Murder, She Wrote: Murder Backstage - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

MURDER, SHE WROTE: MURDER BACKSTAGE
By Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran
The Fifty-Eighth Murder, She Wrote Mystery

It's always exciting for an author to finish her manuscript, but it's doubly exciting for Jessica Fletcher as it allows her to accept her fun loving cousin's invitation to see her in a new theatrical review. Soon Jessica, along with friends Seth Hazlitt and Mort and Maureen Metzger arrive in Edmonton, Canada ready for a fun vacation. While the friends are able to see some of the wonderful sites, they are also plagued by lost items, surly and pushy people, and theatrical drama. When Jessica accompanies Emma for an after hours costume fitting they also find a murdered body! Who could have killed the part time stage hand who also worked as a bartender at their hotel? While the Canadian police have matters in hand, Jessica can't help but look into things as well. Jessica's vacation has become a working holiday in more ways than one!

Jessica Fletcher is one of the best cozy mystery sleuths of all time. She isn't reckless, she works with the police, and she notices everything! In MURDER, SHE WROTE: MURDER BACKSTAGE Jessica spends most of her time sightseeing, as she should when vacationing. When murder happens, she observes and her investigation is primarily a trip to the library and discrete inquiries. And yet, due to her acute observations, she solved the crime! Perfection!

I love the camaraderie between Jessica and her friends, as well as the effervescent Cousin Emma. Seeing Seth and Mort so enthusiastic about meeting their childhood idol was a welcome change from their more serious professions and it was fun seeing Jess and Maureen simply shake their heads at the men's antics. I also enjoyed the glimpses of Jess as a child as she and Emma reminisced. 

The mystery was finely plotted with several things occurring in the book I thought for certain played a major role. I later discovered I was somewhat led astray and I enjoyed a few surprises along the way. I also really liked learning about Edmonton and was grateful for the opportunity to be an armchair traveler as well as armchair detective!

MURDER, SHE WROTE: MURDER BACKSTAGE combines the beauty of Edmonton, the drama of theatre, and a finely crafted mystery along with wit and friendship in a delightful mystery.

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 Murder, She Wrote: Murder Backstage by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran

About Murder, She Wrote: Murder Backstage

Murder, She Wrote: Murder Backstage
Cozy Mystery 58th in Series
Setting - Edmonton in Alberta, Canada
Publisher: ‎ Berkley (April 2, 2024)
Paperback: ‎ 272 pages

The newest entry in the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series.

Jessica Fletcher’s British cousin, Emma MacGill, will be traveling to Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, to perform with internationally famous star of stage, screen, and television Derek Braverman in an old-fashioned musical review. Emma would love for Jessica to join her there and suggests she bring along some friends. Having just finished her latest book, Jessica is ready for a vacation and is delighted to agree. Dr. Seth Hazlitt and Sheriff Mort Metzger are huge fans of Braverman, so they are eager to tag along, and their fanboy behavior gives Jessica and Mort’s wife, Maureen, more than occasional cause to roll their eyes.

Upon arrival in Edmonton, Jessica is quickly outed as mystery writer J. B. Fletcher, and despite numerous protests, a hotel staffer arranges a book signing for her. This and touristy adventures arranged for the group make for a much busier trip than Jessica was expecting. When a hotel bartender, who also happens to be a stagehand for Emma’s play, turns up dead backstage at the theater, Jessica’s fun and relaxing vacation quickly becomes anything but.

About the Authors

 

Along with Jessica Fletcher, Terrie Farley Moran co-writes the Murder She Wrote mystery series including Murder, She Wrote: Killer on the Court. She is the author of the Read ‘Em and Eat cozy mystery series and also co-writes the Scrapbooking Mysteries with Laura Childs. Recipient of both the Agatha and the Derringer Awards, Moran has published numerous mystery short stories. The only thing Terrie enjoys more than wrangling mystery plots into submission is hanging out with any or all of her seven grandchildren.  

Author Links – Webpage Facebook  

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