Over the course of our many months of the monthly Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations, Donald Bain’s Murder, She Wrote Mystery Series is one of the most recommended series you all have submitted. That’s saying a lot!
Who doesn’t know (and love!) Jessica Fletcher? She is the epitome of a Cozy Mystery sleuth. I actually used her as an example in my 2006 Cozy Mystery definitions.
The interview was quite insightful for me. I was surprised to see when he started writing Margaret Truman’s Capital Crimes Mystery Series, as well as how Mr. Bain feels about Jessica leaving Cabot Cove. (You’ll have to read the interview, no SPOILERS here!)
Please take a few minuted to read the Donald Bain interview. I think you’ll find it as informative as I do!
Click here for the Donald Bain Interview.
Stash Empress says
Thanks so much for this interview! I love learning more about the people behind my favorite series! I have the ebook version Death of a Blue Blood on hold with my library & hopefully should get it tonight at midnight when it’s released. Looking forward to it immensely — love the location of that one — I just love the “Downton Abbey” effect 😉 .
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stash, I’m glad you enjoyed the Donald Bain interview. I really enjoyed it, also. Both Donald and his wife, Renée, were very kind to me.
Stash Empress says
In the end it turned out it wasn’t the ebook but rather the print version I’m awaiting (they didn’t have the ebook) — so its “processing” and “in transit” and still “processing”… and still I wait! Can hardly wait to get this one!!!
dana says
FANTASTIC!! Great score!! Can’t wait till the release next Tuesday.
Awesome Danna!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dana, it really was awesome that he would do the interview. I appreciate it very much!
Karen L. says
I haven’t read any of the Murder, She Wrote books, but I loved the TV series. I think maybe I was afraid that the books wouldn’t be as good as the show. After reading this interview, I will now put the books on my ever-growing TBR list. Thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Karen L, there’s a reason Donald Bain’s Murder, She Wrote have been recommended so many times. They’re that good! (I think you’ll enjoy them.)
Denise says
What an interesting look into what makes this series so great.
Looking forward to your next interview.
Thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Denise, I think it’s a really interesting look, also. I am most appreciative that he took all that time to answer these questions.
Sheila says
Thanks for the Donald Bain interview. Really enjoyed reading it. I also was a Murder She Wrote TV fan. I like it best when it was set in Cabot Cove, Maine. Like Karen L above I have also added them to my TBR list.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sheila, I am guessing you are going to enjoy them!
Laurie Bain Wilson says
Do you get input from friends and/or family when you are writing your mysteries?
Loved this question, great question. Actually, Don’s daughter, Laurie Bain Wilson, co-wrote three of the Murder, She Wrote books!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Laurie Bain Wilson, I know I’ve said it before, but how neat is it that you were able to collaborate with your dad on some of the Murder, She Wrote mysteries!
Laurie Bain Wilson says
Hi, Danna, thanks! Yes, it was neat. And hard work, too, of course! I wrote the second book in the series, Manhattans and Murder (I even set a scene in that one in Sea Cliff, where I was living.) I also wrote Rum and Razors, and I used a lot my experience as a travel writer in that novel, even using names of some of my colleagues. And, I wrote most recently Three Strikes, You’re Dead about minor league baseball in Arizona. I spent a lot of time in Arizona so that was fun and my father’s grandfather and my great-grandfather was a professional baseball player. I am proud to say that all of the books I wrote are still in print and the reviews were some of the best in the series. I will be speaking a lot coming up about my co-writing Murder, She Wrote, as well as about all of my other books and articles. Thanks!
Mel says
I just started the”Murder She Wrote” series. I can see why they’re always recommended, it was very enjoyable. I look forward to reading them all.
I was surprised Mr Bain wrote the “Coffee,Tea or Me” books! I read them in my teens. I figured if I couldn’t be Nancy Drew, maybe I could be a stewardess? LOL!
I loved those books!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mel, I remember reading Coffee, Tea, or Me years ago. My mom was a stewardess years ago, and I absolutely could not pass on this book!
Donna Mc says
Great interview, Danna! You are very good at this type of thing. Makes me think you would make an excellent sleuth. 🙂 I haven’t read a MSW book in a few years but now I will have to get caught up on the series. Lots of my friends and fellow cozy readers keep me informed about each book, however, as they are huge fans!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Donna, it’s funny how we read a series and then can pick it up years later. I guess that’s proof that some characters are so well-written that we can leave them for a little while and then go back to them years later. Sort of like what we can do with our best friends…
Stash Empress says
http://www.zimbio.com/quiz/TOKABlGGwoB/Which+TV+Detective+Are+You
I saw this quiz & couldn’t resist. I got Jessica Fletcher. Whoo hoo!!!!!!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stash, I wonder if this test is “fixed” >>> I turned out to be Jessica Fletcher, also! Wonder if everyone turns out to be Jessica!
mary kennedy says
Such a fabulous interview! I was fortunate enough to meet both Don and Renee Bain at Boucheron in Baltimore a few years ago. I am a huge fan of the Jessica Fletcher books (who isn’t) and I remember telling him that Murder on the QE 2 was one of my favorites. Although it’s hard to pick a favorite, I think I’ve read them all. I was honored that Donald Bain gave me a cover quote for a mystery series I was writing for Penguin. They used it on all three books, and I was thrilled! I know everyone will enjoy your interview, thanks so much for featuring him.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary Kennedy, I’m glad you enjoyed the Donald Bain interview. He and his wife were absolutely wonderful to consent to it.
How wonderful that he gave you a cover quote for your Talk Radio Mystery Series! I can certainly understand why your publisher used it on all three books!)
Stash Empress says
I finally got my new MSW from the library (Death of a Blue Blood) — and was quite surprised to see that they have it filed under “F” — says “Fletcher” on the sticker on the spine!!!! (What — am I the only one who thinks *real* people should get first booking over imaginary ones???) Well it lists the authors on the cover as “Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain” so I guess the library system just goes by the first name listed — without prejudice LOL! 😉
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stash, this is what I have listed on the “F” page of my site:
“Jessica Fletcher” of Murder, She Wrote…(with Donald Bain) I think almost everyone knows who Jessica Fletcher is! She’s a retired high school teacher who currently writes mystery books. She also solves mysteries. Some bookstores insist on putting the “Murder, She Wrote” books in the “F” (as in Fletcher) section. Well, I have gone ahead and added it to the F section of this site, as well, since that’s where some people expect to find the Murder, She Wrote Mystery Series.
Obviously, I have it on the “B” page as well!