Famed mystery writer Jessica Fletcher has a gift for solving mysteries. It seems murder follows her around, whether it be to the houses of her seemingly endless number of friends, nieces, and nephews or right in her hometown of Cabot Cove, Maine. She has become a respected amateur criminologist, helping the police solve crime. Jessica is sometimes assisted by her friends, relatives or other sleuths.

The vampire Angelus, now known as Angel, has a human soul, but committed terrible crimes in the past. Seeking forgiveness and trying to redeem himself, he moves from Sunnydale to Los Angeles, where he helps the downtrodden by thwarting the supernatural creatures that prey on them.