The Carlsbrook Mystery: Unraveling a Seaside Murder
Chapter 1: The Mysterious Woman on the Beach
1) Sergeant Harvey’s Dismissal and Linda’s Response
After hanging up the phone, Sergeant Harvey told Linda that the officer sent to the beach found nothing, suggesting she might have imagined it. He treated her dismissively, like a child, which angered Linda.
2) Linda’s Discovery and Actions
Linda saw a woman with red, curly hair lying face down in the water, her clothes wet. She touched the woman, but she didn’t move.
3) Linda’s Flight from the Beach
Linda ran to get help. The beach was deserted, and she didn’t have her mobile phone to call the police.
4) The Policeman’s Reasons for Disbelief
The policeman didn’t believe Linda because the officer found nothing at the scene, and there were no reports of a missing person.
Chapter 2: Mark’s Involvement and a Search for Clues
1) Linda’s Responsibility for the Bicycle Accident
Lost in thought, Linda walked into the road without looking, causing a boy on a bike to crash into her.
2) Linda’s Hesitation to Tell Mark
Linda was unsure if Mark would believe her story about the body on the beach, fearing he might think she was crazy, like the policeman.
3) Mark’s Reaction and Thoughts
Mark was incredulous but intrigued. He found the story exciting, especially for their quiet village.
4) Mark’s Evening Suggestion
Mark suggested they meet at the teahouse at 6 o’clock, then go to the beach to search for clues where Linda found the body.
Chapter 3: The Clifftop Encounter and a Shocking Discovery
1) Footprints and a Surprise
On the beach, Linda and Mark found her small footprints alongside three sets of larger ones, surprising Linda.
2) The Black Rubbish Bag and the Mysterious Figure
As they looked up at the cliff, a black rubbish bag was suddenly thrown into the sea. They saw a man moving along the cliff top.
3) The Hidden Vantage Point
Reaching the cliff top, Linda realized their previous position on the beach was completely hidden from view, meaning whoever threw the bag couldn’t have known they were watching.
Chapter 4: Uncovering Secrets and Planning a Visit
1) The Contents of the Rubbish Bags
The first bag contained the body of a small dog. The second held papers with the same signature repeated numerous times, along with books, metal pieces, horseshoes, and stones.
2) Linda’s Suggestion for Accessing the Mansion
Linda proposed pretending to be researching historical houses to gain permission to visit the mansion.
3) Mark’s Easy Arrangement
Mark could easily arrange a visit because Mrs. Landsman, the mansion’s owner, also owned his father’s house.
4) Linda’s Desire to Look Good
Linda wanted to look good because she was interested in Mark and wanted him to like her.
Chapter 5: The Enigmatic Mrs. Landsman and Her Sister
1) Description of Mrs. Landsman’s Sister
Mrs. Landsman’s sister had dyed blonde hair and, despite being over fifty, wore tight jeans, a blue designer T-shirt, and a short leather jacket.
2) The Identity of the Woman in the Photos
Linda learned the older woman in the black-and-white photos was Julia’s older sister, Florence, who had married a wealthy banker and always lived in Carlsbrook Mansion.
3) Julia’s Lack of Acting Success
It was clear Julia wasn’t a successful actress, having done only minor TV work and a few adverts, with no film roles in ten years.
4) The Impossibility of Meeting Julia’s Sister
Since her husband’s death, Florence had become reclusive, rarely leaving her room or seeing people.
Chapter 6: Strange Occurrences and a Mysterious Man
1) The Maid’s Unusual Behavior
- She brought three cups of different sizes.
- She left a packet of biscuits on top of the cups.
- She opened the biscuits but didn’t provide a plate.
2) The Disappearance of the Rubbish Bags
The black rubbish bags were gone, but the ground was flattened as if something heavy had been dragged across it.
3) The Handsome Man in the Stables
The man in the stables was dressed in fashionable clothes, more suitable for an office, and wore dark sunglasses.
4) Discoveries at the Mansion
Linda and Mark discovered a mysterious sister, an inexperienced maid, a strangely dressed gardener, and secret stables.
Chapter 7: A Trip to London and a Shocking Resemblance
1) Linda’s Return to London
Linda went back to London with her parents for her father’s book launch.
2) Mark’s Dad’s Appointment and Potential Opportunity
Mark’s dad had an appointment at the mansion to prepare legal documents for Mrs. Landsman, providing Linda and Mark a chance to potentially find evidence.
3) The Clean and Tidy House
Upon entering the house, Linda and Mark noticed a clean smell and extreme tidiness.
4) Mrs. Landsman’s Appearance
Mrs. Landsman wore a white, fluffy sweater, a long black skirt, and dark glasses. Her red, curly hair was identical to the dead woman Linda found on the beach.
Chapter 8: Legal Documents and Suspicious Behavior
1) The Implications of the Signed Papers
Once signed, the papers would give Julia significant control over Mrs. Landsman’s money, preventing her from making legal decisions without Julia’s signature.
2) Julia’s Hasty Signing
Linda noticed Julia didn’t check the documents before signing them.
3) The Sisters’ Absence and Proof of Deception
Mark observed the sisters were never present simultaneously, confirming their suspicion of impersonation.
4) Further Suspicious Observations
Florence wore sunglasses inside, and there was white fluff from Florence’s sweater on Julia’s black trousers.
Chapter 9: The Film and the Vicar’s Revelation
1) Excitement in the Village
The announcement of a film being made at Carlsbrook Mansion caused great excitement in the village.
2) The Surprising Roles of Cindy and Edward
Linda and Mark were surprised to find Edward was the film director and Cindy was in charge of casting, both holding positions of authority, not servants.
3) The Vicar’s Account of the Landsmans
The vicar said Mr. and Mrs. Landsman used to attend church regularly with their dog, Fifi, but he hadn’t seen Mrs. Landsman since her husband’s death.
4) The Autobiographical Nature of the Film
Linda thought the film, about a wealthy woman returning to her village, was very similar to Julia’s own story.
Chapter 10: Unmasking the Deception
1) The Villagers’ Role in the Film
The villagers were asked to play themselves in the film.
2) Accessing the Mansion and Linda’s Suggestion
Linda and Mark entered the mansion through an unlocked side door during lunch and decided to go to Mrs. Landsman’s bedroom.
3) The Discovery in the Bedroom
In the elegant bedroom, they found makeup, sunglasses, a red wig, and the clothes worn by the fake Mrs. Landsman, confirming Julia’s impersonation.
4) Confirmation of Florence’s Death
The evidence confirmed their suspicion that Florence was dead, and the body Linda found was hers.
Chapter 11: Unraveling the Motive and Method
1) Linda’s Theory on the Motive
Linda believed Julia killed Florence for money to revive her acting career, which Florence refused to provide.
2) Linda’s Certainty about the Body’s Identity
Linda recognized Florence’s curly hair from old photos, confirming the body’s identity.
3) Mark’s Explanation for the Disappearing Body
Mark theorized Julia and Edward moved the body from the beach to the stables, then disposed of it in the sea later.
4) Linda’s Explanation for the Dog and Signatures
Linda believed the signatures were Julia practicing Florence’s signature to access her money, and the dog was killed because it might have recognized the impersonation or attacked the killers.
Chapter 12: Linda’s Plan and the Staged Murder
1) Linda’s Plan to Expose Julia
Linda planned to stage Mrs. Landsman’s death again to expose Julia.
2) Creating a Murder Scene
Linda used fake blood and overturned objects to make the bedroom look like a murder scene, then called for help from the window.
3) Mark’s Role in the Plan
Mark was instructed to call the police.
4) Understanding Julia’s Confusion
Linda and Mark understood Julia’s confused reaction because they knew Florence was already dead.
Chapter 13: Justice Served and a Disappointing Conclusion
1) Convincing the Police
Linda showed the police the makeup, wig, sunglasses, clothes, and practice signatures as evidence.
2) The Capture of Edward and Julia
Edward and Julia were caught trying to escape in a Range Rover.
3) The Discovery of Florence’s Body
Police divers found Florence’s body in a black rubbish bag near the cliffs.
4) Disappointment with the Ending
Linda and Mark were disappointed their testimony wasn’t needed to solve the case.
5) The Sentences
Julia received a life sentence, Edward received five years, and Cindy received community service.
Epilogue: Fame and Distortion of Truth
1) Avoiding the Media Frenzy
Overwhelmed by media attention, Linda and Mark chose to stay home and avoid their phones.
2) The Source of Their Fame
A popular magazine published their story, making them instant celebrities.
3) The Butcher’s Wife’s Fabrication
The butcher’s wife falsely claimed Linda used steak blood for the fake murder scene, likely to gain notoriety.