A Featured Detective Who Shatters Expectations
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,
Now that the curtains have closed on the perilous case of The Murano Musician, we’re eager to shine a spotlight on the latest investigator worthy of the Featured Detective title.
When our sleuths started examining the death of Mr. Breccia, a solution seemed far out of sight — beyond the fact he had been gruesomely attacked, there was an unexplained note found alongside his body, and a plethora of potential suspects, all conveniently unaware of his murder. Between his neighbor Grimes, Fratelli, Lombardi, and his connections related to espionage, there were countless people who might have been involved in the crime, not to mention an array of possible candidates for the identities of “K” and “A”.
Of course, our investigators were not deterred by this. Once it became clear that Breccia’s death was likely related to his clandestine work, theories started to take shape. Breccia could have uncovered someone’s hidden plot; or Was 294 a reference to a place, or perhaps a time? And what was INVECCHIATO, or AGED, truly supposed to mean? It was clear, to many detectives, that the “all-caps” spelling suggested a greater significance, but apart from that, most were at a standstill.
In fact, we didn’t receive a wholly correct submission until Detective Rod K. of St. Charles, IL, sent in his review of this grim case. Detective Rod was able to piece together the meaning of Breccia’s messages, the truth behind Theo Shafer and Wilhelm Klein’s identities — not to mention A’s identity, too — and the real reason for Breccia’s brutal demise.
With all the flair of a veteran Featured Detective, Detective Rod masterfully broke down every element of this case, even providing an explanation for the ampoules and Breccia’s motives all in one fell swoop.
Congratulations from the Dear Holmes Team to Detective Rod K. — a special reward will soon be on its way to your door!
Honorable Mention(s) to Detective Aubrey C., whose meticulous efforts uncovered the truth behind “INVECCHIATO” before most others managed to make a dent in this case.
Want to be next month’s Featured Detective? Learn how to submit your solution by visiting DearHolmes.com/solve.