annieb123
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Death on the Emerald Isle is the 56th (!!!) Murder, She Wrote mystery. Due out 3rd Jan 2023 from Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 288 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is an eminently readable and enjoyable mystery "co-written" by Terrie Farley Moran. This outing sees Jessica flying to Belfast as a guest speaker for a local book festival. The festival actually wraps up without any issues, and it's only when she agrees to deliver some paintings for a neighbor back in the Cabot Cove that dead bodies start popping up.
These books are such comfort reading. There's something very relaxing about starting a read which is already a known quantity before opening the covers or reading a single sentence. They're consistently well written, cleverly constructed, fast paced, clean, and without graphic violence or language.
I enjoyed the book, but I daresay I'd avoid any college reunion, wedding, vacation, cruise, or christening to which "Aunt Jess" is invited for fear of tripping over a recently murdered friend or acquaintance. "We know you're busy, just send a card, thanks!". I'm sure there are actuarial tables and insurance agents who have lectures and workshops on the statistical improbability of violent crime in her immediate vicinity, no matter *where* she finds herself.
The mysteries are self-contained and can be read in any order. This is a perennial favorite for binge reading and highly recommended.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.