Mysterious newcomer Mariah Osborne arrives in Cabot Cove just as the community theater's putting on a play about Rachel Abbott, a real life woman executed as a witch. Mariah stirs up some controversy when she gets the lead role and shows a great deal of sympathy to Rachel Abbott. While there's more to Mariah than meets the eye, Jessica has to figure out if she's also capable of murdering a local judge.
Mary Crosby cuts a fine figure as a mysterious woman who turns up and makes some heads turn. She's quite enigmatic, which is matched by the plot, and a murder occurs halfway through. Of course, Crosby gets framed for the murder of the judge. It's unusual but diverting and enjoyable.