Tag: Murder She Wrote

Sally Watches…Murder, She Wrote (Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder)!

On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

For this year’s Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon, I decided to talk about a show I haven’t discussed in a while. Reflecting on the programs covered on 18 Cinema Lane, I made a surprising discovery. The last time I reviewed any episodes of Murder, She Wrote was all the way back in 2020, when I wrote about Van Johnson’s episodes of the show. To make up for lost time, I selected three episodes of Murder, She Wrote for the 12th Annual Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon! But, for this year’s event, the episodes I chose correlate with the dates of the blogathon. In fact, each Murder, She Wrote episode is reviewed in order of the blogathon’s dates. Also, each episode review will cover what I liked about the episode, what I didn’t like about the episode, the mystery itself, the other factors from the episode, and my overall thoughts. So, now let’s begin this review of these episodes of Murder, She Wrote!

Name: The Dream Team

Season 11, Episode 18

Premiere Date: March 19th, 1995

Screenshot of ‘The Dream Team’ title card taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

What I liked about this episode:

Any time I’ve reviewed television show episodes, I have rarely addressed the dialogue as a strength of the episode. But in the case of this Murder, She Wrote episode, ‘The Dream Team’, the dialogue was cleverly written! Before attending a presentation about a development project from a company called Marina Americana, Jessica gives Seth some books about lighthouses. These books are intended to help Seth craft a strong argument for saving Cabot Cove’s lighthouse, which is an important landmark in the town. When Jessica brings up how the books could provide information for the hook of Seth’s argument, Seth says, “The hook I showed you last night will do just fine, thank you”. Sheriff Mort Metzger replies to Seth, “Maybe for the worm hanging from it”. At the presentation, Jessica’s nephew, Grady, reveals his colleague, J. Peter Carmody, plans to restore the lighthouse. Caught off-guard by this revelation, Metzger says, “Yeah, I think he [J. Peter Carmody] was rendered speechless by the Doc’s party trick; putting both feet in his mouth at the same time”. Along with being cleverly written, these quotes I brought up were hilarious!

What I didn’t like about this episode:

The beginning of a typical Murder, She Wrote episode will take the time to establish the characters and their potential motives. This creative decision gives the audience options in figuring out whodunit, as well as provide the story with red herrings. The establishment of characters and their motives in ‘The Dream Team’ took about half the episode. With the titular murder taking place at the episode’s halfway point, the audience is only given half the episode to help Jessica solve the case. Personally, I prefer stories that give viewers more time to figure the mystery out.

The mystery itself:

There are two interconnected stories in ‘The Dream Team’; the murder of a developer’s wife and the Marina Americana development project. But in this almost hour-long episode, more emphasis was placed on whether the development project would come to fruition. It also doesn’t help how, as I mentioned earlier, the audience was only given half the episode to figure the mystery out. In some Murder, She Wrote episodes, the guilty party will be revealed based on at least one small detail most viewers may miss. Though this was the case for ‘The Dream Team’, several smaller clues led up to the culprit’s reveal. Overall, I wish there was a balance between both stories and the audience was given more time to help Jessica solve the case.

The other factors from this episode:

  • As Seth explains his thoughts on the Marina Americana development project, Jessica expresses her impatience over how long Seth takes to get to his point. Seth then tells Jessica, “Now that you’re living in New York, you’re becoming as impatient as the rest of those people down there”. In several episodes of Murder, She Wrote, Jessica lived in New York, though this new living arrangement was only meant to be temporary. By having Seth address this part of Murder, She Wrote’s story, it was a good way to incorporate the show’s continuity.
  • While we’re on the subject of Seth, I want to address his desire to save Cabot Cove’s lighthouse. At the beginning of ‘The Dream Team’, Seth is against the Marina Americana development project because he fears the lighthouse will be destroyed. He goes so far as to create flyers in an attempt to make the developers feel guilty about risking the lighthouse’s future. However, the amount of time, money, and resources Seth puts toward those flyers could have gone toward actually restoring the lighthouse he claims to care about. If anything, Seth prioritizes talking about the problem instead of trying to solve it.
  • Grady is one of the developers of the Marina Americana development project. But when the fruition of the project is in jeopardy, so is Grady’s job. When he shares this information with Jessica, he says, “It’s so damn frustrating. I really believed in this project and, well obviously, so did a lot of other people”. What Grady said brings up an excellent point about how a neighborhood’s residents are not the only people impacted by any change within a neighborhood. In fact, I hadn’t come to this realization until I heard Grady’s quote.

My overall thoughts:

The way I feel about ‘The Dream Team’ is similar to how I feel about ‘The Legacy of Borbey House’; disappointment that Cabot Cove’s maintenance received precedence over the mystery itself. Also, like ‘The Legacy of Borbey House’, the entire first half of ‘The Dream Team’ was devoted to establishing characters and their potential motives. This left only half the episode for the audience to help Jessica solve the mystery. However, I did find the dialogue cleverly written. The examples I provided in this review were hilarious as well. I not only liked the inclusion of Murder, She Wrote’s continuity, I also found Grady’s quote thought-provoking. What I also found thought-provoking was the idea of Cabot Cove changing. As I watched ‘The Dream Team’, I thought about what would happen if Cabot Cove were a real town. Would it adapt with the times or would it stay frozen in time?

Rating: A 3 out of 5

The 12th Annual Favourite TV Show Episode Blogathon banner created by Terence from A Shroud of Thoughts

Name: Dead to Rights

Season 9, Episode 18

Premiere Date: March 21st, 1993

Screenshot of ‘Dead to Rights’ title card taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

What I liked about this episode:

In this episode of Murder, She Wrote, ‘Dead to Rights’, Jessica’s former researcher, Dana Ballard, is accused of murdering her new boss. A major reason for this accusation is how she constantly lies. Dana goes so far as to impersonate Jessica, as well as change Jessica’s answering machine message, in order to be selected for a new job. But one person who sees past Dana’s lying is Missy, the wife of Dana’s new boss, Ethan. During a conversation between the two women, Dana shows off a sweet, even a bit naïve, personality, acting as if she’s oblivious of Missy’s suspicions. When Missy confronts Dana about her suspicions, Dana effortlessly transforms into an irritated, manipulative woman. Because of the screenwriting and Molly Hagan’s (the actress who portrayed Dana) performance, the creative team behind ‘Dead to Rights’ did a good job at establishing Dana as a potential suspect. However, I would like to point out the script provides a reason for Dana’s lying; “borderline psychosis” (as Jessica put it).

What I didn’t like about this episode:

As I just mentioned in this review, Dana is accused of murdering her new boss, Ethan. While this gave Jessica a personal reason for solving the case, the majority of the story focused on proving Dana’s innocence. ‘Dead to Rights’ did a good job at establishing characters and their potential motives. However, this build-up became an afterthought as the episode progressed due to the aforementioned focus on the truth about Dana. Similar to ‘The Dream Team’, the guilty party in ‘Dead to Rights’ was revealed based on a small detail. Had the script provided a balance between proving Dana’s innocence and figuring out who was guilty, the story might have been stronger.

The mystery itself:

Like I’ve already stated in my review, most of the story focused on proving Dana’s innocence. I also stated how the mystery’s guilty party was revealed based on a small detail. Another aspect of the mystery I’d like to bring up is how Jessica works with a lawyer named Vincent to solve the case. Typically, Murder, She Wrote shows Jessica collaborating with police officers, detectives, or investigators when it comes to catching whodunit. So, seeing Jessica engage with the more legal side of the mystery genre was a good change of pace for her!

The other factors from this episode:

  • Some scenes in ‘Dead to Rights’ show a large train display the length of the entire wall in Ethan’s office. This train display not only surrounds a miniature town, a large painted backdrop of a desert landscape covered the wall behind the train display. Even though the train display and everything surrounding it was impressive, its inclusion in ‘Dead to Rights’ was random. None of the characters acknowledged the display itself. Plus, Ethan’s reason for the display being in his office was never provided.
  • Toward the beginning of the episode, on-screen text reveals how most of the story takes place in Portland, Maine. But in an establishing shot of a hotel’s exterior (implying that’s the hotel Jessica is staying at), Maine’s state flag is not displayed on the hotel. Instead, the state flags for Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. are prominently featured on the hotel’s exterior. In past reviews of Murder, She Wrote, I have complimented the show’s creative team for its location scouting because of how visually appealing the locations themselves have been. So, I’m surprised this film-making mistake went overlooked.
  • During Jessica’s and Vincent’s investigation, Vincent turns to a woman named Wanda for assistance. A few scenes show Vincent and Jessica visiting Wanda at her home. Her office/living room is filled with a collection of décor; from a cylindrical fish tank to a colorful pinball game. Because Wanda had such a quirky personality, the creative team behind ‘Dead to Rights’ did a good job utilizing these pieces of décor to paint a picture of who Wanda is. The décor itself also made Wanda’s home look like a cool space!

My overall thoughts:

At best, ‘Dead to Rights’ is an ok episode. But, at worst, the story was weaker than I had hoped. So much emphasis was placed on proving Dana’s innocence, the build-up of the characters and their potential motives became an afterthought as the episode went on. What I also found frustrating was how the guilty party was revealed based on a small detail I think most viewers might overlook. However, there are aspects of ‘Dead to Rights’ I liked. The combination of Molly Hagan’s performance and the screenwriting effectively established Dana Ballard as a potential suspect. The episode’s creative team did a good job showcasing Wanda’s personality through the set design. However, there were some questionable creative choices, like Ethan’s train display and the lack of Maine state flags on the hotel. Now I wonder what other production errors from Murder, She Wrote actually appeared on the show?

Rating: A 3 out of 5

As I point out in this screenshot, the on-screen text clearly states most of the story takes place in Portland, Maine. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
In this establishing shot, these flags would indicate the hotel is not located near Maine. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

Name: No Accounting for Murder

Season 3, Episode 19

Premiere Date: March 22nd, 1987

Screenshot of ‘No Accounting for Murder’ title card taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

What I liked about this episode:

One of the strengths of Murder, She Wrote has been the set design. This episode, ‘No Accounting for Murder’ is a perfect example of this statement! The accounting firm Grady works for is one of the most opulent looking businesses I’ve ever seen in entertainment media. The office of a colleague named Paul Carlisle boasts stunning design choices, including gold wallpaper that sparkled in the light, a white upholstered office chair, and gold décor. Even the accounting firm’s lobby fit the opulent style found in Paul’s office! Deep wood pillars and window frames provide a nice contrast to the light-colored carpet and wallpaper. Similar to Paul’s office, the sofa in the lobby was also upholstered. A gold table lamp adds a touch of elegance to the space. Once again, the creative team behind Murder, She Wrote knew what they were doing when it came to designing this particular set!

What I didn’t like about this episode:

When I reviewed ‘The Dream Team’ and ‘Dead to Rights’, I talked about how the characters and their potential motives were established within the story. But in ‘No Accounting for Murder’, some of the characters aren’t given a potential motive. The characters that do have a potential motive receive it as the story went along instead of toward the beginning of the episode. What also didn’t help was how the culprit was revealed because of a small detail mentioned by one of the characters. The fact only some characters were given a potential motive caused the script to lack red herrings.

The mystery itself:

There are two mysteries within ‘No Accounting for Murder’; the murder of one of Grady’s colleagues, Ralph Whitman, and the “ghost” inhabiting the accounting firm. Unlike the stories in ‘The Dream Team’, the stories in ‘No Accounting for Murder’ didn’t feel connected. In fact, each story felt like it belonged in their own separate episode. Personally, I thought the “ghost” story was more intriguing, as there were more mysterious elements to it. By the episode’s conclusion, however, I was disappointed by the unsatisfactory resolution of that story.

The other factors from this episode:

  • In ‘No Accounting for Murder’, Jessica works alongside Lieutenant Timothy Hanratty while trying to solve the case. In a car ride through New York City, Timothy brings up some of Jessica’s past cases and even wonders why she hasn’t received a gold badge from her own police department yet. Jessica replies by saying, “It’s just a quirk of mine, really. The way I see things, you know?” When Jessica said this, I thought about other detectives, both amateur and professional, from entertainment media. They seem to possess a gift for observation, picking up on little details buried among facts, clues, and speculation. What these characters bring to their respective tables is just extraordinary. Any time I’ve watched Murder, She Wrote, I believed Jessica just happened to be that good at being a detective. But after watching ‘No Accounting for Murder’, I now see Jessica possessing a brilliance, similar to other detectives from television and film.
  • Last year, when I reviewed the Touched by An Angel episode, ‘Sympathy for the Devil’, I brought up one of the most unintentionally funny moments of the show; when Ty Duncan called his son “Chicken Boy” as an insult. In the Murder, She Wrote, episode, ‘No Accounting for Murder’, an unintentionally funny moment took place during a confrontation between Paul and the murder victim’s wife, Lana Whitman. As an insult, Lana calls Paul an “arrogant horse’s batootie”. Because of how goofy this insult sounded, I ended up bursting out laughing.
  • While watching ‘No Accounting for Murder’, I spotted a familiar face among the cast of characters. Ron Masak portrayed a salesman named Marty Giles, who happened to be a potential suspect. Fans of Murder, She Wrote would recognize Ron as Sheriff Mort Metzger, one of the most beloved residents of Cabot Cove. This discovery was such a surprise for me, as I didn’t know Ron had portrayed other characters on Murder, She Wrote besides Metzger. This makes me wonder how often actors and actresses portrayed more than one character on Murder, She Wrote?

My overall thoughts:

Like ‘The Dream Team’ and ‘Dead to Rights’, ‘No Accounting for Murder’ was just ok. Even though I liked the accounting firm’s set design, I didn’t like how some of the characters didn’t receive a potential motive. I also didn’t like how the mystery stories felt disconnected. However, the “ghost” story was intriguing enough to keep me invested in the episode, despite its resolution being unsatisfactory. ‘No Accounting for Murder’ has made me see Jessica in a slightly different way, leaving me appreciative of what she has to offer to the mystery genre’s table. It was nice to see Ron Masak appear in this episode as well. But as I look back on the episodes of Murder, She Wrote I’ve written about, ‘No Accounting for Murder’ will not be reflected on as fondly as other episodes.

Rating: A 3 out of 5

Design details like the sparkling gold wallpaper and the velvety green curtains add opulence to the set. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
The opulence I mentioned while discussing Paul’s office is also reflected in the lobby of the accounting firm. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

What are your thoughts on these episodes of Murder, She Wrote? Are there any episodes you’d like to see me review? Tell me in the comment section!

Have fun in Cabot Cove!

Sally Silverscreen

The Winter Wonderland Book Tag!

On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

At first, I was going to create a post about a Valentine’s Day book tag. But the Valentine’s themed book tags I found either heavily emphasized romance books or I couldn’t find an answer to all the provided questions. So, I decided to write about a winter themed book tag instead, as Valentine’s Day takes place within the winter season. When I came across the Winter Wonderland Book Tag, I could immediately think of answers for each question! Even though one of the questions mentions Christmas, the majority of the questions simply relate to the season of winter. Within these six questions, I will talk about books that have either been brought up on 18 Cinema Lane or books that haven’t been mentioned before. Now, let the book tag begin!

Ski lodge during winter-time image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/ski-station-background_3423830.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

1. What book is so happy & sweet that it warms your heart?

    As soon I read this question, I immediately thought of The Christmas Child by Linda Goodnight! Having read this book back in 2018, I remember how sweet this story was. It, honestly, felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie. What I mean by that is The Christmas Child was heart-warming and wholesome. There were emotional moments woven into the text, but the book never felt too emotionally heavy. Plus, the relationship between Kade and Sophie was sweet!

    2. What is your favorite book with a white cover?

    Because there’s a lot of snow on the cover of David Baldacci’s The Christmas Train, that’s the book I’ll choose for this question. This is one of the few books I’ve ever given five out of five stars to! Though it’s been years since I read The Christmas Train, I recall how intriguing the mystery was and how distinctive the characters were. In fact, I think this book serves as a good introduction to David Baldacci’s literary work! I would also recommend the Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation, as I remember how respectful it was toward the source material.

    3. You’re sitting in a nice comfy chair, wearing a onesie, with a lovely warm hot chocolate but what MONSTER read are you reading?

    When I read the term, “MONSTER read”, I interpreted it as a book with a large page count. Due to that interpretation, I chose All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Even though I thought the book was just ok, I liked the author’s use of descriptive imagery and attention to detail. Like I said in my review of All the Light We Cannot See from 2022, I, as a reader, could picture the story in my head because of the aforementioned elements. It also helps how each part contained a collection of shorter chapters, giving the book a steadier pace.

    Snowboarder on the slopes image created by Freepic.diller at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/woman-in-ski-suit-looks-over-her-shoulder-going-down-the-hill-on-her-snowboard_1620624.htm’>Designed by Freepic.diller</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/tree”>Tree image created by Freepic.diller – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    4. It started snowing so you decided to have a snowball fight! What fictional character would you love to have the snowball fight with?

    My favorite character from Murder, She Wrote: The Fine Art of Murder is Victorio! He not only has a fascinating backstory, he also has a lively personality. Victorio was such a memorable character, I wish he received his own spin-off series. When participating in a snowball fight, it helps to surround yourself with people who have a good sense of humor and don’t take things too seriously. With everything I said, I would choose Victorio for this question!

    5. Sadly, your fire is beginning to go out. So what book would you tear the last few chapters out to throw into the fire?

    If you’re going to create stories for a younger audience, you need to be mindful about the content incorporated into that story. This is due to how impressionable a younger audience can be. In Smoke Screen by Amy Goldman Koss, I found some poor lessons found among the text. A few examples are it’s ok to not be a person of your word, breaking promises is fine as long as it benefits you, and making compromises is a waste of time. It also does not help how Mitzi, the protagonist, is a static, self-centered, and entitled character throughout the book. If younger readers were to read this book, they may get the wrong idea about how the world, problem-solving, and interactions with other people work. So, to answer the question, I would select the last few chapters of Smoke Screen and recommend a better ending.

    6. What book is so close to your heart that you would gift to someone this Christmas who hasn’t read before but wants to get into reading?

    Last year, I talked about The Princess Spy by Larry Loftis on more than one occasion. The book was featured in my post about the Finally Fall Book Tag and in my annual Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List. Larry Loftis’ book, The Princess Spy, was the best book I read for last year’s Eurovisionathon readathon! As I said in the Finally Fall Book Tag, it was both educational and entertaining, showcasing the research and literary skill Larry incorporated. I would recommend The Princess Spy to readers who like nonfiction books or stories taking place during WWII. If one wants to read about WWII from a woman’s perspective, this book would be a good choice.

    Snowy mountain image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/landscape-background-of-snow-track-and-mountains_968656.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Have fun during Winter!

    Sally Silverscreen

    My Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List 2024

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    With the Christmas/holiday season fast approaching, it’s that time of year for my annual Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List! For readers new to 18 Cinema Lane, this tradition shares the movie related things I’d like to receive for Christmas. The list’s format follows the quote; “Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read”. The items on my list, including this year, have been a combination of realistic requests and wishful thinking. With those explanations said, let’s get into 2024’s Christmas wish-list!

    Image by freepik

    Something You Want

    Since there are movies associated with the Murder, She Wrote series, I will bring this want up in my wish-list. During my Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon, I published an editorial about why Universal Orlando Resort should host Murder, She Wrote weekend. Throughout this article, I explained why this event should work by presenting a basic concept of the event’s schedule. Murder, She Wrote weekend is an event where all parties involved would benefit. Universal Orlando Resort would receive an opportunity to not only make a profit, but to also utilize an intellectual property (IP) that used to have a presence in the park. Attractions and businesses within the park’s boundaries would be able to welcome more guests and increase their revenue. Fans of Murder, She Wrote would have a chance to meet other fans and celebrate the legacy of the show. If Murder, She Wrote weekend becomes an actual event, I think it has the potential to become a cherished Universal Orlando Resort tradition!

    Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

    Something You Need to See

    When I reviewed the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Pack of Lies, in June, I referenced a Hallmark commercial that was based on a true story. In this commercial, a man, whose first language is not English, is looking for the perfect card for his wife, who will soon arrive in the United States. When he goes to a Hallmark store, the man is assisted by an employee named Rose, who helps him find exactly what he is looking for. After watching this commercial, I developed a collection of questions: What happened to the man and his wife? Are they still together? Did she like the card he bought her? What about Rose, does she still work at Hallmark? Has she retired? And the biggest question of them all; what compelled Hallmark to turn this particular story into a commercial? With everything I just said, I think the commercial could serve as the story for a future Hallmark movie! If the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series continues, that commercial could also serve as a plot in a future Signed, Sealed, Delivered film!

    This screenshot, taken by me, Sally Silverscreen, is from the aforementioned Hallmark commercial from 1987.
    This screenshot, taken by me, Sally Silverscreen, is from the aforementioned Hallmark commercial from 1987.
    This screenshot, taken by me, Sally Silverscreen, is from the aforementioned Hallmark commercial from 1987.

    A movie related piece of clothing or accessory I’d want to wear

    While we’re on subject of Pack of Lies, I want to talk about an outfit Teri Garr’s character, Helen, wore in the 1987 film! During Christmastime, Helen’s outfit was a black and blue ensemble that consisted of black kitten heels, black and blue plaid slacks, and a black sweater over a blue turtleneck. For accessories, Helen wore her hair in a black bow and displayed black stone earrings. I like this outfit because of how timeless it is! It works in either the 1960s, 1980s, or today!

    This screenshot, taken by me, Sally Silverscreen, is from the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Pack of Lies. Because Helen wore this outfit in only one scene, this is the only time where her complete outfit is shown on-screen.
    This screenshot, taken by me, Sally Silverscreen, is from the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Pack of Lies. Because Helen wore this outfit in only one scene, this is one of the few times her earrings and bow are featured on screen.

    A book I’ve read that I’d like to see adapted into a film

    In my post about the Finally Fall Book Tag, I mentioned The Princess Spy being the best book I read for 2024’s Eurovisionathon. While discussing the book, I talked about how it was both educational and entertaining due to Larry Loftis’ research and literary skill. Looking back on other non-fiction stories from World War II, I realized how underrated Aline Griffith’s story is. When it comes to films taking place during World War II, the espionage side of the war effort is not commonly featured. Because of these factors, I would like to see The Princess Spy adapted into a movie!

    The Princess Spy book cover found on Goodreads

    What are your thoughts on my Christmas wish list? Are there any movie related things you’d like to receive during the Christmas/holiday season? Tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun during the Christmas/holiday season!

    Sally Silverscreen

    The Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon Has Been Brought to You by Our Sponsor; 18 Cinema Lane

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    Hello everyone! Now that Cabot Cove-thon has come to an end, I’d like to thank those who participated in the event! While this year’s blogathon received a smaller turn-out, I was impressed by the diversity of the entries. It elaborated my point about how Murder, She Wrote is a multifaceted program. There will be a new blogathon held in 2025! But, as of early October 2024, the event’s theme and dates are pending. Blogathon news will be announced sometime between early to mid 2025. With all that said, 18 Cinema Lane will get back to its regularly scheduled programming!

    Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

    Have fun in Cabot Cove!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Sally Reads… ‘Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire’ by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

    On By 18cinemalane3 Comments

    *This book review was written before Hurricane Helene*

    On this day in 1984, Murder, She Wrote made its television debut. What started as a simple story of a woman solving mysteries in her own backyard grew into a legacy standing strong in the test of time. I mentioned in my Cabot Cove-thon announcement post how Murder, She Wrote is a multifaceted program. One contributor is the Murder, She Wrote book series! Two of these books, Murder, She Wrote: The Highland Fling Murders and Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels, have been reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane. This time, I’ll be writing about Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire! The reason why I selected this book for Cabot Cove-thon, let alone a review, is how the story takes place in Florida. On the first day of my blogathon, I published an editorial about why Universal Orlando Resort should host a fan event called Murder, She Wrote Weekend. Knowing ahead of time I would be discussing the show’s connection to Universal Studios Florida, I thought Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire was an appropriate selection!

    Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire book cover found on Goodreads

    Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire is not only the third Murder, She Wrote book reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane, it’s also the third book where Jessica travels outside of Cabot Cove. In these stories, the destinations are exciting and inviting. What made South Florida such an appealing location in Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire was the combination of descriptive imagery, facts, and tidbits of information sprinkled throughout the story. While taking a road trip to Key West, Jessica searches for the perfect present for Seth’s friend; a key lime pie. During her search, Jessica (as well as readers) learn about the different ingredients used to make this beloved dessert. Other cultural elements are woven into Jessica’s travels, such as a “ceremony” where residents and visitors of Key West applaud the setting sun. These elements help introduce readers to South Florida, as well as educate them about this destination!

    Colorful travel suitcase image created by Pikisuperstar at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/beautiful-illustration-of-travel_2686674.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/watercolor”>Watercolor vector created by Pikisuperstar – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    The Murder, She Wrote book series creates original stories instead of rehashing already existing episodes. However, the spirit of the show exists in the books because of the inclusion of characters and locations from Murder, She Wrote. In Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire, the characters felt like they either came directly from the show or should have been on the show. This was achieved because of how the dialogue was written and how characters were described. Sam Lewis is a resident of Foreverglades, Florida. He not only volunteers with the local police department, Sam also drives a pink Cadillac and, at one point, even wears purple sneakers. While he is a quirky individual, he is endearing as he tries to make his neighborhood a better place. Sam was so well integrated into the story, he felt like he belonged in Jessica’s world! Sam also represents a consistent strength of the Murder, She Wrote books; the creation of unique, distinct characters.

    Even though Jessica takes a road trip in Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire, fans of the show would know she wasn’t the one driving. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    Murder mystery stories typically contain a sense of urgency. Because the murder takes place within the story, there is an urgent race against time to stop the perpetrator from hurting anyone else. For the majority of Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire, however, urgency was lacking. The emphasis on the laid-back, easy-going atmosphere of Florida and the victim being murdered prior to the story are the reasons for this creative flaw. Dialogue is an important component of any story. But Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire was dialogue-heavy, with very few non-verbal clues provided. If readers aren’t actively paying attention to what they’re reading, they may miss key information. It also doesn’t help how some of Jessica’s conclusions seemed a bit far-fetched.

    Magnifying fingerprints image created by Balintseby at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/glass”>Glass vector created by Balintseby – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/fingerprint-investigation_789253.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    When I reviewed Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels back in 2022, I claimed that book was my least favorite among the Murder, She Wrote books I read. Two years later, it looks like I found a new least favorite. Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire is not a bad book. But most of the story lacking a sense of urgency decreased the mystery’s intrigue and caused the book to, sometimes, feel meandering. A dialogue-heavy story may frustrate some readers, forcing them to actively pay attention or they’ll miss important information. However, there are strengths found in this book. New characters and even familiar faces were well integrated into the story. The South Florida setting was a delight to read about due to the incorporated creative elements. Similar to the show, the Murder, She Wrote book series boasts creative ideas and interesting topics, which always gives Jessica and company something to do. As far as I know, this book series is still in publication. That allows the stories of Cabot Cove to continue, even after the show itself concluded.

    Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

    Overall score: 3.1 out of 5 stars

    Have fun in Cabot Cove!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Disclaimer: Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire is a murder mystery story, so the subject of murder will be brought up from time to time. Swearing does occur on a few occasions and there are mentions of violence. Other topics include chronic illness, grief, and the fair treatment of older people/the elderly.

    The Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon is Here to Commemorate 40 Years of ‘Murder, She Wrote’!

    On By 18cinemalane7 Comments

    Welcome to my blogathon, Cabot Cove-thon! With Murder, She Wrote‘s first episode premiering on September 30th, 1984, this event is commemorating the show’s 40th anniversary! In Murder, She Wrote‘s twelve season lifespan, viewers watched as Jessica successfully cracked each case, whether in her hometown, Cabot Cove, or beyond her own backyard. The show also proved to its audience how diverse the mystery genre can be; telling stories, expressing ideas, and showcasing talent that make each episode unique. The participants of Cabot Cove-thon created articles that highlight the multifaceted nature of Murder, She Wrote. From observing Angela Lansbury’s film career to discussing the show’s theme park presence, let the Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon begin!

    Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

    18 Cinema Lane — Why Universal Orlando Resort Should Host ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Weekend, Sally Reads…’Murder, She Wrote: Dying to Retire’ by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

    Taking Up Room — Miss Angela Cruises the Nile

    The Very Special Blog — Happy 40th Anniversary to Murder, She Wrote!

    Why Universal Orlando Resort Should Host ‘Murder, She Wrote’ Weekend

    On By 18cinemalane6 Comments

    *This editorial was written before Hurricane Helene*

    For the Cabot Cove-thon, I originally wanted to write an editorial about the Universal Studios Florida attraction, Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre. This show having a presence in any theme park, let alone Universal Studios, was an intriguing concept to discuss during my blogathon. But the more I learned about Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre from the Youtube channel, Poseidon Entertainment, the more I discovered that once guests consumed the information from Jessica and the actors associated with the Mystery Theatre, they had little reason to return. A behind-the-scenes look at how to create an episode of Murder, She Wrote from the post-production stage is both fascinating and educational. However, with the aforementioned details from Poseidon Entertainment in mind, I wondered how I could improve Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre. If Murder, She Wrote were to return to Universal Studios’ theme park, bringing the show back as an event instead of an attraction would give fans and park guests a reason to come back. This is how I created the idea of Universal Orlando Resort hosting a fan event called Murder, She Wrote Weekend! In this editorial, I will explain why Universal Orlando Resort should host Murder, She Wrote Weekend by providing a basic concept of the event’s schedule. My editorial is, simply, proposing an idea, so any decisions related to event creation will be determined by Universal Orlando Resort themselves.

    Cabot Cove-thon banner created by me, Sally Silverscreen. Original picture found on IMDB.

    Friday

    The beauty of having Universal Orlando Resort host Murder, She Wrote Weekend are the amenities and accommodations at their disposal. One of them are the soon to be ten hotels on their property. Each hotel has its own unique identity, offering their guests a variety of experiences. These unique identities could work in the favor of Murder, She Wrote Weekend, as the chosen hotel could play a role in the event’s theme. Murder, She Wrote has created some episodes related to music. In the season nine episode, “The Sound of Murder”, Jessica witnesses the filming of a rock music video. With the themes of rock n’ roll and music, the Hard Rock Hotel would serve as the perfect venue.

    Using the Hard Rock Hotel as this editorial’s example, attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend would check in on Friday. At the front desk, hotel information as well as weekend itinerary, badges, and goodie bags will be presented. There will be a large gap in time between check-in and the first official event. This will give attendants an opportunity to rest, explore Universal Orlando Resort, or create a schedule for the weekend. When it’s time for the first official event, attendants will gather in the theater of either Velvet Sessions or Velvet Unplugged for a trivia contest. Trivia will include a variety of topics connected to Murder, She Wrote’s twelve season history. Attendants who win the trivia contest could receive prizes such as a signed script from the show, a shopping spree at the Tribute Store Plaza (if the store was open at the time of Murder, She Wrote Weekend), or an expenses paid trip to Blair House Inn (the house that portrayed Jessica’s home on Murder, She Wrote).

    Since Murder, She Wrote: The Highland Fling Murders is about Jessica traveling to Scotland, I figured this photo would be an appropriate choice for my editorial. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    Saturday

    The first official day of Murder, She Wrote Weekend will begin with a panel in the morning. This panel could focus on a topic related to the show, the mystery genre, or the event’s theme. According to the synopsis for “The Sound of Murder”, “Jessica records one of her novels for the blind”. So, in this editorial’s example, the panel on Saturday would revolve around the topic of audiobooks. The panel itself would consist of five people: an executive of a publishing firm, an author whose book was transformed into an audiobook, an audiobook’s narrator, the president of an audiobook company, and an employee of a recording studio. This diverse group of people would hold a discussion on what it takes to create an audiobook, exploring this topic from different perspectives. Toward the end of the panel, attendants will receive an opportunity to ask the panelists questions.

    Another amenity Universal Orlando Resort has at their disposal are their theme parks. With Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, a water park known as Volcano Bay, and their Epic Universe on the horizon, Universal Orlando Resort provides guests with a bundle of attractions to make their day action-packed and fun-filled. Attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend can take advantage of their time in the parks by participating in a scavenger hunt. Clues related to Murder, She Wrote would be hidden throughout the parks. During this activity, participants will encounter various attractions, giving them a reason to stay in the parks after the scavenger hunt is over. Winners of the scavenger hunt will earn a prize, like a commemorative pin. Murder, She Wrote Weekend attendants also have the option of a Murder, She Wrote themed escape room. Similar to Universal CityWalk’s Universal’s Great Movie Escape, attendants can be transported to the world of Jessica Fletcher as they try to escape locations relevant to the show, such as Jessica’s living room. Winners of the escape room can also earn a commemorative prize like the aforementioned scavenger hunt. To close out Murder, She Wrote Weekend’s first day, a screening of a Murder, She Wrote episode and/or an upcoming movie from the mystery genre will take place at Universal CityWalk’s Universal Cinemark cinema.

    In the Murder, She Wrote episode, “Murder Takes the Bus“, Jessica travels on, you guessed it, a bus. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    Sunday

    The schedule for the second and final day of Murder, She Wrote Weekend is similar to Saturday’s schedule, except for two major differences. While Sunday will begin with a panel, this panel, in my editorial’s example, will feature a collection of actors, producers, screenwriters, and directors who worked on Murder, She Wrote. Like the aforementioned panel on Saturday, attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend will be able to ask the panelists questions toward the end of the panel. But this time, the attendants will have the chance to take photographs with the panelists in a meet & greet. The second major difference is the event that will conclude Murder, She Wrote Weekend. This event would either be a costume party (where attendants are invited to dress up as characters from Murder, She Wrote, programs from Universal Studios, or from ‘80s and ‘90s productions) or a mystery dinner theatre presentation. If attendants of Murder, She Wrote Weekend already participated in the scavenger hunt and escape room I talked about earlier in this editorial, they will have the opportunity to explore Universal Orlando Resort at their leisure.

    As I have already mentioned, Universal Orlando Resort has a bundle of attractions in their parks. At Universal CityWalk, a collection of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options are located under Universal Orlando Resort’s umbrella. These attractions and facilities are another amenity Universal Orlando Resort can use to their advantage, especially if they hosted Murder, She Wrote Weekend. When bringing up ideas for trivia contest prizes, I mentioned the Tribute Store Plaza. This store, which operates during limited times, sells merchandise that represent a specific theme. In the case of Murder, She Wrote Weekend, the store could sell products related to Murder, She Wrote; from Cabot Cove postcards to a typewriter that mirrors Jessica’s. “The Sound of Murder” takes place in New York City. Keeping this editorial’s example in mind, Cold Stone Creamery could create a Murder, She Wrote Weekend exclusive flavor based on New York cheesecake. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen could also capitalize on Murder, She Wrote Weekend by crafting a blueberry pie flavored milkshake in honor of Jessica Fletcher’s home in Cabot Cove, Maine.

    Since Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels is about Jessica traveling on a cruise trip, I figured this photo would be an appropriate choice for my editorial. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    2024 became the year when fan events failed. Two notable examples are the Bluey event in Las Vegas that disappointed families and Glasgow’s unimpressive Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory themed event. But for every fan event that attracts attention for the wrong reasons, there is a desire to see a fan event succeed. With the resources and amenities at their disposal, Universal Orlando Resort has the potential to host a Murder, She Wrote themed event that meets and even exceeds expectations. It also helps how Universal Orlando Resort is familiar with Murder, She Wrote’s IP (intellectual property), as this show has had a presence in Universal Studios Florida. Murder, She Wrote benefits from having a twelve-season lifespan. The abundance of stories, ideas, and famous faces can provide ideas for a Murder, She Wrote themed event. At the beginning of my editorial, I pointed out how bringing the show back as an event instead of an attraction would give fans and park guests a reason to come back to the parks. Hosting a Murder, She Wrote themed event would also create a new tradition and celebrate the legacy of Jessica Fletcher.

    Have fun in Cabot Cove!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Featured references:

    Poseidon Entertainment’s video, “A Deep Dive Into Classic Universal Studios Florida (Part 1)

    (segment about Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theatre is featured from 28:12 to 31:46)

    http://www.blairhouse.com

    orlandoinformer.com/blog/the-tribute-store-plaza-universal-studios-florida/

    universalorlando.com

    IMDB synopsis for “The Sound of Murder” — http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0653664/?ref_=ttep_ep10

    One Month Until the Cabot Cove-thon Blogathon Arrives!

    On By 18cinemalane2 Comments

    Are you a fan of Murder, She Wrote? Do you want to participate in a blogathon that is fun and creative? If you answered yes to these questions, then come join my blogathon, Cabot Cove-thon! The event starts on September 27th, so you still have time to sign up. Plus, there are plenty of topics to choose from! To learn more about Cabot Cove-thon, click on the link below.

    Celebrating 40 Years of ‘Murder, She Wrote’ with the Blogathon; Cabot Cove-thon!