Night of the Headless Horsemen - Murder, She Wrote 3:11

Plus Hope Lange’s Cheese Ribbon Sandwich recipe

Before we go headfirst into this episode, I wanted to let you know I am doing two free live events this month - everyone is welcome.

I will be talking about how I started collecting movie star recipes and showing some of my treasures to the camera at this event. You’ll need to register with my other newsletter - Dinner and a Movie - in the app to watch live - here’s a link

Then on Sunday, I’m hosting a fun free watch party

we’ll be chatting in the Dinner and a Movie chat room as we watch so do skip over there for all the joining details.

Now for our main feature!

If you watch just one Murder, She Wrote episode this month, why not make it this one?

For complicated reasons, an English teacher has told his colleagues that J.B. Fletcher is his mother.

Jessica is not pleased about this, but she gamely plays along when she visits.

When the school's owner Edwin Dupont tells J.B. that she seems to be too young to have a son Dorian's age, she says, “Actually, becoming Dorian's mother was one of the biggest surprises of my life!”

Out to dinner, Jessica orders a cherry cola with lots of ice, which would be lovely to sip whilst watching.

The waitress tells J.B. that Dorian had described his mother as follows, “Elegant as a duchess, soft as a kitten and with eyes that smile with a child's laughter.” Highly amused, Jessica asks if he really did say this.

The waitress admits that he was “totally polluted at the time” and may not remember.

Dorian orders a very dry double martini, but Jessica sensibly suggests he make it a single. She doesn't want him to be polluted with her!

The posh school where Dorian works is big on horses. He tells Jessica that they have “thousands for bridles and bits, but not one penny for a decent steak.” So, a steak would be an appropriate treat alongside your cherry cola. Or, if you fancy something a little bit more relaxed, how about a plateful of Hope Lange's Cheese Ribbon sandwiches? Hope plays Charlotte Newcastle, the school administrator.

Hope Lange’s Cheese Ribbon Sandwich

To make this ribbon sandwich, mix quite a lot of chopped black olives with soft cheddar cheese and spread it evenly over a slice of whole-wheat bread. Cover with a slice of white bread. Then take another slice of whole-wheat bread and spread it with a mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and thin red radish slices. This goes on top of the white bread, spread-side down. Now cut off all the crusts and wrap in waxed paper before putting it in the refrigerator to chill. Use a chilled, sharp knife to cut the little loaf into thin slices.

Online Watch Party Next Month

We have a humdinger of an episode to enjoy together in April. Everyone is welcome to join in, wherever you are in the world. More details to follow, but for now, pop this date in your diary.

Let’s all be MORE JESSICA in 2025!

In January I signed off the newsletter with the phrase, “Let’s all be MORE JESSICA in 2025 xx” and I am trying to be “more Fletch” this year.

I pledged to have a life with less social media in February so I could focus more on writing volume 2 of Murder, She Cooked and I achieved it too.

The key thing for me was to move the Instagram icon off the home screen of my phone. Not seeing it meant I was not automatically drawn to open it 1,000 times a day! Hurrah! This month I am going to focus on channeling Jessica’s work ethic. I need to knuckle down and get motoring on Murder, She Cooked Volume 2.

What about you? Is there a character trait of Jessica’s you’d like to channel this month, this year or this life?! Let me know in the comments or reply to this email. I always love to hear from readers.

My chum Tim Benzie hosts hilarious theatrical events, coming soon to the USA!

Star-Spangled Cookbooks

If you buy books directly from me, I can sign them for you and write a personal message to you, or the intended recipient of the book. I love sending books from my home on the south coast of the UK all around the world!

If you need a book in a hurry, they are all available via Amazon too - except the cocktail book. Switch to your own country for correct pricing…

Tune in next month for another fabulous episode of Murder, She Wrote and a star-spangled recipe.