The Parlor PI's discussion

Sorry to be a day late starting, but here I am!

Our second book is Trick or Treachery by Donald Bain (and Jessica Fletcher!). Published in 2000 it seems to have a tiny bit of age on it, but not a problem, in my opinion.

Jessica is home in Cabot Cove Maine and getting ready for Paul Marshall's grand Halloween party. There are a couple of promising, Halloweeny things in the offing, other than the party. First of all, there is the legend of the founders of Cabot Cove and the murder of the husband by the wife and then her suicide. Her ghost has been reported throughout the years.

This may have prompted possible con-man Lucas Tremaine, new to town and predicting mayhem and misfortune on the town unless the pay him for spiritual assistance. To make things additionally ominous, there is a strange woman renting a cottage who seems to upset people in the town. (I can't say there has been much of a reason for that, at least not yet.) Her name is Mathilda Swift. Jessica seems to see here a good bit, in passing.

And passing is a good phrase, as she is found dead at the end of chapter 5.

Discuss!

I read this years ago and while bits and pieces are familiar (the moose costumes!), I’ve forgotten everything else.

My thoughts so far:

Down South could be Massachusetts, lol!

Who was baking with Matilda and Julie? Why do I think it was the cat??? ;-)

Why did Lucas Tremaine crash the party?

I don’t like Lucas or Julie’s dad. Paul seems snobbish but I’m sure that’s typical of someone in his position. Also, I’m interested in what the motive is for the murder.

Thanks, PI Pghfan! Let the Trick Or Treachery begin.

Poor Ms. Swift. Doesn't seem to be motive enough to do her harm. Other than her appearing to be wild 'n wooly, I don't see the reason for her murder. There must be something else to it.

Love the fable of the Cabot Cove ghost. Would've been first in line for that ghost walk. LOL

I don't remember much of this mystery either, Nicole. Like reading a whole new book. I love when that happens.

Well, this is my first time through the book and only my second Jessica Fletcher book (Tina, the other one was a Thanksgiving one we read here in the parlor a few years ago.)

It does have a lot of possibilities given now, the murder of Ms. Swift, and then the presence of Tremaine on the spot (as they say in detective stories), as well.

Early on, Jessica mentions that the partner of Paul, who was working on the formula died in a fire "and was burnt beyond recognition" struck me as a clue that he might still be alive somewhere and that another body was identified as his.

In all fairness, I do have a habit of thinking of these sorts of things, trying to be more ingenious than the book usually is!

Mark Pghfan wrote: "Well, this is my first time through the book and only my second Jessica Fletcher book (Tina, the other one was a Thanksgiving one we read here in the parlor a few years ago.)

It does have a lot of..."

I almost forgot about our reading the Thanksgiving tome. Is that the one where she pilots a plane? (Can you picture that)? lol

I totally missed the "burnt beyond recognition," (blue or red) herring, Pghfan. Now that you mention it, hmm? We'll see what happens with that. You've got the right idea, Mark. Well played!

I'm not liking Tremaine for this murder. I think (at least now) that he's just some kook who loves a good (money making) ghost story. Who doesn't? I think it's something deeper. A vendetta of some sort? Swift or someone in her family did something to somebody and they're seeking revenge. Or a case of mistaken identity? Maybe the old stand-by -- she'd seen something she shouldn't have. That narrows it down...Not. lol

I did pick up on the burned beyond recognition - hmmmm. Did anyone watch MSW? This reminds me of an episode of the show and I think it had Kathryn Crosby in it but I’m not sure. Also, I don’t like Warren, he gives me a bad vibe...

Nicole wrote: "I did pick up on the burned beyond recognition - hmmmm. Did anyone watch MSW? This reminds me of an episode of the show and I think it had Kathryn Crosby in it but I’m not sure. Also, I don’t like ..."

KCrosby was in episode where she played a witchy woman type. That was a good one, Nicole.

Yeah, Warren seems a snake. A conniving one!

Marshall's questionable as well.

I'm not liking the father of the girl who went to Ms. Swift's house to bake cookies. He seems quite a hothead.

Mark Pghfan wrote: "I'm not liking the father of the girl who went to Ms. Swift's house to bake cookies. He seems quite a hothead."

He's mean, too. Just because Swift is eccentric, right away she's a monster.

I’m ok with the characters so far. Not liking some of them though lol
The moose head costume idea was interesting since you couldn’t tell who was who at times. Mysterious!

I'll start the second section soon. I'm at about chapter 10 myself.

Yes, the moose costumes are very confusing but I guess that's the point, lol!

Moosellaneous! Quite a few of them bandying about.

A few of the men seem to share similar traits, characteristics...not very nice people. Or is it moi?

Are materials like MSW, Columbo etc. the new Classics? The days of a kindler, gentler era of Jessica Fletcher, Lt. Columbo etc. seem to have gone to the past along w/the 8-track. (Can't say LP as they seem to be coming back). Maybe there's hope for a return to a bygone era. I hope so!

Tina wrote: "Moosellaneous! Quite a few of them bandying about.

A few of the men seem to share similar traits, characteristics...not very nice people. Or is it moi?

Are materials like MSW, Columbo etc. the n..."
The men seem to have big egos!