I watched the tv show a few times but never read any of the books. This was a fun book. Even though it was a murder mystery, it still felt low stakes, there was not a lot of tension, and we barely knew anything about the murder victim. Jessica is the star of the book, and she is a pleasure to read. I like how she used her contacts in the Boston book world to help solve the murder. This is a good book to read when you just want a cozy mystery.

I was so THRILLED when I was approved to review this book - I have been trying for some time and am so glad I finally got the chance! Plus I love Terrie Farley Moran :)

Jessica and Seth are headed to Boston, Jessica to give a speech at the library and Seth, to a lecture from a fellow MD, while there they are set to meet with the P.I. of Boston himself - Harry McGraw. Of course, murder follows...

Jessica is happy to taste the Shepard's Pie of Gilhooley's when Cookie introduces her to his daughter and her boyfriend, Victor, of whom Cookie is NOT a fan. A Pool tournament and a questionable conversation between Victor and a shady-looking gentleman leaves Cookie and Jessica a little more than curious. But when Cookie's daughter, Aileen, comes into Gilhooley's crying and covered in Victor's blood, Jessica springs into action before Aileen is charged with the crime. 

This book was filled with Boston imagery, geography, some history, a fun cabbie, and Seth on a bicycle! The action is non-stop and while there are the obligatory red herrings, I was stumped on who actually committed the murder, and did not suspect the killer at all - great job Terrie! 

I have been a fan of these books for many years and this series is what got me started on the cozy mystery genre. I hope there are many more stories with Jessica and her friends from around the world, but sorry for those that are the casualties in those stories to come. 

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

4.8 stars

This may be the most reliably cozy mystery series in existence. I love the original show though to be honest I'm at best a casual watcher. I've watched enough to be familiar with the characters, the setting and the premise but I have in no way watched every episode - or probably even half of them. I am an enormous Angela Lansbury fan and a Jerry Orbach fan who plays PI Harry McGraw in the show (and in my head while reading this book).
Jessica is heading to Boston to give a talk at a library and Seth is thrilled (well thrilled for Seth) to tag along so he can attend a talk given by an old friend from medical school. While there Jessica has to catch up with old friend Harry whose current client is connected to the medical industry which Seth quickly gets pulled into. I did thoroughly enjoy the friendship between Harry and Seth. Then they're all pulled into the investigation of the murder of the boyfriend of a friend's daughter.
The investigation is enjoyable and is mostly on Jessica's shoulder. I liked all the side characters - especially the taxi driver Mahmood. There is some fairly long descriptive passages about Boston itself which I enjoyed but if you are just wanting the mystery might get a bit slow. As well, the ending felt a bit rushed. However, getting there was enjoyable enough that I'm willing to let that go.
If you are wanting a fun cozy mystery with a trip to Boston added in this is a fun and quick read.

Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston is book #61 in the Murder She Wrote series by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran.

I’m a huge fan of the Murder, She Wrote TV series. I’ve read the last few books in the series and it’s a great way to catch up with Jessica. In this book, she’s going to Boston and she catches up with Harry McGraw. It’s great that we get to see characters from the TV show. This is almost like comfort food for the brain. There’s a predictability about the story in a good way. It’s a great escape from the chaos of reality for a few hours.

Thank you to the author, Berkley, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC of this book!
I am a huge fan of the ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Franchise, and this latest installment did not disappoint. If you are new to the franchise, or are coming to the books from the TV show (that was my initial introduction to the books) be prepared to reunite with your favorite characters from Cabot Cove! Although the writing style does not push any bounds of genre, these books are always pure enjoyment and entertainment.
“A Body in Boston” Follows Jessica Fletcher on her way to Boston for a book reading/lecture. She brings with her another familiar face from Cabot Cove, Dr. Seth Hazlitt. There banter in this book was so cute and funny! I loved every scene they were written together. As this is a Boston centered mystery we also get a heavy feature from the Private Investigator Harry McGraw (portrayed by Jerry Orbach in the TV Show!) The Boston plot progresses from there as Harry is wrapped in his new project surrounding the investigation of individuals involved with a high profile pharmaceutical company. Once a body is found, and it is discovered that the victim was involved with Harry’s case, intrigue ensues and it is up to Jessica to make sense of all the clues.
The only thing I was a little weary of were some of the modern references IE texting and technology. I still associate this series with the period of the TV Show, which makes the tech references feel out of place.
This book was so much fun! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is already familiar with the franchise! There were so many beloved characters who make a cameo in this book, that only devotees to the tv show and books would be able to pick up all the references. If you are new to the series, I would maybe start with earlier books in the series or the show before making your way to this novel.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The voice of Jessica Fletcher—sharp-eyed sleuth and literary icon—is alive and well in A Body in Boston, the latest installment penned with skillful ease by Terrie Farley Moran. This cozy mystery is like visiting an old friend who’s still as clever as ever, but now with modern crime on her classic heels.

Jessica returns to Boston, ostensibly for an awards ceremony, but murder seems to have booked the same itinerary. When a promising university student turns up dead, and clues start pointing toward powerful people with secrets to lose, Jessica finds herself once again navigating both academic halls and shadowy corners in search of the truth.

What keeps this story bubbling isn’t just the murder mystery—although the puzzle is satisfying—it’s how Moran, channeling Fletcher’s voice, weaves together legacy, ambition, and the invisible pressure to succeed that today’s students face.

Moran’s grasp of Jessica’s cadence is pitch-perfect, and she doesn't shy away from updating the formula just enough to make it feel relevant. The prose is lean but peppered with character observations and sly humor that add warmth to even the darkest turns.

Boston is painted with both affection and suspicion—it feels lived-in, and its tangled academic networks serve as the perfect backdrop for secrets to fester. And while the murder is central, the real charm comes from watching Jessica build relationships and tease out truths with her genteel persistence and razor-sharp insight.

Jessica, as always, is more than a detective—she’s a witness to human behavior. But Moran surrounds her with a cast of modern foils: ambitious students, bureaucratic deans, wary locals. Each carries secrets, but also the kind of emotional weight that makes cozy mysteries feel grounded rather than quaint.

The story’s strength lies in its balance. No character feels superfluous, and every red herring is planted with intention. The narrative doesn’t race—it strolls with purpose, inviting readers to piece things together alongside Jessica rather than breathlessly behind her.

A Body in Boston delivers exactly what you come to a Jessica Fletcher mystery for: a clever puzzle wrapped in genteel suspense, delivered with literary grace. But what makes this entry especially rewarding is its quiet meditation on legacy—how we leave traces, and what people choose to erase.

Another solid addition to the long running murder she wrote series! This one takes place in Boston, and features Jessica’s shall we say friend? Harry McGraw who was great on the show and proves to be great on the page as well. I always love seeing Jessica in so many different places and settings. Boston is interesting because it is not home but still New England so she’s maybe out of her comfort zone but also not too far out.

Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston by Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran is a charming story. I enjoyed watching Murder, She Wrote when it was first released (I was a kid), and this story stays true to the show. It was great to catch up with some of the characters. Jessica is heading to Boston along with Seth, which means a visit to Gilhooley’s and catching up with Harry McGraw (and trouble will soon follow). I like that Jessica is just as Angela Lansbury portrayed her. The whodunit involves Cookie’s daughter which naturally draws in Jessica, Harry, and Seth. They each have a skill which will be needed to solve this mystery. I like that Jessica used some of her book contacts in Boston to help to help in solving the crime. The vivid descriptions of the places Jessica visited and saw in Boston allowed me to envision them. I especially enjoyed the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. The story had a feel-good ending. Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston would be a delightful story to read with a cup of tea (and some cookies) on a rainy afternoon.

4/4.25 stars
Bestselling mystery writer Jessica Fletcher accepts an invitation from an old friend to speak at Boston Central Library. Dr. Seth Hazlitt decides to go along since one of his friends will be presenting at a medical convention in Boston. The two friends meet up with Private investigator Harry McGraw while there and end up in the middle of one of his cases when the daughter of one of Harry’s friends is accused of a crime she didn’t commit.

This is a fun mystery, and the Boston setting is interesting. Jessica doesn’t spend much time in Cabot Cove this time, but at least Seth went with her to Boston, so readers get to enjoy their entertaining banter. I always enjoy catching up with Harry McGraw and he plays a large role in this story. You don’t have to have watched the TV series to enjoy these books, but those who have will probably hear the voice of Jerry Orbach, the late actor who played Harry on TV, when reading his dialogue. Harry’s pharmaceuticals case isn’t as interesting to me as the murder case, but it does give Harry and Seth a chance to bond since Seth uses his medical knowledge to help out. I liked meeting Harry’s friend Cookie in the book and although I didn’t think she was a killer, I didn’t really connect with his daughter, Aileen. She didn’t seem to realize how serious her situation was or appreciate everything Jessica and Seth were doing for her. I would have enjoyed the book more if Aileen had been more likable.

This is still an entertaining mystery, and I love the way she writes beloved characters Jessica and Seth. She keeps their actions in character for fans of the TV show but also keeps them up-to-date and fresh for current readers. It would be interesting for Harry to pay Jessica a visit in Maine next time. I enjoyed the book and liked the way things were wrapped up at the end. I recommend this for fans of the series or any cozy mystery reader looking for a fun read.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advance copy.

This is another great Jessica Fletcher mystery, true to form to the television series. Jessica goes to Boston to do a presentation at the public library and takes Seth Hazlett along with her. Harry McGraw, PI meets them and gets Seth interested in his case involving big pharma. Jessica finds herself in the middle of another mystery when the daughter of the bartender at Gilhooeys is accused of murdering her boyfriend. This has all the classic "Jessica-isms" from the information about the Boston sights to the helpful cab driver. If you are a fan of Murder She Wrote, this is the book for you.
I received this book through Net Galley and have left my honest review.

I was thrilled to receive an ARC for Murder She Wrote: A Body in Boston (Berkley 2025), Book 61 in the Murder She Wrote series. I have missed this show since it left the TV screen and hoped to pick up where the show left off. A quick summation if you don't have much time for a longer review: It didn't disappoint. Jessica Fletcher, cozy mystery author and amateur detective, is invited to a book signing at a prestigious Boston library event. As usual, she plans to mix her appearance with visits to friends and cultural events. The excitement of a friend joining her makes it more of a mini-vacation. It does start out that way, but quickly changes when the daughter of a Boston friend ends up the suspect in the murder of her handsome boyfriend. Police consider her the primary suspect, but Jessica has her doubts. From then on, she digs and questions, and does what she does best to reach the truth.

The story is resplendent with travelogue tidbits about her trip that bring it to life and put me right in the glorious city of Boston--

“in front of Gilhooley’s, with its classic mahogany doors with glass panels displaying the name in bold black letters.”

“the first ship we saw was the Beaver, a Nantucket whaler that, after delivering whale oil to London, had accepted a cargo of 112 chests of tea, along with some lovely English furniture to transport back to Boston.” 

Being the 61st book in the series, readers are well into the career of famous fictional author, Jessica Fletcher, so it doesn't surprise me that she comes across as somewhat overbearing and pushy:

“Why don’t you go back to your room and change from those wingtip oxfords to a pair of walking shoes?"

Or that the people around her are more than a bit obsequious and deferential to her. Maybe that’s how it is for famous authors. Not being one I wouldn’t know. Overall, a fun read with non-stop entertainment and the trademark Fletcher quick-thinking. I finished it in about a day and a half!

🕵️‍♀️ Jessica Does Boston—Hold the Lobster, Add Murder 🦞🔍

5 cozy stars! Because nothing says vacation like public library lectures, blackmail scandals, and one freshly murdered boyfriend in a Boston apartment. 😅

First of all, thank you for keeping this series and character alive. I grew up watching these on TV and love everyone of them!

This one felt exactly like a classic TV episode: familiar, comforting, and fun. You’ve got everything I loved from the original: Jessica's quirky observations, Seth Hazlitt grumbling beside her, and just enough red herrings to keep you guessing. Sure, it’s not reinventing the cozy genre, but that’s the point. It’s murder mystery comfort food. 🧤📚

A must-read if you miss the typewriter clicking, trench-coat trailing, Cabot Cove queen herself. Jessica may be aging gracefully, but her sleuthing skills? Still razor sharp. 🖊️✨

A Body in Boston, the latest addition to the Murder, She Wrote series, delivers another satisfying mystery for fans of Jessica Fletcher. Invited to speak at the Boston Public Library, Jessica eagerly reconnects with friends, including private investigator Harry McGraw and Gilhooley’s bartender, Cookie. The plot thickens when Harry shares details of his latest case—a pharmaceutical CEO facing blackmail over a new drug—while Cookie seeks help to investigate his daughter Aileen’s suspicious boyfriend. When Aileen stumbles into Gilhooley’s covered in blood, implicated in her boyfriend’s murder, Jessica, alongside her Cabot Cove friend Dr. Seth Hazlitt, dives into a tangled web of blackmail, murder, and underground betting. The story’s brisk pacing and familiar characters make it easy to visualize as a classic episode of the TV series, with just enough modern flair to keep it fresh.

While the Boston setting adds variety, the novel shines brightest in its adherence to the Murder, She Wrote formula, blending cozy charm with clever sleuthing. Fans will enjoy seeing Jessica’s sharp wit and Seth’s medical expertise complement Harry’s gritty PI work, creating a dynamic trio that drives the investigation. The dual mysteries—blackmail and murder—are well-crafted, keeping readers guessing until the end. Though some, like me, may prefer the familiar Cabot Cove backdrop, the vivid portrayal of Boston and its characters makes this a solid addition to the series. Overall, it’s a delight and certainly proves the enduring appeal of Jessica Fletcher’s adventures, leaving fans wanting more.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkeley Publishing, and author Terrie Farley Moran, who provided me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for a honest review.

The latest in the Murder She Wrote series, A Body in Boston, does not disappoint. Jessica Fletcher’s fame as a mystery novelist has brought her many friends and acquaintances from all walks of life and from all over. This episode takes us to Boston where she becomes involved in a murder investigation to clear a new friend. In true Jessica fashion, she works with the police and around the police to point out the true culprit. I always enjoy a new Jessica Fletcher adventure.

Jessica has been invited to deliver a speech at the Boston Public Library. Seth is going along to hear an address at a medical convention by an old friend. While enjoying dinner with old friends at Gilhooley's, bartender Cookie's daughter Aileen arrives in a bloody clothes . It seems she went to meet her boyfriend at his apartment only to find him dead. Rather then call the police she came to her Dad. When the police become involved Aileen is the prime suspect. Cookie pleads with Jessica to find the real killer. This is a standard Murder She Wrote mystery in which Jessica looks for motives and eventually solves the case. A quick read for fans. Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC.

I have read all of,the Murder She Wrote mysteries and thoroughly enjoyed them. I enjoyed this one particularly because it is set in Boston. I live in MA so am familiar with many of the places mentioned. I have been to the Boston Public Library and the Public Gardens. The story started right out with the murder. I like that. Some books don’t have any action until halfway through the story. The characters were likeable, Harry, the PI played a big roll in this book. There were a few plausible suspects. I was surprised by who the murderer was and the motive.

We are off once again with Jessica and her crew trying to solve a murder. Moran does a great job of keeping true to Jessica and the Murder She Wrote tv show format. As I was reading, I could picture every moment in the story, just as if I was watching it on TV. I highly recommend this series especially if you like the cozy mystery genre. It is always fun reading about Jessica and her crew at Cabot Cove. This time around Jessica was invited to speak at the Boston Public Library and Dr. Hazlitt was invited to visit a colleague in Boston. They both decide to take the trip together and also do some sightseeing and visit a few other friends while they are there. One of the first friends they visit is PI Harry McGraw at Gilhooley’s. While at Gilhooley’s, Jessica meets Cookie’s daughter Aileen and her boyfriend. The next day Aileen’s boyfriend was murdered, and Aileen finds the body and might be implicated in his murder. Jessica and the gang start to investigate and to prove that Aileen didn’t commit the murder. Pick up a copy and enjoy the crew of sleuths from Cabot Cove and Boston.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Murder, She Wrote devotees will find much to enjoy in this latest series entry. Jessica is invited to speak at the Boston Public Library and her Cabot Cove bestie, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, decides to tag along and visit a bean town colleague. Once there, Jessica and Seth connect with Jessica's good friend detective Harry McGray, who is working a case involving a pharaceutical executive who is being blackmailed in connection with a new drug. Seth's medical background leads Harry to draw him in to Harry's investigation. Another series regular, Cookie, bartender at Harry's hangout, Gilhooley's, has problems of his own when his daughter Aileen is implicated in the murder of boyfriend, a slick manipulator who has dubious connections in the world of underground betting.

A Body in Boston stays true to the Murder, She Wrote canon, and I could envision this story easily being a script from the tv series with a few modern updates. The mysteries are credible and well told, keeping the reader guessing.

A visit with Jessica and her crew is always a pleasure and A Body in Boston does not disappoint.