Murder on the Thirtieth Floor

There's evidence Jessica's editor had manic mood swings - but was he really suicidal? That's what Jessica is going to find out. She suspects foul play and there's a good range of suspects. It's a well done episode with some good atmosphere and suspense.

When "Stone Cold Dead on Wall Street," the latest manuscript by Mystery author J.B. Fletcher arrives at Hartley Publishers, well, Publisher Ted Hartley (Bruce Gray) delights as he forecasts another best-seller, consistent with the company's string of products submitted by Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury).

But Editor Edward Graham (Robert Desiderio), who has assisted with Jessica's last three submissions to the top of the lists, gives her the green light at one meeting, and the red light one day later, causing Jessica to fear that Edward suffers from manic depression in the aftermath of the passing of his wife, Beth, soon after losing his brother, Charles.

Edward has been counseling with Doctor Jerry Santana (Dennis Boutsikaris), a Bohemian psychiatrist, who prescribes medicinal herbs and other non-conventional treatments for the nightmares which Edward has been experiencing around his Stamford, Connecticut, residence, hearing Beth's pleas to join him in the afterlife.

And back at his NYC post at Hartley Publishers, Edward continues his mood swings, not only in front of Jessica, but also its various other employees.

Carrie Benton (Lisa Darr), a dear friend of Jessica's, accepts a position at Hartley, editing children's books, and submitting a manuscript of her own, while seeing Edward socially, and offering him support even though he never invites her to Connecticut.

Lori Graham (Lisa Wilcox), the daughter of Edward's late brother, Charles, also accepts a position at the same publishing firm, along with Steve DiNapoli (Robert Curtis Brown), who befriends Carrie, to Edward's objection, plus Leonard Ambler (Michael Zelniker), who handles insurance and financial accounting for the management.

On the afternoon of the company's softball game in Central Park, Jessica attends to root for the "Book Ends" team of her publishing company, when altercations erupt among fellow employees.

Ted, later, pays a visit to Jessica's apartment, to smooth over matters with her, but that night, when a body is discovered after falling thirty stories from the company's roof-top, Jessica considers the possibility that this might be murder.

Lieutenant Nick Acosta (Jay Acovone) has been promoted from his position as NYPD Sergeant since his last appearance (#8.01), when Jessica had teamed with him to employ a sting operation, but this time around, he asks her politely not to investigate matters on her own.

But when she does anyway, Jessica is appointed as an estate executor, before Jessica and Carrie travel to Connecticut to discover a source of contention, and upon relating her findings to Lieutenant Acosta, he reports that a second victim relating to the case has been bludgeoned in an office, as discovered by the cleaning lady.

With Lieutenant Nick Acosta's cooperation, Jessica manages to link the two incidents to a behind-the-scenes scheme, to convey that it was really "Murder on the Thirtieth Floor."

The cast is rounded out by June Christopher as Receptionist Donna Kendricks, Ray Reinhardt as Insurance Agent Henry Filbert, Ken Magee as Painter Mel, and Stewart Rose as Security Guard.

This episode marks the first television acting credit each for Ray Reinhardt and Stewart Rose, as well as the first of three "MSW" guest roles each for Lisa Darr and Robert Curtis Brown, the second of three for Michael Zelniker, the fourth of four for Robert Desiderio, and the fifth of five for Bruce Gray, including his latter three as Publisher Ted Hartley.

Three, Six, Nine: Recognition to Robert Desiderio, for delivering solid performances in "Murder by Appointment Only (#2.12)" as Roger Adiano, "Doom with a View (#4.11)" as Mark Havlin, "Murder in Milan (#9.01)" as Tom Hiller, and "Murder on the Thirtieth Floor (#10.15)" as Edward Graham.

And appreciation to Bruce Gray, for delivering fine performances in "Hit, Run and Homicide (#1.06)" as Dean Merrill, "Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble (#5.13)" as R. L. Pierson, "A Killing in Vegas (#8.08)" as Ted Hartley, "Murder at a Discount (#10.09)" as Ted Hartley, and "Murder on the Thirtieth Floor (#10.15)" as Ted Hartley.

Have always been quite fond of 'Murder She Wrote'. It is a fun and relaxing watch that makes you think as you try to unwind in the evening. If one wants more complex, twisty mysteries with lots of tension and suspense 'Murder She Wrote' may not be for you, but if you want something light-hearted and entertaining but still provide good mysteries 'Murder She Wrote' fits the bill just fine.

On the most part, "Murder on the Thirtieth Floor" is a highly enjoyable and atmospheric episode. Imperfections and all, it is generally one of the better Season 10 episodes. Things do go downhill a little from the Connecticut House encounter, where evidence is found by coincidence and far too easily and the killer in a matter of seconds goes from one of the season's most ingenious to one of its most careless. Michael Zelniker is also rather lifeless as Leonard.

Personally didn't question Jessica's involvement that much (though there are episodes where her involvement is more of her business), her incentive and reasoning for investigating the death was pretty clear to me.

Angela Lansbury is terrific, and Bruce Gray and Robert Desiderio are particularly good in support. The tension between Jessica and the police is handled well, as is the shady portrayal of the publishing company.

"Murder on the Thirtieth Floor" has a good mystery, some of it is very creepy, like the opening and the build up to the death, and the ending is an unexpected one. Really do wish though that much more effort had been put into the evidence, for 'Murder She Wrote' that was just sloppy.

Production values as always are slick, stylish and suitably cosy. The music has energy and has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune.

Writing is amiable and thoughtful, while the charm and tension of the cast's chemistry shine through greatly.

In conclusion, very well done on the whole with some frustrating sloppiness. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Jessica's editor Edward Graham has been suffering mood swings, sleepless nights and seems to be struggling with the death of his wife. Edward falls to his death from the of his place or work, did he fall, or was he pushed?

So it's perhaps a little disjointed at times, but it is a good story at heart, it has bags of atmosphere, and there are some classic mystery moments, such as that eerie opening. It may not be a classic, but I'd argue this is one of the better episodes from Series ten.

Jessica as always is super sharp and loaded with charm, Lansbury never disappointed, it's made me think, it's been ages since there's been an episode without her.

Good to see Jay Acavone back as Lieutenant Acosta, it's been a few years since his last appearance. I like how the show is making good use of past characters.

How dare anyone criticise one of Jessica's books, who does he think he is, I can't remember the last time someone did, and lived.

8/10.

The mystery in "Murder on the Thirtieth Floor" is not a brilliant script in that it's pretty easy to figure out what happened to the murder victim. However, the way the man was murdered was so cool that it more than makes up for shortcomings in the script.

Jessica goes to see her editor and after a very amicable meeting, she later witnesses him behaving unhinged as well as berating the same manuscript he praised at the beginning of the show! Obviously, the man is losing his grip...but WHY?? Of course, Jessica gets to the bottom of all this and finds a conspiracy...one involving several murderers!

The notion of an evil psychiatrist makes for an interesting show. But despite this being pretty obvious, there are some nice twists here and there as well. One problem with the script, however, they didn't deal with was the suicide...as suicides invalidate insurance policies and this is a MAJOR plot hole. Enjoyable but flawed.