A Chance to Celebrate Our Newest Featured Detective
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.
Dearest Detectives,
A short time ago, our investigators collaborated with one Verity Wright in an attempt to shine a light on her boss, Felix Grosvenor’s, strange behavior. However, what first seemed to be an odd series of personal meetings was soon revealed to be one of many symptoms of the man’s expansive insurance fraud scheme. Without further ado: we have completed reviewing all of your submissions for this case, Game of Chance, and are delighted to reveal our latest Featured Detective!
Upon receiving the first letter from Mrs. Wright, many corresponding detectives began working to uncover the meaning behind the odd “PIERRE” message. Some sleuths supposed that it might be somebody’s alias, while others theorized that it could refer to the “wandering nature” of the number π (“pi”)– some believed it to be an acronym referring to a Parliamentary Investigation of sorts… We now know that the message, though secretive, was much simpler than what many presumed: “pierre” is a French word meaning "stone”, or rock, which was Mr. Grosvenor’s occasional maneuver of choice in an all-too-elaborate game of rock-paper-scissors.
Detective Matthew M. of Washington, DC saw through Mr. Grosvenor’s seemingly erratic actions from the get-go, and was able to deftly illuminate ABC, DEF, and GHI’s price-fixing scheme.Detective Matthew initially noted the significance of the portcullis emblem on Mr. Grosvenor’s visitor’s briefcase, and then went on to succinctly outline our villains’ plans to make a break for Switzerland. From their plans to dazzle employees and shed excess cash with an “Anniversary party”, to their ultimate goals of squelching competing insurance companies, Detective Matthew touched upon the key elements of this case in a neatly typewritten note that would’ve helped Mrs. Wright quickly put an end to this shady game of chance.
It isn’t to say there weren’t other sleuths hot on Grosvenor’s trail (kudos to Detective Rod K. for noting that the “F” on Grosvenor’s check likely indicated his use of a Swiss bank..!), but our newest Featured Detective not only presented a clever and accurate solution to the mystery, they also did so with the utmost speed, style, and precision.
The Dear Holmes Team congratulates Detective Matthew M. for his excellent work on this case – a special reward will soon be arriving at your doorstep!
Want to be next month’s Featured Detective? Mail your solution to 1101 14th St NW, Suite 910, Washington DC 20005, or submit online at Dearholmes.com/solve.