
Mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher - a down-to-earth, middle-aged widow - ferrets out the criminals in idyllic Cabot Cove, Maine, which apparently is the murder capital of the United States for the show's 12-season run. Though while traveling, she uncovers a fair number of killers as well.

Officials hesitate to confront Jessica's kidnapper (Ken Howard), a philanthropist who mistook her for a government informant.

Jessica consoles a playwright (Darren McGavin) after his wife's suicide, then realizes that he was the intended victim of a family member's murder.

Seth's old Army pal (Gerald S. O'Loughlin) is accused of murdering his new employer (Cliff DeYoung), a yacht dealer.

While in Ireland to research a new book, Jessica is called in to help solve the crime when a tycoon's murder is linked to a local legend.