Donald Bain

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Mr Bain:
Just re-read You Bet Your Life again, and you know I think it gets better each time I read it, and I'm just as interested in the story line and the characters too, and I 'm never bored. To me thats the sign of great writing. Still looking forward to Nashville Noir. Thanks and keep the books coming. MSW book junkie Kimberly

(2/6/10) I just got back to your site and read your comment to my post and yes my daughter reads as much as I do. She is not interested in mystery or suspense though. I al anxiously waiting for your next book. I had a great New I hope you and Renee had a wonderful New Year. Thank you Kathleen S

Hi Kathleen -- Our new year has gotten off to a good (but chilly) start, and hope your year is shaping up nicely. It's great that your daughter is a reader. It doesn't matter what a young person reads as long as he or she establishes a reading habit. We receive many e-mails from parents who've used the "Murder, She Wrote" novels to kick-start their teenagers' reading. The books are perfect for this purpose, no graphic violence, no sex, no four-letter words. Thanks for staying in touch.

(2/5/10) Mr. Bain, sir.
I have just finished A Fatal Feast. It was GREAT! I like to read your books. My brother, Udit has read it too. We each read on chapter and talked about it on the phone. He really likes your books.

Now my family is reading Madison Avenue Shoot. I can not wait for us to be finished. I want to send it to Udit so he can read it.

Thank you for the good books.

With much respect,
Sadhi
Sonu broke his hand and can not type

Hello Sadhi -- Always good hearing from you, and pleased that you and your family enjoyed "A Fatal Feast." How is Udit? Please give him my best when you speak with him again. I think you and the family will especially enjoy "The Queen's Jewels" which will be published in October. I won't say any more about it but I know you'll find it interesting and pleasurable. Sorry about Sonu's broken hand. Hope it heals quickly. Thanks for staying in touch.

(2/5/10) Mr. Bain: My mom is 89 and I am (soon to be) 49. We both love the "Murder She Wrote" books equally and it gives us much opportunity for great conversations and book-sharing. I am always looking forward to April and October for the new releases. The books are like comfort food: always welcome, very satisfying and you can never get enough! Thanks, Beth

Hi Beth -- Thanks so much for writing. It's wonderful that you and your 89-year old mom can share a love of reading and conduct your own private book club discussion group. To know that the novels bring pleasure and comfort to people makes the months of writing them worthwhile. Please give my best to your mother, and hope that the both of you continue to enjoy books that will be coming out in the future.

(1/29/10) Hi, Donald: I read the book summary for NASHVILLE NOIR on Amazon and had to pre order it. I think this adventure is going to be one of Jessica's best trips around the world. The summary suggest that Jessica is in Cabot Cove during for a period in the story. By any chance, are there any scenes inside Jessica's home? I know many people who enjoy Jessica's cozy digs from the TV series. Let it be true in the newest mystery sated for April 2010 as well. All my best, Elisabeth.

Hi Elisabeth -- I hope that NASHVILLE NOIR lives up to your expectations. There are scenes early in the book that take place in Cabot Cove, including in Jessica's home. But most of the action takes place, naturally, in Nashville. I look forward to your reaction, and many thanks for taking the time to write.

(1/25/10) Dear Donald,
i'm waiting to do my exams for the next 3 days and after that i have a fatal feast, madison avenue shoot, and a slaying in savannah on my bookshelf yet to read (so i can concentrate on studying) just wondering what other works by you would you suggest that are not murder, she wrote books, but similar that an avid jessica fan would like to read?
thanks for listening,
Jordan T

Hello Jordan -- It's difficult for me to answer your question and come up with suggestions. The "Murder, She Wrote" series is characterized by a light touch despite the fact that murders take place. If that light approach appeals I might suggest any of the Coffee, Tea or Me? books. There were four of them, as well as a series of equally lighthearted books about young women in the workplace (see a list of them on the "My Works" page of my website.) Of the 107 books I've written, Charlie and the Shawneetown Dame is my personal favorite, a dramatization of a true story from the Prohibition era. It features an outlandish gang war, a two-timing socialite who pitted one gang leader against the other, and an assortment of crazies who raised hell during that period in Southern Illinois. And,of course, you might enjoy my autobiography, Murder HE Wrote which traces my career and the fascinating situations I found myself along with the characters involved. I appreciate you wanting to read other books by me and hope you find them enjoyable. Many thanks, and good luck with your exams.

(1/17/10) Just finished A Fatal Feast...loved it...my favorite of late! I know it's not practical, but I'm like some of your other posters and wish it was much longer. It's always nice to have one in Cabot Cove every so often too. I am a George fan and enjoyed him as well as Seth. I also like the other characters that you've brought to the series. Keep up the good work...looking forward to Nashville...that's getting close to home for me. Oh, and I have the MSW ringtone too...partially to get an eye roll from my family ;)! Amanda from North Alabama

Hey Amanda -- Thanks so much for the positive response to A Fatal Feast and your other kind comments. I've yet to hear the MSW ringtone and will have to give a listen. In the meantime I've taken a weekend break from writing to watch the football playoffs and to catch up on paperwork and financial matters. Raining today although we've had a nice, relatively mild respite from the deep freeze we'd been in. Thanks again for writing.

(1/16/10) Where can I find "The CIA's Control of Candy Jones" to buy in Manhattan?
Thanks

If you find a copy of "The CIA's Control of Candy Jones" in Manhattan, or anywhere else, let me know. I'll buy a copy along with you. I see that "new" copies are avilable by booksellers on amazon and barnes&noble for as much as $170, and used copies are going for $30-$40. It's been a cult book for many years and not only do I hear from people wanting to get their hands on a copy, I've received dozens of queries from motion picture producers over the years who want to make a movie of it. But 20th Century Fox owns the rights and for reasons known only to them (and to the CIA?) won't relinquish the rights for any amount of money. Strange!

(1/16/10) Thank you Don and Renee for the wonderful Fatal Feast! I'm in law school, so I waited until finals were over to read it. I really look forward to reading Nashville Noir as well as your piece in the Goldberg-Collins book later this year. One thing that jumped out at me when I read your biography was your talent for jazz. Could you say a few words about how you've experienced the creative process in jazz and writing? Thank you! Meredith

Hi Meredith --First of all, I hope that your law school studies are going swimmingly. Too, I thank you for taking the time to write and for your positive comments about the series.

I believe that my parallel career as a jazz musician has provided a useful dimension to my book writing. Good writing involves many things, including a respect for the rhythm of words, especially when it comes to dialogue. Each character, as in real life, speaks with a distinct rhythm and staying faithful to that rhythm helps the reader know who's speaking without the need for too many "he saids" and "she saids." I've read many books where the writer doesn't adhere to this and there's something jarring about it, just as when a jazz rhythm section, while being in-sync and playing correctly somehow isn't totally together. There's that subtle, unstated tug between musicians that keeps the piece from really swinging. Too, a great deal of writing involves improvisation. Creating a scene is an improvisational exercise involving choosing the right notes (words) and laying them into a pattern that makes sense. Jazz is my passion. It truly is America's art form, and I'm constantly saddened when I open the obituary section of my newspaper and see yet another great jazz pioneer is gone. I could go on forever about my experience as a jazz musician and my love of the music but I'm sure you have a book on torts or rules-of-evidence to get to. Thanks again for the wonderful question.

(1/12/10) How many more murder she wrote books are you intending on making

There are quite a few more books to come. Nashville Noir will be published this April. The Queen's Jewels will be out this coming October. We're currently writing Skating on Thin Ice (working title) which will be published in April 2011. And we have two more books to write under the current contract. Thanks for asking, and hope you enjoy all the upcoming books.

(1/10/10) Was the murder she wrote book Gin and Daggers the first book in the series? I thought it was because it is when Jessica first met George Sutherland but the copyright of the soft cover version of the book is 2000 and at the end it shows a preview of the next book that came out during that year.

Gin & Daggers was the first book in the series, written more than 20 years ago. The reason for the confusion is that Gin & Daggers was originally published by McGraw-Hill. The fiction division of that publisher closed after the book came out and no one picked up the series until Signet (Penguin) came along and decided to turn that first book into a series. In 2000 Signet obtained the rights
to the book from McGraw-Hill and brought it out again in a new edition, the one to which you refer. Hope that answers your question. Many thanks for raising it.

(1/8/10) I have not posted in a while just wanted o let you know how much I enjoyed Fatal Feast. I did remember GLOTCOYB in another but but I did think it fit in with the plot. Like others have said i do feel like you have succeeded to bring Jessica to life and I enjoy reading your books. I cannot wait until your next book. My daughter laughs every time she sees a new book she knows I own all the seasons Of Murder She Wrote that has been released and own all the books, she is always teasing so I purchased the Murder She Wrote ringtone for my cellphone just to see her face. I read many authors, James Pattersen, Mary Higgins Clark, Robert B Parker to name a few and I have read all their books, too. She knows that I love to read. These authors and you are my favorites. Please keep than coming Kathleen S

Hello Kathleen S -- Happy New Year! Your daughter is fortunate to have a mother who loves to read. I hope she picks up that worthwhile trait from you. I had no idea that a MSW ringtone was available. What will they think of next? Have a great new year, Kathleen, and let us know what you think of upcoming books in the series.

(1/8/10) Mr Bain, Happy new year to you and your lovely wife Renee, I am eagerly awaiting the next release in the MSW series. I also am very excited about the upcoming book Cold as Ice as I am a huge figure skating fan. Sounds like you are going to be very busy this yr. Continued health and success to you and your lovely wife. Thank you for the MSW books, I am a big fan, and always look forward to the next one.
MSW book junkie Kimberly

Hi Kimberly -- Always good to hear from you. The book with figure skating as the background is coming along nicely, but we've had to come up with a new title. Our editor e-mailed us yesterday to inform us that "Cold As Ice" has already been taken as a title for a book being published in advance of ours. So, we've now given it the working title of Skating on Thin Ice. But that might be changed along the way. This happened to us with A Fatal Feast. Our original title was "Murder With All the Trimmings." But another writer was using that title, which caused us to substitute A Fatal Feast. So it goes in the publishing business.

(1/4/10) Mr. and Mrs. Donald Bain, You both remind me of Jessica Fletcher. During the TV series, she was always flying somewhere in the world to visit relatives, give lectures on writing, and work with various law enforcement in solving real-life whodunits. I was puzzled as to how she had the time to write mystery books for a living. I am trying my hand at writing a book and am overwhelmed with trying to find the time to do it. I also a full-time nurse with two kids and an ornary husband who demands too much from me sometimes. Anyway, according to your SCHEDULE page, you are both involved in a handful of lectures and seminars, book signings, etc., etc. As frustrating and demanding as writing can be, when do you find time to sit down and write? I am simply flabbergasted here. I love the books, by the way. Sheila.


Hi Sheila -- I sympathize with you. I wrote the first five or six books while holding down a full-time job and it wasn't easy carving out time in the evenings after the kids were put to bed, and on weekends with all its other non-writing demands. Of course, my full-time job now is writing, which means we can schedule events and travel based upon the stage we're at with the book currently being written. I suppose the only advice I can give is to consider writing a necessary part of your life and schedule what little time you have accordingly. That takes understanding and cooperation from the rest of the family. Sit down with them, tell them how important writing is going to be, and ask that they help you find those necessary spare hours. I wish you well.

(1/4/10) Hello,
My name is Christy. I live in Alaska. I have read every single Murder, She Wrote. Some of them two to three times. I am amazed that I am always finding something new. I love the books so very much. I liked Panning for Murder. But, I love them all. I can't wait for new books. I would like to know if I send one of my books could you autograph it for me. Keep up the great work. Thanks for hours of fantastic reading... :)

Hello Christy -- Always good hearing from one of our Alaska readers. Thanks for taking the time to write and for the kind words about the series. If you want to contact me directly at my e-mail address which you can link to on this page, we can arrange for you to send a book for signing. In the meantime, a very happy new year to you.

(12/30/09) Hi, Donald. Just read on your discussion page about a MSW book: COLD AS ICE coming in 2011. Could you elaborate? What is the plot? Where is it set? Sally.

Hi Sally -- Cold As Ice is set primarily in Cabot Cove and brings Jessica into the world of big-time figure skating, a world with which Renee is intimately familiar and that I've become a fan of. It's a fascinating competitive sport in which intrigue always seems to be poised to inject itself. The financial stakes are big, the egos even bigger. I think it will be a terrific addition to the series, and we're already in the midst of writing it. Hope you enjoy it as much as we're enjoying writing it. All the best, and a very Happy New Year to you.

(12/30/09) I just finished A Fatal Feast and enjoyed it as much as I have every previous one -but have one comment. Jessica would never have been stumped by GLOTCOYB - as I recall the same thing happened to her in an earlier book - I think it was Rum and Razors.Otherwise a good read. PLEASE keep them coming!
JoAnn Duffield
Longmont, Co.
sjduffield@msn.com

Hi JoAnn -- Thanks for taking the time to write and for the positive response to the series. Other readers have mentioned GLOTCOYB and I've responded to that question earlier on this page (scroll down and you'll come to my comments). In the meantime we're pleased that you enjoyed A Fatal Feast and hope that upcoming books --Nashville Noir which will be published next April, and The Queen's Jewels with an October 2010 pub date -- will be as enjoyable for you. Have a great new year!

(12/20/09) Dear Don & Renee,
I just wanted to take a quick moment to tell you how much I enjoy the MURDER, SHE WROTE books. I literally grew up watching the TV show, which fostered my love for good mysteries (and good books!). Like so many, I was disappointed when it went off the air, but your series has allowed us fans to revisit our beloved Jessica Fletcher and the cozy town of Cabot Cove as often as we'd like to. It's almost as if the show never ended. Every time I read a new installment, I feel a sense of nostalgia for those Sunday nights long ago. As I find myself reading MURDER NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY, I am remembering the excitement of discovering your books for the very first time--if memory serves, MANHATTANS AND MURDER was the first book to be published after the show's finale. (It was also the first one that I read, though certainly not the last.) So thanks for the memories...
John, Hartford Books Examiner

Hi John -- All the best to someone who has become a special friend, and who does so much to foster a love of books and reading. The future of publishing would be a lot brighter if a thousand reviewers and advocates like you existed. Thanks for all that you've done throughout the year that's about to end, and Renee and I wish you a truly splendid 2010.

(12/20/09)
Dear Mr Bain,
I enjoy reading immensely your Murder She Wrote books here in Scotland, and so glad you have made George a distinguished Scottish character! Are there any plans to reissue the earlier books in the current style of cover layout and lettering as Manhattans and Murder was a few years ago. I display my copies on the bookshelf, but like them looking like a proper set instead of Rum and Razors for example,looking out of place because it was printed earlier with a different typeface. Thanks again for my reading pleasure, and Merry Christmas.
Philip Reid

Season's Greetings to a reader in Scotland -- Thanks so much for taking the time to write. As you might have read, my father's family came to the States from Scotland via Nova Scotia, and my wife, Renee, and I enjoyed a wonderful trip years ago to the family homestead in Wick. George Sutherland is named after my father, George Sutherland Bain, and he's become a reader favorite in the series. I doubt that those older books will be reissued in a new format as long as they continue to sell in their original form. That said, our best wishes to you, Philip Reid for a joyous and healthy new year in beautiful Scotland. We hope to get back there soon.

(12/19/09) Dear Mr. Bain,
As you know, I love your books, especilly the ones about George and Jessica. I do have a question about your new book that's coming out in october of next year, "The Queens Jewel's" Do Michael and George know about each other or are we going to have a insteresting love triangle with both of them trying to win or dear Jessica's Heart? Also, if you were to show Universal Studios how much positive feedback your getting from their relationship (If you can call that at this point) and prove to them that it would actully enchance the series if you where to advancee the relationship. Also, if that ever does happen, I think that you should do it in a way where, she thinks she's lost him or that she's going to lose him because either she sees him in the news on the arms of another women and get's insanely jealous or, have something happen to him in the process of his investigation and his family (Who I assume know all about Jessica by now), call Jessica and tell her she needs to come to England right away because George has been seriously injured in the line of duty and their not sure he's going to make it and when she thinks she going to lose him, either to another women or to death, that's when she admits that she loves him and that she is now ready to advance their relatioship beyond that of close friends. However, your the writer so I'll let you decide, it was just a suggeston, Also, do George's friends and family know about him and Jessica? I know her friends do but, does her family, specificly Grady know about George? Anyway, love your books! Keep on writing!
Sincerly,
Mary Manaugh

You have some wonderful ideas about getting them together, Mary, but I have to tell you that the relationship between Jessica and George is not going to advance beyond its present state--at least for now. Always good hearing from you. Have a very happy holiday!

(12/19/09) I forgot to ask you, Donald, is there anymore new books coming out, of Murder She wrote? and how many books are there altogether? this is from Mrs Patricia Jeffs , from Woodridge Queensland Australia. my email Address: is patricia.jeffs@bigpond.com. thank you for your great novel's.

We certainly do have more books coming out. For a complete list of Murder, She Wrote books and their publication dates, please go to the My Works page on this website, and scroll down.


(12/19/09) Hello to you Donald Bain. My name is Patricia Jeffs, from Woodridge Queensland Australia. my Family and I have seen quite a few of the "Murder She Wrote" series, and I used to enjoy watching them. I've even read about nine books, so far of M.S.W, I am reading one at the moment called, Madison Avenue Shoot. I've always enjoyed reading mystery novels, such Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie and other's. I get a lot of the books from the Library, and there are some that I had asked to be reserved for me, especially of M.S.W books. keep up the great work in the stories. also I wish you and your Family a very Merry Christmas and a safe Happy peaceful and prosperous new year for 2010. bye for now from Mrs Patricia Jeffs and Family.

Hello Patricia Jeffs from Australia. It's so nice of you to write and tell us you enjoy the books. Renee and I love to hear from readers around the world. I almost ended up living in Australia when my father was offered a job there. It would have been a great upheaval for the family and he decided to stay in New York. Otherwise, we might have been neighbors. Wishing you a wonderful holiday, too.

(12/14/09) I would like to thank you for so many years of excellent books! Everyone I know agrees that reading your books is just like watching the show...you can hear the characters in your head and they are perfectly true to form. You have truly mastered Jessica Fletcher.
Thank you again! I can't imagine not having another Murder She Wrote book to look forward to!
Best to all and Merry Christmas!

We really appreciate your kind words about the "Murder, She Wrote" series, and you've paid us the ultimate compliment in saying that we've mastered Jessica Fletcher. Viewers of the TV show expect no less from us and we strive to get it right. Thanks again, and Merry Christmas to you.

(12/14/09) I am reading A Slaying in Savannah for the second time and read about something I must have missed the first time around. They were talking about putting chocolate syrup in your Coke. I had never heard of this before. Have you ever tried it? I found it very interesting. I just love the MSW series. Thanks to you and Renee for keeping us in books!
Patti Smith

Hi Patti -- Enjoying a Coke with chocolate syrup is a southern habit that we learned about when visiting Savannah to research the book. No, we didn't try it but we spoke with people who absolutely love it. The same with sweet tea. That's one of the joys of personally visiting a setting for an upcoming book, as well as providing us with the sort of local color that adds authenticity to the stories. Thanks so much for the positive words about the series, and all the best for a great holiday season and new year.

(12/10/09) Mr. Bain
I just wanted to say thank you so much for your "Murder She Wrote" series. I love them all! I have bought pretty much all of them except for the newest one, A Fatal Feast. You have a great way of making the reader feel like they are part of the scene. I feel like I am old friends with Jessica. Your books have brought me great joy through all the surgeries I have been through. I am a college student and have muscular dystrophy. It is nice to jump into a great book. Thanks again for your writings! Keep them coming! Christina in Jacksonville, FL

Hi Christina -- Thanks so much for taking the time to tell us how much you've enjoyed the books. Hearing directly from readers means a great deal to us, and even more so when a reader has found a measure of solace from them when going through unpleasant episodes in their lives. You pay us the ultimate compliment when indicating how the books capture the atmosphere of the TV series, especially Jessica Fletcher's character. We wish you well in the years ahead, and hope that you have a joyous holiday season.

(12/06/09) Hi.
I have a weird question. I read a while back that you're going to include Indians in your books at some point, and that made me think. Will there ever be transsexuals in any of them? I know the LGBT community is a hot-button topic for a lot of people, and I don't mean to start a fight, but being an FTM, I was wondering if you'd ever consider having some of us in your books.
FTM's are scarce anywhere, so I thought I'd ask. Thanks for the great books.
Griffin
San Diego, CA

Hello Griffin -- Thanks for the question and for the kind words about the series. Our choice of characters depends entirely on the story to be told, as well as the setting. An example is the major Indian character in THE QUEEN'S JEWELS, which is set on the Queen Mary 2 and will be published next October. We didn't concoct this character to give exposure to Indians. This character plays an integral role in the story, and the richness of the Indian culture added a warm dimension to the tale. All our characters are chosen in the same way. Again, thanks for taking the time to write, and all best wishes for a splendid holiday season.

(12/04/09) Dear Mr. Bain,
I finished A Fatal Feast, and I loved it. I've written in the past how your books helped pass the time as my dear father (passed away Nov 9)was ill over the last 6 months,the many hospitals, dr's appts, etc. Thank you for the escape if only for a short time I found between the pages of your wonderful books. I was hopeful that our dear Jessica will be one day winging her way to England I mean she did promise George, or dare I hope to Ireland again for another adventure. I am eagerly awaiting your next books. (After I'm done reading them, my husband a sports nut has been reading them,reading instead of sports who would have thought)May you and your wonderful Renee Have a blessed Christmas. Keep those books coming, continued success, and good health. MSW book Junkie Kimberly

Hi Kimberly -- So sorry to hear about your dad's passing. Knowing that the MSW books brought you some brief mental respite during those difficult days makes the writing of them all the more meaningful for us. Not sure whether Jessica will get to London to spend a Christmas with George, but as you say she did tell him that she would. We can't have Jessica going back on her word, can we? All the best to you and your family for a healthy and fulfilling holiday season, and thanks for your continuing support. It means a great deal to us.
Don & Renee

(12/03/09) Hi Donald and Renee, NASHVILLE NOIR and THE QUEEN'S JEWELS cannot come soon enough. Have you read any of Dorothy L. Sayer's novels? I'm particularly taken with the character Harriet Vane - she is a mystery writer and teams up with amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey. There's a little bit of Jessica and George Sutherland there, except that Dorothy published her novels in the 1930s. On another note, hopefully some of you will be coming to see Angela Lansbury in A Little Night Music on Broadway - it's her 13th full Broadway production and might mean a record breaking 6th Tony. Angela will be profiled on CBS Sunday Morning this coming Sunday, 12/6. Happy Holidays! Peace, S in NY

Hi S in NY -- I'm a big fan of Dorothy Sayer, as most lovers of good mysteries are. Renee and I have tickets for "A Little Night Music" for January and are looking forward to it. It's one of my all-time favorite musicals (only it's more than that). I saw it numerous times when it was first on Broadway and am anxious to see this new production. Thank you for mentioning Angela being profiled on CBS Sunday Morning this coming Sunday. We weren't aware of it and will certainly tune in. Happy Holidays to you!

(12/02/09) I read a wide range of books, fiction and nonfiction, and I love reading the Murder, She Wrote books. I always buy each one when it comes out. I especially like the descriptions of the real hotels/resorts to which Jessica travels. The fiction series I love most are by Robert B. Parker, Stuart Kaminsky, Steven Saylor and you! Please keep writing the MSW books.
Melissa

Hi Melissa -- So pleased that you enjoy the
"Murder, She Wrote" series. You've placed me in very good company with your list of favorite authors. I was saddened when Stuart Kaminsky died recently. He was not only an extremely talented writer, he was a terrific guy. Interesting that you enjoy the real places, hotels, restaurants, etc., that Jessica visits in her books. Some of my writing colleagues don't believe in using real places because they feel it inhibits them. I disagree and try to use actual locations whenever possible (always taking into account legal considerations). I've received a number of e-mails from readers who'd booked hotel stays, or enjoyed meals at restaurants mentioned in the books. Thanks for taking the time to write, Melissa, and wishing you a wonderful holiday season.

(12/01/09) Mr. Bain, sir.
Udit has finished A Fatal Feast. He said he could not stop reading. He asks if you wrote a book called Martinis and Mayhem. He said he heard of it from a friend in India. I told him I would ask.

Also, this day my mother read a whole chapter of Dying to Retire on her own. She is very happy. Thank you much for making your books easy to read and fun to read.

Please have a wonderful holiday season.

With much repsect and many thank yous,
Sonu

Dear Sonu -- It makes me happy to know that members of your family enjoy the books and that besides providing entertainment, they also function as a learning tool. "Martinis & Mayhem" was one of the earliest books in the series. There are now 34 books (two written but still to be published), and the new contract calls for three more.

My best wishes to you and your family for a healthy and happy holiday season.



(11/27/09) Thank you Donald for asking about Angola Indiana. We are way up in the northeast corner - 10 minutes from Ohio and 10 minutes from Michigan in Steuben County - land of over 100 lakes. The population doubles in the summer with folks from the three coming to there lake homes and cottages. Our winter population is about 8,000. We have a wonderful traffic circle downtown like so many New England towns do. It has a military column ,topped with the statue of Columbia, honoring our Civil War heros. And we have a Univerity - from which my grandson will graduate in the spring. I have seen the campuses of Purdue - they are very beautiful! We have friends in Lafayette. A very nice city! Shirlee Randall of Angola

Hi Shirlee -- Thanks for the geography lesson. Angola sounds like a lovely place to live. I thoroughly enjoyed my four years in Indiana, and often have a chance to return to W. Lafayette and Purdue as a guest lecturer to the university's creative writing students. Hope your Thanksgiving was spent with loved ones and included a perfectly cooked turkey. All the best for a joyous holiday season.

Hi Folks, Renée here. Don and I wish all our U.S. readers a very Happy Thanksgiving. We are grateful to all of you and to all our readers around the world. And thanks, too, for your wonderful questions and comments. We love hearing from you.

(11/25/09) Hey Donald! I loved "Fatal Feast" and of course including The Inspector! The last paragraph - her e-mail to him that she is coming to London for Christmas is the perfect lead-in to another book set in England! Looking forward to the next book. I have managed to get all of them now - including "Murder He Wrote" Good work! And Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas! Shirlee Randall - Angola, Indiana

Hi Shirlee -- Where in Indiana is Angola? I spent four wonderful years in W. Lafayette as a Purdue student. We undoubtedly will have Jessica travel to London to spend a Christmas holiday with Inspector Sutherland but not sure when that will be. The next novel to be published is NASHVILLE NOIR which will come out next April. After that comes THE QUEEN'S JEWELS which is set on the magnificent Queen Mary 2. The book we're about to start is set in the world of big-time figure skating and has a tentative title, COLD AS ICE. Maybe the one after that will find Jessica celebrating the Christmas holiday with George in London. In the meantime, I'm pleased that you enjoyed the most recent book in the series and best wishes for a great holiday season.

(11/25/09) Mr. Bain, I first wanted to mention how much I love the new backdrop design you are currently using on your website. It's really nice! Also, I noticed the comments here about the GLOTCOYB storyline in "A Fatal Feast" having been used once before in another MSW book. Well, I am currently trying to work my way through all of the Hercule Poirot detective novels by Agatha Christie, but I am not reading them in the order they were written. As it happens, in the very last two Poirot novels that I read, Ms. Christie chose to have the murderer turn out to be the most obvious person, instead of someone unexpected. The plot lines were very similar but this did not detract from my enjoyment of the two novels at all! Best regards! Bernadette Edens

Hi Bernadette -- Always good hearing from you, and glad you enjoyed "A Fatal Feast." Sounds like fun revisiting all the Poirot novels. He's a great character and it would have been interesting to pair him with Jessica to solve a crime. We toyed with the idea of hooking up Jessica and Monk for one of the novels but it didn't work out. Thanks for staying in touch, Bernadette, and all best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season.

(11/17/09) How long does it take you to write a MURDER SHE WROTE book of three hundred pages? Do you write everyday? And have you ever missed a deadline for a MSW book (or any book for that matter)? John.

Hello John -- We deliver two MSW novels each year, so I suppose you could say that it takes six months to write each one. But that wouldn't be entirely accurate. Because I'm working on other projects simultaneously, and because my wife, Renee, collaborates with me, I'd say that it probably takes four months to complete a manuscript in the MSW series. But that can vary depending upon how much research is involved. We usually travel to locations that will be used in a book which, of course, extends the time spent on that particular novel.

I write every day (or try to). I hate to lose momentum and find that if I take too long a break the manuscript suffers. I'm also a creature of habit. When I turn in a manuscript, I feel a great sense of relief, and thoroughly enjoy not having to face the computer screen every day. But within four or five days I begin to feel at sea without the structure that writing every day provides. We try to plan vacations to coincide with the completion of a book to avoid interrupting the creative flow.

As for missing deadlines, I seldom do. I consider it unprofessional to ignore deadlines and don't have much respect for writers who consider deadlines to be arbitrary. In the more than 100 books that I've written, I can't recall missing a deadline by more than a week, two weeks at the most. In publishing, being a week late with a 300 or 400-page manuscript is like being a month early. Publishing is very much a collaborative business, and writers who fail to recognize that and work closely with their editors and publishers soon find themselves without books to write under contract. I stress this attitude in my autobiography, MURDER HE WROTE. To me, attitude is the key to success in any field, and my memoir offers plenty of examples of how the right attitude paid off. Thanks for writing, John, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

(11/17/09) Hi Don,
I am a longtime freelance writer and member of The American Society of Journalists & Authors and fan of "cozy" mysteries. I have read several of your Murder She Wrote books and am glad you are continuing to write them. What I am writing to you about is to compliment you on being the first fiction writer I have read who used the following old phrase "If you think "so and so," then you have another think coming." All the writers I have read seem to think it should be "If you think (so and so) then you have another THING coming." I find it annoying for them to use a phrase they obviously don't understand.
Shirley

Hi Shirley -- Thanks for writing and pleased that you're enjoying the "Murder, She Wrote" book series. And thanks for pointing out my correct use of that phrase. It annoys me, too, when allegedly professional writers fail to do so, especially when they mix metaphors. Then again, even the most professional writer will make mistakes and I've made my share of them. A good editor is worth gold to a writer, including copy editors who are trained to pick up such mistakes (provided they know the correct phrase themselves). I've always suspected that writers who edit their works on the screen are more prone to mistakes than those of us who work with a printed-out hard copy. Too much is missed on a computer screen that is picked up on the printed page. (I'm editing this response on the screen so any mistakes can be excused). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a joyous holiday season.

(11/15/09) I am glad that you added Inspector Sutherland to the books. He's my favorite character and I hope he and Jessica Fletcher get married one day.

You share the desire of many readers. All I can say is that their relationship will continue to play a role in the books. Whether it will advance beyond its current status is conjecture at this point. Stay tuned. Enjoy a splendid holiday season.

(11/15/09) Mr. Bain
I read in one of the other messages that you add characters to the books who weren't in the TV show. I also read that you have to get permission from Universal to do almost everything. Does Universal say it is OK to add these new characters or do they want you to stick with TV characters.
Jill from Seattle

Hi Jill -- While NBC-Universal exerts considerable control over the books (and for good reason), they've given me carte blanche when it comes to introducing new characters in the novels. That's important because the books should do more than simply reflect the TV episodes. By adding new characters, the scope of the stories is expanded and Jessica is able to interact with a wider variety of people. One such character, Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland, has become a series favorite and has sparked considerable debate regarding how far his relationship with Jessica should progress. I hope you enjoy these new characters as much as I enjoy creating them. By the way, some favorite characters from the TV show show up in the book I've just completed, THE QUEEN'S JEWELS which takes place on the magnificent Queen Mary 2 and will be published in October 2010. Thanks for the question, Jill, and all the best for a happy Thanksgiving.

(11/14/09) Dear Mr. Bain,
I just finished reading A Fatal Feast, which I enjoyed immensely. I noticed that the letters Jessica received were similar to the ones she had received at the beginning of Rum and Razors. Was this intentional?
Niecie

Hi Niecie --I'm pleased that you enjoyed A FATAL FEAST and I thank you for writing to let me know. The letters represent a device that I'd utilized many years ago, as you point out, and I thought it lent itself nicely to this new story. Hope you enjoy NASHVILLE NOIR which will be published in April, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

(11/9/09) Dear Mr. Bain,
I am currently reading "A Fatal Feast", which I received for my birthday (it works out very nicely for me that some of your books come out in Oct. and my birthday is Oct. 30 :) and have read and enjoyed all of your Murder She Wrote books. I was wondering if George Sutherland is a character from the tv series or one you created? I had thought he was from the show but recently realized the character I was thinking of was Michael Hagarty who was an MI6 operative so I was wondering if George was your creation. Please forgive me if you've answered this question before but I don't know how to or if I can "search" the quesitons/comments section. Thank you not only for the hours of enjoyment you provide with your books but also for taking the time to stay in touch with your fans. It's really nice of you to do that. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Kelly

Dear Kelly -- Your lovely comment was a perfect way to start this sunny November day. It means a great deal to me to hear directly from readers, and I thank you for the positive thoughts. George Sutherland was my creation for the book series and never appeared in any of the TV episodes. I took part of my father's name for this character (George Sutherland Bain), and the character has become a reader favorite, many of whom are rooting for George and Jessica to marry one day. Michael Haggerty makes a comeback in the book I've just finished, THE QUEEN'S JEWELS, much of which takes place on the magnificent Queen Mary 2. It will be published next October. There are a number of characters created for the books that did not appear on TV, but some readers are convinced that they did. They include Mara, owner of Mara's dockside restaurant, Charlene Sassi, owner of Sassi's Bakery, Cabot Cove mayor Jim Shevlin and his wife, travel agent Susan Shevlin, local vet Jack Wilson and his wife, Tobe, photographer Richard Koser, etc. As for staying in touch with my readers, it's one of the joys of writing this series to hear from them. Again, many thanks for your kind words and best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving. And, of course, Happy Birthday!!

(11/03/09) Loved A Fatal Feast EXCEPT for the GLOTCOYB story line - that had already been done in a previous book. If I recall correctly, Jessica was really annoyed by it the first time and would not likely forget it. Other than that, it was a fantastic book!!!

You have a very good memory. Those things can happen in a series that runs a long time. Glad you enjoyed A Fatal Feast anyway. All the best for a bountiful Thanksgiving.

(11/02/09) Mr. Bain, sir.
I am finished with A Fatal Feast. It is very good. My family thinks George and Jessica will marry. I told them you said not yet. They were very sad, but they hope it will be soon.

I am sending Udit A Fatal Feast this day. He is sad he could not find it on base. I had to put my hand over Sadhi's mouth to keep her from telling him about the book. He is waiting to read it so much.

Sadhi is reading now Panning for Murder for her book report. She likes that book best. She says to thank you for writing good books. My family thanks you too.

We pray Ganesh will smile on you and give you many more good books.

With much respect,
Sonu

Dear Sonu -- It's always good to hear from you and to be kept abreast of your family's activities. Thank you for sending Udit A Fatal feast. I'm sure it's difficult to find the books where he's currently working. I know that you and many others would like to see Jessica and George marry one day, but I don't think that will be happening soon. Then again, it could happen in a future book if things change with Universal, the studio that controls the series. In the meantime, I thank you for being such faithful readers of the novels and for staying in touch.

(11/02/09) Mr. Bain, I am re-reading some of the older books. Right now I am reading A Palette For Murder. I noticed that in this book Jessica is referred to as J.D. Fletcher. On the TV series and other books, she is J.B. Fletcher (B is for Beatrice). I was just wondering if this was deliberate or a typo? A fanatical Murder She Wrote Fan. I have read every book. Thanks Please keep them coming!

Thanks for the kind response to the series. As for Jessica being called J.D. Fletcher in A Palette for Murder, it was a simple mistake on my part, a slip of the finger on the keyboard. I believe I made the same goof in another of the books, too. So, rest assured that Jessica is still Jessica Beatrice Fletcher. Thanks for writing, and best wishes for a splendid holiday season.

(10/27/09) Dear Mr. Bain:
I, also just finished reading A Fatal Feast and await
Nashville Noir. I wondered if you might answer two
questions for me. You used to have skulls hidden on
your MSW book jackets. Does that continue to occur?
Also, I wonder if Jessica still lives in her white
Victorian house or the house on the cover of A Fatal
Feast?
Ann

Hi Ann -- Good questions. Many books ago the publisher started including the hidden skull on paperback covers. Once the series went to hardcover, it was decided to not use the skulls on the covers of the hardcover editions, but to continue using them on the paperbacks. Then, a new art director came onboard and evidently wasn't told of the use of the skulls. The result? They didn't show up on some paperback books. The prohibition against using them on hardcovers is still in-force. Hopefully, they'll start showing up on future softcovers. As for Jessica's house, the art director for A FATAL FEAST simply used a stock photo of a house without considering the home that fans of the series were used to seeing Jessica reside in. So, no, the house on the cover is not representative of Jessica's white Victorian house. She hasn't moved. Thanks for taking the time to write, Ann, and wishing you a splendid holiday season.

(10/22/09) I couldn't wait for the paperback version of A Fatal Feast, so I bought the ebook. I finished it the same night I bought it! I loved that so much of George and Jessica's relationship made it into this book (whoopee!), and Seth's perspective of it was just perfect.
Thank you for the wonderful read. Looking forward to more!
Viki

Hi Viki -- Thanks so much for the positive review of A FATAL FEAST. There are many more books to come in the series, and George Sutherland will undoubtedly play a major role in some of them. Enjoy the upcoming holiday season.

(10/22/09) Hello, Mr. Bain! Just a note to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed "A Fatal Feast!" All of the books in the series thus far have been great, but this one was just exceptional! One of the things I love so much about the novels set in Cabot Cove is getting to be around Jessica's close friends again. Are Beth Wappinger and her husband, Josh, new characters for the series? I can't recall them being in any previous books. I really liked them and think they'll make a nice addition to the Cabot Cove cast of regulars! Again, many thanks to you and your wife for this wonderful read and I hope you will both have a very Happy Holiday season! Bernadette Edens

Always good to hear from you, Bernadette, and pleased that you enjoyed Thanksgiving with Jessica in Cabot Cove. The Wappingers were created for this particular book, but now that they're established we will certainly use them again. Have a wonderful holiday season.

(10/22/09) Dear Mr. Bain:
I like to listen to your books on my mp3 player, I would like to know if you will be bringing out the audiobook of A Fatal Feast any time soon? Thank you.
Ms. Lucy Rodriguez

Hello Lucy Rodriguez -- I'm sure that A FATAL FEAST will be issued in an audio format. Just about all the previous books have been and I can't imagine why the publisher won't do the same for this one. Bear in mind that the book's publisher doesn't produce and distribute the audio versions. Audio companies purchase the rights to do that from the book publisher. Thanks for the question, and have a happy holiday season.

(10/22/09) Will real estate agent, Eve Simpson, make an appearance in the next mystery set in Cabot Cove? Jenn.

You're not the only reader, Jenn, who would like to see Eve Simpson return in a future book. Not sure which later book will be set in Cabot Cove, but we've made a note to include Eve in the list of characters.

(10/22/09) Hi Donald,
I too, loved Fatal Feast. This is the first book, in the series, that I bought the hard cover, instead of waiting for paper back. I was not dissappointed. Please let me know when the next MSW book, with George, and Jessica, is written...Barb

Hi Barb -- Glad you enjoyed Jessica's Thanksgiving tale and decided to buy it in hardcover. Many readers elect to not wait a year for the paperback, although are those who do wait. I remember one reader who bought only the softcover editions because a hardcover would destroy the neatness of his bookshelves. At any rate, the next book to be published is NASHVILLE NOIR (April 2010), and we've just finished THE QUEENS JEWELS which will be published in October 2010.

(10/20/09) Mr. Bain: I just finished MSW-A Fatal Feast. I loved it, and am anxiously waiting for delivery of MSW-Murder Never Takes A Holiday. I can't get enough of these books. I have the entire collection. How soon can we expect the next book?
Cindy Knotts-York Pa.

Hello Cindy Knotts -- Always good to hear that readers are finding the latest in the series, A FATAL FEAST to be an enjoyable read. MURDER NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY is a nice looking package that contains two of the older books with a Christmas theme. The next book to be published is NASHVILLE NOIR which will be out in April 2010. The book we've just finished, THE QUEEN'S JEWELS, will be a hardcover release in October 2010. Thanks for writing, and wishing you a joyous upcoiming holiday season.

(10/20/09) Mr. Bain: Just had to write and say, I am currently reading A Fatal Feast, and I LOVE it. Thnks so much for the many hours of enjoyment, you have given me through the pages of your wonderful MSW books. My dad has had alot of health issues this yr, and your books have really helped me pass the time between dr's, hospitals, etc etc Please keep them coming, and I can't wait for the next one. Nothing better than curling up with a good MSW book, and just getting lost in the story, and forgetting ones troubles for a little while. Hope you and your lovely wife Renee have a wonderful fall, and A blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. MSW Book Junkie Kimberly

Hi Kimberly -- Good hearing from you, and sorry that your dad is going through a tough time medically. We wish him, you, and your family well in what must be a stressful experience. It always makes us feel good when one of the books provides a respite from personal travails. Getting "lost" in a novel can provide a needed break from everyday troubles. Thanks for writing, Kimberly, and we hope that things turn out all right for your dad.

(10/19/09) I am reading A Fatal Feast at the moment and must say that I simply LOVE IT!! As always, it is a wonderful book. I like the fact they we never really know if Seth has romantic feelings for Jessica or if he is just a good friend. Don't change that. It is always nice to read about them, but I would rather read aabout Jessica and George as a couple instead if that should ever happen. Thanks again for a terrific book and cannot wait to read Nashville Noir!
Patti Smith

Hi Patti -- Sorry to have taken so long to respond to your posting but we were attending Bouchercon in Indianapolis and just returned last night. So pleased with your enthusiastic responde to A FATAL FEAST. It's been getting wonderful reviews, and the response to it by the Bouchercon attendees was satisfying. I agree with you that leaving the relationship somewhat vague between Jessica and Seth works best. Thanks for letting us know that you enjoyed the latest in the series and we wish you a lovely Thanksgiving holiday

(10/12/09) I don't care where you set the MSW books. I know they'll be fun regardless. The idea of a figure skating background for a future mystery sounds scandalous. Do you have an idea where in the world you'd send Jessica? Thanks again for A FATAL FEAST. Joan.

Hello Joan -- Thanks for being open-minded about where we set the next novel. At this early stage--and if figure skating is the theme--we're leaning toward Cabot Cove as the setting, but that's not definite. A world figure skating championship in a foreign land is certainly appealing. Maybe a combination of both. At any rate, thanks for staying in touch, and hope your fall season has been a good one.

(10/10/09) POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING: Donald and Renee--I do like the idea of setting the next novel in the world of big-time figure skating with all of its issues and subjectivity but I would also like very much to have a flashback to Jessica's Christmas in London with George. Bravo on A Fatal Feast, by the way. This book made me feel especially warm and fuzzy, seeing Jessica and George finally become a couple. It's entirely possible that I inferred that incorrectly but it makes me very happy, whether it was implied or not.--Wendy :)

Hi Wendy -- Great hearing from you and knowing that you enjoyed A Fatal Feast. Your read on how the relationship between George and Jessica plays out in the book is correct. They definitely become closer, which I know pleases many readers. The George Sutherland character has become extremely popular except for those fans who don't like to see Seth Hazlitt cut out of the picture, at least romantically. Nothing like a little controversy to spice things up. We'll definitely look for a way to include a flashback in the next novel to when Jessica visits George in London for Christmas. In the meantime, Wendy, all the best.

(10/10/09) I think "S" has made a valid point. I, too, would like to know what happens with George and Jessica for Christmas. You will probably not write another Christmas-themed mystery, but maybe you could give us a flashback in "Nashville Noir" or in a subsequent novel about their time shared in London for the holiday. Sally.

Hi Sally -- We'll keep in mind the possibility of using Jessica's Christmas visit to London in an upcoming book. Not sure how to do that but we'll keep that option open. Nashville Noir has already been written, and we finished The Queen's Jewels just this week. We're discussing setting the next novel in the world of big-time figure skating. It makes for a rich background and environment with all the petty jealousies, questionable judging methods, and the millions of dollars that are at stake. Let us know what you think of the idea. Thanks for staying in touch.

(10/10/09) I would have liked 1,000 pages of A Fatal Feast! The mysterious letters bit being recycled from "Rum and Razors" was a bit tiring except that I liked the way you expanded the stress it caused Jessica and that she was able to share it with George. You were dead on with the characters though, and the inner thoughts of Jessica are some of the best yet. And your capturing of Seth here may be your best yet. Now, I hope you'll write a sequal to let us know what happens when she joins George for Christmas. Bravo! S in NYC

Hello S -- We could have written a 1000-page version of A Fatal feast but our publisher would have moaned and demanded it be cut down to its present length. As for Seth, sometimes things just happen to fall together depending upon the settings within the story, and Seth's interaction with George Sutherland afforded a chance to fully explore Doc Hazlitt's quirky, lovable character. Knowing that you enjoyed it so much makes our day more enjoyable, and we thank you for letting us know.

(10/10/09) I agree with the masses that A FATAL FEAST is indeed a great read. I, too, liked T.B. Grant's review on amazon.com. Donald and Renee, you deserve all the attention for this new book. It is cozy and the last few chapters with Jessica inside her house with a rainstorm brewing outside was a highlight for me. I like the atmosphere of the story. Great job! Joan.

Hi Joan, Renee here. Thanks so much for the kind words on A Fatal Feast,. We enjoyed writing that thunderstorm scene. We like to put Jessica in a little bit of danger, not too much, mind you, but enough to inspire that plucky lady to save herself. She's very good at that. So glad you enjoyed the book.

(10/9/09) Mr. Bain, sir.
I am reading A Fatal Feast for my family, and they like it very much. My mother is curious will George ever fall in love with Jessica? They are close friends in this book.
The book is very good right now. I know it will get better as it goes. Thank you for writing a good book.
Very respectfully,
Sonu

Hello Sonu -- Thanks for writing. In answer to your question, George Sutherland has already fallen in love with Jessica, and her feelings for him are strong, too. But they are in a phase of their lives where they aren't about to alter things too dramatically. In other words, both George and Jessica view their individual situations from a mature, rational perspective. Still, their feelings for each other are obvious. Perhaps one day . . . .

(10/9/09) Fatal Feast was too short. What ever happened to the 295-300 pages from earlier books? Although the story was page-turning, it zipped by too quickly for me. Chris.

Hey Chris -- Like Mary (see below), you're too fast a reader. Renee and I checked the length of a number of previous books and it seems that A Fatal Feast is just about the same length as those earlier novels. It's hard to equate book pages with manuscript pages. Every book in the series (at least the last 20 or so) have involved 250 manuscript pages, 12-point Times New Roman font, with standard margins. That results in a 250-page manuscript, give or take ten or so pages. The number of book pages that represents will vary depending upon how the publisher chooses to print the book, type size, leading, etc. I don't think A Fatal Feast is any shorter than previous books, but we'll keep your comment in mind in the event that we get lazy and start writing shorter novels.

(10/9/09) Dear Mr. Bain,
I just finishied A Fatal Feast ( In one day) earier today and I loved It ! It was your best George and Jessica book yet. I do have one question though, was I mistaken or have they allowed you to finally advance their relationship a little bit because they sure seemed to be acting a lot more affectionate than they usally are. Anyway, can't wait for the one to come out that has George Sutherland and Michael Haggerty in the same book, that should be really interesting. Anyway, great book, keep on writing!
Sincerly,
Mary Manaugh

Hello Mary -- You're a fast reader. The relationship between Jessica and George Sutherland is perhaps developing into a closer one, but don't hold your breath regarding a furthering of their romantic involvement. The same restrictions remain in-place and will undoubtedly be there far into the future. Still, it's possible to advance their interest in each other without violating any restrictions, and I think that their interplay in A Fatal Feast is an example of this. Glad you enjoyed it.

(10/9/09) I finished A FATAL FEAST this morning. It was one of my favorite books. The characters are a lot of fun and I was glad to see George Sutherland in the mix. By the way, there is a wonderfully written review of FATAL FEAST on Amazon right now. For the most part, the writer liked the book. He/She found a few qualms in the storyline, but that is par for the course. To each their own, I say. Thanks again, Donald. I look forward to NASHVILLE NOIR in April 2010. My best, Sally.

Hi Sally -- Thanks for writing and glad you enjoyed A Fatal Feast. I saw the review on amazon.com and enjoyed it. Pointing out something that strikes a reader as wrong or unlikely within an otherwise positive review can be helpful to a writer, although sometimes reviews are simply critical and not helpful, and that can hurt. Given the choice of a pan or a rave review, I'll always opt for the latter. Thanks again for taking the time to write.

(10/6/09) I loved A Slaying in Savannah!! I cannot wait to get the paperback edition. Also cannot wait to read A Fatal Feast. I just am so grateful to you and Renee for this series. It is so nice to sit down in a cozy chair and read about Jessica's adventures. Thank you both so much. I hope you are enjoying the fall season!
Patti Smith

Hello Patti Smith -- So pleased that you're enjoying the books in the MSW series. It means a great deal to us to hear directly from readers. A Slaying in Savannah is one of our favorites. We spent a delightful week in that fabled city researching the story, and a second week there promoting the book's publication. The people were extremely gracious and helpful and we forged some wonderful friendships. A Slaying in Savannah is one of the best selling books in the series. Thanks so much for taking the time to write, and we wish you a splendid fall season in your cozy chair with a good book in-hand.

(10/5/09) Donald and Renee--I've read all of your MSW books, many more than once, and always look forward to the next one. I have been especially looking forward to A Fatal Feast and now The Queen's Jewels as well, as they both feature our favorite Scotland Yard Inspector. :) -- Erin

Hi Erin -- Good hearing from you and thanks for the kind words about the series. George Sutherland does play an important role in A Fatal Feast but a less important one in The Queen's Jewels. His presence always seems to liven things up for Jessica, and so many readers e-mail us to say how much they enjoy him and his interactions with Jessica. I'm writing this response to you an hour after completing The Queen's Jewels. Renee is in the process of editing as well as rewriting certain scenes, and we hope to get the manuscript off to our editor within a few days. Thanks for writing.

(10/4/09) Donald and Renee--I received "A Fatal Feast" yesterday and am enjoying it very much. Thank you for giving us more of Jessica's adventures.--Erin R.

Hello Erin -- Delighted you've received A Fatal Feast and are enjoying it. You're the first reader to weigh in on that book although judging by the impressive advance sales you won't be the last. We take immense pleasure in writing the books and knowing that there is a loyal fan base out there awaiting the next in the series. We're finishing up this weekend The Queen's Jewels which takes place in London, with most of the action occurring on the magnificent Queen Mary II. Crossing the Atlantic on that Grand Dame of ocean liners is a treat everyone should include in their list of things to try to do in their lifetime. This shaky economy we've been suffering has resulted in cruise lines lowering their prices considerably, making such a voyage more affordable than ever. I don't know whether you've read A Slaying in Savannah but it's now out in paperback. It's one of the biggest selling novels in the series. Thanks so much for letting us know that you're into A Fatal Feast and your reaction to it.

(9/28/09) Hi, Donald. Are you a video game kind of person? If so, Legacy Interactive just released a Murder She Wrote PC video game. Thought you'd be interested, what with your interest in the Jessica Fletcher character. Best, Sam.

Hi Sam -- I'm not a video game player but was aware of the MSW PC video game. Sounds like fun. It's amazing how the TV series has generated so many other venues, testimony to its incredible success. Thanks for mentioning it, Sam, and hope all is well with you.

(9/22/09) Can't wait for The Queen's Jewels - enjoyed all of the other MSW books which took place on cruise ships! Especially the one to Alaska. Can't wait for more of Jessica's travels!
Dutch

Hello Dutch -- Glad that you've enjoyed those books in the series that find Jessica on a ship. We're only a week or so away from finishing The Queen's Jewels and are finding the Queen Mary II a perfect setting for this latest caper. In a sense, a ship pro