatest sin of this one is that it was kind of boring. I wanted it to be more interesting and draw me in but the plot just wasn't doing it for me. As with the show not every episode can be a standout, and this one felt more like padding for an author just getting her footing in an already established series.
I like that it's set back in Cabot Cove. It really harkens to some of the earlier season episodes. At times it really felt like the author was just shoe horning in as many characters as she could possibly fit which gave me a bit of whiplash, though I liked reading about some familiar faces. You can tell she has both read the books and watched the series, which is nice. I wasn't sure on her characterization of Loretta the beauty parlor owner. It seemed out of character for such a strong, independent seemingly woman to become a weepy mess who was unsure of herself. The author even has Jessica internally comment that it seemed like Loretta, and her employee (who normally is more of a weepy mess) had switched places.
As the book summary states Michael Haggerty makes an appearance. Nice to see him in the books and I hope he makes another appearance, though he genuinely didn't fit in the plot of this one. He seemed like he showed up just to bother Jessica.
George Sutherland also returns. In Land's version he was skipped over entirely and maybe written out (?). I was glad to see him back too, though I wish Jessica would have taken further steps with him. The way both of these characters were written in felt very forced into the plot.
I think the greatest sin of this one is that it was kind of boring. I wanted it to be more interesting and draw me in but the plot just wasn't doing it for me. As with the show not every episode can be a standout, and this one felt more like padding for an author just getting her footing in an already established series.
mcc004's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Infidelity, Murder, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia