As a kid, I used to sneak out of my room and hide behind the recliner, peeking around the corner to watch the latest episode of “Murder, She Wrote.” The soothing theme song, the picturesque town of Cabot Cove, and the brilliant Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) solving mysteries week after week captivated me. Little did I know, this cozy crime show would spark a lifelong fascination with true crime.
The allure of “Murder, She Wrote” lay not only in its intriguing mysteries but also in its relatable characters and engaging storylines. Each episode presented a puzzle, inviting viewers to join Jessica Fletcher on her quest to uncover the truth. As a young girl, I was drawn to the mystery and the challenge to guess the killer before it was announced.
Two episodes stand out in my memory as particularly influential in shaping my interest in true crime: “Mr. Penroy’s Vacation” and “If It’s Thursday, It Must Be Beverly.”
In “Mr. Penroy’s Vacation,” the Appletons seem just a little bit crazier every time I watch it.
Jessica and Metzger were defnitely not expecting these two sweet, innocent spinster sisters to confess to burying bodies, tampering with evidence, and cashing in the dead man’s pension. Highlights of that episode include:
- Jessica wrapping up one of her own books to give as a gift
- Metzger saying “Sweet little town like this? What could happen?” which EVERYONE KNOWS means something terrible is going to happen
- Winston the Bulldog’s adorable butt-wiggle as he trots over to the garden to dig up the bodies
- Lillian saying “There are no fingerprints on there! Helen wore gloves.” as if there is any way at all the sheriff is not going to think that’s a murder confession
“If It’s Thursday, It Must Be Beverly” introduced us to the charming but slightly eccentric Beverly Fletcher, Jessica’s cousin. The episode’s lighthearted tone and witty dialogue provided a welcome contrast to the show’s more serious themes.
I was particularly drawn to Beverly’s adventurous spirit and her willingness to say what she thought regardless of what was ‘proper’. I definitely did NOT get all of the jokes in that one when I was ten, but it became one of my favorites as an adult.
- Seth and Amos want to die when Beverly says “It was good, clean sex once a week!”. They can NOT handle her at all.
- It’s one of the few where I was genuinely surprised by the killer
- “Even the Lord rested on the seventh day.” – Sheriff Tupper
Through “Murder, She Wrote,” I discovered the thrill of solving mysteries and got to see inside the life of a writer, even if it was a fictional one. I loved to read, and seeing her turn her experiences into books was inspiring.
What got you interested in true crime?
The Crime Chronicles 
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