On September 30, 1984, Angela Lansbury’s Jessica Fletcher began her reign as TV’s premier amateur detective, making “Murder, She Wrote” a top 10 show for much of its 12-year run. Created … ...

Well, she’s not. Because “Murder, She Wrote” is not that kind of show. Jessica is alert and chipper at the start of each episode, as if all the tragedy that came before has been zeroed out.

You almost expect Murder, She Wrote to give us a storyline about the couple coming to terms with Howard’s queerness, but not so: He’s just an actor who took a gig to make ends meet.

You have questions. I have some answers. Q: Is it true there are plans for a revival of “Murder, She Wrote,” which would star Jamie Lee Curtis?

Let’s dive into the world of amateur detectives, from classics like Murder, She Wrote to modern hits like Only Murders in the Building, and see why these DIY crime solvers have become some of TV ...