
As Murder, She Wrote entered its seventh season in the fall of 1990, fans could take heart in star Angela Lansbury's assurance that, as opposed to her frequent absences during season six, she would appear in virtually all of this season's episodes. In fact, her character of mystery novelist Jessica Fletcher would not only resume her duties as amateur sleuth in a variety of real-life murder cases, but on occasion (such as the opening episode) she would find herself accused of being the killer -- or at least an accessory after the fact. And on at least one occasion, Jessica would barely escape becoming a murder victim, thanks to the rage of a former patient of her friend Dr. Seth Hazlitt (William Windom). Although there is more of Jessica in season seven than in season six, she still takes a breather from time to time by "narrating" the exploits of others in the murder-mystery field, notably reformed jewel thief turned insurance investigator Dennis Stanton (Keith Michell). Also making an appearance (his last on this particular series, in fact) is Jerry Orbach as Jessica's old pal, pugnacious private eye Harry McGraw. ~ Rovi