The Search for Peter Kerry

Jessica Fletcher uses her mystery writer's instincts to investigate murder and intrigue when the heir to a fortune appears after a 20-year absence. An excellent mystery that stars Marc Singer as the possible heir to millions and Michael Beck as the hard smoking opportunist. From the time Singer is introduced as a possible heir you have a strong feeling that a scheme is happening, especially with Beck owing his wife loads of money. But, as always, there's a twist in the tale and it all ends with a hopeful ending.

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.

While not quite one of my top 5 favourites of Season 5, "The Search for Peter Kerry" is still a winner and one of the best of the season. It does wonders with a not exactly tasteful, pretty cruel come to think of it, premise and manages to make an entertaining and intelligent episode out of it, with a diverting mystery that manages to be a brain-teaser.

Angela Lansbury is terrific as always as Jessica, and William Prince, Lorna Patterson and Mason Adams all give very good supporting turns. The standouts though are a smouldering Marc Singer and Anita Morris and a sly and entertainingly inept Lane Smith.

Production values as ever are slick and stylish. The 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.

The writing is thought-provoking, light-hearted and amiable, while the mystery as said intrigues and the solution is not hard to figure out thankfully.

All in all, a Season 5 winner. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Yep, it was right about mid-way through season 5 that the show decided they were going to "address" social issues and stump for the Democratic Party. Why else would they have characters lighting up cigarettes in this episode for no earthly reason other than to give other characters the chance to bash smoking, or mention that 20 years previously two friends went to a Democratic Party rally? Why not a sporting event? Shows always ruin themselves with this kind of propaganda and this one is no exception. Disappointing.

Okay starts off well enough with introduction of old college friend, the song in the bar while Danny attempts a hard sell making it obvious that he's a con man or thinks he is anyway. The non stop smoking provided the writers with their clever solution to the murderer. Yet the entire journey - seeking hospital records, accident details, searching & ultimately locating a relative of the victim who died in the decades old car crash was entirely unnecessary. If DNA tests could identify the smoker, the same DNA test could resolve whether or not "Rick" was or was not the long lost grandson without all the drama. A wasted effort...

This is a good episode. My review is prompted by instantly recognizing both the interior and the exterior of the church where the funeral takes place, which occurs early in the episode. The church in question is the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, which is at the corner of Sixth and Commonwealth Streets. It is a lovely church, and I was often there for services, and in the course of attending high school next door: we had our weekly chapel in the church on Fridays, and there were wonderful Christmas services there, which I often attended, along with other students.

Indeed, we did my high school graduation within the fine old church! Seeing it brought a shout of pleased surprise as I began watching the episode!