Ep 17. Simon Says, Color Me Dead

Angela Lansbury stars as the beloved mystery writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote season 3 episode 17, "Simon Says, Color Me Dead."

In this episode, Jessica travels to an exclusive art colony on an isolated New England island to teach a writing class. As she settles in, she meets the other residents of the colony, including the eccentric artist Simon Hensley (played by David Ogden Stiers), whose paintings have been known to cause strong emotional reactions in viewers. Simon is in the midst of preparing for a major art show, and tensions are running high as the deadline approaches.

When Simon is found dead in his studio, all signs point to foul play, and Jessica is determined to uncover the truth. The suspects are many, from Simon's long-suffering wife to his jealous protégé to a mysterious stranger who has recently arrived on the island. With the help of local law enforcement, Jessica begins to unravel the dark secrets that lurk beneath the surface of the seemingly idyllic art colony.

As she delves deeper into the case, Jessica begins to suspect that Simon's killer may have been motivated by more than just money or jealousy. Could his unconventional art have played a role in his death? And what other secrets might the other residents be hiding? With her trademark wit and intuition, Jessica is determined to unravel the truth and bring the killer to justice. But as the body count rises and the secrets pile up, she realizes that nothing in this idyllic island retreat is quite what it seems.

"Simon Says, Color Me Dead" is a classic Murder, She Wrote episode, filled with intrigue, suspense, and plenty of red herrings. With its picturesque setting and quirky characters, it's a perfect example of the show's unique blend of cozy mystery and murder. Fans of the series will love following Jessica as she puts her detective skills to the test and uncovers the secrets that lie beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect art colony.