Obligation of Responsibility: Barbara Early's Approach to Fairness towards Jessica Fletcher

Beloved detective Jessica Fletcher, portrayed by Angela Lansbury in the television series Murder, She Wrote, first captivated audiences in 1984. The show ran for 12 seasons and four telefilms, spawning a popular book series with 60 titles. Previously penned by Donald Bain, the series has since been overseen by Jon Land and Terrie Farley Moran, with Barbara Early now joining the writing team.

A former engineer-turned-amateur-crime-fiction-author, Early's debut entry in the franchise, Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder, finds Jessica Fletcher confined to her Cabot Cove, Maine, home after a fall. Under the watchful eye of live-in caretaker, Jessica delves into several enigmatic incidents occurring around town, including a vagrant nicknamed the "Bologna Kid," a murder down by the docks, and provocative snow sculptures in her living room view.

Recently, Over My Dead Notebook spoke with Barbara Early to discuss her involvement in the series, her approach to recreating the Jessicas we've come to know and love, and the balance between expectations and her own creative sensibilities.

Over My Dead Notebook: How did you become involved with the Murder, She Wrote books, and what is your history with the franchise? Did your familiarity with it make the undertaking more daunting or easier?

Barbara Early: I was introduced to Murder, She Wrote during its early television runs, and it remained a favorite series through syndication and DVDs, impacting my family's viewing habits. In terms of similarities with the character Miss Jane Marple, I believe both Jessica Fletcher and Miss Marple relate as underestimated, witty, and intelligent detectives. When asked to join the writing team, I was both delighted and daunted by the immense responsibility.

OMDN: Being an actual property owned by Universal may have presented both help and hindrances throughout the writing process. In what ways was this both advantageous and challenging? How did you strive to maintain the essence of the franchise while still upholding your creative ideals?

BE: As I aimed to honor Angela Lansbury's portrayal of the character, I was neither hindered nor overly constrained by the property's ownership. I explored achieving authentic characterizations of returning cast members and endeavored to seamlessly transition between authors. With new characters and stories to develop, I found my creativity flourished within the framework of the Murder, She Wrote universe.

OMDN: The novel Snowy with a Chance of Murder finds Jessica largely immobilized due to a fall, heightening suspense through more cerebral intrigue. In what ways does this setup elevate the thrill of the narrative, and how does it echo Rear Window and the Murder, She Wrote episode "Crossed Up"?

BE: True to the more cerebral nature of Murder, She Wrote, the story features Jessica employing her keen insight and inquisitive mind to unravel the mysteries surrounding her. The character's housebound state in the novel draws inspiration from both Rear Window's structure and the "Crossed Up" episode, yet the intricate web of circumstances serves as a fresh take on the self-contained storytelling style of the franchise.

OMDN: Jessica's caretaker, Alice, dreams of becoming an author-an opportunity for Jessica to share some of her writerly wisdom. How does the inclusion of Alice's work-in-progress both reveal facets of each character and exemplify themes resonant in the book?

BE: During their blossoming friendship, Jessica shares her wisdom and guidance with Alice, prompting the reader to delve deeper into Alice's background, perspective, and writing style. By incorporating excerpts from Alice's work-in-progress, the book echoes Jessica's ceaseless pursuit of knowledge and her dedication to fostering literacy and creativity in others.

OMDN: Explain how your approach to craftsmanship has informed Jessica's, and in what ways does the application of these habits contribute to successfully weaving multiple story threads, such as two murders, a mysterious vagrant, and risqué snow art, in a manner that both satisfies and surprises readers?

BE: Much like professional writers, Jessica strives for artistry within the constraints of deadlines. Weaving multiple storylines requires an attentive approach, flexibility in planning, and careful management of emerging threads to create a harmonious and engaging narrative. The fusion of various plots and subplots throughout Snowy with a Chance of Murder aims to delight and surprise readers with unexpected connections and imaginative takes on classic detective storytelling.

OMDN: Cabot Cove plays an integral part in the series as a warm, quaint seaside town. As the world changes around the fictional community, how is it crucial that the town be updated for modern times while still preserving its charm?

BE: Cabot Cove's historical allure and the charm of its narrow, picturesque streets remain enduring qualities. Continuously adapting to the passage of time enables the town to maintain relevance and remain a compelling setting for contemporary mysteries. Incorporating modern technologies, development, and tourism ensures the series can continue delighting readers with fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling while retaining the cherished essence of the original town.

OMDN: The cozy mystery genre establishes certain guidelines, including restrictions on violence, sex, and language. How do these restrictions encourage greater imagination and creativity? Can you provide an example from Snowy with a Chance of Murder where this can be seen?

BE: Writing within the cozy mystery genre necessitates crafting intricate stories that rely on character development, setting, and subtle hints to keep readers engrossed. In Snowy with a Chance of Murder, the provocation of risqué snow sculptures provides an opportunity to delve into characters' reactions and interpretations of the art without blatant descriptions or explicit content. Skillfully employing point of view and narrative choices allows writers to offer tantalizing glimpses of the more mature elements of a story while maintaining the characteristic warmth and intelligence of the Murder, She Wrote series.

OMDN: What's next for you and Jessica?

BE: Currently, I am deep in edits for my second entry in the series, planned for release in 2026. Readers can anticipate Jessica's Cabot Cove adventures, along with delightful rendezvous with familiar faces from the television series.

Barbara Early, the new author in the Murder, She Wrote series, compares Jessica Fletcher's intellect and wit to that of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, stating that both characters are underestimated and yet brilliant detectives.
When discussing the challenges and advantages of writing for an established franchise like Murder, She Wrote, Early reveals that she aimed to honor Angela Lansbury's portrayal of the character while exploring intricate relationships and exciting storylines, thereby appealing to both fans and new readers.
In her approach to the cozy mystery genre, Barbara Early skillfully implements imaginative storytelling techniques, as evidenced in Snowy with a Chance of Murder, where she uses subtle hints and character interpretations to address mature themes without explicit content, preserving the warm and intelligent essence of the Murder, She Wrote series.