Fear No Affliction: Our New Featured Detective Is Here!
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.
Detectives,
The Curious Affliction of Mr. Brown, and the ensuing mysteries, have thankfully been laid to rest. We applaud your valiant efforts, and after reviewing quite the number of fine submissions, we are eager to celebrate our newest Featured Detective (and another select few detectives who truly stood out from the crowd!)
At the beginning of this mystery, Mr. Brown sought help for a curious ailment that Watson feared could be a result of his work in the sewers. Yet, this singular case of poisoning quickly progressed into a full-blown investigation involving several, seemingly unrelated victims. Given Dr. Anstruther’s first report, describing Brown’s work associates, and his use of talcum powder (which had been a gift from Mrs. Brown’s employer) many detectives agreed that there was a fair chance he had been poisoned. Whether this had been done via the powder, and/or by his “enemy” Flinders at work, was unclear, and of course, the question of intent also remained. Had Mr. Brown been intentionally poisoned, or had he gotten himself caught in a web meant for someone else? Considering the talcum powder theory, a number of sleuths believed Mrs. Brown was responsible for his affliction, while others speculated that she herself had been the intended target. Then came Dr. Anstruther’s second letter, confirming that the “talc” had been “laced with thallium sulfate.”
With this news, our network of investigators began to converge on a small group of suspects: the Harpers. Between the Fenwicks’ statements about the Harpers, and the fact that Lady Elizabeth Harper appeared to be suffering from the curious affliction too, detectives were convinced that our culprit would lie among those closest — and right they were! — but many disagreed about exactly who was responsible. Young Emily, some sleuths argued, was the obvious choice, given her affinity for mineralogy and mushrooms. Other investigators observed that Harry and James’s comings and goings were curiously aligned with Lady Elizabeth’s ailments, and expanding on that, some theorized that Emily and James were truly the duo to blame. Yet, as we now know, there was only one person whose motives, means, and movements, all lined up just too conveniently…
While a select number of detectives managed to catch this criminal, this case’s Featured Detectives, Sayre & Sayre of Austin, TX, were able to diagnose Mr. Brown and determine the true cause of his, and Lady Elizabeth’s, illnesses, with unparalleled speed. This keen pair of Private Eyes noted dispelled the possibility of trench foot and expertly saw through James Harper’s machinations. From his admiration of William Crookes, and his suspicious blue bottles, to his angry motives, Sayre & Sayre laid it all out in a sharp analysis of this most foul case of poisonings.
Congratulations from the Dear Holmes Team to Detective Vasken S. — a special reward will soon be on its way to your door!
Honorable Mentions to Detectives Pat & Mary H. , who spotted the red paint red herring, and Detective Nelson L., who was first to suspect a powdery poisoning.
Want to be next month’s Featured Detective? Learn how to submit your solution by visiting DearHolmes.com/solve.