A Featured Detective with Dogged Determination
The Dear Holmes “Featured Detective” Program honors one detective per mystery for their clever and well-thought-out solution to the case. To learn how to send in your own solution, visit Dearholmes.com/solve.
Dear Detectives,
Thank you for digging up the truth behind the recent string of crimes plaguing Chalfont St. James. Without your help, Monsieur le Fevre might still be running loose and The Chalfont Outrages would have resulted in yet another death!
Many of you were quick to smell something fishy when Peter Bradley first reported the attack on Lord Chalfont’s dog, Bundo, but the sheer number of suspects lurking around the Chalfont Estate made sniffing out answers a challenge. A number of detectives trailed the local veterinarian, Mr. Allison. Others scrutinized Alphonse Chalfont and the quirky Mr. Bertram. When Bradley wrote detectives for a second time though, many began to look at two suspects more closely: Bradley’s assistant Mr. Derry, and the estate’s chef, Monsieur Le Fevre.
Both men seemed very suspicious, but the evidence suggested there was only one culprit, forcing detectives to choose one man. On motive, Derry seemed the most suspicious. Some detectives theorized he could have been driven by rage from his traumatic past. Yet, Mr. Allison seemed to know just a bit too much, too quickly, about the dogs’ wounds.
Those who were eyeing Monsieur Le Fevre were piqued by his convenient itinerary, which consistently aligned with the assaults, but where was his motive? Then came news of Mr. Derry’s death, shaking many of your hypotheses.
Our latest Featured Detective, Detective Jennifer F. of Freeland, Michigan, was first on the scene to see past all the red herrings and arrive at the case’s solution. Detective Jennifer connected all the dots, so to speak, from Le Fevre’s skill with knives, to his relevant knowledge of poisons, and his attempts to use them on his wife.
It should be noted that, at this stage, many detectives suspected Le Fevre, but the “how” remained a point of contention. Was he collecting dog hairs to brew a sort of “potion”, or was he running a dog-fighting ring? Perhaps he was trying to heal his wife, rather than poison somebody?
Le Fevre’s motives were elusive to most until the end, but Detective Jennifer solved the case with ease, like a true Featured Detective.
Honorable Mention: Detective Scott F. was one of the earliest to raise his suspicions that there was something hidden behind Madame Le Fevre’s condition.
Congratulations from the Dear Holmes Team to Detective Jennifer F. — a special reward will soon be on its way to your door!
Want to be next month’s Featured Detective? Learn how to submit your solution by visiting Dearholmes.com/solve.