Thomas F. (hardtack) -
In this novel, Jon land, the author who took over from Donald Bain, continues to take the series where he wants it to go, even if it means destroying the wonderful atmosphere Bain created in well over 40 other "Jessica Fletcher" novels.
While many of the surprising plot twists we grew to love have returned, Land continues to destroy the friendly relationship Bain developed between Jessica, Seth (the M.D.) and Mort (the sheriff). For example, in numerous instances Land has Jessica offering advice to Mort, and he usually replies, "Gee, you'd think I'd know to do that after 25 years on the New York Police Force." In many cases, Land adds, "Mort replied sarcastically." What does Land have against these characters?
But the worst part of this book is the last to final chapter. I won't ruin it for you, BUT even well before the advent of smart phones, which Land has the characters using, every large ship was equipped with radar for navigation, as well as many of the much smaller ships too. So the ending he used would never have occurred. Just in case he didn't insult our intelligence enough there, he somehow conveniently diverts a squad of armed police officers out of the story and then has Jessica preforming an impossible Tarzan-like rescue, especially at her age. Give me a break! Land needs to take several more writing classes at night school. Thank God, I got this book from the library and didn't waste a credit on it.
While many of the surprising plot twists we grew to love have returned, Land continues to destroy the friendly relationship Bain developed between Jessica, Seth (the M.D.) and Mort (the sheriff). For example, in numerous instances Land has Jessica offering advice to Mort, and he usually replies, "Gee, you'd think I'd know to do that after 25 years on the New York Police Force." In many cases, Land adds, "Mort replied sarcastically." What does Land have against these characters?
But the worst part of this book is the last to final chapter. I won't ruin it for you, BUT even well before the advent of smart phones, which Land has the characters using, every large ship was equipped with radar for navigation, as well as many of the much smaller ships too. So the ending he used would never have occurred. Just in case he didn't insult our intelligence enough there, he somehow conveniently diverts a squad of armed police officers out of the story and then has Jessica preforming an impossible Tarzan-like rescue, especially at her age. Give me a break! Land needs to take several more writing classes at night school. Thank God, I got this book from the library and didn't waste a credit on it.
