One of the most popular television shows of the late ’80s and early ’90s, Murder, She Wrote grabbed audiences from around the world as they fell for the lovable old lady protagonist Jessica Fletcher. A mystery writer who also became one of the world’s greatest detectives, the adventures of Fletcher proved to be quite exciting.
Every season of the show had many good episodes. Among those, each of the twelve seasons had at least one great episode. Ranking those episodes is quite difficult. Nonetheless, here are the top episodes from each of Murder, She Wrote’s twelve seasons, ranked.
Season 2 - Trial By Error
As the foreperson of a murder trial, Jessica brings her special murder intuition to a case that all the other jurors assumed had an obvious verdict.
Based on one of the greatest movies of all time, 12 Angry Men, this episode was by far the best episode of the entire series. Much like in the movie, Jessica slowly convinces each member of the jury to change their opinions as she takes all the evidence and solves the case.
Season 3 - The Corpse Flew First Class
While on a flight to London, Jessica witnesses the murder of a rich woman’s chauffeur. The priceless necklace that the chauffeur was carrying for the woman disappears as well, causing quite an incredible mystery for Jessica to solve.
Taking place entirely on a plane, the enclosed setting of this episode really makes you feel the tension. The many twists and turns throughout make it quite a delight to watch.
Season 10 - Murder on the Thirtieth Floor
When Jessica’s editor begins to go through many strange mood swings, something mysterious appears to be afoot. This is further complicated when he falls off the top of the building and apparently commits suicide.
Jessica knew that not everything was as it seemed and went on to eventually prove that her editor was actually murdered. Her personal connection to the crime made this episode truly stand out amongst the rest.
Season 5 - Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Part 1 and 2
When another very famous mystery writer begins to hit a writer’s block, she becomes increasingly threatened by Jessica’s success. Traveling to Cabot Cove to visit Jessica, the writer actually steals one of Fletcher’s manuscripts.
Her visit culminates with great deception and murder, Jessica is forced to look into whether her competitor is actually capable of cold-blooded murder.
Season 11 - Film Flam
A movie from way back in the'60s was canceled because of a death on set. Many years later they tried to resurrect the movie and finally finish it, bringing back many of the old cast members.
This time, another person is murdered, derailing the film yet again. Jessica is forced to not only solve this new murder, but also the murder that happened all those years ago back in the 1960s.
Season 8 - The Witch’s Curse
When a woman returns to Cabot Cove and buys the town’s notorious haunted house, rumors amongst the townspeople begin to swirl that this strange new lady is some sort of witch.
After getting the part of a witch in a local play, the strange woman becomes a murder suspect after another one of the play’s actors is murdered. Jessica has to both solve this mysterious murder and learn about the strange past of this new citizen of Cabot Cove.
Season 9 - A Christmas Secret
When the soon to be son in law of a wealthy Cabot Cove family is suspected of murder, Jessica is forced to intervene and clear his name. Throughout the episode, it appears that he is hiding many dark secrets from the other citizens of Cabot Cove.
It turns out he didn’t commit the crime and actually has a secret daughter from a previous marriage. A Christmas Secret is one of the few holiday-themed episodes of Murder, She Wrote which really makes that episode stand out.
Season 12 - Nan’s Ghost: Part 1 and 2
Of the many adventures Jessica Fletcher has had abroad, none of them is more memorable than the season twelve episode’s ‘Nan’s Ghost Part 1 and 2’. Not only does Jessica find herself being forced to solve a murder in a different country, but she also gets stuck in a dungeon and is forced to use her cunning to escape.
Seeing Jessica in new dangerous situations in this international mystery really made this two-parter one of the best the series ever had to offer.
Season 1 - Murder Takes the Bus
In this season one episode, Jessica is boarding a bus on her way to Boston. Hoping to attend a convention, Jessica is soon disappointed when a storm forces the passengers off the road and into a diner for safety. Jessica, Amos, and the rest of the passengers are surprised to find one of their fellow riders murdered in the diner.
Setting the entire episode within the diner really made this episode feel exciting. Many of the greatest murder mysteries, such as Rear Window, are set up in this way with the protagonist stuck in an enclosed area. For this episode, it really works.
Season 7 - Who Killed J.B. Fletcher
In this episode, a woman named Marge Allen pretends to be Jessica and is arrested for breaking and entering. In order to clear up this mix-up about Jessica’s identity, the accomplished writer travels to Bremleton to clear her name. In the process, learning that she has a fan club of women who impersonate her to “solve crimes.” Events are further complicated when the initial imposter is murdered.
With the help of the many members of her fan club, Jessica proceeds to solve the murder of this J.B. Fletcher impersonator. Such a wonderful premise is made even better by the many great twists and turns of this episode. Having Jessica work with a team of fans also mixes things up enough to really make this adventure unique.
Season 6 - Town Father
When a strange woman arrives in Cabot Cove, she brings with her a huge scandal. The said woman claims to be a secret wife, and soon after her arrival is murdered.
With all eyes pointed at Cabot Cove’s dopey mayor, it’s up to Jessica Fletcher to prove him innocent and find out exactly who this mystery woman was and what she was up to.
Season 4 - If It’s Thursday, It Must Be Beverly
When the wife of a promiscuous seducer in Cabot Cove turns up dead, many are left to believe that he is, in fact, responsible for the murder. Jessica Fletcher, on the other hand, has a different theory in mind.
With the long list of possible suspects, this episode is quite a treat as audiences are forced to watch Jessica make her way through many of the jilted lovers. Definitely a must-watch for the series.
