Book Review: The First Wish of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple
The First Wish of Mr. Murray McBride
Series: Murray McBride #3
Author: Joe Siple
Published: March 18, 2025
Kindle: 266 pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: March 19- April 20, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
The prequel to the Murray McBride series—by the author of the beloved USA Today international bestselling novel The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride.
The day before Murray McBride moves Jenny, his beloved wife of eighty years, into a memory care center, she convinces him to search for a case her grandfather buried long ago, said to contain “a treasure worth more than gold.” With the help of some new friends, Murray and Jenny retrace their steps from years before. Over the course of the day, Murray tenderly retells their love story—how they met, the challenges they faced and overcame, and their initial attempt at the quest.
But the closer they get to the treasure, the more clearly Murray remembers why they abandoned the search the first time. With the exhilarating discovery at hand, Murray must decide whether to unearth the treasure, even if it means bringing up painful events from the past.
Jessica’s Review:
Joe Siple, you got me again with this prequel learning Murray and his wife Jenny’s love story. I didn’t cry this time, but came close to it, especially as I got towards the end!
The First Wish takes place in both 1910 and 1996. In 1910, Murray and Jenny meet while in school; in 1996, it is the day before Jenny is being moved into a memory care center due to her decline with Alzheimer’s. Also in 1996, Jenny is 99-years-old and Murray is 98- years old. They have also been married for just over 80 years. What a life they both have lived!
Both 1910 and 1996 are filled with a variety of emotions. I was fully invested in both storylines as I just adored Murray in The Five Wishes and loved reading about Murray and Jenny’s meeting and eventual love story that covers 80 years. The reader also feels emotions with the dealings of Alzheimer’s/Dementia of both Murray as the caregiver and Jenny as the one suffering from the disease. Siple handles this well.
Both timelines deal with a journey to find a treasure that is ‘worth more than gold’. I was intrigued in multiple ways: First, will the treasure even be located? Two, what could be worth more than gold?!?! Chapter 11 through the end really got to me emotionally. What was mentioned was dealing with life throwing you curveballs: 2024 was a year that threw a huge curveball for me, but I am doing much better now in 2025.
Many thanks to Joe Siple for bringing these characters to life in this series. This is one reader who really appreciated reading these books. And it is thanks to a book club that I am in for introducing me to The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride. I would not have heard of this book without that book club.