Season 1, Episode 1 of Only Murders on the Harbor sets the stage with an eerie, atmospheric tone, highlighting the fog-shrouded coastal town of Grays Harbor County, Washington. Hosted by Kaydee and her fiancé James, the podcast introduces the murder of Laura Law against a backdrop of labor unrest, political divisions, and anti-communist sentiment in 1930s Aberdeen. The episode explores Laura’s background as a Finnish immigrant and her role as a key organizer in the union movement alongside her husband, Dick Law—a prominent, controversial figure accused of communist affiliations. Tensions escalate with historical events like the Red Hall raid, clashes between rival unions, and mounting hostility from local businesses and conservative groups. The episode culminates in the brutal, unsolved murder of Laura Law, intertwining personal tragedy with larger political conflicts, leaving listeners questioning who was responsible and why.

Sources:

Jennifer Ott's "Laura Law is found murdered in her Aberdeen home on January 5, 1940", https://www.historylink.org/File/9260.

Robert Saltvig's "The Tragic Legend of Laura Law", https://www.jstor.org/stable/40490240

Washington State's Archives' File on the case of Laura Law's murder, https://www.sos.wa.gov/about-office/from-our-corner/general/archives-75th-anniversary-law-murder-case

Matthew N. Wells's "Billy's Back: Walk of the Undead", https://www.thedailyworld.com/news/downtown-aberdeen-association-seeking-input-tuesday-for-spooky-october-tour/