Revealed: The answers for Colchester's special mystery tour

Yesterday, the Gazette published an exclusive story by Caroline King, 46, who lives in Dedham and is the author of ‘Mrs Mentary’s Mystery Tours’.

Cally spent lockdown entertaining her two children with walks filled with treasure hunts, puzzles and games, and published her first interactive mystery novel set in Essex towns and villages in August this year.

The special Christmas story was set in Colchester city centre around the light switch on.

Author - Caroline King has published four books in the Mrs Mentary's Mystery Tours series (Image: Caroline King) In the story, disaster struck as the fuse box had been vandalised so that the Christmas lights didn’t turn on. 

The tour started in Castle Park next to the entrance to Colchester Castle (CO1 1TJ), with the words in italics being important to the trail. 

Did you follow the mystery tour clues across the city and solve the puzzle to find the saboteur?

Solutions and answer

Clue 1: Hunt for a clue contained in this area. This tour will be a trial if you do not perfect your craft.

Solution: In the ground there is a memorial stone to over 200 men and women imprisoned in Colchester Castle accused of witch “craft”. The words “trial” and “hunt” are on the stone. The word “witch” is “contained” in the name of an innocent person – Hewit Charleston.

Clue 2: Walk out of the park, cross over the road and turn left walking along the High Street towards Lewis Gardens. You feel like a pioneer on this tour! Take care and the culprit will get a taste of his own medicine.

Solution: There is a blue plaque to Dr Ruth Bensusan-Butt MD who was a “pioneer” in family “medicine” and social “care” lived in a house on the High Street – Ben Susan.

Start - The mystery tour began at Colchester Castle before taking puzzle-solvers through the city (Image: Caroline King) Clue 3: Turn right down Lewis Gardens and head towards the Firstsite Gallery. Do you have the full background on the case? Perhaps a local bobby can help?

Solution: There is a blue plaque to “Background” “Bob”, ‘The People’s Artist’. The name of the next innocent suspect is “within” – Les Artis.

Clue 4: Is the writing on the wall? Initially, head across the square next to the Firstsite Gallery and walk down the lane to the right of the Curzon Cinema towards the top of Queen Street.

Solution: There is a mural in the lane (“writing on the wall”) which contains a “top” with the ‘BHS’ on it which are the “initials” of the next suspect to remove – Bryony Holton-Smith.

Clue 5: Turn left onto Queen Street and then right onto Eld Lane. Pass Lion Walk on your right and then look around for your next clue amongst the houses. You feel like you need some charity to solve this clue and move on to clue six!

Solution: Down a small siding next to Darcy’s Traditional Sweet Shoppe you will find a plaque mentioning ‘Lady D’arcy’s “Charity” that rebuilt “six” alm “houses” – Lady Darcy. 

Tour - The trail took puzzle-solvers through the city centre and past popular restaurants and shops (Image: Caroline King) Clue 6: Continue on a few steps within Eld Lane. Can you see an opening in the case?

Solution: There are some “steps” in an “opening” where there is a plaque on it with the name of the medieval gate, ‘Scheregate’. The next innocent person’s name is “within” this – Cher Egat.

Clue 7: Turn right so you are within Trinity Street. You need to be a tower of strength in this tour!

Solution: You will see the “tower” of ‘Holy Trinity Church’. The suspect’s name is “within” – Oly Trin.

Clue 8: Turn left onto Culver Street and turn left onto Head Street and then immediate right onto Church Street. Walk up Church Street and turn right into Balkerne Gardens. Sounds like you’ll find the culprit come hell or high water!

Solution: You will find ‘Jumbo’ the largest remaining “water” tower in Britain. The next innocent person’s name “sounds like” this – Plum Stow.

Interactive - Puzzle-solvers went across the city to solve the clues (Image: Caroline King) Clue 9: Stay within the area. Is this the gateway to solving the crime?

Solution: The Balkerne “Gateway”, the largest Roman Gateway in Britain, is here. The suspect’s name is “within” – Al Kerne.

Clue 10: Walk down Balkerne Gardens and turn right onto North Hill and then left onto the High Street looking out for the next clue on the left. Soldier on and be the author of your destiny!  Continue along the High Street and you will walk reach the entrance to Castle Park on your left and return to your starting place. 

Solution: There is a blue plaque to Catherine Marsh which includes the words “author” and “solider” on it – Cath Erine.

After eliminating all the innocent suspects, you will be left with the culprit: Alan Carmel.

The Essex Mrs Mentary’s Mystery Tour book is available on Amazon UK, TikTok shop, and stocked in 12 retailers including Red Lion Books and Holly Trees Museum Shop.