Murder, She Wrote: Design For Murder

3.5 Stars // I’m torn on this review. I loved The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher, which was a change of pace/breath of fresh air in this wonderful series, but I just couldn’t get into Design for Murder. Renee Paley-Bain passed away earlier this year and I almost feel guilty leaving this review after the wonderful series she and Donald have fostered. They truly have carried Jessica from the screen to print in a believable and impactful way. Unfortunately, at one point in Design for Murder, Jessica is on a call with her friends in Cabot Cove and wishes she was back at home instead of in New York. It was my wish too.

Design For Murder takes place in New York City, during Fashion Week. Jessica is on hand to support a designer who grew up in Cabot Cove. During his youth, the designer was known as Sandy Black, but after a little trouble with the law, he’s reinvented himself as Xander Ebon. One of my biggest problems is how the fashion industry is portrayed. It never rings as authentic and seems dated. Even Jessica seems a bit out of her realm, coming across as pushy.

The first murder in this volume is that of an incredibly young, incredibly immoral model. She passes away during Xander Ebon’s show from mysterious circumstances. She is so incredibly unlikable that the possible suspects are numerous, among those the designer himself. Her death is quickly followed up by another, older model’s death, who once had an affair with Xander. The police make the connection, but Jessica, pushed by Xander’s emotionally rattled mother, believes the actual murderer is still at large.

There’s an interesting twist, but Design for Murder ultimately falls flat. It’s not that I dislike all the Murder, She Wrote books that take place outside of Cabot Cove, A Slaying in Savannah and A Question of Murder are two of my all time favorites. It’s more that The Ghost of Mrs. Fletcher was so incredibly good, with likable, complex characters and a solid plot line. It showcased exactly what the Paleys are capable of and Design for Murder just feels like a let down. I am though, incredibly excited to read Hook, Line, and Murder this October.

(wife replying) I love Murder, She Wrote. I have watched every episode of the TV show more then once. I own every book written by Donald Bain about the adventures of a retired English Teacher from Cabot Cove, Maine. This book did not disappoint. I look forward to Jessica's next adventure.

High fashion murder meets its match with Jessica Fletcher!

I can only dream that some of my favorite cancelled TV shows had been blessed with a new breath of life in novels such as this series.

The Murder, She Wrote books were always to me a series my late mother enjoyed as much as the television show that spawned them, and books my older sister still looks forward to reading. Not having been a fan of the show due to a childhood fear of actress Angela Lansbury (Don’t ask), I saw no reason to read the books. Now having read several in the series, I can see why Murder She Wrote is still going strong.

MURDER, SHE WROTE: DESIGN FOR MURDER is another fascinating, well plotted book that I found difficult to put down. High fashion and murder go wonderfully together as the theme for this story. Throw the brains of Jessica Fletcher into the mix, and you have a fantastic mystery that you’ll be talking about with your friends.

So, to my Mom, sister, Mr. Bain, and most of all, Ms. Lansbury, I have been converted, and am now a Murder, She Wrote fan.

I was a bit worried with the last few novels in this series as they were terrible but this one is so much better. I am fan of all kinds of mysteries but not of fashion so I was even more worried about this one. However, it turned out to be pretty good. The ending was still predictable and a lot of characters are ignored but the important thing is that Jessica was actually investigating the mystery the whole time and there were clues to follow. The plot was very good and creative. Usually Bain's plots are and he just fails to execute them well but he did it beautifully here.

High fashion is in high demand and so is murder in New York City when mystery writer, Jessica Fletcher comes to town. She is in New York to visit her nephew Grady and his wife and son but is side tracked by New York's Fashion Week and Xandr Ebon aka Sandy Black from Cabot Cove, Maine where Jessica Fletcher resides. Sandy as Jessica prefers to call him is a evening wear fashion designer and Jessica is friends with his mother, Maggie.

Grady has found a production company for Xandr's fashion show to display some of his most exquisite gowns and has dreams after returning from a disappointing stint in Los Angeles. At the fashion show teenage model, Rowena Roth who aunt's PR agency hype's ups Xandr's shows suddenly collapses and dies on the runway at finale of the show. Rowena was a rookie and not well liked among the other models. If that wasn't enough supermodel Latavia Moore who once had a relationship with Xandr and her husband accused him of theft is found murdered in her apartment.

These models are cut from the same cloth and Jessica wonders if there is a connection with these two suspicious deaths, each happening on the same day. She can't help but insert herself into the investigation of the deaths along with the New York City Police Detective who wants Jessica for more than her amateur sleuthing skills.

Xandr's fashion world is full of possible suspects including him and it's up to Jessica to unveil her latest killer. Jessica Fletcher's foray into the fashion world was stylish and very entertaining in Murder She Wrote: Design for Murder.

Although the premise of the story was not my cup of tea or something I don't relate too and show no interest in, the plot kept me engaged though out the story. It will always be a favourite series of mine that no matter the plot of the story may be Jessica Fletcher, mystery writer and ameture sleuth always has me coming back for more and if you can't help but love her.

FTC Disclosure Thank you to the publisher and/or author or Netgalley for providing us with a copy of this book for review.This did not influence our thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book are honest and our own.

Pretty dreadful book. Plot predictable; characters very one-dimensional. Worst of all the writing is just plain bad. I understand that these potboilers are not supposed to be great literature but they should be more amusing than this one is.

I buy these for my 92 year old mother. She loves them. She will take one to bed and read through the night.

good

Love Jessica Fletcher!

My sister loved it as a present!!! Loved the show too!