for columbo fan and such a myself and this be the episode of episode that make a case for why columbo be so popular and and just how good it really be . ruth gordon have a field day ( a ever ) play the wittily intelligent crime novelist abigail mitchell . seem abigail call her nephew in law to sign some paper make him her heir . she never get over her niece death and and be convince her dead niece husband ( charles frank ) do the dirty deed . to tell more would be unthinkable . mariette hartley have a sly role a abigail personal assistant . this episode of columbo be in a class by itself . it a truly well make television movie . i recommend it most highly .