Ep 7. Deadline for Murder

Jessica Fletcher is back at it once again, this time in Season 3, Episode 7: "Deadline for Murder." The episode begins with Jessica attending a gathering of the writers' guild, where she finds out that her friend Harvey's latest manuscript has been stolen. Harvey tells Jessica that he was nearly finished with the novel, which was slated to be his best work yet when someone broke into his office and took the manuscript. Naturally, Jessica can't resist a good mystery, so she offers to help Harvey investigate the theft.

The two start their investigation by interviewing Harvey's secretary, but she doesn't seem to remember much about the day of the theft. They also talk to another writer at the guild gathering who seems to have a grudge against Harvey, but he quickly becomes a suspect when he's found dead in his hotel room the next day. Jessica knows that the two events are connected and she's determined to prove it.

As Jessica delves deeper into the mystery, she finds out that another writer at the guild, named Fay, is also working on a book with a similar plot to Harvey's manuscript. With the help of a private detective, Jessica finds out that Fay had purchased a copy of Harvey's manuscript from a well-known thief. It becomes clear to Jessica that Fay is the culprit behind the theft, but she's not sure how to prove it.

Meanwhile, the police have their hands full with investigating the death of the writer in the hotel room. The detective in charge, Lt. Stiles, is convinced that Harvey is responsible for the murder. Jessica is sure that he's wrong and sets out to clear Harvey's name and solve the mystery of the stolen manuscript.

In the end, Jessica figures out a way to trap Fay into confessing to the crime and proving Harvey's innocence. The episode wraps up with a sense of closure as Harvey retrieves his manuscript and the killer is brought to justice.

"Deadline for Murder" is another classic episode of Murder, She Wrote, showcasing Angela Lansbury's talent as the crime-solving novelist, Jessica Fletcher. With its intriguing plot, engaging characters, and numerous twists and turns, this episode is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.