Diego Santana, a fabulously talented artist is set to become a Sexagenarian, to celebrate his birthday, he's invited his friends and family to his house in the Mediterranean, among his guests are Jessica Fletcher, wife Margo, ex wife Belle and Henry Kyle. A series of accidents occur, and soon enough an accident proves fatal.
This is a sumptuous episode, I'm reminded by 1974, a plane bringing in guests to a remote island, there are similarities. The scenery is exquisite, giving the episode a definite quality. One of the best assembled casts you'll ever see on a TV drama, a standout performance from Stewart Granger, with Ron Moody and Judy Geeson supporting incredibly well also.
Big money was spent on this episode, and it shows, it's not my favourite story from the first season, I'd put Murder takes the bus at the top, but Paint me a Murder is at the highest end of the list.
A clever mystery, with a surprising conclusion, plenty of red herrings and suspects. This is a classy episode. 9/10