Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Battle Bk2: The Seven Dials Mystery


Superintendent Battle: The Seven Dials Mystery

Murdered:
--> Gerry Wade
-was found dead while sleeping
- Most likely he woke up in the middle of the night and drank a glass of water which was beside his bed and was poisoned by it.

Curious Mystery:
- Gerry Wade was a very sound sleeper who would not wake up even with large disturbance.
- The guests in the Lord Caterham decided to play a prank on Gerry Wade, by setting up eight alarm clocks in his room.
- The guest found it surprising that Gerry was still dead sleeping even there were 8 alarms ringing. More so when they found him dead.

The Seven dials?
- 7clocks were lined up in Gerry's room instead of 8. The last one was found thrown out of the window.
- Gerry mentioned it in is his last letter.
- A man was shot, came to Bundle and mentioned about the seven dial and 'Tell Jimmy Thesiger'.
- The 'Seven Dial' could be a place or a club or even a syndicate group.

The Seven dial meeting:
( 7 clock masked people)
No.1 : not present
No. 2: not present
No. 3: a woman with a mole on the back
No. 4: Master of No. 5
No. 5: Elegant man with foreign nationality
No. 6: Mr Mosgorousley, a russian
No. 7: suspected to be non-existence.

Characters:
Pongo-> suggested using alarm clock, left handed

Bill Eversleigh-> suggested to buy a dozen of alarm; all buy one
- likes Countess Radzley

Jimmy Thesiger-> (On the account of the man who was shot, Ronald): Jimmy needed to be informed about the seven dial.
- was involved in Bundle's adventure of investigation
- armed with an automatic pistol

Loraine, Gerry's sister
- was involved in Bundle's investigaion
- picked up a parcel of paper which was dropped from nowhere; spotted by Battle

Mr Mosgorovsky, rather sinister looking
- being identified as the No. 6 in the Seven Dials.

George, a rather dull person

Ronald Devereux,
- was the one who found Gerry Wade dead, suggested that it was a foul play but broke no mention to the coroner.
- was shot

Bundle, the main lead
- thought she ran over a man, Ronald. But the truth was that he was shot.
- initiated the investigation
- went to 7 dial secret meeting room
- eavesdropped the secret conservation- seeing a few people with clock mask

The incident at the house part at the Abbey:
- Loraine heard fighting
- Jimmy was shot in the right arm, fired by a man trying to escape out of the window and climbing down the Ivy
- Jimmy shot first, but only one bullet. The automatic didn't work
- O'rourke was drugged and woke up and found the formula sheet missing
- (It was suspected to be robbery): The thief threw away his pistol even when there was noone pursuing him
- Based on both Loraine and Jimmy's description of the thief-> he was big size and uneducated sounding
- (On Countess Radzky's account): Jimmy was cultured, english gentlemen and she came down to look for a book with an electric torch.

Leads:
- found burnt left hand glove with teethmark

Battle Bk1: The Secrets Of The Chimneys


Superintendent Battle: The Secrets of the chimneys

Murdered:
-->Giuseppe, a hotel waiter who took notice of Anthony Cade's belonging which contained important manuscript
- suspected of stealing the letters instead of the manuscript and blackmailed Virginia.
- was found shot in Virginia's house with a pistol which has Virginia's name on it.
- was discovered by Virginia and his body was disposed with the help of Anthony who came to pay Virginia a visit


--> Count Stanislaus
- suspected of having a few identities: Prince Michael or Herzoslovakia
- purpose of being present was to meet Mr Herman Issactein
- took a loan for certain terms such as granting oil concession
- the only person who saw him in real person before was Virginia
- had verified by Virgina that Prince Michael was indeed dead
- was shot without a gunshot heard and no revolver recovered.
Suspects:
1) King Victor, also known to the thief of royal jewellery
- had been released
- could be among their midst in disguise

2) Anthony Cade, running errand for his friend, Jimmy Mcgrath
- supposed to deliver the manuscript to Virginia
- could have killed Giuseppe and placed him in Virginia's house and pretended to help Virginia to clear the body.
- discouraged Virgina to call the police as it will cause Virginia to fall for the murderer's plan of stopping her to go to the Chimneys,(estate).
- seemed to be nosepoking and even considered himself to be an 'amateur detective'; smart with murderer's mind.

3) Virgina, pretty early widow
- Giuseppe could be blackmailing her and she killed him
- however claimed to be willing and it was thrilling to be blackmailed
- paid a small sum of ransom but promised to pay alot more in the future

4) Mr Herman Issactein, great financier
- motive of killing Count Stanislaus for oil

5) Mademoiselle Brun, french governess
- been here for 2 months.
- her room's light went on after the gun shot took place

6) Comrades of the Red Hand
- group of anonymous politic activists who might plan for assassination to fulfill politics

7) Mr Fish
- strangle man who likes to follow people around


Poirot Bk38: Early Cases (12/6)


Hercule Poirot: The Third-Floor Flat

Murdered:
Miss Ernestine Grant murdered in her own flat. She was shot and put behind the curtain.

Sequence of Event:
1) Pat forgot to bring her house key. Jimmy & Donavan climbed into the 3rd flat instead of the 4th flat from the chute.
2) Donavan could not switch on the kitchen light.
3) Jimmy switched on one light and they found the room was not Pat's flat.
4) They went back to open the door for the girls at the 4rd floor.
5) There was blood at Donavan hand but he did not hurt himself.
6) Jimmy suggested to go down the apartment to investigate.
7) Donvan daresay that there wasn't anything really wrong
8) Jimmy found the dead lady, Mrs Ernestine

Clue:
-Donavan got stained with blood while touching the red table cloth-> The murder was committed near the table and the body was moved to the window and hid behind the curtain.
- Miss Ernestine's maid turned in about 10 o'clock, everything was quiet and she thought her mistress had gone to bed. She took in the letters which had come by evening post.
- Maid went out at 5 o'clock so the estimated time of death was 8pm.
- There was small letter in the pocket of the dead woman:
-> 'I will come to see you in this evening at half past 7' ( no fingerprints on it)
- found silk handkerchief with Initials - J.F =>John Fraser.

Suspects:
1) John Fraser, still an unknown person
- murderer was careful in leaving no fingerprint and cautiously hid the body but could not have possibly left behind the letter and the handkerchief.

Leads:
Poirot pulled off some tricks and found a letter and a key in Donavan's pocket.

Poirot Bk38: Early Cases (6/6)


Hercule Poirot: The king of clubs

Murdered: Henry Reedburn, the impressario
He was found dead in his library with a bruise between the eyes and a heavy blow at the back of his head.

Connection:
Zara, the clairvoyant, read cards for Valerie & M.Le Prince.
The last card was King (club)-> Beware, a man holds her in power puts her in great danger.


Poirot Bk38: Early Cases (4/6)




Hercule Poirot: The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly

Mystery:
A mysterious note was issued to Waverly family threatening to kidnap the little Johnnie at the specified time and date. Waverly family are to pay the ransom in advance to avoid little Johnnie been abducted.

Victim:
Little Johnnie Waverly, the only son, 3 yr old
-kidnapped for £ 50 000.

How was the crime committed:
- Mrs Waverly felt sick, suspected of food poisoning
- Mr Waverly found a note pinned to his pillow with the message: 'At 12 o'clock', after leaving the room for 10mins
- Mr Waverly fired the whole bunch of nurses due to suspicious inside doing. Only left 2 people he trusted.
They were:
-> Miss Colins, wife's secretary
-being employed for a month with very efficient knowledge
-> Mr Tredwell, Mr Waverly's butler
-who had worked a lifetime serving Waverly's family
- Little Johnnie was with his father & the police inspector until they went out of the house, hearing the policemen had caught someone.
- After that, they caught sight of Johnnie's flayen curls in a car that drove past the front of the house.
- heard the chiming of a church clock from the village, inspector checked the watch and it was exactly 1200pm. The clock in the house was faster by 10mins.
- Police chased after the car and found the boy was not Johnnie.
- (The account of the man caught by the Police trepassing the house): A man gave him money to deliver the parcel and the letter to Waverly House by 1200 at 1150am. The letter: '£75 000 to redeem Johnnie'.
- Johnnie was successfully kidnapped.

Hiding place in the house:
Since the police guarded the house inside and outside, the kidnapper must be in the house hiding.
There was priesthole in the house; a secret chamber in the house. However it was known only to Tredwell, Waverly family but not Miss Collins.

Suspects:
1) Mr Tredwell, the butler
- knew about the priesthole
- Mrs Waverly never liked him

2) Mr Waverly
- heed no advice from the police and always do things in his own way
- left his boy and went out to see the caught man
- the last person in contact with Johnnie

3) Miss Collins and Mrs Waverly
- Miss Collins was looking after the sick Madam in the room
- They were alibi for each other
- However, they could be in cahoot

Leads:
- small imprints of toy dog feet on the floor in the corner of the priesthole
- no footsteps on the floor of the priesthole
- Mrs Waverly was rich and it was her money that restored the impoverished estate; could not possibly have enemy
- Mrs Waverly was not fond of parting her money

Poirot Bk38: Early Cases (2/6)


Poirot: The Adventure Of The Clapham Cook

Mystery:
The mysterious disappearance of a cook, Mrs Eliza Duhn happened on a Wednesday.
-She sent a letter for her box 2 days later, which was already packed and corded before she left.
-Seemed that she had already determined not to return

Coincidentally, there was another mystery.
An absconding clerk, Davis, was from the same bank as Simpson, was caught embezzling £50 000 worth of negotiable shares.

Suspects:
1) Davis, the defaulting clerk
- could have fled away with Eliza
- however the idea was absurd as Eliza was a middle aged stout with grey hair.

2) Mr & Mrs Thed, a stingy employer of Eliza
- could have forced Eliza to leave before paying her salary as she left before being paid.
- had no disagreement with Eliza as the cook.

3) Simpson, a tenant
- honest young man working in the same bank as Davis

4) Annie, another parlourmaid of the house
- (On her account): she had no disagreement with the Eliza and Eliza cooked the meal before leaving the house and even mentioned about the food in the house.
- she knew what Eliza's favourite food: stewed peaches
- ( Simpson's account): couldn't say if the maid & the Eliza in good terms, could only suppose so

5) Carter Paterson, the man who came for the trunk

6) Mr Crotchet, lawyer
- beaded man with hat
-came to ask Eliza to accept the will

Clues:
The box which cook left behind, also called Trunk, was huge in size

Lead:
After Poirot put up advertisement and found Eliza
Eliza's story was: A beaded man told her that she would inherit the house and money but she had to give up on her domestic job.
(Eliza's account): she sent a letter to Mrs Trod, asking for her luggage, and did not receive her luggage in her truck but separate parcel.

Poirot Bk16: Murder in the Mews & other stories (4/4)


Hercule Poirot: Triangle at Rhodes

Murdered:
General Chantry asked Mr Gold to get him an alcoholic drink called 'Pink Gin'. He then gave Valentine Chantry the drink 'untouched'. Valentine was poisoned and died by the drink in the hotel.

The witnesses at scenes were General Chantry, Mrs and Mr Gold, Pamela and Poirot.

Valentine Chantry, wife of General Chantry
- attractive, rich lady, age 39.
- was famous since the age of 16.
- had 5 husbands and innumerable lovers
- seduces man

Suspects:
1) Mr Gold, young husband who came on vacation with his wife.
- was easily attracted to Valentine
- begun talking to her when she asked him for help to open a bottle of oil
- Possible Motive was to kill Chantry so that he could have Valentine, and never expected that he would let Valentine have the drink.
- (On Mrs Gold's account): Mr Gold was seduced by valentine as she began pouring him with her misery of living with Chantry.
- a bottle of poison was found in his pocket

2) Mr Chantry, husband of Valentine
- hairy and beastly looking man
- gets very possessive over Valentine
- Possible Motive: to kill Valentine before Valentine leave with Mr Gold
- unusually nice and friendly to Mr Gold before Valentine's death

3) Mrs Gold
-quite dull and short lady with certain air of diffidence and dowdiness
-was a contrast with her husband, Mr Gold who was good looking.
-(On her own account): Valentine was a kind of girl man would grow tired off easily. She felt bitter and confided in many people when she found that Mr Gold was in love with Valentine.
- She hang out well with the other ladies during the Lady outing before Valentine's death.

4) Pamela Lyall
-pretty well tanned girl and was expecting the coming of the Gold(s).
-curious about what people were thinking and feeling.
-Often had talked to Poirot about the triangle relationship of Mr Gold, Mr Chantry and Valentine.

Leads:
- Poirot never really saw Mr Gold & Valentine together
- Mrs Gold & Mrs Chantry left out of the morning excursion on the day of murder.
- Mr Gold & Mrs Chantry went to excursion.



Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Poirot Bk16: Murder in the Mews & other stories (3/4)


Hecule Poirot: Dead Man's Mirror

Murdered/Suicide:
Sir Gervase Chevenix-Gore shot himself through his right temple by a pistol while sitting on a chair facing the window. Bullet hit & smashed the mirror above his desk in his study room. Pistol dropped on the floor. Before death, he wrote 'Sorry' on a piece of paper.

Victim:
Sir Gervase, last of Chevenix-Gore, has vast wealth in properties
-egoistic
-abit madman sense
-incredible rich and prosper at everything he does
-can't stand improper marriage and get angry easily
-younger bro, sis died

Previous will->Ruth gets alot more portion than Hugo
2nd will, unsigned and unendorsed-> Ruth will inherit only if she marrys Hugo

Crime Scene:
All the windows were self fastened and locked.
-key in Sir Gervase's pocket
-shattered mirror
-a tiny bit of the mirror stick sticked on the bronze structure
-outside the window was a flower bed and four footprints were found at the corner

The madhouse practise: puntucality for dinner
1st gong sounded by SNELL: 15mins before dinner
2nd gong: 7mins before dinner
Every guest must assemble quickly in the drawing room after 2nd gong sounded. Sir Gervase would usually be in the drawing room by that time.

Suspects:
1) Ruth, an attractive lady
-adopted daughter of Sir Gervase, known to be illegimate daughter of his younger brother who died in war.
-was plucking flowers in the flower bed outside the study room
-(on her own account) : she wanted to get into the house fast and tried to get in through the study room but found the window locked.
-could have committed the murder and escaped through the window and lied about the motive of being on the flowerbed.
-seemed to be with Mr Burrows
-motive: could possibly kill Sir Gervase so that she does need to marry Hugo to get the inheritance
-later known to have married to Captain Lake 3 yrs ago
-seemed to hide nothing
-she was leaving the flowerbed when she heard the shot

2) Mr Hugo, nephew of Sir Gervase whom Sir Gervase did not like.
-His mother's marriage was not approved by Sir Gervase.
-wanted inheritance from Sir Gervase which he deserved
-brought Susan Cardwell, his girlfriend whom known for 1 month, to the house
-is willing to marry Ruth to get the inheritance in the 2nd will
-prepared to divorce Ruth after marriage
-Susan could be a decoy, afterall many men would like to take Ruth as their wife
-was one of the four people in the hall when the shot broke

3) Colonel Bury
-lives in the house and is close to Mrs Vander, wife of Sir Gervase.
-Sir Gervase did not think him as threat he thought highly of himself
'No women will choose not himself'
-had some company losing money issues with Sir Gervase although Sir Gervase was not badly affected as he was still very rich
-had a suspicious dangerous item, a bullet pencil
-emotion did not change when Poirot found his pencil, had the least idea that Poirot found it with
Miss Lingard who picked it up in the crime scene

4) Miss Lingard, assistant hired historical research work for Sir Gervase
-hired 2 months ago
-helped Sir Gervase with the book he was writting
-The only person who knew the coming of Poirot other than Sir Gervase
-(On her account): noticed that Sir Gervase was displeased & worried and mentioned about the dishonor of the family. He seemed to be in shock.
-relayed the message of postponing the dinner time to 15mins later.
-Suspiciously picked up a silver shiny object at the crime scene and claimed that it was Colonel Bury's bullet pencil
-one of the 4 in the hall
-only one in the drawing room when the shot was heard

5) Mr Burrows, secretary
-was alone in the library
-carry torch for Ruth

6) Mrs Gervase

Curious:
-judging from the angle, Sir Gervase must be leaning his body to the right, so that the bullet passing through his brain can fly up and hit the mirror
-everyone seemed to believe that Sir Gervase had shot himself

Leads:
-The strange paper bag for oranges in the drawing room
-Miss Cardwell was in her room near the gong, thought that she had heard the first gong and scrambled to change at 2nd gong.
-The study room's window can actually be locked from outside (with skills)
-The Flowerbed's footprints were smoothen even though Ruth went there to pick flowers. Only a few footprints of heel were left on the corner
-Death of Sir Gervase was before the arrival of Poirot, means that the murderer didn't want Sir Gervase's success in his investigation.
-Then what did Sir Gervase want Poirot to investigate?

Poirot Bk16: Murder in the Mews & other stories (2/4)


Hecule Poirot: The Incredible Theft

Mystery:
Lord Mayfield's piece of secret document was missing. It was stolen because his secretary, Carlile, had confirmed to have seen it when he placed them on the table. Carlile did not leave the room. Someone could have stolen it without Carlile's notice.

Victim:
Lord Mayfield, 1st class engineer, the owner of the aerospace engineering factory
-can also be known as the a likely candidate to be next Prime Minister
-had denied a rumor of him having friendship with Germany to be true
The rumor would have upset the electorate of Britain
-The theft of his new bomber plan may tarnish his reputation and cause him to fail in nomination

Primary Suspects who were in the house when the theft took place:
1) Mrs Vanderlyn, an attractive American Women
-Sir George, a politican friend of Lord Mayfield, high proposed that she was the thief
-coincidentally a theft occurred when she arrived
-being referred to a dangerous occupant who will harm Lord Mayfield's reputation
-was invited by Lord Mayfield to stay at his house

Upon time of Crime: claimed to have returned to her room after coming back to take her bag.
-after a game of bridge, she heard her maid, Leone, screaming as if she had seen ghost
2) Mr Carlile, Lord Mayfield's faithful secretary
-could have easily stolen the document as he had accessed to all document
-however, Mayfield vouched for his innocence
-claimed that he never left the room
If he had stolen it, he could have said that he left the room and someone else would have the chance to steal it.
If he wanted the document, he could have traced out the document

3) Reggie carrington, son of Sir George
-seemed nervy & edgy on the next day morning
-Lady Julie, his mother, went to his room last night and did not see him, so she suspected him of stealing the document
(On her account): Reggie's motive could be for money as Sir George had limited his allowance and was hard up for money.
-(On Mrs Macatta's account) : Reggie was infaturnated with Mrs Vanderlyn when Mrs Vanderlynn flattered Reggie his bridge skill, even though he made many mistakes. He could be paid by Mrs Vanderlynn to commit the theft

4) Lady Julia, wife of Sir George
-gambler who plays bridge day and night
-wants to pay her debt by bridge however she was down with luck lately
-stealing document motive : money; however she only seemed to be a gambler but not a thief.
-told Poirot next day that she will try to recover the stolen document within 12 hrs and pleased Poirot not to pursue the thief.

5) Mrs Macatta
-unlikely because she snored in sleep and the housekeeper heard her

6) Sir George, politician friend of Mayfield
-unlikely because he was with Lord Mayfield all the way

Curious:
-Lord Mayfield was shortsighted and yet he was rather positive about seeing a figure dashing through bushes, but not Sir George who had perfect eye sight. However no footprint was found in the area.
-Leone, Mrs Vandelynn's maid screamed with hands above the ears, although it was more normal to scream with hands clutching heart or covering mouth
Leads:
-Mrs Vanderlynn left her suitcase in the house and conducted a hasty search before she left.
-Mrs Vanderlynn relayed a letter which she forgotten to mail to Lord Mayfield just before she drove off
-Would other country's engineer pick up the alteration and modification of Lord Mayfield;s new bomber plan?
-Maid confessed about being kissed by a young man

Poirot Bk16: Murder in the Mews &other stories


Poirot: Murder in the Mews

Victim:
Mrs Allen:
-could have possibly shot herself at her left temple
-her watch was on her right hand suggesting that she was lefty
-pistol seemed to be held by her left hand in an awkward position for firing herself.
-time of death= 10:20pm
-discovered locked in the room when police came after her friend, Jane's call to police

Crime Scene:
-Windows, door locked
-cirgarette ashtray containing more than 9 Turkish stickbutts
-a cufflink was found in the room, which was broken from man's sleeve, belonged to Major Eustate

Suspects:
1) Major Eustate, 45 yr old man
-seen having arguement with Mrs Allen behind House door
-(on his own account) : he was doing investment with Mrs Allen and had withdrawn £200 for her.
- he was an old friend with Mrs Allen
- went to her house and had talked to her downstairs
- had no idea why his sleeve's cuff link ended in her room
- had known the deceased in India

2) Laverton West
-engaged to Mrs Allen 2-3months ago
-did not know Mrs Allen had a pistol

3) Jane Plenderleith, friend and a housemate of Allen
-arrived only at that morning and lighted up the fire in the chimney
-had perfect alibi, left the house on last friday
-suspected Major Eustate to be the murderer and suggested the Major Eustate was blackmailing Allen

Curious:
If Eustate was the murderer, would he possibly not notice his cufflink dropped on the floor when the murderer had the time to close all the windows and put the pistol in her hand?
-The pistol in Allen's hand must had been deliberately put.
Someone must have known the truth.

Leads:
-Jane went golfing, broke and discarded golf clubs
-Jane also discarded a box with an expensive dress in it
-(On Jane's testimony) : Allen was right handed
-the writing table layout, pentray on the left, suggested that Allen was left handed
-top sheet of the blotting paper missing
-Allen seemed to have posted a letter some day earlier. Allen must had written something which was not found in the dustbin. It could be destroyed.




Marple Bk10: A Caribbean Mystery


Marple: A Caribbean Mystery

Victim:
--> Major Palgrave was said to have died of high blood pressure
-However, no one knew of his condition and some even said that he didn't have it
-went around, told many stories to many people
-seemed to know of a murderer, a wife killer. His gossip and knowledge had placed him in danger.
-a photosnap of the murderer was missing from his wallet

-->Victoria, the nurse
- claimed that she had not seen any cases of high blood pressure in the island
- was stabbed
-(On Molly's account:) She pulled out the knife and couldn't remember if she had killed Victoria as she was in fit of insanity.
- There wasn't any apparent motive for Molly
-Victoria must have known something about the murderer.

--> Lucky
- was drowned in the middle of the night, instead of Molly who has disappeared for Tim Krekal's bed
- was wearing Molly's swimsuit out to the raft.

Suspects:
1) Gregory Dyson, who married the 2nd wife shortly after the death of the 1st.
-(On Mrs Dyson's account) : Gregory claimed to have humanly assisted suicide for the 1st wife
2) Molly Kendal
-had dellusion and hallucination
3) Tim Kendal
-was informed about Esther's inheritance
4) Mr Rafiel, rich old invalid man
-left a will
-Esther Walter, Mr Rafiel's assistant, to receive £50,000. In addition, she was suspected to have affair with Tim.
-Jackson, Mr Rafiel's assistant
->he suspected something wrong in Molly's cosmetic that could be the reason to dellusion
-> scooping around Mr Rafiel's stuff.
5) Dr Graham
-the only doctor around
-could give an unchecked testimony of death

Leads:
Senorade Caspearo noticed Major Palgrave's left glass eye to be cross eye.


Poirot Bk : Double Sin and other stories (8/8)

Marple: Sanctuary

victim:

A 45 year old dying man mentioned the word 'Sanctuary' while he was lying on the floor in the church. He could have also mentioned about Julian. He was shot. His possessions consisted of an old watch with initials 'W.S', a wallet and a return trip ticket. He was being identified as Sandbourne by Mr & Mrs Eccles as their brother.

Suspects:

1) Mr & Mrs Eccles
-tried to get the dead man's coat as it was sentimental to Mrs Eccles
-claimed that Sandbourne went out with a pistol and shot himself

Leads:
The dead man happened to be Walter St John
-charged with thieving of jewelery
-came back to get jewellery for his daughter, Jewel


Poirot Bk : Double Sin and other stories (7/8)


Hercule Poirot: The Last Seance

Seance-> a meeting whereby people want to come into contact with dead people and spirits.

Victim:
Simone, the practitioner of medium who grew tired performing seance
-a graceful women
-she had managed to bring back alive the dead boy of Madam Eve after performing the last seance
-was ill, shrunken to half of her size and was found dead later after a fall
-A thud of a body falling was heard
-suspected to be a homicide case

Suspects:
1) Raoul Daubreuil, a good looking young Frenchman and an engineer
-was once the husband of Madam Eve
-cried for Simone when she died

2) Elise, medium assistant
-was in due respect of Madam Eve and love
-believed that Madam Eve was a kind person who never cheat on anyone

3) Madam Eve,
- was once a wife of Raoul
- came late when the body was discovered
- spare no concern of the medium Simone who died bringing her son back to life

Poirot Bk : Double Sin and other stories (6/8)


Hercule Poirot: Double Sin


Mystery:
Mr Hardman's jewellery was stolen from his safe.
It was the emerald necklance which belonged to Catherineide Medici.

Suspects:
1) Mr Johnston, south African millionaire
-was the last to leave the room.

->The three people who returned to this room during afternoon
2) Countess Vera Rossakoff, charming Russian lady
-her intense gazing at Mr Hardman's cabinet, surprised Mr Hardman
3) Mr Bernard Parker, middleman
-fetched some miniatures to Mr Hardman to show to lady Runcorn
-tried to deny his gloves & cigarette case
4) Lady Runcorn
-devoted most of her time to charity committee
-had returned to fetch a handbag
-was believed to have kleptomaniac; cannot control the desire to steal

Double Clue:
-Parker's glove
-cigarette case with initials: 'P' & 'B'.
-both clues are pointing at BernardParker

Curious:

-countess would sell her own jewel & give Mr Hardman money to clear Mr Parker's name.

Leads:
Russian Alphabet: B is V & P is R.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Tom & Tupp Bk4: By Pricking of my thumb


Tommy and Tuppence: By the Pricking of my thumb

Murdered:
Andes, Tommy's Aunt--> Death was possibly by poison.
-died on the same night when Mrs Lanchester went missing from the Summerville home.
-left a note that she could be murdered, there was something sinister about the Summerville home & the Portrait and Mrs Lanchester was in danger.

Lily Water--> twin of Lucy; died as a young child. She was killed by the fire in the chimney. Her story was unspoken of after the incident.

Nancy--> wife of a pastor and secretary of Sir Philip
-suspected of carrying a torch for Sir Philip
-seemed to be trying to prevent Tommy and Tuppence from learning something
-killed by poison

Danger:
Mrs Lanchester was abducted, most probably being put into a car.
-suspected of having other name: Mrs Yoke
-suspected to be the wife of Sir Philip

Suspects:
1) Pastor--> eccentric man, could have murdered his wife, Nancy out of jealousy.
But the death of Nancy might not be as simple as this, it could be due to the story of Lily Water.
2) Chris--> a policeman who was in love with Lucy. He was seen loitering outside the house, where Nancy was found to be poisoned. He was missing on the day Mrs Lanchester went missing from the Summerville home. He could possibly have abducted her.
3) Sir Philip--> the manor.
-his car was found to have mud on the tires. Tuppence found a polo sweet in the car, which she recognised it to belong to Mrs Lanchester.

Leads:
The portrait which Andes left behind had a cottage named "waterlily". Tuppence went on the look for the cottage fitting to the detail painted on the portrait. Later, she learnt that someone had tamped the portrait by adding colours and details on the painting.

Marple Bk11: At Bertram Hotel


At Bertram Hotel

Victim:
Canon Pennyfather--> went missing from his room for 3 days. He missed the plane on 18th and the Lucerne Conference about the Dead Sea Scroll on 19th. He was believed to be knocked out along the way back to the hotel. Due to the injury, he resided at Mrs McGrave's house. The nurse who attended him found no injury. Canon became absent minded, having lost 3 days of memory. He was found at a foreign place.

Elvira, daughter of Bess Sedgwick--> claimed to have a few narrow escape from death.
-Always felt that there were pursuers.
-eccentrically curious about her inheritance and her possible beneficiary
-was with a guy.

Michael Gorman Irish Commissionaire, doorman-->
-(On Elvira's account) He was shot while saving Elvira, and someone shot from the fog twice.
- Ladislaus Malinowski's pistol was found

Mystery:
The disappearance of Canon->
-Canon was seen boarding at Bedhampton Irish Nail at 5.30am.
-seen leaving his room and went down the stairs at 3am.
-The ride from Bertram to Bedhampton was 2 hr 30min. It was only possible with a racing car.
The unknown ownership of Bertram Hotel->
Mr Haffman tried to deny owning Bertram Hotel

Miss Bridget, friend of Elvira--> (On her account) Elvira seems to know Ladislaus Malinowsk as Elvira had kept a photograph of him secretly.

Suspects:
1) Malinowsk--> close with Bess
-had love affair with Elvira, and was going to marry her
-His car, Fan2266 was seen near crime scene
-may had been blackmailed by Michael
2) Bess--> had unusual relationship with Malinowsk
-was married to Michael
-her marriage with Michael may not be legal
3) Elvira--> the apparent person who knows the what is going on.
-her mother helped to deny her relationship with Malinowsk
-having waited just a shade too long to deny her relationship with Malinowsk

Curious:
Customs allow rich people to go through easily

Leads:
A judge, archdeacon, admiral, general all have been seen crime scene.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

8) Why didn't they ask Evans?



Mystery:

Bobby discovered a dying man at the bottom of the cliff. The last words of him were: "Why didn't they ask Evans?" How insignificant it was when Bobby thought initially. However, his knowledge of this put himself in danger. In addition, he realised that the photograph of a lady in the dead man pocket had being swapped. Thankfully, he met Lady Frances Derwent; Frankie who accompanied him in the adventure of the investigation of the dying man. They were led into intriguing story of the will of Jack Savage.

Victim:
Mr Alex Pritchard-->The man at the bottom of cliff was initially being identified as Mr Alex Pritchard. The lady in the photograph in the deceased's pocket and a man called Richard Trent Pritchard , identified the body.

Alan Castair--> The true identity of the man at the cliff was Alan Castair. He was friend of Jack Savage, whom was suspicious of Jack's will, leaving all the fortune to an orphanage in china. Jack was ruthless and heartless, he couldn't have done that. He came over to Castle Savage to investigate on the will and death of Jack, had
Jack's children, Tommy to hid the will. He was found missing.

Jack Savage--> A millionaire bussinessman, who was ruthless and heartless, died on weak heart. His daughter won't believe that, because he had no heart. He had affair with a pretty lady called Mrs Templetons. Under her influence, he began to believe that he had cancer, and would prefer a short and painless death to a long and painful death. He had solictors to do the will to leave fortune to Mrs Templetons and charity. He then consumed large dose of choral to end his life.

Henry Bassington ffrench--> shot on the temple and the revolver was in his hand. A suicide note was left behind. The suicide note consisted of his remorse of living on drugs. Window was closed, the door was locked and the key was in his pocket. A very convincing suicide case...

Suspects:
1) Roger Bassington ffrench--> He was with Bobby when they discovered the Alan Castair on the cliff. He could have seen Bobby seeing a photograph from Alan's pocket, and took the opportunity to swap the photo. He had the charm that attracted Frankie.

2) Dr Nicholson--> A psychiatrist who have tranquil drugs for his patients. When he prescribed medicine for Frankie, he gave her an uneasy and threatened feeling. He was missing on the day Bobby was poisoned.
3) Mrs Moria Nicholson--> rather attractive young lady. Had been seen meeting Roger and hence was suspected of having adultery with him. She was more suspected of being the next victim than being the murderer, afterall her innocent beauty simply won her many concern about living under the same roof as the dangerous looking husband, Mr Nicholson.

4) Sylvia Bassington ffrench--> wife of late Jack Savage. She has been on drugs to calm herself down from some haunting memories from the past.

Leads:
-> The solictor, Mr Elford and the witness, Mrs Pratt were present when Jack Savage was giving his new will. Jack Savage was very ill compared to the previous day.
-> The Jack Savage stayed at Mrs Templetons' house instead.
-> The cook, Mrs Pratt was called by the Mistress, Mrs Templeton, to witness the will, but not the house-parlourmaid, Gladys.
-> Gladys later changed name into Evans