The Corpse Danced at Midnight

Published April 1984 by Coventry House, New York
J.B. Fletcher’s first novel

Tallyho!

What follows is a deep dive into a somewhat notorious episode of Murder, She Wrote, “It’s a Dog’s Life.” You know, the one where the dog did it. Sort of. There are more spoilers to come, so I recommend watching the entire episode first, ideally after a proper breakfast.

Ladies and Gentlemen, to Horse!

Hooray for Homicide

Fair Warning

Hello, and welcome to this installment of MSWSW. What follows is a detailed, somewhat meandering look at “Hooray for Homicide.” There will be spoilers. I recommend watching the entire episode first, possibly with a light beverage and nosh, before proceeding.

Hooray?

This episode appears to have everything one could want in a great episode of MSW: a glamorous locale, plenty of camp, the oeuvre of J.B. Fletcher… and yet, perhaps much like Tinseltown itself, the allure quickly fades.

Well, we’re here, so let’s do this thing.

Deadly Lady

A stormy Shakespearean tragedy blows through Cabot Cove.

Fair Warning

This episode guide is a deep dive into the details of Murder She Wrote S1 E2, “Deadly Lady.” There will be spoilers. There will be what passes for comparative literature here at MSWSW. I recommend you grab a bite and watch the episode before continuing.

“Rage, Blow, You Cataracts and Hurricanoes”

Welcome to the first Cabot Cove episode of MSW! It opens dramatically, on a dark and stormy night. The MSW writers are still fresh and full of ambition. After taking on Sir Conan Doyle in the series premiere, they move right on to Shakespeare in the second episode. “Deadly Lady” doesn’t quite merit being called a modern retelling of King Lear; it’s a very standard MSW episode with a heaping measure of Lear flavor in the mix. The very first notable Lear element is the hurricane, which Ethan calls a “deadly lady.”

The Murder of Sherlock Holmes

Move over, Sherlock. We’re in Jessica’s world now.

Fair Warning

This is a discussion of a murder mystery. It will contain many, many spoilers. If you have not yet had the pleasure of watching the entire episode, I suggest you make an evening of it and then return here to pick over the bones with me.

Hello and Welcome

“The Murder of Sherlock Holmes” is the premiere episode of the Murder, She Wrote series. It is double length, which allows time to introduce Jessica Fletcher as she embarks on a new and unexpected chapter in her life.