A Featured Detective and Expert Decoder
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 Investigators,
Your fearless help was crucial as always in putting a stop the The Fenian Bombers. From this case’s explosive start, it was clear that danger was afoot, yet detectives worked with haste to find a solution for Mr. Tomlinson and the Office of the Home Secretary.
Upon first discovering news of the failed bombing at London Bridge, investigators knew the Fenians were up to no good. After learning of their subsequent planned attack, many assumed the group was merely attempting to incite fear or panic. However, it wasn’t until sleuths started cracking the coded messages, that the Fenians’ true motives started to come to light. These rogues were after something in particular, but what, or who, was it?
And then of course, there was the matter of the coded messages: Did these missives hold the key to the Fenians’ plans, or were they vague allusions to the Brotherhood’s lofty goals? The messages were coded uniquely too, which made it all the more difficult to tell if the Fenians were merely being secretive, or responding to the presence of a mole. Earlier submissions posited that the bombings were a part of a general Fenian campaign against the English government, while others considered the possibility of the attacks being distractions. Knowing that the Fenians’ ex-leader, Cusack, was jailed and likely eager-to-escape, presented a reasonable need for a massive distraction or two. Fortunately, the truth became evident as our investigators started cracking the coded messages…
For this mystery, we’re excited to celebrate Detective Colleen S., of Benicia, CA, as our Featured Detective!
Detective Colleen sent out a comprehensive analysis of this case—expertly identifying the Home Secretary as the intended victim—as soon as she had every piece of necessary evidence in hand. But Detective Colleen’s report went far beyond alerting the Home Secretary to imminent danger. This investigator artfully explained each of the four Fenian messages, all the while illuminating each of the last three codes’ connections to the Ogham alphabet. Not to mention, this detective was one of few to address the suspicious “guard” at Wormwood Scrubs! Detective Colleen’s submission would have no doubt helped save the Home Secretary, and likely numerous civilians’ lives.
Congratulations from the Dear Holmes Team to Detective Colleen S. — a special reward will soon be on its way!
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.