A Faded Rose Beside Her

Published May 1984
J.B. Fletcher’s second novel

In the second episode of the series, “Deadly Lady”, we learn that Jessica has now published multiple books. Ethan chides Amos about reading “too many of Jessica’s books.” And the deadly lady herself, Maggie Earl, tells Jessica that she read her latest book.

The book discussed in “Deadly Lady”, Dirge for a Dead Dachshund, is in pre-publication. Therefore, there must be at least one book published between The Corpse Danced at Midnight and Dirge. More likely, there are several, because in S1 E3: “Birds of a Feather,” which I’ve placed in late September 1984, we learn that Jessica has published six novels. 

One of the books published between Corpse and Dirge is most likely A Faded Rose Beside Her. It’s one of the books visible in Jessica’s kitchen in “Deadly Lady.” I’ve placed the events of “Deadly Lady” during the summer (June – August) of 1984. To allow “Deadly Lady” to occur as early as June 1984, I’ve estimated a May 1984 publication date for A Faded Rose Beside Her.

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In the opening scene of S1 E2: “Deadly Lady,” the five books pictured below are as follows:

1. Unknown, possibly another J.B. Fletcher novel, but unlikely, since the back cover (visible in second picture) does not have Jessica’s photo, like the back of Dirge. Still, keep an eye out for J.B. Fletcher books that are yellow with red script on the spine in later episodes.
2. A Faded Rose Beside Her
3. A reference book; in the second picture we can see the thumb index in the pages.
4. The Corpse Danced at Midnight, Jessica’s first published book
5. Dirge for a Dead Dachshund, which we learn is in pre-publication during S1 E2: “Deadly Lady”.