The Best Of Cabot Cove In Murder, She Wrote

A Dozen Mysteries with the Ubiquitous Jessica Fletcher

OMITI will never contain spoilers, so read on and enjoy.

You’re home, wrapped in your coziest blanket, wishing you felt better. I know what you need. Twelve solid episodes of Murder, She Wrote can fix you up in a way unlike any other comfy show.

The character of Jessica Fletcher, aka J.B. Fletcher, was created as a tribute to the incomparable P.D. James, a legendary mystery writer who deserves several OMITI newsletters in her honor — and will be getting them, so keep reading — and has inspired countless other writers for generations.

It’s well-known in the entertainment industry that Angela Lansbury’s favorite role of her career was as amateur sleuth and mystery writer Jessica Fletcher, and no other woman could have played the role quite like her. She’s quoted as saying Jessica Fletcher was a character most like her in many ways, and because of that, several facets of Lansbury’s own personality, subtleties and great loves, including Ireland, found their way into the show.

This is a list of favorites, not just because of Angela Lansbury, but also because of the many talented women who starred in minor roles and added to the comedy and authenticity of the show which elevated it from kitschy to memorable.

All Images Courtesy of CBS

All of the women from Loretta’s Beauty Parlor steal the show of any episode they’re in, especially Julie Adams as realtor Eve Simpson. Early in her career, Adams starred in films with Jimmy Stewart and Elvis Presley, and was the breathtaking starlet from Creature From the Black Lagoon in 1954, which had second unit shots filmed in Wakulla Springs (a point of pride for most Floridians, but I digress).

Another scene-stealer is Ruth Roman as Loretta the beautician and salon owner, who in her earlier film career starred in Hitchcock’s Strangers On A Train. Her gravelly voice, spill-the-tea readiness, and saucy waves from her old sedan is so memorable, you’ll find yourself wishing she was in more episodes.

So on that note, here’s the cure for what ails you — the best Murder, She Wrote episodes when you need a big dose of comfort.

All Images Courtesy of CBS

Season 1, Episode 14 “My Johnny Lies Over the Ocean” Jessica and her niece go on a cruise and unusual things start happening.

Season 1, Episode 19 “Murder Takes the Bus” Jessica’s bus trip with Amos to Portland, Maine gets waylaid. Fun guest appearances in this episode!

Season 2, Episode 26 “Reflections of the Mind” Jessica visits her friend who’s suffering from anxiety after the death of her first husband.

Season 4, Episode 6 “It Runs in the Family” Emma, Jessica’s identical British cousin, has to solve a mystery involving an old friend.

Season 2, Episode 14 “Keep the Home Fries Burning” Jessica, Amos and Seth try out a new restaurant in Cabot Cove, with fatal consequences.

Season 2, Episode 18 “If A Body Meet A Body” Jessica and the other residents of Cabot Cove attend the funeral of a prominent businessman.

Season 5, Episode 3 “Mr. Penroy’s Vacation” The Appletree sisters have an elderly boarder, Mr. Penroy, who’s in hot water. 

Season 4, Episode 7 “If it’s Thursday, It Must Be Beverly” Amos hires a new deputy and Jessica unearths a pile of secrets in Cabot Cove. 

Season 5. Episode 17 “The Sins of Castle Cove” One of Jessica’s former students has written a controversial bestseller.

Season 6, Episode 11 “Town Father” A mysterious woman visits Cabot Cove with wild accusations.

Season 7, Episode 6 “A Body to Die For” All of the women in Cabot Cove love the new gym in town — and the new instructor! Fun ‘80s flashback workout gear and exercise routines!

Season 7, Episode 14 “Who Killed J.B. Fletcher?” Jessica has a shocking surprise when she turns on her television set and watches the local news. 

For fans of: Father Brown, Marple, Midsomer Murders, Only Murders In The Building

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