Judith L. (JML) -
This was a pleasant read, it was nice to "ride" a passenger train through British Columbia and "visit" in Vancouver. And only unpleasant people were murdered. But it didn't feel like the TV show to me, I found it hard to picture Jessica Fletcher in my mind. I think because the book gives the reader more access to Jessica's mind, and she isn't as sure of herself as she is in the show.
Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed Destination Murder (Murder, She Wrote, Bk 20) on + 885 more book reviews
For Murder She Wrote fans, this storyline will not disappoint. I always enjoy these books: engaging story, well written, comfortable without undue attention re: gorey details relating to the murders. I loved the TV series and I have enjoyed the several books in the series as well. Quick, enjoyable read. Sit back, relax and enjoy Jessica's travels on a Canadian steam engine excursion.
Larry G. (aardvark) reviewed Destination Murder (Murder, She Wrote, Bk 20) on + 157 more book reviews
British Columbia and the beautiful Vancouver are the main settings for this Jessica outing.
Featuring Jessica Fletcher from the TV show Murder She Wrote. Jessica is on a train trip when someone dies and police begin interviewing the passengers and when all the suspects are gathered together Jessica decides to do some sleuthing of her own.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Just finished yet anther enjoyable read from "Jessica Fletcher" and Donald Bain. I like these books as an easy alternative read from the often too serious non-fiction books which make up most of my reading. Reading cozies is like watching TV, but you still get to use your brain. Still, it was obvious from early on who was going to figure in the murder, you just didn't know what name was being used.
But why did "Jessica" have to take the train trip I've always thought of taking?
But why did "Jessica" have to take the train trip I've always thought of taking?
Patti S. (Pattakins) reviewed Destination Murder (Murder, She Wrote, Bk 20) on + 365 more book reviews
There are very few things that have a stronger romantic hold on people than do trains. The "Iron Horse" has captivated people for far longer than any living person can remember and trains are a mainstay of the entertainment industry. Just think about how many songs, movies, TV shows and books feature trains, the list is just too long to remember. There are also numerous clubs for those who take the fascination with trains just a little farther than the rest of us do. It is a railroad excursion held by one of these clubs that provides the setting for this very entertaining book.
Cabot Cove insurance agent Reggie Weems is vice president of one of these clubs and invites Jessica to be his guest on one of the club's excursions in British Columbia. On the first day of the trip, club president Alvin Blevin goes into convulsions and dies very unselfishly setting up a mystery to be solved. Blevin, despite his selfless act that creates our mystery, is very unpopular with most of the club members so the suspect list is very long. At first though, Jessica is the only one who suspects foul play but she, being a mystery writer, has done a lot of research on poisons and immediately recognizes Blevin's symptoms.
To add even more romance to this story, the agency that is charged with investigating the murder is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Mounties. Once RCMP Detective Christian Marshall gets the autopsy report and learns that Jessica was absolutely right about the poison he begins to take her sleuthing seriously and ends up relying on her for many of his clues. As for Jessica, her curiosity is running at full throttle and she ends up in quite a bit of danger before she finds the path that leads to the guilty party.
This is one of the better books in this series, but with trains and Mounties it couldn't possibly fail. The scenery along the train's route is beautifully described and there is even a lady on the train who carries a book about wildflowers so she can point out the different species of flora that the train passes by. The characters, and some of them are indeed characters, are believable and well thought out and this mystery really draws the reader into the story, much more so than in some of the other books in this series. Best of all though, despite numerous red herrings the reader actually has enough information to solve the mystery before Jessica does so. There are some sub-plots that information is withheld on, but the Blevin murder is solvable. Mr. Bain has a tendency to withhold information but he does a splendid job with this book.
If you only read one "Murder She Wrote" mystery, this might well be the one that you should choose.
Cabot Cove insurance agent Reggie Weems is vice president of one of these clubs and invites Jessica to be his guest on one of the club's excursions in British Columbia. On the first day of the trip, club president Alvin Blevin goes into convulsions and dies very unselfishly setting up a mystery to be solved. Blevin, despite his selfless act that creates our mystery, is very unpopular with most of the club members so the suspect list is very long. At first though, Jessica is the only one who suspects foul play but she, being a mystery writer, has done a lot of research on poisons and immediately recognizes Blevin's symptoms.
To add even more romance to this story, the agency that is charged with investigating the murder is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Mounties. Once RCMP Detective Christian Marshall gets the autopsy report and learns that Jessica was absolutely right about the poison he begins to take her sleuthing seriously and ends up relying on her for many of his clues. As for Jessica, her curiosity is running at full throttle and she ends up in quite a bit of danger before she finds the path that leads to the guilty party.
This is one of the better books in this series, but with trains and Mounties it couldn't possibly fail. The scenery along the train's route is beautifully described and there is even a lady on the train who carries a book about wildflowers so she can point out the different species of flora that the train passes by. The characters, and some of them are indeed characters, are believable and well thought out and this mystery really draws the reader into the story, much more so than in some of the other books in this series. Best of all though, despite numerous red herrings the reader actually has enough information to solve the mystery before Jessica does so. There are some sub-plots that information is withheld on, but the Blevin murder is solvable. Mr. Bain has a tendency to withhold information but he does a splendid job with this book.
If you only read one "Murder She Wrote" mystery, this might well be the one that you should choose.
Gift Copy! This is similar to The Orient Express. This is my 3rd entry into the Jessica fletcher books and I enjoyed it tremendously. I have always wanted to take a train trip and this book showed me how much fun it can be, of course if no one is murdered on it. This book had lots of info about trains, which I loved, but I liked the way Jessica was put into danger, and of course she rallied. Even though the regular Cabot Cove gang was not with her, it still was an enjoyable read. I couldn't figure out the killer and I enjoyed that. It is nice to be surprised. I think it is one of the better books of the collection.
