One New Year, Two New Featured Detectives

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.

Esteemed Detectives,

Happy New Year, and a sincere thank you to all who have written in with theories on both The Case of the Coded Silver Handkerchief and The Peculiar Persecution of Mr. Druitt! We’ve been delighted to receive so many submissions from veteran sleuths and first-time investigators alike, and are thrilled to finally be able to announce our November and December Featured Detectives.

While The Case of the Coded Silver Handkerchief’s Emily had investigators on quite the elaborate chase, most all agreed that there was something more to learn from this possible runaway and the brooch she carried. Corresponding Detectives were quick to suggest that the locals should be further investigated, and many even came close to solving the bilingual code, but few were able to fully unravel the scheme.

In the case of The Peculiar Persecution of Mr. Druitt, our collaborators were split rather evenly between two predominant beliefs: the first, that students were playing a prank on Mr. Druitt. The second, that the groundskeeper Hadley was perhaps involved. And while some eagle-eyed investigators confirmed the involvement of students rather than Hadley, only the best were able to rule out Druitt’s former assistant, Bennett, and specifically identify Conway and his cohorts.

Bearing these details in mind, we’re excited to name Detective Rodney K. (The Case of the Coded Silver Handkerchief), of St. Charles, IL, and Detective John D. (The Peculiar Persecution of Mr. Druitt), of Washington, DC, as our two newest Featured Detectives. 

Detective Rodney’s handwritten submission not only featured a wonderfully distinct parchment, but also correctly pieced together many of the Coded Silver Handkerchief’s more intricate clues. Detective John’s submission offered a succinct analysis of Mr. Druitt’s dilemma, provided a solution to the mystery’s cryptic messages, identified the mystery’s culprits and, for extra flare, boasted a unique typeface. 

A hearty congratulations to Detectives John and Rodney — rewards will soon be arriving at their doors!

Want to be next month’s Featured Detective? Mail your solution to 1101 14th St NW, Suite 910, Washington DC 20005, or submit it online at Dearholmes.com/solve.