A "Murder, She Wrote" Starter Pack

I don't want to alarm you, but something very sinister is going on here.

I always knew this day would come. Anyone who knows me even a little bit knows I have a deep and abiding love for Murder, She Wrote, the television series starring Angela Lansbury that ran on CBS from 1984-1996. Twelve seasons, over 200 episodes, plus a few tv movies and scores of dead bodies whose mysterious deaths can only be solved by the retired English teacher turned best-selling crime novelist turned real-life sleuth, Jessica Fletcher. 

The coziest and most wholesome show about murder (in my opinion) has guided me through the most challenging points in my life and comforted me more than is probably healthy. When I struggled with acute insomnia during peak COVID times, Murder, She Wrote lulled me to sleep or passed the time when I couldn’t. In college, it got me through finals and tech rehearsals. When Angela Lansbury passed away in 2022, more than a few friends texted me to see if I was ok. But thanks to Murder, She Wrote and all the other highlights of her illustrious career, she is eternal. 

I could prattle on endlessly about all the things I love about this show. Angela Lansbury is divine, the costumes and makeup are so '80s/'90s it makes me squeal, and it’s chock full of delightful cameos and a predictable episodic structure. The steady drumbeat of the intro, the first act leading to a murder, the investigation’s twists and turns, right down to the confession Jessica almost always elicits from the murderer are as familiar and soothing as a lullaby. 

If by chance you are lucky enough to be on the precipice of watching Murder, She Wrote for the first time, let this be the final push to make you hit play. This is all you need to know to get started.

What is this? 

Murder, She Wrote follows Jessica Fletcher in the fictional town of Cabot Cove, Maine (and all across America and the world) as she solves real-life crimes. At the start of the series. she’s recently widowed but always very busy writing or promoting her very successful murder mystery novels. 

She is undoubtedly the star, but the series also features a really fun cast of recurring characters and guest stars. My personal favorites include Sheriff Amos Tupper (featured in seasons 1-4) played with gusto by Tom Bosley and the town doctor Seth Hazlitt played by William Windom, who are two of the few actors to attempt any kind of Maine dialect on the show. You can also look forward to a rotating cast of Jessica’s nieces and nephews, most notably her nephew Grady. You’ll come to love Grady’s hapless and naive nature. He is framed or suspected of murder multiple times throughout the series and always calls on his favorite aunt to get him out of a jam. 

One of the many delightful contradictions of this show is that for all the nieces and nephews Jessica seems to have (twelve!), you only meet her siblings or siblings-in-law once, respectively. Why is that? Don’t worry about it. But fear not, family ties abound. Angela Lansbury plays Jessica Fletcher and Jessica’s cousin, the British stage performer Emma Macgill, in two separate episodes.  

As the title suggests, there is a preponderance of homicides - 286, to be exact. But don’t let the body count turn you off, it certainly doesn’t deter Jessica Fletcher. She solves all of them and is the victim of attempted homicide almost as many times, but manages to retain her composure and zest for life. No one sleeps better at night than Jessica, unplagued as she is by the sinister points of the human psyche or the trauma of violence. She is nothing if not resilient, a model to us all in dark times.

Where do I watch?

As of this writing, Seasons 1-6 are available on Prime Video with ads and the complete series is on Peacock. You can also come over to my place where I have the (mostly) complete box set that my mom picked up for me at a thrift store. Consider this an open invitation.

Which episodes should I start with?

Thank you for asking. In my opinion, the first four seasons are the strongest, which is why there are three episodes from season three here, but you will chart your own course. Pick a random episode from Season 1 (they’re all great) but then jump right to Season 2 for what is probably one of my favorite episodes:

Season 2, Episode 1: “Widow, Weep for Me” 

Jessica checks into a tropical hotel to solve the murder of a close friend, persuading the local authorities and British Special Agent Michael Haggarty that this was not a burglary gone wrong but premeditated murder. This is the first episode to feature Len Cariou as Michael Haggarty, a role he reprises for many seasons. 

Season 3, Episode 8: “Magnum on Ice”

This is the storied Magnum P.I./Murder, She Wrote crossover episode, which concludes the arc started by Jessica’s appearance on Magnum. In this episode, Jessica helps clear Magnum’s name and restore his reputation. Shot on location on the island of Oahu, this episode features a fun vacation Jessica tangling with the scruffy and sassy Tom Selleck to get to the bottom of this case.  It also features a killer guest performance by Jessica Walter, who made a total of four appearances on the show. 

Season 3, Episode 6: “Dead Man’s Gold”

An old flame from Jessica’s youth returns to Cabot Cove in search of hidden treasure. This is a classic Cabot Cove episode, which are surprisingly few and far between on the show. Presumably, Cabot Cove isn’t so prominently featured because most of the episodes were shot in L.A. while the Cabot Cove episodes were mostly shot in Northern California. This episode features the legendary Leslie Nielsen (of The Naked Gun fame) as the dashing man from her past and their chemistry is off the chain. But, as lovers of the show will know, the only man in Jessica’s life is the spirit of her dead husband, Frank, whom she remains faithful to throughout the series. 

Season 3, Episode 19: “No Accounting for Murder”

This is one of several episodes where nephew Grady is suspected of murder himself, and Jessica must solve the crime to prove his innocence. There’s also a fun guest star for fellow obsessives: Ron Masak, who appears in a guest star spot on this episode, will get promoted to a recurring guest star when he takes on the role of Mort Metzger, who takes over for Amos Tupper as the Sheriff of Cabot Cove. 

Season 9, Episode 4: “The Wind Around the Tower”

While in Ireland, Jessica investigates the murder of her host while staying at a country estate in Ireland, which connects to an old legend. I love an international episode where painfully American actors are forced to struggle their way through a cheesy accent. This one really is the best. It’s the perfect capstone to a Murder, She Wrote marathon.

Are you done yet?

No! I haven’t even gotten to my favorite guest stars, so let’s dive in. Here’s who you will see pop up in Cabot Cove and crime scenes:

Old Hollywood icons like Van Johnson, Shirley Jones (famous for her roles in classic movie musicals like Carousel and Oklahoma), Richard Beymer (West Side Story), James Shigeda (Flower Drum Song), and Mickey Rooney all grace the small screen. Early career appearances are also made by the likes of Bryan Cranston, Megan Mulally, Joaquin Phoenix (as a child), Neil Patrick Harris, George Clooney, and Courtney Cox. There’s also Robert Pine (Chris Pine’s dad), who appears as like five different characters throughout the series, theater legends like Len Cariou and George Hearn (stars of Sweeney Todd), and fun ones like Billy Zane (Titanic, duh) and Bill Maher.  

Suggested wardrobe

Any cardigan would be suitable attire. Opt for a sweater vest if it’s too warm and you want to keep your arms wool-free. Large statement glasses popular during the period are a must. If you don’t wear glasses, pop out to your local thrift store and find an old pair. If you’re sneaking in an episode pre or post-workout, consider a matching sweatsuit plus towel worn about the neck as Jessica sports while jogging during the iconic title sequence. The most important thing is that you’re comfortable, so pick what puts you at ease.

Food and beverage pairings

Any kind of tea will be a welcome pairing that Jessica would approve of, but I suggest Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time Tea. A hot toddy would also not be unwelcome if you’re partial to a tipple. Jessica is also partial to unsweetened iced tea, so reach for that if it’s a hot day. As far as food goes, popcorn goes with everything, but I recommend the official snack of the great state of Maine, the Whoopie Pie. You could also acquire some clam chowder if you’re planning to watch a Cabot Cove episode, which is popular on the East Coast and in, Mendocino, California, the town that served as the shooting location and backdrop for Cabot Cove.

Happy watching!