Snow White, Blood Red

Murder, She Wrote S5:E4

Forgive me for jumping ahead to season 5 for this month’s episode. There are two reasons why I’m not featuring the next one in our ongoing sequence.

The main one is…

I have lost my DVD copy of disc 4 of the third season.

Where on EARTH is it? I do not know! I’ve ordered another set of series 3 so we’ll be back on schedule in January.

I’ve selected a different episode for us this month, and if you are in a country where it is CHILLY (as it is here in the UK) it’s highly appropriate, because it is chockablocka cosy jumpers.

The real reason I chose it is because yesterday I had the great pleasure of meeting Thom Kofoed for the very first time. He is the genius behind the Murder, She Wrote calendar and many other brilliant things and we happen to live near each other - he’s in St Leonards and I’m in Hastings. Just a short bit of coastline between us.

Here’s Thom’s December calendar spread

And look! The original artwork is in my house! It was a birthday gift to self and it makes me insanely happy to look at it.

Thom’s online shop is PACKED with brilliant Murder, She Wrote goodies. I also couldn’t resist this…

Motto for 2025?!

Appropriately enough, we two Murder, She Wrote superfans arranged to meet for the festive Jessica handover at a seaside cafe named after another iconic TV show,

It was just so lovely to sit and chat about all things Murder, She Wrote with mini hot water bottles provided by Starsky & Hatch.

Behold the happiness!

So further to all that preamble, if you fancy watching an episode of Murder, She Wrote this month, why not make it this one?

Jessica can ski! Of course she can, and she is very good at it too. As usual, though, she’s very modest when praised for her prowess by a professional.

“Cross country I can handle,” she says, “but downhill it was total terror all the way!”

J.B. has treated her nephew to a weekend on the slopes. Alas, a snowstorm blows in, and Grady doesn’t make it to the ski resort.

When a murder is committed, it’s evident to Jessica that it must be someone staying in her lodge. Nobody can leave. Call Agatha Christie!

There’s a lot of lovely knitwear on display here. This episode is best watched on a snowy day where you can wear huge, patterned sweaters or fleecy lumberjack shirts and get all cosy in front of a roaring fire.

Large flagons of beer definitely recommended!

Barry Newman’s Baked Fillet of Sole, Russian Style

2 pounds fillet of sole

Butter

½ -1-pint sour cream

Salt and pepper to taste

1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

About 1 cup cornflakes

Preheat oven to 350℉.

Wipe the fillets of sole with a damp paper towel and arrange a layer of fish in a buttered casserole or baking dish. Season this layer with salt, pepper and part of the lemon juice. Spread a layer of sour cream over the fish and sprinkle the top with cornflakes. Arrange another layer of fish over the first layer. Season and spread with sour cream and cornflakes. Continue layers till all fish is used. Be sure to have sour cream and cornflakes on top. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until sauce is bubbly and the fish flakes.

Serves 5-6

Christmas presents?

There might still be time to order books from my Etsy shop for delivery before Christmas… I’ve been asked for some very lovely messages to be written inside the books for gifts, which has made me insanely happy.

However if, like me, you tend to leave things to the last minute, all my books except the cocktail book are available to buy via Amazon, and you also may be able to order from your local bookshop. Switch to your own country for correct pricing…

But remember folks, books aren’t just for Christmas!