3.5 rounded to 4 stars. I love the characters and still enjoy this series, but I must admit that I don't like this version as much as Donald Bain's books. The story's premise was interesting, but the ending did not make sense to the TV series at all. Jessica Fletcher was an amazing character, but she was still a human being. But, suspend reality a little, and it's a fun, quick read. ( )

I absolutely loved Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote. I watched the show every week when it was on television and still re-watch the series today. I love the characters, the setting and the cozy-ness of the series. No spurting blood.....no graphic sex or violence. Just an author sleuthing out killers with grace and skill.

A Time For Murder is the 50th Murder She Wrote novel.....so lots of people still enjoy Jessica Fletcher! I've read several of the MSW books, by Donald Bain...and after his death, Jon Land. While I wish that Angela Lansbury had come back to do a couple MSW movies, or even a new series, it's really too late now (and NOBODY ELSE could play Jessica Fletcher like her! If they put on a new series with someone else in the part, I completely refuse to watch it. Nope. Nope. Double nope. Triple dog Nope.), so I love the fact that I can get new Jessica Fletcher mysteries in these books with a smiling lovely Angela Lansbury on the cover!It makes this cozy mystery fan happy in her soul. A cup of coffee, my chihuahua curled up next to me, and Jessica Fletcher finding yet another murder to investigate! Perfect evening!

This time around, Jessica flashes back to her first ever murder investigation....the mysterious death of a high school principal.....as she returns to the high school to celebrate a friend's retirement decades later. When the friend ends up dead, there are links to that very first case.

I love the fact this story flashes back to Jessica's life when she was first married to her husband, Frank. It was nice having the two eras of her life come together....her married life....and her later life as an author and widow. The mystery moved at a nice pace, had all the characters I love....and Jessica still is a dead body magnet and skilled amateur sleuth. I do see the differences in Land's portrayal of the characters and Donald Bain's vision. The plots of Land's books are a bit more complex....and Jessica is just a bit different. A bit more snarky maybe? But.....anytime another author takes over a beloved character, there are going to be differences. I still enjoy the stories....and I'm willing to accept a bit edgier Jessica Fletcher. The more complex plots are actually nice. I think the extra snark and harder hitting Jessica is necessary now that she's solving cases with a bit more to them. So, I'm ok with the Land vision of the character. I can always visit the more grandmother-ly Jessica by watching the old show, or reading a Bain novel.

Love, love, love, love Jessica Fletcher! Full stars to this book just because I'm a huge fan of the series! I'm always up for a visit with Jessica!

**I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book from Berkley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )

"MURDER, SHE WROTE: A TIME FOR MURDER" is the 50th entry in the best-selling book series based on the beloved, long-running TV series "Murder, She Wrote" featuring amateur sleuth and successful mystery writer Jessica Fletcher. This story is an involving mystery-within-a-mystery that engages the reader while giving fans a glimpse into the early adult life of the much-loved character of Jessica, who began her working life as an English teacher. The story line weaves action from the present day between Jessica's recollections of the first murder case which drew her in twenty five yeas ago. Always a sharp-eyed observer with a keen, intellectual curiosity, Jessica could never lave a clue unturned, a question unasked, or a mystery unsolved. Author Jon Land has captured the essence of "Murder, She Wrote"--giving readers an irresistible taste of the flavor of the quaint Maine setting, the lovably quirky characters, and the undeniable knack that Jessica has for becoming immersed in murderous mysteries. I am a longtime "Murder, She Wrote" fan, and I greatly enjoyed visiting with Jessica and her friends, and I laughed at their banter. Following along with Jessica (at any age) as she rides her bicycle through the great mystery trails of life is always a special treat.

Book Copy Gratis Author ( )

Wow, #50 in the Murder She Wrote series and I have enjoyed reading the books and watching the TV reruns. How about you?

We are going back in time to Jessica Fletcher’s first murder investigation, her publisher.

It was the inspiration for Jessica Fletcher becoming a mystery writer, but, more than that, bodies are falling and they all lead back to the high school she used to teach at and the murder of her publisher.

Back and forth we go,

I was led down false paths, following one red herring after another. We have plenty of bodies and suspects making it difficult to find out the why and who and how they are all connected.

I love that I am at 91% and still guessing. Great job Jon!

Well…that was one wild ride to the end. It’s hard to imagine the books still going strong at #50, but Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land keep on giving.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of A Time For Murder by Jessica Fletcher & Jon Land.

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