The Worrell Institute for Creativity was supposed to be an artist and writer’s retreat that promoted cultural enrichment at Cabot Cove. Unfortunately, it became a place of suicides and disappearances. Jared Worrell, owner of Worrell Mansion, decides to sell the mansion to a company that will build/renovate it. The end result is the Worrell Institute for Creativity. Most of the residents are upset; they think artists and writers flocking to Cabot Cove will essentially bring loose morals to the town. Understandably, Jessica Fletcher is offended by this given the fact she is a writer. She defends the instution arguing that Cabot Cover could use more culture.
More culture, though, is not what Cabot Cove receives. One of the attendees, Maureen Beaumont, is found dead. Law enforcement labels it a suicide, but Jessica is skeptical and she investigates. The situation at the institution worsens when Jessica’s friend stays at the institution and disappears. An abandoned car is found near a river and everybody assumes he has killed himself. Jessica refuses to believe this and is even more determined to get to the truth.
This was an interesting mystery, but I wonder if the solution was a little far-fetched? I’m not a huge fan of realism fiction. I think if “suspension of disbelief” is a requirement of a novel, then that is fine. I read novels to escape reality, not to reninforce it. But with this novel, I did think what the institution was really doing was a little out there. While it was an interesting novel, it was not the best in the series. However, Book 5, set in San Francisco, looks interesting and I look forward to reading it.
Next Novel in Series: Martinis and Mayhem
*Due to other book review deadlines I have, I may not get to the next Murder, She Wrote novel for awhile.