During the launch party at Greywood Manor, the only copy of crime writer Edmund Grey's final novel was stolen from his study. Several guests are lying – but not all of them about the theft. Find all 6 clues, compare the statements and the evidence, and work out who did it.
Clue 1 of 6
Miriam Grey Edmund's wife
”I had a migraine and went up to my room at half past nine. I didn't come down until I heard Edmund shouting at ten. That manuscript was his whole life.”
Evidence #1 · SCENE REPORT
Scene report – Edmund's study
Discovered
22:00, by Edmund
Missing
Manuscript of ‘The Final Chapter’ – only copy
Mantel clock
Knocked over, stopped at 21:15
Clock hands
Bent – as if pushed by a finger
Nell, housekeeper
Clock was running when she brought tea at 21:35
Somebody wanted us to think ‘quarter past nine’.
Clue 2 of 6
Hugo Pratt Literary agent
”Miriam wasn't in her room. From half past nine she was with me in the library. Together. Please – Edmund mustn't find out. We didn't touch his book.”
Evidence #2 · LAUNCH PROGRAMME
Greywood Manor
BOOK LAUNCH
21:00
Welcome – Hugo Pratt
21:15
Speech – Julia Fenwick, editor
21:20
Drinks in the hall
21:30
Book signing – Martin Cole
21:45
Reading by Edmund (cancelled)
Julia's speech: 21:15–21:20 exactly. She checked her watch twice. – Nell
Clue 3 of 6
Nell Davies Housekeeper
”Master Max told everyone he was outside smoking. He wasn't. I caught him in the wine cellar from half past nine to ten, filling a bag with the good Bordeaux.”
Evidence #3 · EDMUND'S DIARY
EDMUND'S DIARY – SATURDAY
M. wants the new contract signed tonight. Never.
The royalty statements don't add up – £300,000 gone.
The final chapter tells everything about M.
Publish and be damned.
– E.G.
Clue 4 of 6
Max Turner Miriam's son
”I was on the terrace smoking from half nine to ten. Alone. Why does everyone keep asking? I don't even read Edmund's books.”
Evidence #4 · WINE CELLAR
Wine cellar inventory · checked by Nell 22:05
Wine
Expected
Counted
Bordeaux 1982
24
18
Rioja 2001
12
12
Champagne
30
30
Six bottles of Bordeaux found in a sports bag in Max's car.
Clue 5 of 6
Martin Cole Rival crime writer
”Edmund gave everyone nicknames – he called his editor ‘M’, like the spy boss in the films. My name starts with M too, so of course you suspect me. I was signing books all night.”
Evidence #5 · SIGNING SHEET
Book signing – queue sheet
Time
Signed for
21:32
A. Wright
21:41
P. Okoye
21:50
L. Brandt
21:58
S. Mills
22:07
R. Costa
Signing table in the hall – in full view the whole time.
Clue 6 of 6
Julia Fenwick Edmund's editor
”After my speech I was in the garden on the phone to New York until ten. And the clock says the theft happened at quarter past nine – I was on stage then! Ask anyone.”
Evidence #6 · JULIA'S PHONE
Julia's phone · call log, Saturday
Time
Call
Length
21:22
Outgoing – New York office
9 min
22:20
Incoming – Hugo Pratt
1 min
No other calls, messages or data use between 21:31 and 22:20.