TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, Viktor and Petra are enjoying our jolly holiday this week in England for the first (only?) episode of the series where Jessica Fletcher doesn't appear.

Perhaps you'll be able to satiate yourself with a serving of cousin Emma MacGill (Angela Lansbury) as she explores the family dynamics of her former flame, now a lord (Richard Johnson). Everyone sucks: his sister (Rosemary Murphy) and brother (John Standing), his sister-in-law (Carolyn Seymour), and the nephews (John David Bland; Mark Lindsay Chapman). They all look down on Emma, who's here to confirm Geoffrey's suspicions that someone wants him dead.

When Geoffrey appears to be quite correct, Emma looks to the inspector (Anthony Newley) and friendly solicitor (Christopher Hewett-- Mr. Belvedere!), but must settle the score herself, as she's the suspect du jour.

Plus, Jane Leeves (FRASIER; HOT IN CLEVELAND) is nearby to give us all considerable (if common) charm.

Dirty parlor songs, curious picnic fare, and the worst place to keep your recently fired shotgun and muddy boots provide IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY a series of quaint events that, while they somewhat feel like an entirely different series, provide the cozy mystery trope to the hilt.

TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, we're on THE WAY TO DUSTY DEATH... whatever that means.

In this Shakespeare-inspired escapade set in office boardrooms, curiously designed bathrooms, and a lavish estate, JB Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) attends a gathering where the host ends up dead.

Our motivated social-climbing Lady MacB is Virginia McCormack (Joanna Pettet), who urges her husband (Richard Beymer) to screw his courage to the sticking place and take his ascent to the executive office.

The question is: was the brandy, in fact, poisoned? And if so, why was Duncan (Cornel Wilde) electrocuted in his jacuzzi? And who was laughing in there with him before he got shocked? Was that psychic right about the woman with the strong will?

A house of suspects, a board room of snakes, and a staff way underpaid, consists of actors Ray Walston, Sandy McPeak, Joanna Barnes, and more. By the pricking of our thumbs, this one is a doozy.

TONIGHT ON MURDER, SHE WROTE, Petra and Viktor acknowledge that OLD HABITS DIE HARD, particularly when it comes to convent humor.

Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) and her college bud Claire (Jane Powell) are a Sister Act as they determine the identity of the unholy murderer behind the death of popular nun Sister Emily (Evelyn Keyes). When she is found in her room, pill bottle emptied, Jessica isn't sure it's suicide like the diocese insists; in fact, it's any number of possibilities.

The novice Sarah (Sherri Stoner) may still be devoted to her former lover, Mike (Mark Kaylyn) despite her impending vows; meanwhile former wild child ex-con Nancy Bates (Cindy Fisher) is back in town with a possible chip upon her shoulder; and of course the mayor (Ed Nelson) seems to be hiding some sort of secret that a private investigator (Clu Gulager) may be after. There's also the doctor (Scott Paulin), who no one seems to know.

Naturally, our center figure is the brilliant Eileen Brennan—as Marian Simpson—between genius performances in PRIVATE BENJAMIN, CLUE, and WILL AND GRACE. Her appearance is of special note, elevating this already significantly spooky locked-room mystery to even higher echelons, with glorious scenes, sparkling monologues, and exceptional facial expressions to watch for.

This is a high-marked outing in Season 4 with special appearances from Robert Prosky and a bunch of white women dressed as nuns; we encourage you to genuflect and pause in advance: your faith may be rattled. Get your water pitcher if you feel it may be extra hard to swallow.