The Boscombe Valley Mystery - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story

“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.”
― Arthur Conan Doyle

One of the more enjoyable of Doyle's tales so far. The conclusion is not as obvious as you would expect with Holmes is conducting, in effect, a modern forensic investigation. The story involves Inspector Lestrade asking for Holmes's help. After the murder of Charles McCarthy his son, James, becomes a suspect. McCarthy, and another local landowner, John Turner, are both Australian expatriates. Turner's daughter, Alice, believes James is innocent. Holmes interviews James, and then inspects the scene of the murder. He deduces a third man was present. Realising Holmes has solved the case, Turner confesses to the crime. He reveals that McCarthy was blackmailing him due to Turner's criminal past. Holmes does not reveal the crime. Rather he secures James's release because of the presence of a third person at the crime scene.

A little slow-moving but worth reading over a cuppa and a Jaffa Cake or two.