BOOK REVIEW: Murder She Wrote: Murder in Red by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land @JonDLand @BerkleyPub @BerkleyMystery #murdershewrote #murderinred

I love pretty much ALL cozy mysteries, but I have a special place in my heart for a few of my favorite amateur sleuths—Nancy Drew, Miss Marple, and of course, the irreplaceable Jessica Fletcher. In Jon Land’s latest installment in the Jessica Fletcher catalog, Murder She Wrote: Murder in Red, Jessica Fletcher is back with a mystery that hits close to home in Cabot Cove, ME. The death of a friend, a suspicious medical clinic, and the return of an old friend make this a fun read with a good mystery and an ending I never would have guessed!

About the Book

In the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series, Jessica loses a loved one to unnatural causes and sets her sights on the mysterious local hospital before more people wind up dead on arrival…

Jessica Fletcher’s favorite gin rummy partner, Mimi Van Dorn, checks into the brand-new Clifton Care Partners, a private hospital that’s just opened up shop in town, for a simple procedure–one that leads tragically, and inexplicably, to her death. Seeking justice in her inimitable fashion, Jessica decides to pursue her own investigation on the hospital and its shadowy business dealings.

On the trail of what initially appears to be medical malpractice, Jessica digs deeper and learns her friend was actually a victim of something far more sinister. Death is bad for business, but murder is even worse, and Jessica will find plenty of both as she races to bring down Clifton Care Partners before someone else flatlines…

Reflection

I was so excited to pick this up and see Jessica Fletcher back in Cabot Cove, ME for this book, after her wild adventures all the way to the white house in the last one! (You can see my review of that one here) Really, I like to see Jessica Fletcher anywhere, if I’m being honest. But boy, Cabot Cove is sure a dangerous place to live!!!

As the book opens, the residents of Cabot Cove are at a funeral for the local librarian. A new clinic poaching clients right and left from Jessica Fletcher’s long time friend and physician Seth is the talk of the reception. The Clifton Clinic seems to operate in flashy yet mysterious ways, touting a number of services without clear medical protocol. Jessica’s friend Mimi Van Dorn is one of the patients, there for treatment of her diabetes and some anti-aging regimen.

But when Mimi dies suddenly of seemingly medical-related complications, Jessica and Seth suspect that there may be more to Mimi’s death than meets the eye. And they soon discover they are right—Mimi’s death is anything but natural. And then one of Jessica’s dear friend George arrives in town for a medical procedure at the Clifton Clinic… Jessica knows she must get to the bottom of what is happening at that clinic before another person loses their life.

I have to say, that Clifton Clinic really had me suspicious! It was a bit too slick, and the owner a bit too smug. But the patients seemed happy, even if they were paying an arm and a leg for their procedures and treatment. You do have to wonder though if they’d be quite as happy if they found out that they may pay with their life!

Jessica’s friend George was such a sweet part to this. They are a couple that would be together if their work and geography didn’t separate them. Jessica’s fondness for her friends and loved ones is one of her most endearing qualities, and it softens her up when she can be quite sassy and direct other times! I loved her repartee with the other characters too. Jessica Fletcher may be getting older, but her mind is sharp as a tack!

And the mystery was pretty engaging! I couldn’t quite tell where it would go, but let’s just say an old scandal may come to light and hold the key to a few of the answers to this mystery! And even when that was revealed, I wouldn’t have guessed the ending. This was a great mystery with a fantastic conclusion, that fans of Jessica Fletcher and first-timers alike will love!

Thank you to Berkley for my copy. Opinions are my own.