In her younger days Jessica had helped out at a small theatre, there she met husband Frank and married actors Julian and Maggie. On the opening night of the play Maggie is spooked and pulls out of performing, leaving the way clear for her understudy Barbara Bennington. That night Barbara dies, of cyanide poisoning, fortunately a member of the cast Merton Drock is the chief of Police, trouble is he feels out of his depth, step in Jessica Fletcher.
I enjoyed this episode very much, a very entertaining story with a clever sub plot. We get to see a little bit of Jessica's youth, plus the origins of her meeting husband Frank. The characters are particularly strong, Eleanor Parker is wonderful as Maggie, as is John Schuck's eccentric detective. Plenty of suspects, and a victim I didn't really see coming.
Very good. 8/10
