For me, there have been better Columbo episodes, but there have been worse as well. Murder By the Book is a very good episode and apart from losing steam a bit after the second murder, with Columbo and Franklin's scenes together being disappointingly sidelined and the final solution while well acted felt I agree delayed and Franklin's change in character at being found out felt uncharacteristic, it is well worth watching.
The episode once again looks good with the photography quite striking especially, and the music is haunting. The episode is very well directed by Steven Spielberg, it has some top notch writing and the premise like How to Dial a Murder is ingenious and given justice by a well written plot with many scenes to savour especially with Franklin.
The acting is very good, with Peter Falk exceptional and Jack Cassidy wonderfully smug. The two men work really well together too.
Overall, without being one of the best, it is an interesting one and is very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
The episode once again looks good with the photography quite striking especially, and the music is haunting. The episode is very well directed by Steven Spielberg, it has some top notch writing and the premise like How to Dial a Murder is ingenious and given justice by a well written plot with many scenes to savour especially with Franklin.
The acting is very good, with Peter Falk exceptional and Jack Cassidy wonderfully smug. The two men work really well together too.
Overall, without being one of the best, it is an interesting one and is very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox