A Little Yuletide Murder
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A death at Christmas time rocks Cabot Cove - even more so because the victim, Brent, is the man who played the town’s Santa Claus. Jessica Fletcher is home for the holidays and she’s ready to start digging into the motives of the murderer and figure out who the murderer actually is. Many of the townspeople are pointing their fingers at Jake, Brent’s longtime nemesis. Jessica isn’t so sure though, and the more questions she asks the more secrets she uncovers, even from people she thought she knew very well.
The plot moves slowly. While it’s interesting to read the histories and connections of the people of Cabot Cove, there is really not much action. Drinking tea, eating cookies, eating lunch...and talking...so much talking...seems to make up the bulk of Jessica’s activity in the book. There are some nice little twists, and the charm you expect from Murder, She Wrote, but don’t make this your pick for a gripping holiday mystery. Perhaps reach for it if you need a book to help lull you to sleep during the stress of the season.
TL;DR: If you want to try the Murder, She Wrote series, pick a different one to start with. A Little Yuletide Murder is fairly dull, even by cozy mystery standards.
Maine Thoughts: It’s Cabot Cove. If you’re familiar with Murder, She Wrote, you know about Cabot Cove - a quaint yet somehow overly murderous portrayal of coastal life in a small Maine town. Overuse of ‘Ayuh’ and Jessica Fletcher’s regular meals of some sort of clam or other shellfish dish are used to try to add authenticity.