7.7

Columbo•Season 1•Episode 1

Murder by the Book

7.7/10 · 6,354 votesSep 15, 197176 min

Ranked #2 of 7 in Season 1•+0.3 vs season avg

Discussion

One member of a mystery-writing-team decides to kill his more talented partner when the better writer decides to go solo.

Directed bySteven Spielberg

Written bySteven Bochco

Next episodeE2 · Death Lends a Hand

Seasons10

All 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Season 1 Episodes7

Murder by the Book

Death Lends a Hand

Dead Weight

Suitable for Framing

Lady in Waiting

Short Fuse

Blueprint for Murder

Cast1

Peter Falk

Lt. Columbo

Crew8

Steven Spielberg

Director

Steven Bochco

Writer

Robert F. O'Neill

Associate Producer

Billy Goldenberg

Original Music Composer

Richard Levinson

Producer

William Link

Producer

Russell Metty

Director of Photography

John Kaufman

Editor

Discussion

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Episode Summary

"Murder by the Book" is episode 1 of Columbo season 1. It scored 7.7/10 from 6,354 votes, ranking #2 of 7 episodes this season (season average 7.4). Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Steven Bochco, it aired on September 15, 1971.

Next: E2 · Death Lends a Hand Best of Season 1