Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) Suspicion of Murder (1991) User Reviews

Dennis is dragged into a murder.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 27 November 2022]

Working on a case, Dennis Stanton gets involved with married woman Christina Hellinger, and is later arrested for murdering her husband.

A thoroughly enjoyable mystery, with a real twist, an episode which cements how much Stanton deserved his own show.

Not only am I actually enjoying The Dennis Stanton episodes, but I am now actively looking forward to them, they really did nail them in this series, and this is yet another high quality episode.

Dennis has developed so much as a character, there is an ease about this episode that is plain to see, his character, the plot, the intrigue, all in all it is hard to find a single fault here.

Good to see Dennis once again locking horns with Lieutenant Catalano, he's been a fine regular throughout series seven, fortunately we still have another episode featuring him to go.

8/10.

Trophy Wife

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 2 July 2018]

Keith Michell is taking over on this MSW show as the ever unflappable Dennis Stanton former second story man and now insurance investigator for Consolidated Casual in San Francisco. Stanton is involved with estranged wife Susan Blakely and has a run-in with the husband.

Blakely is a trophy wife who'd like to do better. Sadly Stanton is suspected of the murder of said estranged husband.

Not much of a whodunit in this one, if you can't figure this out within the first quarter hour you haven't seen too many of these type shows. Nevertheless seeing this one still makes me wish that Keith Michell got to spin out on his own with a Stanton series.

And as always Police Lieutenant Ken Swofford is foiled again trying to prove Stanton has gone back to a life of crime. Swofford has a good slow burn shtick going for him, one of the best since Edgar Kennedy.

"Cupid, Forget Your Bow; Just Let Your Ice-Pick Flow into the Victim on the Go"

[WeatherViolet · 7/10 · 25 March 2010]

This episode marks the 24th of 25 written by series Co-Creator Peter S. Fischer, who ties the record for penning the most "MSW" scripts, and often sprinkles nice touches of comic relief along the way.

Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) introduces this penultimate Dennis Stanton "Book-end" episode, as Dennis searches for a missing husband and father around the California cities of San Francisco, south into Carmel and north into San Rafael.

This begins at an elaborate reception, hosted by former professional tennis star Ryan Donovan (Dennis Cole) and toasted by First Man (Robert Donavan), with Dennis Stanton (Keith Michell) as invited guest.

Shall we repeat this scene in a round-about way to avoid confusion? "First Man" (Robert "Donavan") toasts Ryan "Donovan" ("Dennis" Cole) and "Dennis" Stanton (Keith Michell), who, himself, becomes the "First Man" to be billed above "MSW" episode titles?

It would certainly be nice to see more than we do here of some of these refreshing character actors, as the deep baritone-voiced Robert Donavan and Lenny Citrano as the wise-cracking Doorman, each who makes his one series appearance in this episode.

But the story for the most part spins around reformed-jewelry-thief-turned-insurance-investigator Dennis Stanton and old flame Christina Hellinger (Susan Blakely), who attempts to rekindle their brief romance upon their chance encounter at the reception.

When Christina requests Dennis' presence to protect her against elder jealous husband, Ben Hellinger (unseen character), Dennis is swept into a wave of intrigue, which involves physical altercation, conspiracy, murder and police pursuit.

Ben's sons, the assertive Danny Hellinger (Robin Strand), and the passive Joe Hellinger (Sam Bottoms), operate their father's industrial business. While Joe expresses his interest to leave the firm, Danny explains Joe's limited options, before Danny tells Dennis aside that their father has just been seen on Sunday and, therefore, cannot really be considered as missing.

Rhoda Markowitz (Hallie Todd), Dennis' Receptionist at Consolodated Casualty Insurance Company, reluctantly joins forces with Dennis to track information at Dennis' request, to the disdain of employer Robert Butler (James Sloyan), who insists that they do not venture from their insurance responsibilities.

Lieutenant Catalano (Ken Swofford) reluctantly agrees with Dennis' request for police protection for Christina Hellinger, while Dennis makes his rounds to snoop for Ben's whereabouts, but soon enough, Lieutenant Catalano issues an order for Stanton's arrest once a body is discovered in a shower after being stabbed with an ice-pick.

Doorman (Lenny Citrano) reluctantly assists Dennis in his investigation, while alluding police, who continually arrest Dennis for murder and extradition to San Rafael, but Dennis has his many clever ways of claiming his innocence of a sloppy murder, while attempting to avoid apprehension, and setting traps of his very own amid his "Suspicion of Murder."

The cast is rounded out by Adam Silbar as Clerk, Paul Keith as Cashier, Ed Beechner as Policeman, Judy Kerr as Housekeeper, Dennis O'Sullivan as Policeman, and John Arndt as Policeman #2.

This episode represents the most recent appearance to date by Adam Silbar, as well as one of the most recent roles to date each for John Arndt, Dennis O'Sullivan and Robin Strand.

This also marks the second of two "MSW" guest roles each for Judy Kerr, John Arndt, Sam Bottoms, Dennis Cole and Robin Strand, the second of four for Susan Blakely, the sixth of seven for James Sloyan (including his five as Robert Butler), the sixth of seven for Hallie Todd (including her six as Rhoda Markowitz), the seventh of nine for Keith Michell (each in his role as Dennis Stanton), and the ninth of eleven "MSW's" for Ken Swofford (including his six as Lieutenant Catalano).

Dennis Cole, acting in film and on television since 1961, and Sam Bottoms, acting since 1971, have unfortunately since passed.

Suspicion of murder

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 5 December 2023]

In this Dennis Stanton-centric "bookend" episode, Dennis is suspected in the murder of the estranged husband of an old flame with whom he has been spending some time. He is arrested but escapes, determined to find out and prove who set him up, presumably for the Hellinger inheritance, as there are two sons, Joe and Danny.

Keith Mitchel cuts a suave yet cunning figure in this bookended mystery, one of the better one dare I say, and even though the ending is predictable it still kept me interested with its energetic and involving plot. Stanton could have had his own series as he's a likeable hero.

Not really a review, just a comment...

[Kara_007_40 · 9/10 · 1 December 2019]

Any episode with Dennis Stanton is sure to be entertaining. It is truly a shame he never had a spinoff series.

He's one of the few character I like equally to Jessica.

Stanton the 'gullible patsy'.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 19 January 2023]

"Suspicion of Murder" is yet another episode of "Murder, She Wrote" that does NOT feature Jessica Fletcher...a trend that fans generally strongly disliked. However, of all the fill-ins for Fletcher, at least this one stars the enjoyable recurring character, Dennis Stanton (Keith Mitchell).

Early in the episode, an acquaintance of Staton's tries to seduce him* and soon has him convinced that her husband is a jealous jerk. Later, she calls Stanton in a panic...saying her husband beat the stuffing out of her. And, when Stanton arrives, she is bleeding and bruised...and he takes her in his car to leave. Soon, the husband's car arrives and runs them off the road. Now, Stanton thinks it's best she go into hiding and he puts her up at a fancy hotel. Stanton then tells the police and when the overly dumb Lieutenant doesn't seem to care, Stanton investigates the case himself. What results is a great example of 'no good deed goes unpunished'!

Although Stanton's character is unusually dim and gullible, this is an enjoyable show. However, it lacks Jessica...which is disappointing as it is supposed to be "Murder, She Wrote".

Deadly suspicion

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 14 October 2017]

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.

Personally like the character of Dennis Stanton, if more with Jessica than on his own and mostly because his chemistry with Jessica is so great and the episodes are much better. He is a fun and compelling lead character, love how distinguished, sophisticated and suave he is, it is easy to be as charmed by me as Jessica is in her too few collaborations. Plus it is hard to not like a character who dresses dapper, drives a cool car and loves classical music and opera, sounds shallow but couldn't resist.

Can definitely understand why fans malign his solo bookend episodes, a few of them are good, others not so good to put it lightly. "Suspicion of Murder" to me, while not a 'Murder She Wrote' low point, is one of his weaker outings.

There are certainly good things. On the other hand, Keith Michell is terrific as Dennis, he oozes charm and charisma, really love his distinguished and suave air that he does better than any other bookend lead character. Ken Swofford is great fun and Dennis Cole and especially Susan Blakely are wonderful guest stars.

'Murder She Wrote' has always been good in the production values and gets better with each season. Here they're slick and stylish with nostalgia-inducing fashions. 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. Some of the writing is light-hearted and thoughtful.

On the other hand, there is not much of a mystery here in "Suspicion of Murder". The pacing is dull, while the who, why and how aspects and the outcome of Dennis' situation are incredibly obvious in the very early stages of the story. That the case has far too suspects, and ones that are not that well defined or interesting on the whole to properly invest in (the only guest supporting characters that intrigue are Christine and Donovan), also doesn't help.

Dialogue is pretty bland on the whole, and other than Cole and Blakely the rest of the guest cast don't register, either in underused character roles or blandly written characters full stop. The character of Rhonda and Hallie Todd playing her continue to grate.

In conclusion, it's okay but it is hardly 'Murder She Wrote' or Dennis Stanton's finest hour. 5/10 Bethany Cox

REALLY obvious plot right from the get-go

[FlushingCaps · 4/10 · 10 March 2023]

Jessica appears only at the beginning to introduce this episode of her friend, Dennis Stanton, the former burglar turned insurance investigator. Others have detailed the plot so I will forego that here.

Never before have I seen an episode, with or without Jessica, in this series where the plot seemed so obvious from the opening minutes. Columbo had more surprises and we saw the murders committed there in the opening scenes in each episode.

There's no way to explain details here without totally ruining it. But I truly believed I knew what was going to happen and why Dennis was involved and what would be the result long before we got to the mention of someone being murdered. And I was right all the way.

I think Dennis should have suspected what was going on.

One other thing: Lieutenant Catalano, who has now worked with Dennis several times and been aided by him and knows he is enjoying his honest job with the insurance company, seems way too hostile to Dennis in this one, refusing to try to keep anyone from being harmed at first, then accusing Dennis of murder later on. Too "over the top"-in the script, not in the acting-Ken Swofford is a hidden gem of an actor. I loved his news reporter character in the Ellery Queen series.

Have to give this one a 4-well below average score.