Murder, She Wrote. On the page and on TV — Killing in a Koi Pond is the latest installment in this much beloved series.
Review + Author & Book Info + Rafflecopter Giveaway
Murder, She Wrote — Killing in a Koi Pond
When a friend’s husband dies while Jessica Fletcher is in town visiting, Jessica’s vacation turns into a murder investigation in this latest entry in the long-running USA Today bestselling series.
After traveling to Bethesda for a mystery writers’ conference, Jessica Fletcher decides she’s earned a vacation and takes a train to Columbia, South Carolina, to visit her old college friend Dolores, who has recently married her third husband, Willis Nickens, a wealthy and cutthroat businessman.
They’ve moved into an opulent historic home with plenty of space for guests, and Jessica is ready for a week of shopping, gossiping, and relaxing at the grand estate.
But the morning after she arrives, Jessica discovers Willis facedown in the koi pond, and despite what the police think, she’s sure foul play is involved.
She hadn’t known Willis long, but it’s clear to her that he didn’t concern himself with making friends. The question isn’t if her friend’s husband was murdered but by whom.
Murder, She Wrote: Killing in a Koi Pond
Cozy Mystery
53rd in Series
Publisher: Berkley (June 8, 2021)
Hardcover: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 0593333594
ISBN-13: 978-0593333594
Digital ASIN: B08FH8NM6R
To purchase Murder, She Wrote: Killing in a Koi Pond, click on any of the following links: Amazon – B&N – Penguin Random House – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound
My Thoughts on Killing in a Koi Pond, A Murder, She Wrote Mystery
As a lifetime fan of Angela Lansbury and her long-running TV show, I was looking forward to reading my first Murder She Wrote Mystery, and Killing in a Koi Pond did not disappoint.
Eager to discover Jessica Fletcher on the page, I had no trouble slipping into the world created by the much-beloved television series. The crime scene was cinematic, Jessica was her pragmatic and practical New England self, and the friend possibly framed for murder was a common series favorite the Southern Belle.
When Jessica arrives at the South Carolina mansion—Manning Hall to be exact—you know things have to go wrong for the rude new husband of her college friend, Dolores Nickens. Men who act as horribly as Willis are either going to end up in the morgue or in jail, so it’s no surprise when the lord of the manor ends up dead in the fish pond.
From there, Moran does an excellent job of portraying characters and plot lines that fans of the show expect. This cozy mystery keeps readers guessing, but leaves the violence off the page. Like sipping your favorite tea, Killing in a Koi Pond is guaranteed to put a smile on your face whether it’s your first foray into the novels or your 53rd.
Previous authors of the series include Donald Bain and Jon Land, who have 52 between them, always co-written with “Jessica Fletcher.” Terrie Farley Moran takes over now with book #53, #54 launching in November, and #55 TBA.
There’s something delightful about imagining television actors in your head as you read the book. Harry McGraw, better known to some of us as Jerry Orbach, is still alive and well and cracking wise in the universe Moran creates. And Angela Lansbury never ages, her 1980’s image and distinctive voice as clear in my imagination as if I watched her in reruns.
Things get complicated as the police search in the wrong direction as they investigate the nefarious happenings going on at the big house, but Jessica is there to put things to rights, along with making new friends and protecting an old one.
With the challenging year we’ve all been through, hanging out with the cast of Murder, She Wrote is a charming way to spend a little time. So pull up a chair, grab your favorite mug, and settle in for a fun and comfortable read. You’ll be glad you did.
Jessica Fletcher is a bestselling mystery writer who has a knack for stumbling upon real-life mysteries in her various travels.
Terrie Farley Moran is the author of Murder She Wrote: Killing in a Koi Pond, the latest in the long-running Jessica Fletcher series, to be followed in autumn 2021 by Murder She Wrote: Debonair in Death. S
he has also written the beachside Read ‘Em and Eat cozy mystery series and is co-author of Laura Childs’ New Orleans scrapbooking mysteries.
Her short stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. Terrie is a recipient of both the Agatha and the Derringer awards.
To learn more about Terrie, click on her name or photo or find her on Facebook!
Visit all the Stops on the Murder, She Wrote Tour!
June 7 – Novels Alive – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 7 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
June 8 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
June 8 – The Editing Pen – REVIEW
June 9 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
June 9 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW
June 10 – Thoughts in Progress – SPOTLIGHT
June 10 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
June 11 – Books to the Ceiling – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
June 11 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
June 12 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW
June 12 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 13 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
June 14 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 14 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW
June 15 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 15 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW
June 16 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 16 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT
June 17 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
June 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
June 18 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW
June 18 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – REVIEW
June 19 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
June 19 – Here’s How It Happened – REVIEW
June 20 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT
Elena Taylor is the author of All We Buried, available now in print, e-book, and audio book format at all your favorite on-line retailers. And don’t forget many independent bookstores can order books for you and have them shipped to your home or for curbside pickup.
For more information on All We Buried, click on the link here to visit the home page.
Foreword INDIE Award Finalist, Best Mystery 2020
Thank you for your lovely review and you are absolute correct–Jessica never ages. I wish I was as ageless as she is! Take care.
My pleasure Terrie, terrific job with such beloved characters.
Great interview, Elena! Terrie’s other material is very well written so I know she has the same talent with this endeavor. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of my all time favorite series both on screen and on printed paper!
Fingers typing faster than brain. I meant to say great review! 🤪
🙂 I knew what you meant. Thank you! It was so much fun to read.
Hi Cheryl, I appreciate your kind words about my writing. You made my day!