**3.5-stars rounded up**

When Jessica is asked to fill-in for a friend who is unable to attend a book conference at which she was set to speak, Jess graciously accepts, because that's the type of woman Jessica Fletcher is. She's helpful to her friends. That's why where her long-time Cabot Cove neighbor, Maeve O'Bannon, asks her to do her a favor while attending said conference, Jess agrees to that too. The conference is in Belfast, Northern Ireland, very close to the village Maeve's family hails from, Bushmills.

Maeve has in her possession some beautiful landscapes her Grandfather painted of Bushmills. As Maeve nears the final chapter of her life, and with no family stateside to bequeath the paintings to, she asks Jessica to take them and present them to her remaining family members in Bushmills.

In Belfast, Jessica attends the book event, then is picked-up by an O'Bannon family friend and escorted the rest of the way to Bushmills.

The O'Bannon family is well-known and well-off as owners of a very successful skincare/cosmetics line. Their company is currently in negotiations to merge with a similar French company. They have a lot going on. The friendly family greets Jessica with kindness and welcomes her whole-heartedly, inviting her along to parties and other family gatherings.

The morning after one of these gatherings, as Jessica is taking a solo-tour of the village via bicycle, she comes across a vehicle, parked in a strange location with a man slumped over the steering wheel. It turns out it is Michael O'Bannon, one of Maeve's cousins, a local doctor. He is dead!

Of course this is before Jessica has had a chance to present the paintings to the family and now it would be in ill-taste to do so. They've got more important things to worry about now, having just lost a loved one. Jessica agrees to stay on in Bushmills until the matter is settled. While she's there, she might as well solve the murder. This is Book #56, people. You know how Jessica is.

Y'all, this was exactly the kind of cozy, simple, nostalgic mystery I needed right now. The holidays can get stressful. It felt so nice sitting and getting swept into this story. It was comforting to be reunited with Jessica and I loved going along with her as she explored the beautiful countryside of Northern Ireland.

While this wasn't the most captivating Murder, She Wrote mystery that I have ever read, I still really enjoyed it. I loved the setting and the idea of the O'Bannon family and their business. It was also pleasing to see Jessica get along with and aiding local law enforcement.

Additionally, Jessica met a bit of a protege in this one. A girl named Maggie, who worked at the Inn where Jessica stayed in Bushmills. I loved Maggie. She was gungho to help Jessica look into Michael's death and she was good at it. I would love to see her again in a future installment. That would be so fun!

I'm really pleased with this series in the hands of Terrie Farley Moran. I think she has done a great job channeling the original tone of the series. I hope she continues on with it for a long time to come.

Murder, She Wrote is my number one comfort series and I will continue to pick them up as long as they are published! Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

3.5 stars

I have always loved the TV series, and the book series is just as enjoyable. I loved the Irish countryside setting. It is easy to picture yourself there while reading. There are enough twists to keep the reader engaged. There's a romance angle, but it's not overpowering.

#MurderSheWroteDeathontheEmeraldIsle #NetGalley Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel. I encourage you to check this one out! Really solid read.

Reading this book is just like sitting down and watching an episode of Murder She Wrote. The descriptions of the Irish countryside and sights are enchanting. The mystery has enough twists and turns to keep you engaged. There is romance and family tensions along with intrigue and insight.

I did enjoy this book and think that the author is getting more comfortable writing these books now. The only part that I felt was a little drawn out was near the beginning when Jessica attends the awards ceremony for her friend. I think too much time was spent on descriptions and conversations that really didn’t have that much to do with the whole story. I personally didn’t like the detailed description of the Titanic museum.
Otherwise I did enjoy this book and look forward to the next one in the series.

Jessica is asked to accept an award for a fellow author who is unable to travel to Belfast. When her Cabot Cove neighbor, an Irish expat, finds out, she asks Jessica to deliver a family treasure to her family in the village of Bushmills
The O' Bannon family welcomes her with open arms, entertaining her and showing her the sights. So when Michael O'Bannon is brutally murdered Jessica feels duty-bound to help find the killer. Michael was important to the family business that was planning a merger. He had enemies who had reason to want him dead as well as friends who were concerned about how the merger would impact them. Jessica sorts through the clues and shares her insights with the police.
It was a bittersweet experience to review this latest Murder She Wrote title since it followed so soon after Angela Lansbury's death. I heard heard her voice in the dialogue and could picture her confronting the killer.
This wasn't one of the best titles in the series though. The mystery seemed a bit forced and the conclusion rushed but it brought good memories of the actress who portrayed Jessica on tv for so many years.
Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Murder She Wrote: Death on the Emerald Isle is a cozy mystery series that I find immensely readable. In this novel Jessica is invited to speak at a book festival in Ireland. It is short notice but seems a lovely way to see Ireland and relax.
Jessica's neighbor Maeve asks her to take some painting to her family in Ireland.
Just as Jessica thinks that Ireland is going to offer just what she was looking for, she finds that Maeve's cousin - to whom she takes the paintings - is dead.
Jessica sets out to look into the family background in an effort to solve the crime, and finds her vacation one of murder!

This series has spunky Jessica Fletcher, a much loved character, front and center. The people she interacts with are usually likeable in their own right. Setting this book in Ireland was a nice twist away from Cabot Cove.
This is an enjoyable cozy mystery.