Ep 7. A Lady in the Lake

In the second season of the classic murder-mystery series "Murder, She Wrote," episode 7 titled "A Lady in the Lake" sees amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher investigating a series of murders in the idyllic town of Cabot Cove.

The episode begins with Jessica attending a book convention in the city where she meets a young and ambitious editor named Tony, who invites her to a cocktail party. The party turns out to be a gathering of some of the most prominent literary figures in the city, including Tony's boss, the wealthy publisher Robert Warren.

Later that night, Jessica is awoken by a phone call from Tony, who is frantic and incoherent. He tells her that there has been a terrible accident involving his boss, Robert Warren, and asks her to come to the publishing house immediately. When she arrives, Jessica finds that Warren has been murdered, his body planted in a nearby lake to make it look like an accident.

As the investigation unfolds, Jessica becomes convinced that the killer is someone at the publishing house, although she isn't sure who. Even more troubling is the fact that the killer seems to be targeting the women in Warren's life, including his wife, his mistress, and his secretary. Jessica starts to investigate everyone at the publishing house, including the unruly staff, the envious writers, and the ripe socialites present in Warren's life.

As the body count rises, Jessica becomes more and more desperate to catch the killer. A major turning point happens when one of Warren’s closest friends, Chuck, is found dead, and Jessica realizes that she may be in grave danger too.

Eventually, with some clever detective work, Jessica is able to figure out that several people had a motive and opportunity to kill Warren. She also knows based on the woman's first hand testimony that one woman saw something that she didn't reveal earlier with fear. So she gathers everyone at the publishing house to reveal the killer's identity. What follows is an intense and satisfying reveal that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

With its intriguing plot twists and amateur sleuth protagonist, "A Lady in the Lake" is a classic example of the "Murder, She Wrote" formula at work. It keeps the viewer glued to their seat and wondering who the killer(s) could be. The episode showcases Jessica's sharp mind and attention to detail as she pieces together clues to catch the killer, and features a stellar cast of supporting characters who each have their own secrets and motivations.

In short, "A Lady in the Lake" is a must-watch for fans of the classic murder-mystery genre and for anyone who loves a good whodunit. The show's writing is clever and engaging, and its performances are top-notch, making it a standout episode in a series that has stood the test of time.