The usual formula, but Lansbury is good as always
13 May 2003
I was not a fan of the "Murder, She Wrote" TV series, but that was because I didn't know what I was missing, and I have enjoyed all the TV movies based on the series since it went off the air.

In Ireland, a group of people watches a video will. Jessica Fletcher is one of those witnessing the now-deceased man explaining how he wants his estate divided, because she made a difference in the man's life many years earlier. Certain members of the man's family do not get all that they feel entitled to, while some servants receive more than they probably should have. Jessica gets the Rose Cottage, though she doesn't really want it. That is just as well, because the man's will is challenged by certain members of the family. In addition, there is a mysterious treasure, and each person named in the will is given a sheet of paper with clues to finding the treasure.

While Jessica intends to return home quickly, she cannot leave after she witnesses a murder (or perhaps the aftermath of one). And someone warns her that she and others should watch out, because certain people cannot be trusted. In fact, Jessica is subjected to danger several times during the movie, but do you think the producers will let anything happen to the star? An additional complication: it appears someone has been embezzling from the family business.

Angela Lansbury makes Jessica charming, perceptive, intelligent, and quite likeable, as she has for years. No one else's performance really stands out, except for a storyteller who resembles a leprechaun. I was led to believe we were going to be sent in several different directions, but at no time did I ever feel I knew who the murderer might be (so I never was given false hope) until Jessica revealed his or her identity at the end. The process of seeing the mystery solved was quite enjoyable, though, as usual.
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