Friday 15 April 2016

Murder Most Foul! - M is for Mistress - Cozy Mystery #AtoZChallenge 2016


Welcome to my contribution to the A to Z Challenge. My theme this year is Murder Most Foul, which, for you, my blog visitors, means that you will be sharing in The Case of the Cursed House, or rather the bare bones of it. 

Everyday, I will be revealing more about my developing Cozy Mystery: descriptions of scenes; character details; locations; clues to the mystery. And, at the end of each post, you will have the chance to vote on whodunnit. So, without further ado, on with the case...

Previous parts:


Story Notes Additional Details

On her way back from interviewing Bethany, Aisha goes into the Ewe and Lamb and finds Debbie Fincher there alone,

On site interview with Debbie Fincher:
Dave not here this morning?
  DF: He's off buying some rat bait for the cellar.
Do you have a lot of problem with rats?
  DF: Can't seem to get rid of 'em. It's the orchard behind us. Gets worse in the Autumn with all the fallen apples.
And you always use modern rat traps?
  DF: Dave deals with all that - I hate the things. Anyway, what can I do for you this morning?
Were you having a relationship with Bill Whethers?
  :: DF huffs::
  No.
  :: Aisha waits.::
  Look, it was just a stupid, drunken one-night stand. I had a fight with Dave one night just as we were closing and he took the car keys and walked out.  Bill was there in the bar. We got drunker together and nature just took its course.
Did Dave know?
  DF: Yes, but what is all this, I thought Bill fell down the stairs.
This is now a murder enquiry.
  DF: Look, Dave didn't like Bill, but he'd never go into that house anyway, let alone do something so stupid. Yes, alright, he enjoyed barring the bastard the other night, but he did that once a month at least. It wouldn't have lasted, it never did, Bill was too good a customer.
  Bill followed his libido round this village. I wasn't the only one, y'know, there were even suggestions he was banging the vicar!
::Aisha looks dubious about that.::
  DF: Yeah, I know, that one is a bit out there, but he has always had an eye for Lady Emma. Have you asked Michael about that?
Was Bill in here every night?
  DF: most nights at some point.
And he smoked where he wasn't supposed to?
  DF: Yes, he used to sit at the bar puffing on that contraption.
Did you ever see him refill it?
  DF: All the time, he pretty much chain-smoked the thing. He had a smoking pouch he used to carry around with him with selections of those little bottles in it.
Did he ever leave the pouch lying around?
  DF: Not often, mostly he kept it in his pocket, but I 'spose he did leave it lying on the bar a few times.


DCI Mags Barnwell
Age: 44
Gender: female
Ethnicity Code: W1
Job: Detective Chief Inspector Kent Constabulary Serious Crime Office

William (Bill) Whethers
Age: 36
Gender: male
Ethnicity Code: W1
Job: horror author
Other info: he opposes a new housing development providing affordable housing to local people. As well as an environmental survey, was also using the private access road to Court Farm, which he part owned, as leverage in the issue of the affordable house. he's a drunk. Suspected of taking part in black masses by Alice Rigden and half the village.
He had a smoking pouch that he carried around with his refills and e-cigarette in it. He sometimes left it lying around, but mostly he kept it in his pocket.
Death: broken neck from falling down stairs, but was being poisoned by his e-cigarette with arsenic, and it was convulsions that caused him to fall down the stairs. He was dying of lung cancer.

Debbie Fincher
Age: 41
Gender: female
Ethnicity Code: W1
Job: publican of the Ewe and Lamb
Other info: married to Dave Fincher.
Had a one-night stand with Bill Whethers. She does not think her husband has it in him to kill.

Dave Fincher
Age: 43
Gender: male
Ethnicity Code: W1
Job: publican of the Ewe and Lamb
Other info: married to Debbie Fincher. Knew about Debbie's one-night stand with Bill Whethers. Enjoyed barring Bill from the pub, but that bar never lasted.

Lady Emma, Countess of Oxen
Age: 43
Gender: female
Ethnicity Code: W1
Job: Lady of the Manor
Other info: married to Lord Michael; plays tennis with Bill Whethers. Village rumours says that Bill Whethers had eyes for her.


And now it's time to vote again - just take a punt - who do you think killed Bill Whethers (and yes, every character is listed - you never know ;P)?


Who dunnit?

Aisha Kakkar
Debbie Fincher
Dave Fincher
Jonathan Lee
Janice Walker
Lorri Walker
Hal Walker
Fred Walker
Alice Rigden
DS Kevin Williams
DCI Mags Barnwell
Lord Michael, Earl of Oxen
Lady Emma, Countess of Oxen
Dr Elves
Rev Sally Tawks
Bethany Mortby
Lady Elizabeth Ryeman
Vic Walker
None of the above, we haven't met them yet
Don't be silly, I don't know enough yet!
Poll Maker

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8 comments:

  1. Okay, I've changed my mind again. The vicar, good one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) - I'm glad it's not boring!

      And sorry I haven't responded, or visited your blogs in a few days, I've been sick and haven't been able to use the computer, so I have an awful lot to catch up on!

      Delete
    2. Get well soon, no problem. And no, your story is not boring! :)

      Delete
  2. Ooh that opens up the suspect list quite a bit with access question answered too!

    Mars xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Means, motive and opportunity, the important triangle, but yeah, now almost anyone could have had the opportunity ;P

      Delete
  3. I still think the butler did it ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm starting to lean towrds Lord Michael

    @JazzFeathers
    The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz

    ReplyDelete

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