Murder, She Wrote is one of the most well-known crime series ever created and was one of the most-watched TV shows almost every season it was on the air. Angela Lansbury shines as Jessica Fletcher, a mystery novelist who happens to solve mysteries herself.
When fans think of Murder, She Wrote, the town of Cabot Cove comes to mind. Most people assume the whole series took place in Cabot Cove, but that is not true. Only a handful of episodes take place in Cabot Cove each season, and those episodes tend to include appearances by memorable recurring characters such as Seth Hazlitt, Sheriff Tupper in the early seasons, Sheriff Metzger in the later years, and realtor Eve Simpson. Many Cabot Cove episodes are favorites among viewers in the series, and here are ten of the very best.
It's Christmas time in Cabot Cove! A newly engaged man receives a blackmail tape from a woman, and when someone attempts to kill her, he becomes the prime suspect. This is the only episode in the series to not actually have a murder. Secrets and blackmail play a larger role in the plot of this episode than anything else.
The episode definitely takes advantage of the Christmas setting. There are Christmas parties, snow, Christmas carols, and a little love story, making this episode feel straight out of a Hallmark movie. It is the only Christmas episode in the series, and it stands out.
Soon after Sheriff Amos Tupper decides to retire, gossip letters are sent to everyone in town, causing everyone to argue with one another over the lies they all read. Jessica figures out they are all connected to the strange murder of a young woman found electrocuted in her bathtub.
This episode is fun, filled with suspense, and the ending is one of the most shocking in the series. Part of the fun of Cabot Cove episodes is seeing appearances by familiar town residents. Having an episode with a recurring character and good friend to Jessica turn out to be a killer is dark by Murder, She Wrote standards, especially when Jessica says the line, "You don't know how much I wanted to be wrong."
A rich man moves into an old mansion known as "The Borbey House." When he is found dead with a wooden stake in his chest, some people begin to suspect the man may have been a vampire.
This is one of the episodes where town gossip plays a crucial role in the plot. When people suspect a vampire may have been living among them, it leads to interesting discussions between Jessica Fletcher and the guest stars. It is a fun episode, and it does a good job of creating a creepy atmosphere.
Seth Hazlitt is directing a play about a woman accused of being a witch. When a new resident of Cabot Cove arrives and wins the part, rumors begin to spread that the woman is a real witch. A man is pushed out of the church bell tower, and she becomes the prime suspect.
Season 8 has quite a few creepy episodes, and this is definitely one of them. It is very well-shot, especially the scene with the murder itself. It is a highlight of the series, and once again, it is fun to see how quickly rumors are spread in Cabot Cove.
Only Jessica can solve a murder while staying in bed throughout an entire episode. When a murder occurs soon after Jessica overhears a murder plot on the telephone, she is determined to solve the case with the help of Amos, Seth, and Grady.
When the killer breaks into Jessica's home, viewers cannot help but be on the edge of their seats as they see the beloved character in danger. This is a fun episode, and seeing Jessica remain in one room the whole time is unique and stands out in the series.
A new priest arrives in Cabot Cove, and late at night, a young woman visits him and confesses to murdering a man. Since the priest cannot divulge any information, Jessica must solve the murder herself, and it looks like there is more to the murder than meets the eye.
This is a great episode with wonderful performances and an intriguing mystery. The victim is one of the sleaziest characters in the series, making him the perfect victim for a Murder, She Wrote episode. The revelations surrounding the events that occurred the night the man was killed is very interesting, and the ending is sure to satisfy fans of the series.
When Sheriff Amos Tupper's night deputy becomes a suspect in the death of his own wife, Jessica begins to investigate. It turns out the now widowed man was having an affair with many women in Cabot Cove.
This humorous episode introduces Loretta's Beauty Parlor, the main place where women in Cabot Cove gossip. This episode also marks Eve Simpson's first appearance in the series, and she starts her Murder, She Wrote appearances on a high note. The episode does not take itself seriously, and it is entertaining from beginning to end.
This episode was written as the series finale in case Angela Lansbury chose to not return for another season. In this season finale, Jessica comforts Seth after he nearly dies after being poisoned, and she tries to figure out who is trying to kill her.
It is a great episode, and the scenes involving Jessica and Seth are highlights. Jessica re-evaluates her lifestyle in this episode, and it is great to see the character of Jessica Fletcher is more developed.
When a former student of Jessica's writes a novel with similar names and secrets of Cabot Cove residents, a murder occurs as the novel sends everyone into an uproar.
This episode could be seen as a "spiritual successor" to season 4's "If It's Thursday, It Must Be Beverly." The ladies in Loretta's Beauty Parlor once again shine in their appearances, leading to a very fun episode. It is always entertaining to see Cabot Cove residents interact with one another, and this is definitely one of the best.
Seth sees a strange young woman practicing witchcraft at night, and Cabot Cove residents believe the ghost of a woman burned as a witch in the 17th century has returned. When the young woman is found murdered, Jessica is determined to figure out her real identity and how it connects to her murder.
This is one of the creepiest episodes in the series, and it has many guest stars that were known for some of their work in the horror genre, including Dee Wallace, Roddy McDowall, and Brad Dourif. The best Cabot Cove episodes involve gossip and events that send the townspeople into an uproar, and this episode is no exception.
