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Stuck on a clue? Your investigation isn't over.
Everything needed to solve the mystery is already in your book. This page offers optional guidance if you're confused by a rule or your checkpoint count doesn't match.
Work through all 18 clues in order, applying each clue only to suspects who survived earlier clues.
Always use the original printed reference records, even when they've already been eliminated.
FIRST means the lowest-numbered original ID on a register page. LAST means the highest-numbered original ID, including on the shorter final page.
NEXT ID and PREVIOUS ID refer to consecutive original ID numbers, not the next surviving suspect.
NEXT register page means the next numbered register page, whether or not it contains surviving suspects.
The vowels in this puzzle are A, E, I, O and U. Y is not considered a vowel.
Stop before eliminating anyone else.
Recount your remaining suspects.
Return to the last checkpoint that matched.
Reapply the clues after that checkpoint, in order.
Check whether you used the correct original ID or register-page reference.
Restore any suspects eliminated by mistake.
Remember: A checkpoint tells you how many suspects should remain, not which suspects they are.
Clues 01–06 — Names and vowels
Pay attention to whether each clue refers to a first name or surname.
When a clue asks for different vowels, repeated copies of the same vowel count as just one type.
Clues 07–10 — Careful checks
Some clues eliminate relatively few suspects. This is expected.
In Clue 07, repeated vowel occurrences count. In Clue 09, a shared letter may appear anywhere in either name.
Clues 11–12 — FIRST and LAST
Use the first or last original printed record on the relevant register page.
Do not substitute the first or last suspect still surviving.
Clue 13 — The NEXT Register Page
This clue requires particular care.
Start with a register page that still contains surviving suspects.
Look at the FIRST original record on the next numbered register page.
Check whether that record's first name contains A or E.
If it does, eliminate the remaining suspects on the page you started from.
If it doesn't, keep the remaining suspects on your starting page.
After Clue 13, your checkpoint should show 11 suspects remaining.
Clues 14–16 — Neighbouring IDs
NEXT ID means the following consecutive ID number.
PREVIOUS ID means the preceding consecutive ID number.
Always examine the original printed record, even if that record has already been eliminated.
Clue 17 — Comparing Name Lengths
The surviving suspect's first name must have no more letters than the NEXT original ID's first name.
Equal-length names are allowed.
Clue 18 — The Final Check
Examine the surname of each remaining suspect's PREVIOUS original ID.
Count the letters in that reference surname, even if the record was previously eliminated.
Write your final accusation on page 143.
The paperback includes a protected solution at the back, preceded by a prominent STOP warning.
You do not need internet access or an email subscription to check the answer.
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Pip Finlay is published by Beyond Why Press.