And then casually opening his mail while phoning Columbo.... That perfect scene where Columbo notices the mail open and questions Franklin... Perfect!

I think the writers goofed by mentioning "San Diego". Maybe if they said "San Francisco" it would make more sense.

It would make more sense to fly from LA to San Francisco, but not San Diego.

Isn't there an episode where Columbo catches a flight to San Francisco to meet up with someone's (black) therapist? And he's eating oysters? HELP ME!

But having a cabin in San Francisco, when you live in LA, doesn't make sense either. Maybe they should've just thrown this clue out altogether! I guess they were hoping nobody looked at a map back then! Flying that distance just makes no sense.

In "Rest In Peace, Mrs. Columbo", Columbo flies up to San Francisco and interviews a psychiatrist played by Roscoe Lee Brown, whom I believe is the actor who replaced Benson on Soap. While eating escargot or possibly oysters the doctor reveals that he is not able to tell Columbo anything confidential. However he strongly hints that Columbo and his wife may be in danger generally speaking if they happen to know of anybody exhibiting certain character traits. Those traits of course happen to be those exhibited by Vivian Dimitri, so the doctor was able to warn Columbo without breaking his oath of confidentiality.

Murder By The Book is one of my favorite episodes despite the weak "gotcha". We also have to overlook the plot hole that, since the murder was committed at the lake house, Columbo has no jurisdiction.

Took me 3 years to notice and acknowledge your response Pete, but YES and CORRECT! And yes it was that actor with escargot!

How many multiple thousands of people are scared of flying and wouldn't if they were given free flights for life?