Mystery 101: Words Can Kill

The film opens with a break-in at Amy Winslow’s office, though nothing appears to be stolen. Detective Travis Burke investigates, but the focus soon shifts to the 'Murder We Wrote' book festival hosted by Elmstead College. Amy’s father, famous author Graham Winslow, is a featured speaker, but the event is complicated by the arrival of his literary nemesis, Rick Fitch, and his former publisher, Betsy Crane. Tensions are high because Rick allegedly stole Graham’s first book idea decades ago. Meanwhile, a disgraced cop named Phil Jenk arrives to pitch a book, and a 'super fan' from Germany named Hannah Steinhousen begins stalking Graham. The stakes turn deadly when a man named Arnold Van Vleet is found shot to death outside Graham’s house. Shortly after, Betsy Crane is found murdered in her motorhome, which was set on fire with kerosene. Travis is forced to arrest Graham after a bloody paperweight and a can of kerosene are found in the trunk of his car. Amy, convinced of her father's innocence, begins her own investigation with the help of her colleagues. She discovers that 'Hannah' is actually Joyce Van Vleet, Arnold's wife, who killed him in a fit of obsession. She also learns that Phil Jenk had bugged her office and Graham’s house to gain leverage for a book deal. The mystery deepens when Rick Fitch is found dead at the bottom of a ravine, appearing to be a climbing accident. However, Amy realizes that Graham’s new editor, Celia Bunton, had a secret motive: Betsy Crane held the lucrative movie rights to Graham's books, which Celia wanted for herself. Celia killed Betsy to clear the path for the rights, then killed Rick when he attempted to blackmail her after witnessing her actions. Amy and Travis confront Celia at the hotel, where she is arrested. Graham is exonerated and finds inspiration for his next novel in the ordeal, while Amy and Travis's professional and personal bond continues to grow.