A Vote for Murder: A Murder, She Wrote Mystery (Murder She Wrote Series)

Rating:
Summary: fast-paced amateur sleuth
Review: Jessica Fletcher of Cabot Cove, Maine is invited by her state's junior senator Warren Nebel to attend a literary function sponsored by his wife Pat. Jessica accepts so that she can show support to Congress' Literacy Program and because her friend Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland will be there too.

During Jessica's first night in DC, she and George are invited to the senator's mansion for dinner. As they are leaving, they find the body of Nebel's Chief of Staff Nikki Farlow. The police act like an accident occurred until the coroner's office reported the victim died by a blow to her head. Rumors sweep Washington that Nikki and Nebel were lovers and even his spouse thinks he killed his paramour because she was blackmailing him. Jessica believes that there is more to this homicide than the obvious simple solution; with George's help, she begins her unique brand of inquiry.

Jessica Fletcher novels are always fun to read and her latest caper, MURDER SHE WROTE: A VOTE FOR MURDER is no exception. The mystery writer cum sleuth wins the respect of the lead detective on the case with her keen observations and astute conclusions that enable her to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Fans of the long running series will appreciate this fast-paced amateur sleuth tale starring a wonderful heroine.

Harriet Klausner



Rating:
Summary: Jessica finds a body in DC
Review: Jessica has come to Washington, D.C. to participate in a weeklong literacy drive. An added benefit is that she will get to spend time with Scotland Yard inspector George Sutherland, who is in town for a conference.

At an extravagant party at the Virginia home of Maine's junior senator Warren Nebel, she and George descend some dark, rickety stairs to the dock and find the body of his chief of staff Nikki Farlow. At first the police think it was an accident; that she tumbled down the stairs. Neither Jessica nor George buy that. With further investigation, the police determine that it was murder.

Detective Moody from the Fairfax County Police Department realizes what a resource he has in Jessica. He asks her for her help. She enlists George to assist as well, not always to the pleasure of Detective Moody.

Senator Nebel's wife, Pat, who is Jessica's friend, has been ill. He requests that Jessica spend some time with her during the week. With all the investigation, spending time with Pat and spending time with George, she doesn't get to participate much in the literacy drive she came to town for.

There are many rumors that Senator Nebel and Nikki had had an affair. His wife Pat even believes this. Could he have killed her? If so, why now?

As she begins to delve deeper into Nikki's death, she become privy to some information that was not released. Could this prove that the Senator had nothing to do with her murder?

I always enjoy books in this series. Since I've watched it on t.v. for so many years, I can see Jessica and the other main characters doing the activities I read about. It is a great cozy series and is always an easy read. This book being set in the D.C. area made it even more enjoyable for me, since I live in the area. I highly recommend this book.


Rating:
Summary: Mrs. Fletcher goes to Washington
Review: Mystery writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher is back in another wonderful mystery based on the popular Murder She Wrote television series. In this outing Jessica has been invited by Maine Senator Warren Nebel to attend a national literacy program at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Much to Jessica's delight, her close friend and would-be suitor Inspector George Sutherland of Scotland Yard is also in town to attend an international conference on terrorism. The pleasure trip does not last long, however, and Jessica soon discovers that politics can really be murder! While attending a dinner party one evening at the senator's mansion, she and George discover the body of the senator's chief-of-staff, Nikki Farlow, lying at the foot of a rickety set of stairs leading to a nearby dock. Did Nikki fall or was she pushed? Was her death in some way connected to Senator Nebel's upcoming vote on a controversial nuclear power plant to be built near Cabot Cove? Or was she killed by a jealous spouse who suspected her husband of having an affair with Nikki? Never one to shy away from a real life murder case, Jessica sets out to uncover the truth.

Mr. Bain has written yet another terrific entry in this series! And with the upcoming presidential election next month, the setting could not be more timely. Readers who have been following Jessica's ongoing friendship with Inspector Sutherland will enjoy their adventures here but don't look for any major developments in the romance department. Do be on the lookout for Jessica's good friend from Cabot Cove, Seth Hazlitt, to make an unexpected appearance when he shows up in Washington to visit a friend at the National Institute of Health. The combination of Jessica, George and Seth along with an interesting locale and an intriguing plot make this book a definite winner!