Peter S Fischer (1935–2023)
Author of Murder, She Wrote: The Complete First Season
Series
Works by Peter S Fischer
Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Second Season (1985) — Creator; Screenwriter, some editions — 52 copies
Murder, She Wrote - Season 1 Disc 1 (Episodes 1-6) Plus Pilot — Creator — 2 copies
Murder, She Wrote - Season 1 - Vol.3 — Creator — 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Fischer, Peter Steven
- Birthdate
- 1935-08-10
- Date of death
- 2023-10-30
- Gender
- male
- Education
- Johns Hopkins University
- Occupations
- screenwriter
producer
novelist - Short biography
- Peter S. Fischer is a prolific writer producer with over 25 years of experience in network television. Among his many credits is "Murder, She Wrote" which he co-created with the well-known television team of Richard Levinson and William Link. He also served as Executive Producer for the first seven years and contributed over 50 scripts. As producer he was the winner of two Golden Globes from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for Best Television Drama and also received an Edgar from the Mystery Writers of America. In addition to "Murder, She Wrote", the author was also involved for many years with "Columbo" starring Peter Falk, first as story editor and later as a producer. During this time, he wrote 12 ninety minute and two hour episodes for the series
In 2009, Mr. Fischer came out of retirement to write the political thriller "The Blood of Tyrants". It is must reading for those who love this country and the freedom it represents. It is available on this website, along with the follow-up, "The Terror of Tyrants". Both are page-turning, thought provoking novels concerning the dangerous direction this country is now heading.
In 2011, Mr. Fischer released book one of "The Hollywood Murder Mysteries", "Jezebel in Blue Satin". The series continues in book two, "We Don't Need no Stinking Badges".
A graduate of The Johns Hopkins University, he is the father of three, grandfather of six and currently lives with his wife Lucille in the Monterey Bay area of Central California. - Nationality
- USA
- Place of death
- Pacific Grove, California, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- California, USA
Members
Reviews
"Joe finds himself in Quebec but it's no vacation. Alfred Hitchcock is shooting a suspenseful thriller called "I Confess" and Montgomery Clift is playing a priest accused of murder. A marriage made in heaven? Hardly. They have been at loggerheads since Day One and to make matters worse their feud is spilling out into the newspapers. When vivacious Jeanne D'Arcy, the director of the Quebec Film Commission volunteers to help calm the troubled waters, Joe thinks his troubles are over but that show more was before Jeanne got into a violent spat with a former lover and suddenly found herself under arrest on a charge of first degree murder. Guilty or not guilty? Half the clues say she did it, the other half say she is being brilliantly framed."
I wouldn’t say I was a huge fan of Murder She Wrote but I liked it. It was cozy; it was nice; it had Angela Lansbury. So, when I saw Pray for Us Sinners by one of the writers from the show, how could I turn it down. My reaction to it, though, is mixed. The parts of the novel concerning the making of the movie are well worth the read for anyone who is a fan of classic films and it is my opinion for what it's worth that I Confess is an underappreciated gem. I especially enjoyed the parts about the relationship between Montgomery Clift and Alfred Hitchcock.
However, when it came to the mystery itself, the novel left me somewhat dissatisfied. In fairness, most of that is really on me because I believe that historical mysteries should be somewhat accurate to time and place and the mystery here is much too modern for this particular time and place. Pray for Us Sinners is set in Quebec City in the early 1950s when the Church and provincial government had a very symbiotic relationship. Much of the story hinges on the desire of one of the characters for a divorce – simple point to move the story along only this would have been highly unlikely since, historically, divorce was, except in very rare instances, illegal in Quebec until 1968. If someone wanted out of a marriage, in most cases, they would have sought an annulment from the Church, not a divorce. I also question if the so-called proof of the heroine’s innocence would have played in Peoria in the 1950s, never mind Quebec. Heck, I’m not sure it would play in many places today.
However, I’m guessing that most people are not as obsessed as I am with the accuracy of historical trivia in novels and there are enough shoot-em-up car chases, plot twists and red herrings to make this a fun, fast read. Oh, and did I mention Montgomery Clift and Hitchcock! show less
I wouldn’t say I was a huge fan of Murder She Wrote but I liked it. It was cozy; it was nice; it had Angela Lansbury. So, when I saw Pray for Us Sinners by one of the writers from the show, how could I turn it down. My reaction to it, though, is mixed. The parts of the novel concerning the making of the movie are well worth the read for anyone who is a fan of classic films and it is my opinion for what it's worth that I Confess is an underappreciated gem. I especially enjoyed the parts about the relationship between Montgomery Clift and Alfred Hitchcock.
However, when it came to the mystery itself, the novel left me somewhat dissatisfied. In fairness, most of that is really on me because I believe that historical mysteries should be somewhat accurate to time and place and the mystery here is much too modern for this particular time and place. Pray for Us Sinners is set in Quebec City in the early 1950s when the Church and provincial government had a very symbiotic relationship. Much of the story hinges on the desire of one of the characters for a divorce – simple point to move the story along only this would have been highly unlikely since, historically, divorce was, except in very rare instances, illegal in Quebec until 1968. If someone wanted out of a marriage, in most cases, they would have sought an annulment from the Church, not a divorce. I also question if the so-called proof of the heroine’s innocence would have played in Peoria in the 1950s, never mind Quebec. Heck, I’m not sure it would play in many places today.
However, I’m guessing that most people are not as obsessed as I am with the accuracy of historical trivia in novels and there are enough shoot-em-up car chases, plot twists and red herrings to make this a fun, fast read. Oh, and did I mention Montgomery Clift and Hitchcock! show less
I have a confession to make: I am a Murder, She Wrote junkie. Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I am a huge fan of the series, so when I saw Peter S. Fischer’s “unauthorized” autobiography available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read and review it. In Me and Murder, She Wrote: My Adventures in Television with Angela Lansbury, Peter Falk and Jerry Orbach…Among Others, the Murder, She Wrote creator, television producer, and writer tells the story of his show more career, its highs and its lows, with tremendous candidness.
Throughout the book, Mr. Fischer shares remembrances of the many people that he worked with throughout his career along with insight into the workings of the television industry (at least at the time when he was writing and producing for TV). He recalls meeting Angela Lansbury and realizing that she was Jessica Fletcher (he also recalls her response when he told her this). His experiences and feelings towards such stars as Peter Falk, Hal Linden, Jerry Orbach, and Harry Morgan and so many others are also shared among this book’s pages, as are so many stories about things that happened on and off the set during the production of the many TV movies and series that he was involved with.
In case you haven’t figured it out, I loved this book. Peter S. Fischer’s writing style is fun and so is the insight into people and TV shows that I grew up watching and still enjoy (along with many I was unfamiliar with).
If you are a fan of Murder, She Wrote, Columbo, Peter S. Fischer, Angela Lansbury, Peter Falk, or probably even television of the 1970s through 1990s in general, you will enjoy this book. I sure did.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing these things in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. show less
Throughout the book, Mr. Fischer shares remembrances of the many people that he worked with throughout his career along with insight into the workings of the television industry (at least at the time when he was writing and producing for TV). He recalls meeting Angela Lansbury and realizing that she was Jessica Fletcher (he also recalls her response when he told her this). His experiences and feelings towards such stars as Peter Falk, Hal Linden, Jerry Orbach, and Harry Morgan and so many others are also shared among this book’s pages, as are so many stories about things that happened on and off the set during the production of the many TV movies and series that he was involved with.
In case you haven’t figured it out, I loved this book. Peter S. Fischer’s writing style is fun and so is the insight into people and TV shows that I grew up watching and still enjoy (along with many I was unfamiliar with).
If you are a fan of Murder, She Wrote, Columbo, Peter S. Fischer, Angela Lansbury, Peter Falk, or probably even television of the 1970s through 1990s in general, you will enjoy this book. I sure did.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing these things in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. show less
I really liked this book! I found the story to be fascinating and engaging. The writing was strong, except for the occasional missed comma or space. The cast of characters was varied enough to provide the story depth, but realistic enough to allow you to believe what was going on. All in all, I think it is a book that I would recommend to someone who likes mysteries.
This review was written for LibraryThing Member Giveaways.
3.5 stars
PRAY FOR US SINNERS is the seventh in the Joe Bernardi series.
Joe, Alfred Hitchcock, Montgomery Clift, and Anne Baxter are in Quebec, Canada filming “I Confess”. Joe balances taking care of assorted production, media, and actor problems with solving the murder of high profile defense attorney Daniel Bruckner.
PRAY FOR US SINNERS, set against the backdrop of Hitchcock and Montgomery Clift’s difference difficulties while filming “I Confess” in Quebec, brings the glamour and show more mystique of old Hollywood to brilliant life.
Joe Bernardi works in the Press and Publicity Department of Warner Brothers Studios. Joe refers to himself as a feather merchant. He makes the stars brighter, runs interference, and fixes problems. Considering the egos and magnitude of those around him that’s hardly an easy job even on a good day. Despite never having read any of the prior books I had no trouble following the characters nor did I ever feel at a loss. That being said, my curiosity has definitely been aroused about exactly who Bunny is and why she inspires such passion and devotion in Joe. I’ll be searching out the first six to answer those questions.
The who and why of Daniel’s murder was fairly predictable and easily solved; especially for those who read or watch a lot of mysteries. In all honesty it wasn’t the mystery that kept me reading. What captured me was the treasure trove of wonderful characters, both real and created, the true life story surrounding the filming of “I Confess”, and feeling I’d been transported to early 1950’s Quebec.
PRAY FOR US SINNERS is nostalgia with a side of mystery.
Reviewed by IvyD for Manic Readers & Miss Ivy's Book Nook show less
PRAY FOR US SINNERS is the seventh in the Joe Bernardi series.
Joe, Alfred Hitchcock, Montgomery Clift, and Anne Baxter are in Quebec, Canada filming “I Confess”. Joe balances taking care of assorted production, media, and actor problems with solving the murder of high profile defense attorney Daniel Bruckner.
PRAY FOR US SINNERS, set against the backdrop of Hitchcock and Montgomery Clift’s difference difficulties while filming “I Confess” in Quebec, brings the glamour and show more mystique of old Hollywood to brilliant life.
Joe Bernardi works in the Press and Publicity Department of Warner Brothers Studios. Joe refers to himself as a feather merchant. He makes the stars brighter, runs interference, and fixes problems. Considering the egos and magnitude of those around him that’s hardly an easy job even on a good day. Despite never having read any of the prior books I had no trouble following the characters nor did I ever feel at a loss. That being said, my curiosity has definitely been aroused about exactly who Bunny is and why she inspires such passion and devotion in Joe. I’ll be searching out the first six to answer those questions.
The who and why of Daniel’s murder was fairly predictable and easily solved; especially for those who read or watch a lot of mysteries. In all honesty it wasn’t the mystery that kept me reading. What captured me was the treasure trove of wonderful characters, both real and created, the true life story surrounding the filming of “I Confess”, and feeling I’d been transported to early 1950’s Quebec.
PRAY FOR US SINNERS is nostalgia with a side of mystery.
Reviewed by IvyD for Manic Readers & Miss Ivy's Book Nook show less
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 36
- Also by
- 1
- Members
- 561
- Popularity
- #44,551
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 9
- ISBNs
- 50
