The Monte Carlo Murders

This Murder She Wrote story might be the first one I've ever seen set in Monte Carlo where the center of the plot wasn't gambling. Jessica Fletcher has come to the Riviera to visit another old classmate Dina Merrill who is a widow trying to keep control of the hotel she owns. The mortgage is held by a real lizard of a human being in David Birney. So you know right away that Birney is slated to be the victim in this story.

There are two victims however Birney and a waiter at the hotel Victor Touzie who doubled as a spy for hire. It's what Touzie did as an avocation that sends Angela Lansbury on the track of the real killer who the Monte Carlo cops think is Neill Barry, Merrill's son.

Nicely done story with Birney a real standout.

I enjoy the odd MSW and only watched this as I saw Ian Ogilvy was cast it. Sadly, we saw only about five minutes total of him.

Poor acting and overacting as per usual and stereotypical characters. The spoilt son who doesn't want to be involved with the hotel as he's a 'photographer'. Very strange photos he was developing. The ponytailed body guard, the flighty wife of the nasty man....the most annoying was the chef; French of course. The silly scenes with Jessica in the kitchen sniffing the pot to identify an ingredient. OTT and cringeworthy.

Where's Ian?

Annie, the hotel owner. . Armand! Ian was wasted in this.

Like most episodes of "Murder, She Wrote", the murder victim is very obvious. After all, for nearly half the episode, the guy took delight in being a giant jerk-face...and the only question was WHO was going to off this guy! But that's okay, as the show was still quite enjoyable and well worth seeing. But I should mention that the ending, well, it's weak. The two-time killer inexplicably, felt bad about the killings and quickly confessed to Jessica his misdeeds...and this was without the police being nearby to save her in case the killer decided to off her as well. Still, setting the show in Monte Carlo was a nice change of pace and even a weak episode of "Murder, She Wrote" is still very good.

Have always been quite fond of 'Murder She Wrote'. It is a fun and relaxing watch that makes you think as you try to unwind in the evening. If one wants more complex, twisty mysteries with lots of tension and suspense 'Murder She Wrote' may not be for you, but if you want something light-hearted and entertaining but still provide good mysteries 'Murder She Wrote' fits the bill just fine.

Season 8 is back on track after stumbling a little with "Incident in Lot 7" (a good episode but just a little disappointing after three wonderful episodes in a row) with one of its better episodes "The Monte Carlo Murders". There is just so much that it benefits from, including the splendidly exotic Monte Carlo itself that looks gorgeous and the ever slick and stylish production values, one of the most visually beautiful later episodes.

The mystery always holds one's attention and is intriguing without being too simplistic or convoluted. The ending is simply terrific, one that one does not see coming at all and one that actually has proper evidence to back it up rather than being overly reliant on coincidence or accidental slip ups, and there is a very clever clue concerning the dying words.

Angela Lansbury is spot on and she has one of Season 8's best guest supporting casts to support her. Standouts include a resplendent Dina Merrill, Patrick Bauchau at his classiest, a suitably repellent David Birney and Ian Ogilvy and Maryam D'Abo managing to make criminals charming and likable. Agree that Lise Hilboldt makes for a splendid scream queen, a contender for the best since Emma Samms in "Snow White, Blood Red".

Music has energy and has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune.

Writing is tight, thought-provoking and typically amiable and the characters and chemistry.

Overall, wonderful episode and sees Season 8 on track. 10/10 Bethany Cox

This episode is a rather slick affair with grandiose scenery but some good suspects. This time, Jessica probes a Monte Carlo murder for which her hotelier friend (Dina Merrill) is a suspect. There's a good performance by David Birney, who plays an oily character. He, of course, becomes a victim, and he has got plenty of enemies. One of them being Ian Oglivy, whose character amusingly has a surname of Templeton ( perhaps a nod to Simon Templar).