Review: Murder She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder

MURDER SHE WROTE: SNOWY WITH A CHANCE OF MURDER by Jessica Fletcher

Cozy Mystery, Series, co-writer: Barbara Early

5*****

Blurb: In a nod to Rear Window, this newest entry in the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series finds Jessica Fletcher coping with an injury that leaves her homebound—and a murder just outside her window! Jessica Fletcher has taken a nasty spill on the ice, leaving her in a wheelchair for several weeks. She tries to work on her latest manuscript but finds herself distracted by a new neighbor moving in across the street. There’s good reason for her to be distracted, because soon after unpacking his sparse belongings, Mr. Rymer is out in the front yard, building somewhat risqué ( naked) snow sculptures. While Cabot Cove debates whether the sculptures are a protected form of art or a public display of lewdness, someone starts destroying them at night. Rymer doesn’t seem upset. He just makes new ones. No need to get the police involved over a little snow, he says. Especially when there’s plenty more of it and a blizzard in the forecast. The morning after the storm, Jessica looks out the window to see a new sculpture across the street—and the body of Mr. Rymer half-buried in the snow. Can Jessica catch a cold-blooded killer from her chair by the window?

THOUGHTS: I love this series, just as I did the old TV shows, and this one is no different. In fact, while reading it, I can “hear” Jessica’s voice and Seth’s and all the other Cabot Cove old-timers. And this far into a series, I know how the characters are supposed to act and that things will turn out just right in the end – which they do.

In this one, Jessica is supposed to go on a cruise, but in leaving her house, she slips on ice and takes a nasty fall which leaves her wheelchair bound for several weeks. Seth helps her hire a live-in caretaker who will help her out until she’s okay again. Alice is a sweet girl who does a lot for Jessica. In addition there’s a regular flow of neighbors and friends through the house (mostly the kitchen) to help keep Jessica company – and to gossip about the “sculptor” who moved into the rental across the street. His snow art has the genteel folks of Cabot Cove chatting for days about his graphic, and sometimes lewd, snow sculptures. Enough to make someone made enough to destroy them. In addition, there’s a thief running around stealing clothes and food, and there are two deaths – a food truck owner, and the artist. Even though Jessica can’t get around very well, what she digs up helps the sheriff solve the mysteries.

Problems: It was obvious to me right away that something was going on with Jessica and who was doing it, but I didn’t quite know why until the end so that was well done. I also didn’t much care for the extraneous bits with Alice’s writing – it did kind of make sense in the end, but it was more like filler than anything. But I will have to say I laughed at Jessica’s issues with driving the wheelchair. Nice bit of comedic relief there. Overall, a decent addition to the series.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”