Unfinished Business

At his retirement party, Lieutenant Barney Kale commits to solving his only unsolved murder, that happened ten years ago of Lowel Dixon an old friend of his. Kale invites all the original suspects to a lodge at Juniper Lake. Among that list of suspects is Cabot Cove's own Doctor Seth Hazlit, naturally Jessica arrives to clear the name of her friend.

I really enjoyed this episode, firstly, I was very impressed by the storyline, a bit of a change for Jessica to be concerned by a historic murder. A good list of suspects, including Cynthia Tate, well performed by Hayley Mills, who sounds ever so English, as does every other Brit on the show. Pat Hingle is excellent as Barney Kale, he makes you believe in the desperation of his character to leave the job with an unblemished career and catch the killer.

A very clever misdirection in this episode, a fabulous setting, and wonderfully strong production values, at no point does it feel like you're watching the cast on a purpose built set.

Excellent, 9/10

Wonderful to see a mini-Happy Days reunion with Erin Moran guest starring, alongside semi-regular Tom Bosley. Also British acting royalty Hayley Mills appears in an intriguing episode which kept us guessing until the end. The ending was a bit hasty and ludicrous sadly. It's as though the scriptwriter had no idea how to wrap up the final moment of the episode. It was all gripping up to the denouement, but then I felt let down.

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.

"Unfinished Business" is not one of my favourite episodes of 'Murder She Wrote' and is a little bit of a let-down after the two part "Death Stalks the Big Top". It is still a nice solid episode, that is fun and engaging if not as strong in mystery as other Season 3 episodes and of 'Murder She Wrote'. Intriguing premise, made the most of, and maintains attention, if needing a little more kick and a few more surprises and suspense.

There are plenty of suspects here, which is a good thing, most plausible, a couple of others (particularly Erin Moran's) not so buyable as suspects.

Production values are high in quality as to be expected, with slick photography and great location work that provides room for character tension under the surface. 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.

Writing is tight, thought-provoking and typically amiable and the characters and chemistry are good fun. The story as said is executed quite well and engages, particularly fun is the rapport between Amos and Kale.

Can't say enough good about Angela Lansbury, she is always dependable and there is a reason as to why Jessica Fletcher is one of her best-remembered roles. Tom Bosley and William Windom are solid as rocks, and Hayley Mills as a classy delight. Of the supporting turns, Pat Hingle is the standout.

In conclusion, solid but doesn't leave one jumping out of their chair. 7/10 Bethany Cox

A lot of Jessica Fletcher's cases take place in various exotic locales and just as many are close to home in Cabot Cove. This one was not too far from her home town. It also ties in to a murder 10 years earlier of a vacationing police detective.

In fact the detective on that case is in this area again and Pat Hingle and there's another murder of a recently released convict Erich Anderson with a shotgun. That's the thing about shotguns, there's no forensics with them.

There's a nice little stew of suspects that in the eyes of the local law also includes Dr. Seth Hazlitt who's also on the scene. The local law is Sheriff J.D. Cannon and on Angela Lansbury's list he's on it as well.

I was fooled on this one, but on reflecting the sequence of events no other outcome was possible.

Unfin Police lieutenant, Barney Kale, finally announces that he will soon retire, after one final case. He soon travels to Juniper Lake, near Cabot Cove, to solve the one murder that has yet to be resolved - that of a close friend who was drowned ten years ago. Upon visiting the cabins where the murder took place, Kale invites several people who were connected to the investigation, including Jessica's friend Seth, to meet with him at the lakes. Concerned, Jessica accompanies her friend, and no sooner do the pair arrive when a guest at the cabins is found dead, having been killed with a shotgun. Jessica finds herself investigating alongside Amos to find out whether the current murder is linked to the one Kale is seeking to resolve.

Not a lot of mystery here, though Hingle's tussling with Amos Tupper is fun. It's just ok, nothing standout: I found it just average, yet watchable due to characters. There are few things that don't make sense.