The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane

A former mystery writer who is now a spokesperson for a beer company has written a book based on a faked kidnapping staged by his boss at the brewery and a number of people, including P. I. Harry McGraw, want to get their hands on it. Because he sent the manuscript to his pal Jessica Fletcher in Cabot Cove, they all travel from Boston to Cabot Cove in hopes of retrieving it.

This is the final appearance of Harry McGraw, and he's usually at his entertaining best, there's some good humour, however I found this episode a bit convoluting and quite flat. Didn't hold my attention strongly. It just ambles on, and is forgettable.

"The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane" was an episode that MIGHT have been the last episode of "Murder, She Wrote". It seems the producers weren't sure if the show would be renewed or if Angela Lansbury would want to do additional seasons...and the final screen shot really shows this. But, relax fans, the show was renewed and continued for several more seasons.

Nick Cullhane (Pat Harrington) is a writer fallen on hard times. Over the years, his stories have gotten worse and worse and they just don't sell any more. But his latest book is something different...and Jessica loved the manuscript. But what Jessica doesn't know is that Nick is in a lot of trouble. A bookie wants to find him and break his legs and someone also wants him dead. But why? And why are they all scrambling to find the manuscript?

On the positive side, this film features Jerry Orbach as Jessica's low-life friend, Harry McGraw. But the ending was weak, as the killer sits down with cops and explains AT LENGTH why he committed the killing...which is not especially convincing.

In this Murder She Wrote Jerry Orbach in his final appearance as PI Harry McGraw gets a chance to work off a debt to his bookmaker Leslie Esterbrook by trailing another debtor mystery writer Pat Harrington, Jr. and finding the manuscript of a new book which is about the kidnapping of millionaire Alex Hyde-White. That's a story Hyde-White doesn't want retold.

While he's trying to negotiate a deal and avoid leg breakers from both Hyde-White and Esterbrook, Harrington mails the manuscript to his old friend in Cabot Cove Jessica Fletcher, not knowing of course Orbach knows her as well. Harrington is our victim here as the entire cast winds up in Cabot Cove and Angela Lansbury has to solve the case.

I liked best here the scenes with big city boys Orbach and sheriff Ron Masak whom we know is a former NYPD homicide cop. Too bad that Orbach would be going on to play Lennie Briscoe from Law And Order shortly, he and Masak were terrific together.

Farewell Harry McGraw.

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.

"The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane" was nearly the end of 'Murder She Wrote', with Angela Lansbury not being sure whether she wanted to continue with the show. It turned out it didn't, although it is the final episode of the Peter Fischer era, and carried on for another five seasons. While the quality became increasingly inconsistent (Seasons 9 and 12 especially) there were still some great episodes (as well as some stinkers) and Lansbury proved she still had it in her and not lost her mojo. Considering the uncertain circumstances behind the scenes, "The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane" was pretty good if not the going out with a bang one expects from a season finale.

Some of the story is a little disorganised and pacing isn't always tight, will admit too to not being surprised all that much by the reveal of the murderer and motive having suspected them early on. How they're caught and what incriminated them are more believable though than those of some previous episodes and a lot later on. None of the guest supporting cast that are not any of the recurring characters/actors are bad, especially when compared to some guest stars from the previous episodes and the casting of many of the younger cast members in the later seasons, but only three properly stand out.

Otherwise there is a lot to like. Angela Lansbury can't be faulted, that Jessica Fletcher as has been said by me many times is one of her most famous roles is hardly an enigma. Nor can the very charming Jerry Orbach (in sadly his final appearance as Harry McGraw, one of the better recurring characters and deserving of more episodes) and the easy presence of Ron Masak.

Pat Harrington is excellent in the role of Nick Cullhane. Leslie Easterbrook and Tony Lo Bianco are the other standouts.

Most of the mystery is very intriguing and is easy to follow, let down a little by moments of less than tight pacing, some disorganisation and the obvious ending.

As for the production values, they are slick and stylish as ever and the picturesque Cabot Cove and its close knit community is always a pleasure. 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. The writing is thoughtful, cosy and light-hearted while taking itself seriously as well.

In summary, pretty good ending for Season 7. Not one of its best episodes like "Who Killed J.B. Fletcher?", "The Return of Preston Giles", "Murder Plain and Simple", "A Body to Die For", "The Family Jewels" and "Thursday's Child", but much better than "Where Have You Gone, Billy Boy", "Trials and Tribulations", "The Great Twain Robbery", "Suspicion of Murder", "From the Horse's Mouth" and "Family Doctor". 7/10 Bethany Cox

Everyone wants to get their hand on Nick Cullhane. More importantly his manuscript.

Cullhane is a down on his luck writer and the [promotional face for Schmesser Brewery.

After getting fired from the brewery job, he writes a manuscript based on gossip he heard about a kidnapping plot involving the brewery heir.

The family does not want this story out in the open. Cullhane has sent a manuscript to his friend Jessica Fletcher.

Loan shark Vikki Palumbo also wants to get hold of the manuscript. She sends Private Investigator Harry McGraw on what looks like a wild goose chase. Trace the voice of a woman in a phone message. Only Harry knows it is Jessica's voice.

It all ends with Cullhane getting murdered and Harry getting the arrested by the sheriff.

This was an enjoyable episode. A few red herrings, a couple of likely suspects. Some good comedy from Harry.

A satisfactory way to end the seventh series. The sign off at the end indicated that the show might not get renewed.