Murder She Wrote: Brandy and Bullets: Brandy & Bullets [Large Print] (Paperback)

"Brandy and Bullets" takes place in Jessica Fletcher's hometown of Cabot Cove, Maine, where some very interesting events are taking place. The Worrell mansion is being turned into a retreat for a variety of musicians, artists, writers, and other artistic people. Cabot Cove does not know what to make of it, some against it, others, like Jessica, are all for it. But strange things begin to happen, like a mysterious suicide. Then another attempted suicide, then one of Jessica's dear friend disappears. What is going on? Jessica's interest is piqued and she is determined to find out, except she does not entirely realize that she is putting her own life at stake...

Since this is the first and only "Murder, She Wrote" book I've read, I cannot compare it with any of the other books in the series. But I must confess, I was a little disappointed. First of all, it wasn't really a murder mystery, nothing interesting really took place. And plus it wasn't as suspenseful and exciting like the TV series. But in its defense I must say that the conclusion was pretty surprising, but of course I won't say anymore to spoil it.

I still might try another one of the "Murder, She Wrote" books, "Blood of the Vine" probably because that sounds the most interesting. But if you are thinking of reading any of the books, I suggest you pass up "Brandy and Bullets" and read some other ones first.

This seemed to me an overtly simplistic novel, just as the previous one, "Rum & Razors", did. Jessica's line of thinking is too plain, at the point that she wouldn't even be needed for the the development of the plot. Since she is the main character, this is something to think about in reference to the novel's greatness. I did find, however, the setting wonderfully cozy. Jessica's Victorian house and the city she calls home are extremely inviting in winter, when the snow and the extreme cold make it impossible to go out and one must hybernate with a cup of hot cocoa, a few good books and some writing. The reader is also invited to a lecture Jessica gives on mystery writing as a guest of honor at the Worrell Institute. Would be writers and then some will be pleased to hear her reccomendations on what to read as well as on how to better present a story that will, eventually, capture the eye of a publisher.

Nevertheless, I do find that the book could have benefitted from more intricate twists and turns in the plot. Coziness is always welcome in a story of this type, but being a mystery, it must also present some difficult puzzles for the sleuth to solve.