Brandy & Bullets (Murder She Wrote)

Rating:
Summary: This Was Awful!
Review: As a long time fan of Murder She Wrote there is only one word to describe this novel, awful! It would seem that this book was written by someone who had never read the rest of the series. The plot consisted of hypnotism and a bizarre government mind-control conspiracy, I kept waiting for the logical solution but it never came! The recurring characters didn't ring true and some were missing altogether (like the Sheriffs wife Maureen). All in all, not only don't I recommend reading this book, I strongly recommend not reading this book!
On a Happier Note, if you read and were disapointed in this book don't let it disillusion you try: Gin and Daggers or Murder on the QE2!

Rating:
Summary: Not as interesting as I had hoped it would be
Review: Based on the television series "Murder, She Wrote" starring great actress Angela Lansbury, "Brandy and Bullets" is the third book published. The stories are centered on the famous mystery writer Jessica Fletcher who always manages somehow to get involved in a murder.

"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.

Rating:
Summary: Not as interesting as I had hoped it would be
Review: Based on the television series "Murder, She Wrote" starring great actress Angela Lansbury, "Brandy and Bullets" is the third book published. The stories are centered on the famous mystery writer Jessica Fletcher who always manages somehow to get involved in a murder.

"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.

Rating:
Summary: Jessica Fletcher is an endearing sleuth!
Review: I enjoyed Brandy and Bullets the most. Jessica Fletcher is, in my opinion, the best mystery writer of all mystery genre. I read her novels on cold winter nights when I'm snuggled in my warm bed and drinking tea. The Murder She Wrote books are the best, and I recommend them to every mystery reader.

If anyone knows when the release date of the next Murder She Wrote mystery, Gin and Daggers, is announced please post it in here. Thanks.

Rating:
Summary: Too much brandy, not enough bullets
Review: The third adventure of Jessica in the literary version of "Murder, she wrote", takes place in her hometown of Cabot Cove. All starts when a well-known local aristocrat decides to sell the famous Worrell Mansion, a public landmark, to a group of developers with the condition that it be turn into a posh artists' retreat. Jessica, as a writer, is one of the few supporters of such an idea from the start. Most of the townsfolk dismiss it, though, as a curse: "Artists do drugs," says one, while other seems to think "they engage in orgies." Although Jessica is quick to object that this isn't so for EVERY artist, she quickly admits that things at Worrell go all but smoothly. A sudden suicide (or was it?), another attempted one and the dissappearance of a long time, dear friend, have Cabot Cove's finest - that is Sheriff Metzger, Dr. Hazlitt and Jessica herself - on frank alert.

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.

Rating:
Summary: Sizzle to Fizzle
Review: This book starts out superbly and ends most horribly. The ending feels increasingly rushed, which holds no satisfaction for the reader. Without spoiling the plot for those unfortunate enough to read it, this book is a great read... until you reach about 2/3 of the way through. The book falls apart. Mr. Bain starts using characters that were only slightly introduced earlier in the book and characters that he had invested quite a bit of time in, page-wise, suddenly leave. Reality takes a header out the window by the last few pages and the murderer(s) never get final justice... which is probably the most necessary component to a murder mystery, imho.

I highly recommend Fletcher & Bain's first novel, Gin & Daggers, as an example of a very good Murder, She Wrote book.

Rating:
Summary: One you shoul over-look.
Review: This book too slow. At first it seemed like a great read. But then, right after the Thanksgiving scene, it goes downhill.
When a large mansion in Cabot Cove, is being made into a retreat for all kinds of artists, it is met with much resistance. The towns-people act just like stereo-typical hicks. I think it was over-done. Then artists start to drop, and Jessica starts snooping {of course}. The ending had a lot of potential, but occured far too fast. Read some other books in the series, before trying this one.