1. Murder by the Book

7.593

. 15 September 1971. 76 min

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

2. Death Lends a Hand

7.115

. 6 October 1971. 76 min

A private investigator kills his client's wife after she threatens to expose his blackmail scheme. The client then hires the detective to assist Columbo in the search for the killer.

3. Dead Weight

6.578

. 27 October 1971. 76 min

A famous general kills a business associate, then woos a neurotic female witness to thwart Columbo's investigation.

4. Suitable for Framing

7.5

. 17 November 1971. 76 min

An art critic, Dale Kingston, kills his uncle for his valuable collection of paintings. All the clues lead to the dead man's first wife. Can Columbo correct the Lieutenant's error before it is too late?

5. Lady in Waiting

7.024

. 15 December 1971. 75 min

A woman shoots her overbearing brother, claiming she thought he was a burglar. Columbo doesn't buy the self-defense claim - he know's it's murder.

6. Short Fuse

6.976

. 19 January 1972. 75 min

A chemist rigs a bomb in his uncle's car to gain control of his uncle's company, then plants clues to make Columbo suspicious of the company's Vice-President.

7. Blueprint for Murder

7.78

. 9 February 1972. 75 min

An architect kills his business partner and deliberately lets Columbo suspect him, leading Columbo to think that he's hidden the body in the foundation of a building under construction. He plans to let Columbo dig up the site and find nothing, knowing that its the perfect place to hide the body since Columbo would never look in the same place twice.