**I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Full of lovely descriptions of Ireland, this addition to the Murder, She Wrote franchise has Jessica once again on the track of a killer. While by now the books are a little formulaic with plot and the climax at the end, I still turn to these for a fun entertainment. Jessica is a little different from her TV persona (I cannot help but think of Angela Lansbury as I read this series), but I find this Jessica just as captivating. While I did suspect the killer by the end of the book, I enjoyed the journey towards that conclusion. Great read!

Jessica Fletcher goes to Ireland to speak at a writers' conference. While she is there, she has agreed to do a favor for her friend and neighbor, Maeve. She will deliver some paintings to her family in a small Irish village.

Jessica enjoys the conference and travels to the village. When she is out riding a bicycle, she discovers that Maeve's cousin Michael has been murdered, and she works to solve the mystery.

I wanted to read this novel because I love Murder She Wrote - both the TV series and the book series. I have enjoyed previous books in this cozy mystery series, and also love Ireland as a locale.

This was a charming read! The Irish setting was lovely and the place descriptions made me want to travel to see them. I loved the little details too, like Jessica's friend wearing shamrock cufflinks, and the food descriptions (which made me hungry!). I have never had a scone with clotted cream, but now I think I must.

Jessica is the consummate amateur sleuth and it is fun to solve the mystery along with her. There were several likely suspects, and I enjoyed seeing her deductive process. The cast of characters (both Cabot Cove early in the book, and Ireland later) added a lot to my reading enjoyment too.

I highly recommend Murder She Wrote: Death on the Emerald Isle for fans of Jessica Fletcher and for anyone who enjoys an Irish book setting. This was a delightful read from start to finish!

I loved Death on the Emerald Isle. Terrie Farley Moran does a wonderful job telling a Jessica Fletcher story. The thing about reading a mystery that has 55 others before it is you want to experience a new story, but it has to have the elements of the other stories and in this case, stories written by other authors. I felt securely landed in Jessica’s world with Seth Hazlett complaining about the lack of pastry and Jessica’s polite gracefulness in tricky situations. The mystery is well-paced and the Irish characters were loveable, especially Jessica’s young assistant from the Bushmills hotel. If you love Murder She Wrote, you won’t want to miss this one.

This latest installment in the "Murder, She Wrote" series is a fantastic escape to the emerald isle of Ireland! Jessica Fletcher takes a much-needed break from Cabot Cove and accepts an invitation to the Belfast Book Festival. But, as always, adventure finds her and she finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation. The author does a fantastic job of transporting readers to the lush, rolling hills of Ireland, complete with the sights, sounds, and scents of the culture.

As usual, the characters are top-notch, with Jessica shining as the shining star. This time around, we see a more three-dimensional side of Jessica, showing off her genuine personality and politeness, even in the face of adversity. The mystery itself is full of twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end. And, as always, the resolution is satisfying, tying up all the loose ends.

Whether you're a first-time reader or a long-time fan of the series, this book is a must-read. The author has done a fantastic job of capturing the essence of Ireland and its people, making it feel like a true escape. So, pack your bags and head to the Emerald Isle with Jessica Fletcher for a thrilling mystery that you won't soon forget!

MURDER SHE WROTE: DEATH ON THE EMERALD ISLE
By Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran
The Fifty-Sixth Murder She Wrote Mystery

When an injury sidelines the American guest speaker at the Belfast Book Fair, Jessica Fletcher graciously steps in. When her neighbor, Maeve, hears she's headed to Ireland, she requests Jessica visit her family in nearby Bushmills and present them with paintings created by their departed grandfather. Jessica is happy to extend her visit, especially as Maeve is making arrangements. But turning over the paintings becomes a more challenging task as Jessica is faced not only with family business drama, but the fact that she finds Maeve's cousin dead in his car...murdered. As Jessica waits to present the paintings, she can't help but get caught up in the murder investigation.

I've loved Jessica Fletcher for decades and with this fifty-sixth entry into the series I get to love a lot more characters. From the charming hoteliers, the always helpful Owen, and the cheerful potato peeler who knows everything there is to know in the village to the French businessmen also sidelined by the murder, somewhat reminding me of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as they wait around, all add appeal.

While I enjoy spending time in Cabot Cove I like armchair traveling even further afield, this time to Northern Ireland. The glorious descriptions and time Jessica spent simply being a tourist made me feel as if I was there with her; shopping in quaint shops, listening to traditional music, and seeing the amazing Giant's Causeway. Me, I'd be quick to go on the distillery tour! In addition to being a great mystery, DEATH ON THE EMERALD ISLE is also a great travel promotion! I also enjoyed the real life author tidbits quietly thrown in, such as Jess's appearance and her time at the book festival.

The mystery itself was compelling and continuing family dynamics fueled the tension in the story. Jessica is clever and works with the police, not against them. I love her laid back style of investigation, balanced with the methods of her new sidekick, the effervescent Maggie.

MURDER SHE WROTE: DEATH ON THE EMERALD ISLE is a delightful mystery with the bonus of a trip to Northern Ireland. Fans new and old will have fun as Jessica explores a new location and solves another murder.

This book was a bitter sweet read following the death of Angela Lansbury who is the wonderful Jessica Fletcher, I loved growing up watching 'Murder She Wrote' and even love the opportunity to sit and watch a re-run if its on TV.

Now this is the first time I have ever read a Murder She Wrote book, and I loved it! I am not going to lie I totally read this book in Jessica Fletcher's 'voice' and I loved putting the Irish accents to the other characters. Our sleuth is off to Ireland to replace a speaker who couldn’t attend a Book Festival in Belfast, and in turn her neighbour Maeve O'Bannon who hears about the trip, asks her to deliver some paintings to her family in the village of Bushmills. This gives Jessica a chance to see more of the Emerald Isle so she jumps at the chance.

Once in Ireland and after the book event, she makes her way to Bushmills where she is welcomed into the open arms of Maeve's family. She is introduced to the family and invited to dinner where she happens to overhear a heated conversation regarding the family merging their business, thinking nothing off it at the time she banks that little piece of information for later.

The next day she is spurred on with the idea of riding a bike around the village to soak in the Irish beautiful countryside, though she wasn't banking on finding a body slumped over in car down a country lane! It turned out to be Maeve’s cousin Michael whom she say the night before! 

Before Jessica could even give the family the painting from Maeve she finds herself getting involved in finding the killer.

This was a bittersweet read following Lansbury's death but it was great, and I can't believe that I have never read one the previous 55 books!

4 stars

It was lovely to immediately feel at home right from the start of the book. Of course we started in Cabot Cove in Jessica's kitchen. You can picture it as well, can't you? Jessica is on her way to a Book Festival in Belfast Ireland to help out a fellow author who are not able to attend the festival. When her next door neighbour Maeve, who is originally from Ireland, asks Jessica to deliver a few paintings to her family in the village of Bushmills, Jessica jumps at the chance to take an extended holiday to visit the beautiful Ireland.

The Book Festival reveals a few interesting characters, but the real action, aka the dead body, only starts when Jessica lands in Bushmills. Filled with family intrigue, hidden secrets and grudges, Death in the Emerald Isle is an easy read and the plot and conclusion all came together nicely.

This was our first time reading any of the series and it was rather bitter sweet to hear Jessica's voice again, especially after the passing of Angela Lansbury in 2022. I'm sure my Mommy is going to try to find a few more of these and just enjoy them.

Jessica Fletcher agrees to travel from her home in Cabot Cove, Maine to Belfast, Northern Ireland, as a favor to her friend and fellow author, Lorna Winters. Lorna is laid up in a cast and has been advised not to travel, so Jessica agrees to attend the Belfast Book Festival to accept an award and participate in a discussion panel on Lorna’s behalf. Jessica also tells her neighbor Maeve O’Bannon that she will deliver some family heirloom paintings to Maeve’s Irish relatives while on her trip and enjoy a little leisure time. Jessica meets one of Maeve’s cousins at the book festival before meeting the rest of the family in the neighboring village of Bushmills. When Michael is murdered, Jessica’s relaxing vacation is over, and it’s time for her to put her sleuthing skills to use to solve the case.

Death on the Emerald Isle is almost like two stories in one. The portion set at the book festival is really interesting, and the author helped you to really visualize what it would be like to attend such an event. The festival helps set the stage for the “main event” when the story moves from Belfast to Bushmills and a killer strikes. Even though Jessica’s Cabot Cove friends and neighbors play only a limited role in the story, I like the change of pace of having Jessica on the road. The Irish setting is well-done, and I especially liked the part of the book taking place at the book festival, even though the murder doesn’t occur until later in the book. I like the character of Godfrey Hamilton, who is assigned as Jessica’s escort at the festival to help her navigate the various commitments and personalities she has to deal with.

Once Jessica travels to Bushmills, the pace of the book slows somewhat, even though this is when the investigation gets started. There are portions of the story in which Jessica doesn’t seem to make much progress as she tries to get the truth from the O’Bannon family. Jessica teams up with a young woman named Maggie, who helps with the investigation. I appreciate Maggie’s enthusiasm, but she is a little too eager and continually jumps to conclusions which becomes annoying. Jessica is as likable as ever – smart, humble, and willing to help her new friends. The author keeps you guessing as to the identity of the killer. I like the way things wrap up at the end of the investigation, and the very end of the book after Jessica returns home. You don’t have to have followed the television series to enjoy this fun, cozy series, and especially this book, since most of it takes place away from most of the recurring characters from Cabot Cove.

~ Christine

As cozy and comfortable as the previous series’ books, it still provides a fresh and exciting new story.

Murder, She Wrote: Death on the Emerald Isle is the 56th book in the long-running cozy mystery series based on the television show of the same name. This latest entry is as cozy and comfortable as all those before it, yet it still provides a fresh and exciting new story.

Jessica Fletcher is a kind and observant woman with an insatiable appetite for solving mysteries and serving up truth and justice. She builds a circle of new friends and acquaintances everywhere she goes who help her solve the crime. In this case, Maggie Nolan, the daughter of the owner of the hotel where Jessica is staying, is pulled into the matter. Maggie is also the fiancée of the son of one of Maeve's cousins, so she has a vested interest, making her involvement irresistible. The local chief inspector assigned to the official case comes to see Jessica’s value to his investigation. I enjoyed their back and forth, each trying to draw important information from the other.

The murder victim has gotten involved with some shady characters while gambling, but he’s also angered members of his own family and legitimate business associates. So, there are a couple of scenarios for Jessica and Maggie to consider and more than a few possible suspects. It was compelling reading as they followed their leads into Michael’s background and business dealings.

The setting in Belfast and Bushmills in Northern Ireland offered Jessica several attractive sightseeing opportunities, which are worked into the story. Some are off the usual tourist itinerary, and I was given a new appreciation for the depth of Ireland’s history and the travel opportunities available. The location descriptions were amazing, and even simple country drives sounded beautiful, relaxing, and familiar. It was easy to visualize the action in these settings.

With comfortable recurring characters and its well-known amateur sleuth, I recommend MURDER, SHE WROTE: DEATH ON THE EMERALD ISLE to cozy mystery readers who are fans of the previous books or the television show as well as newcomers ready to sample the long-running series.

I was first introduced to Jessica Fletcher via the Murder, She Wrote mystery series on television. It was a pleasure to watch the show, and I'm happy to say it also extends to the book series. I haven't had a chance to read the book series before, so I decided to try out the newest addition via this entry.

The storytelling, plot/mystery, and characters was so vivid that can only picture the TV series from reading this book. The author does wonderful job with this book. I highly recommend this book and series to everyone who likes the TV series and is a fan of mysteries as well.

My thanks to Berkley and NetGallery for a digital copy of this book for my review. I look forward to reading more of Murder, She Wrote!

Death on the Emerald Isle by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran sees Jessica set off on an adventure to the northern part of Ireland.

Will Jessica figure out who killed Michael O'Bannon before she leaves for home?

Jessica Fletcher is off to Ireland to substitute for another author who can't make it to a book festival in Belfast. She has to travel to Bushmills to visit her neighbor's family to deliver some paintings that their shared grandfather painted. Jessica seems to have the best time in both Belfast and Bushmills until she deals with the neighbor's family members. Well, the older family members, that is. I love that even though Jessica doesn't know any Irish family members, she makes it her business to find out why someone would want Michael O'Bannon gone, as it could be any number of people throughout the story. Jessica is still a great joy to read. It was like an episode from her show playing out in my head.

The Mystery
Jessica Fletcher stumbles across the body of Michael O'Bannon while enjoying a nice bike ride through Bushmills and its country sideroads. She noticed some things about the crime scene that wouldn't leave her mind, so she decides to investigate, especially when the local police were looking to Jessica for help. Jessica doesn't mind helping out and is finding many things out about the O'Bannon clan. I have to say that I figured it out, but I couldn't say for sure that I had it right until she confronted the killer in a similar Jessica Fletcher way.

Five Stars
I am giving five stars to Death on the Emerald Isle by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran and also recommending it. Even if you haven't watched any Murder, She Wrote episodes reading this series at any point won't hinder you from following the mystery. Ms. Moran does a beautiful job of bringing Jessica Fletcher into the 21st century, and I like how she writes it as if you could turn on the tv to see this play out like an episode of the show.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Death on the Emerald Isle by Terrie Farley Moran.

Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.

Though I've never been to Ireland, it's one of my favorite places in the world. I have lots of favorite places...just ask my daughter! I watch Escape to the Country on BritBox, and I pretty much need to own at least one house per county (yes, county, not country, so I need some funds!) in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. In fact, when I watch the shows, I often let out an Irish sigh! I never knew my sigh had a name until I read this book! Jessica finds out what an Irish sigh sounds like in Death on the Emerald Isle, and I really imagine it sounding like my deep sighs of longing for those houses (or deep sighs of frustration!). But as you can tell, I was very, very happy with the setting of Jessica's latest adventure!

Since Jessica's author friend is unable to fly to Ireland due to an injury she sustained, she asks Jessica to go in her place and accept an award for her and give her speech. Of course, Jessica agrees to help her friend. She also agrees to deliver some family heirlooms to her neighbor's Irish cousins. It seems like a simple enough task, and it gives Jessica some time to enjoy the quiet country life in Bushmills. But can Jessica ever just have some peace and quiet? Nope! As she's riding a bicycle down a country lane, she comes across a dead body! And she recognizes him as her neighbor's cousin, Michael. Of course, she can't deliver the family heirlooms when the family is in shock about Michael's murder, so she stays and puts her skills to work.

I absolutely loved Murder She Wrote: Death on the Emerald Isle. This author always has me totally immersed in the story. I grew up during the Murder She Wrote TV days, and most of you have probably watched it too! I love that I can picture the regular characters and hear their voices as I read. It's like getting an all new episode years after the TV show ended. I've only read the Murder She Wrote books authored by Terrie Farley Moran, and I've loved every one of them. They make me feel that cozy nostalgia of watching the show with my grandma. In addition to the regular characters, the author brings the new characters in Murder She Wrote: Death on the Emerald Isle with her excellent descriptions and ear for dialogue. There are a few characters in this one that I'd love to see again, so Jessica needs to either visit them or invite them to Cabot Cove!

The murder is just puzzling enough to leave you guessing! I changed my choice of culprit several times throughout the mystery, and I think you will be satisfied as to the who and why.

Murder She Wrote: Death on the Emerald Isle is the perfect cozy mystery to curl up with whether you're putting up with the chill of winter or enjoying the sunshine on your porch. It has such wonderful characters and a glorious setting! I can't wait until Jessica's next adventure! I highly recommend this delightful cozy mystery to all mystery lovers!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

'This was such a great mystery book. Perfect book for anyone who enjoys Murder, She Wrote and wants to continue on with Jessica's adventures. I was pleased with how the essences of the show is captured and all of the elements of Jessica's character and the charm of Cabot Cove are still present. This particular mystery happens abroad, on the Emerald Isle and I absolutely loved how the author wrote the feeling of Ireland. I also appreciated that there were some differences (sayings or customs for examples) and they were explained in a clever way without being repetitive.

With pleasant characters, an intriguing mystery and a captivating atmosphere this one is definitely a book to add to your TBR list.

📖My Thoughts📖

Murder She Wrote has always been something I’ve enjoyed watching. To this day, I occasionally put in on when I go to bed as a sort of comfort. When I was sent the widget for this book I was so excited! Who doesn’t love a good dose of Jessica Fletcher? What could possibly make this book any better? It takes place in Ireland (a bucket list vacation destination of mine). I love the details of the book as it made me feel as though I was there myself. This was just as good as watching the tv series, if not better. It wasn’t too lengthy, the characters were very easy to follow, and of course, Jessica Fletcher did an amazing job as always solving the murder. If you’re a fan of Murder She Wrote, I strongly suggest you pick this one up. While it’s a part of a series, it’s very capable of being read as a standalone.
Thank you Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Each novel by Terrie Farley Moran in this series is better than the last! In this episode, Jessica Fletcher goes to a place I’ve wanted to visit for many years. Seeing it through the eyes of Jessica and the author is the next best thing to being there. I enjoyed the sights, sounds, and scents of Ireland, as well as the cultural delights including the trad, the dancers, and the foods typical to Ireland. The characters, of course, keep me coming back every time!

Lorna, an author and friend of Jessica, has to cancel her plans to go to Ireland at the last minute. She asked Jessica to attend the Belfast Book Festival in her place, accept her award, and participate on a panel about American cozy mysteries. When Maeve, her next-door neighbor, learned that Jessica was going to Belfast, she had a special favor to ask. Maeve has no children to leave any of her family heirlooms to, so she asked Jessica to take a side trip see her cousins and deliver paintings that her grandfather had painted as a wedding present to her parents.

Jessica’s days in Belfast were uneventful; she did some sightseeing and attended the festival. Owen, the son of one of Maeve’s cousins, drove Jessica from Belfast to Bushmills, and she stayed at a charming inn where Owen’s fiancée Maggie worked. She met the O’Bannon cousins that evening when they had a business dinner. The O’Bannon family business, Marine Magic, was about to merge with a company from France, Bella Visage. Jessica was going to meet with just the family another time to receive the paintings, per Maeve’s request. It didn’t quite happen as they planned, however. The next morning while riding a bicycle through the countryside, Jessica found Dr. Michael O’Bannon, the public face and medical advisor of the company, dead in his car.

It was quickly determined that Michael was murdered during the night. The chief inspector quickly noted Jessica’s observations of the vehicle and the O’Bannon family, so while clearing her of being a suspect, he took advantage of what she learned about the family. Due to the trauma of their cousin being murdered, Jessica had to wait before following Maeve’s wishes for the paintings. She was invited to the O’Bannon family’s gatherings and even joined the Frenchmen negotiating their part of the merger to see one of the local spectacular sites. Almost every person she spoke with was an opportunity for Jessica to learn about Michael and who may have killed him. There were many shadows and secrets in his life, some of which could have been cause for his murder.

Jessica is the only regular character that we see for more than a chapter this time; she and those she met in Ireland were defined perfectly according to their roles. Jessica is shown as three-dimensional for the first-time reader as for the long-time fan. One thing I noticed specifically this time is how genuinely personable Jessica is, even when she doesn’t know anybody. She can also be polite to the most obnoxious people. After a relatively short time with Maeve’s family, Owen and Maggie wanted her to return to Ireland with Maeve for their wedding.

This was a fascinating mystery in many ways, especially since Jessica is far from home. Plot twists and turns added more suspects and motives to the mix than I thought possible, but not so many that I couldn’t keep up with them. I was almost certain who the bad guy was while suspects were still being sifted and considered a couple who seemed like excellent choices. I liked how Jessica kept people apprised of where she was, and that someone was very nearby in a situation that could turn sideways. The resolution was perfect, with every unusual occurrence addressed. I highly recommend this novel, which can be read as a standalone, as can any others in the series.

This series is definitely good comfort reading. Jessica Fletcher is one of my favorite fictional sleuths and while Seth is all the way across the Atlantic for the bulk of the book he does show up in phone conversations to weigh in on the investigation.

I really enjoyed the Northern Ireland setting both in Belfast and in the countryside. The O'Bannon family has some serious issues and the only thing that's surprising is that it took so long for someone to murder one of them. Besides the family there's a whole list of suspects including a very shady loan shark and some very sketchy business practices.

While this was an enjoyable read and I'm always happy to see Jessica Fletcher solving murder it did get a bit over detailed. While I enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape there were times the details got a bit overdone. For example, I didn't really need to know Jessica's instructions to the laundry service at the hotel.

This was a fun and entertaining read with likable familiar characters. While this is book 56 in the series as long as you are vaguely familiar with the setup of the television series you can jump in anywhere.

I am a big Jessica Fletcher fan, and I am always happy to spend some time with her and her laser-like detective brain. Here Jess takes the reader along with her to Ireland, where she is substituting for an ailing American author at a writers' conference. At the same time Jess is helping her Cabot Cover neighbor by bringing some paintings to her neighbor's family members who live in a nearby village. During one of Jessica's early morning bike rides, she discovers the body of her neighbor's uncle, with whom she had dinner the previous evening, and whose family company is in the middle of a merger with a French company. So begins Jessica's newest murder adventure. The beautiful country of Ireland and its people come alive in the descriptive writing and well-drawn characters. During some of Jess's sightseeing tours I felt like I was right there with her, enjoying the scenery. I even learned what a "snug" is in terms of an Irish pub. What a cool idea! This is a terrific addition to the long-running cozy mystery book series. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an ARC.

In Death on the Emerald Isle, Jessica is already doing a favor for a friend by attending a book conference in Ireland in her stead. Now, she is also returning some paintings to their Irish homeland for her neighbor. Jessica being Jessica she is soon embroiled in a mystery when she finds a local doctor dead. Cue the Murder She Wrote music that I can still hear in my head over thirty years after the original television series was cancelled.

It is always such a pleasure to hang out with Jessica. I hope to have such an exciting life when I’m her age, which appears to be fast approaching. The suspects, clues and red herrings are all in place for armchair detectives to unravel. It was also nice to get a bit of a travelogue of Ireland. 4 stars and a fun read!

Thanks to Berkley Books, Great Escapes Book Tours, and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

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.

I’m sure you can tell by the title, Murder She Wrote: Death on the Emerald Isle, that mystery writer Jessica Fletcher is heading to Ireland, with the assistance of Terrie Farley Moran. It’s Northern Ireland, with stops in Belfast and Bushmills. Moran blends mystery, a book festival, and local information in an entertaining mystery.

If Jessica Fletcher wasn’t such a good friend, she wouldn’t have ended up on this trip or involved in a murder investigation. Lorna Winters, the American guest of honor at the Belfast Book Festival, broke her leg, and asked Jessica to take her place with interviews and panels. That would have been just a short business trip, but then a neighbor in Cabot Cove asks a favor that sounds easy. Maeve O’Bannon has four paintings her Irish grandfather gave her parents as wedding presents. As the last of the American O’Bannons, Maeve is sending the paintings home to her O’Bannon cousins is Bushmills. She’s sending them with Jessica.

It’s a typical book festival in Belfast, with a lot of glad-handing and a busy schedule. Then, Jessica is swept off to Bushmills by Owen O’Bannon, one of the younger generation. It’s older cousins who run the family business, a cosmetics company called Marine Magic, Beth Anne, Jane, and Michael. But, Jessica met Michael, a doctor, at the book festival. Insinuations were that there was something a little off about his business practices. And, Owen warns Jessica the senior generation is in the middle of an attempted merger with a French firm, so there will be talk of business when it was originally just a welcome get together. Jessica suspects everything isn’t right with Marine Magic and the merger.

She might have let go of the business interests if she hadn’t discovered Michael’s body when she was bike riding. And, she could tell by a few clues that he was murdered. Now, Jessica doesn’t want to go home without finding answers for her friend Maeve.

Several elements are charming about the latest Murder, She Wrote book. Moran’s characters are well-written, and there are several logical suspects in Michael’s death. She capitalizes on the Irish setting, with a local pub, traditional music, and historic sites. And, there’s a romance between two likable characters. Best of all, for me, what I missed when I closed the book was the characters in the town of Bushmills, including the police officers. Moran even brings a humorous element with the next generation of cousins in the O’Bannon family.

Death on the Emerald Isle is a satisfying book to kick off the new year because release date is January 3.