Tournament - Adrian Monk vs. Lt. Columbo

[Culwych1]

An Intriguing Killing at Arcadia

A CBUB murder mystery that you can solve.

------

The Setting

You are Remy Beaumont, a reporter for the Sentinel Chronicle. Your latest scoop has brought you to the opulent countryside nestled on the outskirts of San Francisco. You have been drawn here by the sudden death of billionaire Edward Morley, a fact yet to be announced to the public.  

Known for his pioneering contributions to the tech world and his ruthless business acumen, Morley was found that very morning at his mansion, Arcadia Manor, seated lifelessly at his desk in the library.

As you step out of the nondescript police cruiser, the imposing facade of Arcadia Manor looms ahead. You note that under the dark skies above, the manor seems to appear slightly faded. Perhaps it is the absence of the normal buzz of activity that makes it seems almost lifeless.

Accompanying you are two of the world’s greatest detectives; Detective Adrian Monk and Lieutenant Columbo. Given the high profile of the case, there was no expense spared in order to track down the killer.

Monk, with his meticulous stride, seems to mentally catalogue every speck of dust you pass on the gravel driveway. He gives you a sideways glance and then his infamous aversion to germs makes him pull out a handkerchief at the mere sight of the ancient doorknob.

Beside him, Columbo shuffles along, his eyes squinting, perhaps pondering the enigma of Arcadia Manor even before crossing its threshold. His rumpled coat and dishevelled appearance belie the sharp mind that has cracked cases that had stumped many. He gives you a smile that makes you want to trust him immediately.

The key reason for sending these two top crime solvers is that there is simply so much that remains unknown about the case. For example;

·         Although his body was found there, it is not clear if Edward Morley was killed in the Library. It could well have been the grand Entry Hall, or the Main Living Room. All other rooms are accounted for as either locked, or having cameras pointing at them.  

·         The actual weapon used also remains unknown. Morley had suffered a wound to the head, but that could have been caused by a number of items. Suspicions currently point to a Large Candle found in the Library, an 1890 Chateau Bottle of Le Vin de Giggles that was lying on its side, or a small but heavy golden statue from the last Innovatech Awards that Morley had won.

·         Those three items had been cleaned, but each still held a set of fingerprints. As yet they had not been identified, but forensics had confirmed that each were differernt, meaning that only one person had held each item in the night.

 

------

The Suspects

As you enter the manor, you are greeted by three individuals, each accompanied by a police officer. These three were the only people in the manor at the time of the murder, although none knows where the others were at the time of the murder – and of course, all claim to be innocent.

1. Helena Morley - The beautiful and elegantly poised widow of Edward Morley, barely out of her 20’s. Her presence commands attention, as does her huge bosom that strains at the black velvet gown that contrasts sharply against her porcelain skin. Her steely blue eyes scanning the room with an unreadable expression. Despite her calm exterior, there's a slight tremor in her voice as she introduces herself, hinting at underlying distress or perhaps, something more concealed.
2. Julian Clarke - The charismatic business partner and long-time friend of the Morley. Julian's sharp features are softened by his charismatic smile and the friendly smile he gives you, Columbo and Monk. His tailored suit is absolutely impeccable, his hair slicked back perfectly. However, his dark eyes, quick and darting, often flick to the study where Edward was found, betraying his outward confidence. There's a palpable tension in his demeanour, and his handsome face houses eyes lined with darkness from lack of sleep.
3. Dr. Lucas Strauss - The brilliant but reclusive chief scientist of Morley Technologies. Clad in a simple, functional tweed blazer he seems so much less refined than the other two. His light brown hair is long, almost straggly, and his thick glasses sit uncomfortably on the bridge of his nose. He seems deep in thought, almost as if something far more important than the death of his boss and former friend. You can tell just by looking at him that this is an intelligent man.

-------

Clues

And now you witness first hand the genius of the two detectives at play. Columbo and Monk immediately start wondering around the various rooms of the manor, inspecting various objects and locations, as well as speaking to the three suspects.

You furiously scribble notes in your trusted notepad as you follow each in turn, picking up key pieces of information as you watch in amazement.

Monk speaks to Julian Clarke first, his approach calm and calculating even as he fails to make eye contact and keeps looking around the room. He then indicates down to Julian’s shoes, pointing to a small bit of candle wax.

Julian laughs it off, and Monk walks away. You follow him and see him glance at a bit of the floor in the Great Hall. He walks over and inspects it more closely and you can see the distinctive stain of a particularly fine wine.

You leave Monk’s side and walk over to where Columbo is speaking to Lucas Strauss. His charm and calm demeanour have caught the scientist off guard, and you arrive just in time to hear him admitting to holding the Innovatech Award for most of the night – never letting it out of his sight! In fact, nobody, apart from Morley (who never bothered with the award) and him would ever touch the Award, and it would never leave the Library.  

Suddenly there is a shout as one of the police officers with you moves the heavy sofa in the Living Room and uncovers an unmistakable blood stain. Edward Morley was obviously murdered here!

Before long, you could see both detectives’ eyes light up as they reach their conclusions. Rushing over, you quickly tell them both that you also have determined who the killer is! Not only who it is, but also what the weapon used must have been.

You ask them if they’d each whisper their answer to you, so you can confirm your own suspicions – which they graciously do.

And you were right! One of the two detectives has reached the same logical conclusion as you whereas the other is wrong!

Clutching your notes, you turn to Monk and Columbo with a huge grin across your face.

You show them your notes, exclaiming excitedly that you agree with….

-------

Summary

So, who cracked the case correctly and is the superior detective, Monk or Columbo? Vote on who think is the best.

And to add to this, I have left all the clues (summary below) for you to determine who the killer is, and which weapon was used as well! More below (and obviously the killer will be revealed after the vote).

[Callisto]

Learn More About
Adrian Monk
Read more about Adrian Monk at Wikipedia
Official Site: USA Network Links: http://en.wikipedia.org http://www.thrillingdetective. http://www.usanetwork.com/seri

Lt. Columbo
Read more about Lt. Columbo at Wikipedia
Official Site: NBC Links: Wikipedia Ultimate Columbo Museum of Broadcast

[Culwych1]

This is a murder mystery that you can solve. This is broadly based on a “Murdle”, which is a kind of murder-mystery logic puzzle. You can find out more here: https://murdle.com/?mode=tutorial if you did want a go.

Here is a summary of the clues:

• There was an individual set of fingerprints on each weapon, meaning only one suspect must have handled each suspected murder weapon.
• Monk noted a small bit of candle wax on Julian Clarke’s shoe
• He also noticed a wine stain on the floor of the Great Hall
• Columbo, after speaking to Lucas Strauss for a while, noted that the man could not stop staring at the Innovatech Award – and managed to get him to admit that it had been by his side the entire evening.
• Lucas Strauss also confirmed to Columbo that the Award never left the Library.
• When moving some furniture, it is soon discovered that there is a large spot of blood under the ornate sofa in the Living Room – this must be where Edward Morley was killed!
• So whoever had been in the Living Room must have been the killer!

Here is a Murdle style grid for this story if you did want a go. Good luck!

[leroypowell3]

Why is everybody doing all this super creative stuff! I'm going to the bathroom to cry!

I ain't no Columbo so I'm going to really have to go over the evidence to even guess the killer. Match will probably be over before I can state it but know that I'm looking forward to the reveal.

 

I

[Twogunkid]

This, this is why I feared your reentry.

As to my favorite fictional TV Detective, there usually is a lie or two in the initial information Columbo gets, but I'll take a stab at solving the puzzle.

If, as Dr. Strauss indicated the award never left the library and he stood there pining over it all night, he's ruled out. The murder must have taken place in the living room. Then we have to consider motive for a murder, motive is very important in a case like this, because if you don't have a motive what do you have?

Perhaps jealousy? But Dr. Strauss didn't leave the library. That leaves the grieving widow and the business partner. Money can cause a lot of stress, but Ms. Morley had access to all of that money. We have evidence that the wine was in the great hall and that rules out it as the murder weapon. Which leaves... the candlestick.

Mr. Clark, I know that you're terribly shook up from all this, but could you perhaps tell us where you were last night?

 

My guess is Mr. Clark in the Living Room with the Candlestick and my vote for Columbo.

[Culwych1]

10 hours ago, Twogunkid said:

My guess is Mr. Clark in the Living Room with the Candlestick and my vote for Columbo.

A very detailed and astute analysis... but are you good enough to keep up with Columbo or Monk? All will be revealed at the end of the match! 

[JohnnyChany]

Simply fantastic work, Culwych. Top marks all around!

[Pizza Guy]

I guess Helena Morley in the Living Room w/ a Wine Bottle. Based solely on the fact that half of all murders are done by the last person the victim fucked, the fact that she’s a clear femme fatale only furthers my belief. Also what better weapon for a femme fatale then a wine bottle?

Also voting for Monk because I watched Monk religiously and think he’s the superior detective.

[DSkillz]

Another great entry, Culwych! This is almost like that Clue board game. Could Murdle be based on Clue? 

As for the match, I'll have to think on it. I'm familiar with both Monk and Columbo, so I know they're both up to the task of solving this murder. 

Also, has the murderer already been determined, or is the final vote going to help decide who it is? 

[Culwych1]

23 hours ago, DSkillz said:

Another great entry, Culwych! This is almost like that Clue board game. Could Murdle be based on Clue? 

As for the match, I'll have to think on it. I'm familiar with both Monk and Columbo, so I know they're both up to the task of solving this murder. 

Also, has the murderer already been determined, or is the final vote going to help decide who it is? 

Murdle does take a lot from Cluedo - who did it, where and with what. 

The murderer has been determined and the clues can give you who it is. The vote just decides who the superior detective is - which like you I thought was a tough one!

[Callisto]

Match Final Results

Member Ratings:
4.00 - patrickthekid
5.00 - JohnnyChany
4.90 - Boratz
4.90 - DSkillz
5.00 - Twogunkid
5.00 - leroypowell3
4.00 - C.T.

FPA Calculation:
7 Total Votes cast
32.80 Total Combined Score
32.80 / 7 = 4.69 Final Rating on the match

MATCH SCORE
Adrian Monk: 1
Lt. Columbo: 4

[DSkillz]

Aw, voting wrapped before I could decide on whodunit.  I'm still kind of stumped on that, especially since no info was given on Helena other than her looks and current demeanor. 

But yeah, I voted for Columbo to be right on this one. Monk could occasionally be at least initially thrown off the true suspect's trail, but IIRC, Columbo never failed to be on the culprit's trail the entire time. 

[Culwych1]

You glance at your notes as the detectives look at you expectantly. You start talking through them, almost embarrassed to have such great minds hooked on your words.

“I ruled out Dr. Strauss first. Hearing Lieutenant Columbo speak with him, it became obvious that was all about the Innovatech Award, which never left the library. That ruled out the library, the award, and of course Dr Strauss.

Then, perhaps the most important clue that Mr Monk noticed was the wax on Mr Clarke’s shoes. That meant he couldn’t have touched the bottle of wine, which we know was in the Great Hall because of the wine stain.

That means that, given the wine was in the Great Hall and that it had a unique set of fingerprints on it – that must also rule out Mrs Morely as that must be her fingerprints.

And therefore, the killer must be Mr Clarke, given the murder of Edward Morely occurred in the Living Room. And the weapon must have been the Candle Stick as both the other weapons were accounted for!”

You realise you have been speaking non-stop, draw a deep breath and look at the two detectives.

Columbo gives you a beaming grin and Monk touches the fingers of his left hand with his right as if counting – then he gives you a smile as well and says,

“You are right, of course you are. All the clues were there, I can’t believe I missed it.”

Columbo looks at him with admiration.

“I just had a few more pieces of the puzzle Mr Monk, we could not have done this without you noticing that candle wax.”

Monk nods at him and you, and you suddenly realise with a shock that these men are considering you as an equal!

This may be the start of something great, as you realise that this is where you passion and future may sit. You start honing your detective skills and aim to make a real difference to the world. No crime will go unpunished, no criminal will be safe.  

You will be a detective and put your amazing deductive talents to great use.

Epilogue

A few years have gone by, and you have made a name for yourself as a real crime-solver. You regularly meet with talented detectives and solve crimes all around the globe, but you have not lost your talent nor passion for writing. You have documented all your cases, and your stories have become best-sellers.  

Soon though, you realise that there is a pattern to some of the cases you solve. Someone out there is pulling strings to many of the crimes; someone in the shadows, a mastermind sitting at the centre of a web of activities that so far elude you.

All that you have so far is some initials. And so, you sit at your keyboard and finally write the story of your very first case – the killing of Edward Morely.

You want this opponent to know are ready for battle, that you see them as an equal and are prepared for the competition that lies ahead.

I dedicate this story to you my worth opponent. In this tournament we shall match wits and talents, and only shall remain standing at the end. Find your name in the title of my story, and good luck with whatever comes next!

 

 

----------------------------

PS –congrats to @Twogunkid,  a spot on analysis!

Here is the solves Murdle as well.

[Pizza Guy]

7 hours ago, Culwych1 said:

You glance at your notes as the detectives look at you expectantly. You start talking through them, almost embarrassed to have such great minds hooked on your words.

“I ruled out Dr. Strauss first. Hearing Lieutenant Columbo speak with him, it became obvious that was all about the Innovatech Award, which never left the library. That ruled out the library, the award, and of course Dr Strauss.

Then, perhaps the most important clue that Mr Monk noticed was the wax on Mr Clarke’s shoes. That meant he couldn’t have touched the bottle of wine, which we know was in the Great Hall because of the wine stain.

That means that, given the wine was in the Great Hall and that it had a unique set of fingerprints on it – that must also rule out Mrs Morely as that must be her fingerprints.

And therefore, the killer must be Mr Clarke, given the murder of Edward Morely occurred in the Living Room. And the weapon must have been the Candle Stick as both the other weapons were accounted for!”

You realise you have been speaking non-stop, draw a deep breath and look at the two detectives.

Columbo gives you a beaming grin and Monk touches the fingers of his left hand with his right as if counting – then he gives you a smile as well and says,

“You are right, of course you are. All the clues were there, I can’t believe I missed it.”

Columbo looks at him with admiration.

“I just had a few more pieces of the puzzle Mr Monk, we could not have done this without you noticing that candle wax.”

Monk nods at him and you, and you suddenly realise with a shock that these men are considering you as an equal!

This may be the start of something great, as you realise that this is where you passion and future may sit. You start honing your detective skills and aim to make a real difference to the world. No crime will go unpunished, no criminal will be safe.  

You will be a detective and put your amazing deductive talents to great use.

Epilogue

A few years have gone by, and you have made a name for yourself as a real crime-solver. You regularly meet with talented detectives and solve crimes all around the globe, but you have not lost your talent nor passion for writing. You have documented all your cases, and your stories have become best-sellers.  

Soon though, you realise that there is a pattern to some of the cases you solve. Someone out there is pulling strings to many of the crimes; someone in the shadows, a mastermind sitting at the centre of a web of activities that so far elude you.

All that you have so far is some initials. And so, you sit at your keyboard and finally write the story of your very first case – the killing of Edward Morely.

You want this opponent to know are ready for battle, that you see them as an equal and are prepared for the competition that lies ahead.

I dedicate this story to you my worth opponent. In this tournament we shall match wits and talents, and only shall remain standing at the end. Find your name in the title of my story, and good luck with whatever comes next!

 

 

----------------------------

PS –congrats to @Twogunkid,  a spot on analysis!

Here is the solves Murdle as well.

Dang. I was so sure it was Helena.