The Murder She Wrote Cook Book
The Cast and Crew of Murder She Wrote
Universal City, 1995 and 1997
The Murder She Wrote Cook Book was compiled by the cast and crew of the famed TV show. While Murder She Wrote was set in Cabot Cove, Maine, it was primarily shot in Los Angeles at Universal Studios, with NorCal’s Mendocino filling in for some exteriors.
Like many community cookbooks, this one raised funds for a charity. Star Angela Lansbury asked that all the profits from the book be donated to Aid for AIDS, which was founded the year before this book’s publication. The non-profit organization still exists. It continues to support communities at risk of HIV and provide free anti-retroviral medication, amongst other work.
Pictured are two editions of the book, both in the Archive. A spiral-bound version originally printed for the cast and crew in 1995, and a later version printed more professionally for a wider audience in 1997. In the later edition's introduction, Tom Culver (wardrobe) and Nancy Goodman Iland (food stylist) write: “The set of Murder She Wrote was a unique place to work in Hollywood. Angela Lansbury’s warm personal style created a family atmosphere for the cast and crew…” i know she will be missed by colleagues and fans alike.
"Jessica's Cheesecake" by Angela Lansbury
As an actor, Ms. Lansbury’s talent and roles were vast. The beloved TV series was just one piece of her story. However, the show, which ran for 12 seasons, forever linked Ms. Lansbury with her mystery-writer character, Jessica Fletcher. She even named this cheesecake for her!
A small note for those baking at home: I found I had to bake the cheesecake slightly longer than directed to get it to set. This recipe is very exact about timing and I’d never doubt Ms. Landbury’s instructions, so I’m inclined to chalk it up to something with my oven.