
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.
An unhappy wife, a government official, a lovesick assistant and a self-centered astronomer are suspects in the murder of a young executive.
Jessica's first publisher (Arthur Hill), imprisoned for murder, is paroled and requires her help when he is suspected of a similar crime.
Jessica's friend Dennis Stanton (Keith Michell) is called to investigate when a purported Mark Twain manuscript leads to murder.
Jessica becomes enmeshed in feuds, infidelity and murder in Nashville when visiting her friend, blues singer Patti Sue Diamond (Florence Henderson), whose country-singer husband, Bobby (Jimmy Dean) is having trouble with his manager.