A Fatal Feast

A Review of A Fatal Feast (Murder, She Wrote Series)

                This installment of the Murder, She Wrote series surprised me. I did not think it would matter if I did not read the series in order. I found out, though, in reading this novel that it would be best if I read the series in order. I do not recall this in the television series and if anyone does, please correct me, but apparently Jessica Fletcher has a beau, George Sutherland. He works for Scotland Yard, so naturally, their relationship is complicated. Jessica wants her independence and is not ready to marry a second time, but it is clear in the novel, they both have strong feelings for one another. George visits Jessica in Cabot Cove for Thanksgiving. He stays with Seth for the duration of his visit. The tension between George and Jessica made me realize the writers of this series are not just interested in writing mysteries, but also in character development.

            I was also surprised that Sheriff Metzger had a new wife. In the television series, he is married to a woman named Adele. In the novels, though, he and Adele separate, and he ends up marrying a woman named Maureen. Therefore, I will read the series in order, so as not to miss any important subplots. Later in December, I will start with book one, which happens to be Christmas-themed.

            A Fatal Feast revolves around the murder of a homeless man named Hubert Billups who Jessica had invited to her Thanksgiving meal. He is murdered with Seth’s knife, which was used to help serve the Thanksgiving meal to the poor of Cabot Cove. The investigation leads Jessica to travel to Boston and investigate a crime committed by the mob many years ago.

            While all of this is going on, Jessica is trying to overcome her writer’s block and finish her latest novel. Additionally, Seth thinks that George is going to propose marriage to Jessica, which distracts her from the case and her writing.

            Overall, I thought this was a well-thought-out mystery. I thought I knew who the killer was, but I am happy to admit that I was wrong. I do not like my mysteries being predictable.

Next Murder, She Wrote novel: Manhattans & Murder (late December)