Hank Walden (Craig Wasson) has experienced a life-long passion for playing the clarinet, an advocation which has never reached fruition except for Hank to stand upon street corners in New York City, in jacket and beret, playing ethereal compositions to muse with fife-y melodies a young pianist with whom he shares a past.
Handyman Richie Kanpinski (Eddie Barth, in his second appearance in this role), mends the leaky kitchen sink in the apartment leased by Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), from which they hear Hank's clarinet playing upon the sidewalk below, through the open window.
Leslie Walden (Jenny Lewis), too, is able to hear Hank's musing her instrumental creativity upon the piano upon which she diligently practices for a forthcoming recital, through the open window of the apartment of her stern mentor, manager and guardian, Byron Tokofsky (Ronald Guttman), who demands for Hank not to influence his protegé in any way, shape or form.
Vanessa Cross (Pamela Bellwood) remains Byron's assistant long after their divorce, as she and Jazz Musician Solly Prinze (Matthew Ryan) each attempts to rescue Leslie from Byron's tyrannical control, Vanessa to look out for Leslie's best interests, Solly to attempt to free Leslie's heart of Byron, who plans to marry Leslie while on tour through Germany during the forthcoming concert season, at least to give her a chance to come of age.
Steven Hoyt (Joseph Kell) and Owen McLaglen (Robert Knepper) attempt to invalidate the contract which Byron has made on the underage Leslie's "behalf," as they work along with Bok (Kay Tong Lim) and Martin Trilby (Wayne C. Dvorak) at the concert hall, to prepare for Leslie's debut recital.
Whether or not Leslie appreciates all of this mounting attention bestowed upon her, as well as the efforts by many to protect her from the overbearing Byron, remains to be seen, but after Jessica befriends her, Leslie's life is about to take another turn because a body is found upon her piano bench, and her muse is arrested for murder.
Lieutenant Peter DiMartini (Jon Polito, also in his second appearance in this role) investigates this case of "A Murderous Muse," along with Jessica, who manages to sort through an array of shady business dealings, and to uncover a complex device used as the murder weapon, which she cleverly deactivates in time for a showdown with the perpetrator(s).
Michael White rounds out the cast as a TV Announcer, who reports upon unfolding events of maestro and protegé.
Extra points for the performances of Craig Wasson, Pamela Bellwood, and Joseph Kell.
Handyman Richie Kanpinski (Eddie Barth, in his second appearance in this role), mends the leaky kitchen sink in the apartment leased by Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), from which they hear Hank's clarinet playing upon the sidewalk below, through the open window.
Leslie Walden (Jenny Lewis), too, is able to hear Hank's musing her instrumental creativity upon the piano upon which she diligently practices for a forthcoming recital, through the open window of the apartment of her stern mentor, manager and guardian, Byron Tokofsky (Ronald Guttman), who demands for Hank not to influence his protegé in any way, shape or form.
Vanessa Cross (Pamela Bellwood) remains Byron's assistant long after their divorce, as she and Jazz Musician Solly Prinze (Matthew Ryan) each attempts to rescue Leslie from Byron's tyrannical control, Vanessa to look out for Leslie's best interests, Solly to attempt to free Leslie's heart of Byron, who plans to marry Leslie while on tour through Germany during the forthcoming concert season, at least to give her a chance to come of age.
Steven Hoyt (Joseph Kell) and Owen McLaglen (Robert Knepper) attempt to invalidate the contract which Byron has made on the underage Leslie's "behalf," as they work along with Bok (Kay Tong Lim) and Martin Trilby (Wayne C. Dvorak) at the concert hall, to prepare for Leslie's debut recital.
Whether or not Leslie appreciates all of this mounting attention bestowed upon her, as well as the efforts by many to protect her from the overbearing Byron, remains to be seen, but after Jessica befriends her, Leslie's life is about to take another turn because a body is found upon her piano bench, and her muse is arrested for murder.
Lieutenant Peter DiMartini (Jon Polito, also in his second appearance in this role) investigates this case of "A Murderous Muse," along with Jessica, who manages to sort through an array of shady business dealings, and to uncover a complex device used as the murder weapon, which she cleverly deactivates in time for a showdown with the perpetrator(s).
Michael White rounds out the cast as a TV Announcer, who reports upon unfolding events of maestro and protegé.
Extra points for the performances of Craig Wasson, Pamela Bellwood, and Joseph Kell.
