Jessica Fletcher investigates a mysterious manuscript with deadly consequences in the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series…Jessica Fletcher has had plenty to worry about over her storied career, both as a bestselling novelist and amateur sleuth. But she never had any reason to worry about her longtime publisher, Lane Barfield, who also happens to be a trusted friend. When mounting … trusted friend. When mounting evidence of financial malfeasance leads to an FBI investigation of Lane, Jessica can’t believe what she’s reading.
So when Barfield turns up dead, Jessica takes on the task of proving Barfield’s innocence–she can’t fathom someone she’s known and trusted for so long cheating her. Sure enough, Jessica’s lone wolf investigation turns up several oddities and inconsistencies in Barfield’s murder. Jessica knows something is being covered up, but what exactly? The trail she takes to answer that question reveals something far more nefarious afoot, involving shadowy characters from the heights of power in Washington. At the heart of Jessica’s investigation lies a manuscript Barfield had intended to bring out after all other publishers had turned it down. The problem is that manuscript has disappeared, all traces of its submission and very existence having been wiped off the books.
With her own life now in jeopardy, Jessica refuses to back off and sets her sights on learning the contents of that manuscript and what about it may have led to several murders. Every step she takes brings her closer to the truth of what lies in the pages, as well as the person who penned them.
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A tight, twisty tale that keeps you guessing until the final page and gasping when you’ve finally turned it. Jessica Fletcher has never been better!
I think Jon Land is doing a wonderful job of breathing new light into this series. He manages to capture the essence and nostalgia of Jessica Fletcher, while keeping the mystery fresh, engaging, and entertaining. This story took a lot of twists and turns and went a bit bigger than some Murder, She Wrote novels, but it is a fun book and kept me hooked from beginning to end.
My complete review can be found here:
https://cozyexperience.com/murder-she-wrote-manuscript-for-murder-book-review/
I love the atypical twists and turns, and Jessica’s steadfast determination to prove the innocence of her long-term trusted associate and friend–even when it puts her at risk! Outstanding job on a story that cries out, “Read me!”
In Jon Land’s second installment in the famed Murder She Wrote series, Jessica Fletcher is about to solve, yet, another murder. The story starts with Jessica being told by fellow writer Thomas Rudd that their mutual editor friend and publisher, Lane Barfield, may be stealing money from their accounts.
The next day, Barfield asks for Jessica’s opinion on a manuscript entitled, The Affair. Barfield states that it will be the next big political thriller. It is a confidential manuscript that Barfield is hoping will save his company from bankruptcy. Jessica is supposed to have the only copy, but Rudd has stolen a copy that was on a flash drive after he challenged Barfield about the thieving. Soon, both of the men turn up dead, from what appears to be suicides. Jessica is left to sort out the conundrum of whether the volatile manuscript could be the reason for their deaths.
Jon Land does it again with his new volume in the Jessica Fletcher mystery writer series. In Manuscript for Murder, Jessica is given a modern and more up to date persona as she gets more into technology and goes from Cabot Cove, Maine to New York City and, later, to Washington DC. The President is in danger and Jessica is at her very best as she manages the twists and turns that solving this mystery takes her on.
Fans will love Manuscript for Murder, as it is a compelling and engaging whodunit. If you love cozy mysteries, this will be right up your alley. Readers will be guessing at every turn of the page. This book is unputdownable and will keep all mystery fans up late at night turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next. Filled with action, excitement and intrigue, Jessica, once again, stumbles upon another mystery to be solved. In her capable hands, this murder mystery is puzzling, up to date, irresistible and complete. With plenty of well thought out clues, Jon Land gives readers a run for their money and a challenge for their minds.
Manuscript for Murder hits the ground running and gives readers an entertaining and enjoyable good time. I am a diehard Murder She Wrote fan and Manuscript for Murder has to be at the very top of my list for best sellers. I was drawn in and immersed from the very first chapter right to the eye opening and satisfying finale. Jon Land has been given the privilege and challenge of writing the Murder She Wrote series and he is doing a highly remarkable job. He is an excellent bestselling author and they couldn’t have chosen anyone more worthy of the assignment to carry on this popular magnificent mystery series.
Jessica Fletcher is better than ever. Chick Lit Cafe highly recommends Manuscript for Murder by Jon Land to all mystery and Jessica Fletcher fans and beyond.
Reviewed by Jewel Hart for Chick Lit Cafe
This is, far and away, the worst Jessica Fletcher story ever published. In fact, it strays from the classic structure so far into pulp fiction that it doesn’t deserve MSW on the cover.
Murder, She Wrote novels are supposed to be Whodunits with a body count of ONE(two at the most), and Jessica has always been at the center of a cast of polite, respectful characters in Cabot Cove. But this is insane. Land has turned the populace of the town into a mob of foul-mouthed insult machines, and has no regard for the reality we were presented with in 12 years of the series and the 45+ novels that came before this. Multiple shootings, firebombings, government corruption and espionage? It’s like Land shucked Donald Bain’s formula and stuffed the book with cliches from every Grisham/Patterson/Truman novel he’s ever read. And who is this nonexistent publisher of Jessica’s he set up to be the first victim? Where are Vaughn and Olga Buckley? Has this new guy ever opened one of the earlier stories!?
Stay away from this one, although be warned: There is fallout from it in “Murder In Red”, which I haven’t finished, but so far is markedly better.
I highly recommend this book.
I love the Murder She Wrote franchise: books, tv show, movies yet I was a little hesitate to read a MSW book not “co-authored” by Donald Bain. My husband didn’t know that and bought me this book for my birthday. And boy am I glad he did. I loved it. It was fresh, it was unpredictable and to be honest a bit more edgy than recent MSW books I’ve read. It helps that I’m a writer and could relate to the publishing industry backdrop of the story but that was just icing on the cake. This book was fun!
When Thomas Rudd approaches Jessica Fletcher after one of her signings and accuses Lane Barfield, their mutual publisher, of skimming money from their royalties, Jessica can hardly believe it. Within a couple of days, both of the men are dead. However, Jessica begins to suspect that the political thriller Lane asked her to read was to blame. Is she correct? If so, is she the next target?
I had a mixed reaction to this book. On the one hand, I got very caught up in the plot, and always had a hard time putting it down. There are twists and turns and plenty of danger, and I loved it. It would have worked better, however, if it weren’t a Murder, She Wrote book. It certainly doesn’t fit with the rest of the franchise in tone, with several events being several shades grayer than we got, at least on the TV show. (I’ve only read one other book, the previous one.) We see several of the regular side characters, but they and their relationship with Jessica was off. What I suspect was supposed to be funny came across as rather mean. These characters wouldn’t interact this way. There’s also the fact that one of the plots in the book gets dropped in favor of the other. Honestly, I think there are two good storylines here, and they should have gotten their own books. This is the second book that Jon Land has written in the franchise, and I’m wondering if his efforts to turn things darker are going to be a permanent thing or if he will adjust better to the light tone of this franchise.
Have read every book in the series. This one was especially good.
Honestly the story was to far fetched. The only part that was enjoyable for me was the back and forth with Mort, Seth, Harry and Lieutenant Artie. They made me laugh and they really didn’t cut Jess any slack but not in a hurtful way.
It is always nice to be back visiting with my friend, Jessica Fletcher, and off on another mystery tour.
Thomas Rudd, a fellow author, down on his luck,approached Jessica with his thoughts on why his career has faltered. He blamed their mutual publisher and he wanted to tell her why. He failed to keep their appointment. I think we all know why, don’t we?
A book within a book and I hope Jon Land shared that outcome too. I am as intrigued by the book in the book, as I am the book.
I love that Jessica gets so into the book, she can’t put it down as she thinks how ridiculous and impossible the storyline. Even though she constantly trashes it, it has grabbed hold of her and won’t let go. Just goes to show, if it’s good enough, page turning entertaining enough, it doesn’t matter the storyline or genre.
OH NO! The book…
Jessica is just as worried as I am, but for a different reason. The book must hold some clue as to why people are dying, but I want to know the ending…of both mysteries.
As the suspense rises, the pace picks up and the lines between fact and fiction blur, actually fiction and fiction, it becomes hard to tell them apart.
Well…Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land outdid themselves. A book in a book, a mystery to die for, a persistent, pesky author that takes her friend police officers, who love her nosiness and her ability to pick at something until the truth is exposed, on another wild ride. All while dodging bullets, a fire and danger around every corner.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Murder She Wrote: Manuscript For Murder by Jon Land.
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