Special Colchester mystery tour for Christmas lights event

Caroline King, 46, lives in Dedham and is the author of the ‘Mrs Mentary’s Mystery Tours’ series.

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

Readers can jump right into the story of her puzzle books, which double as destination guides for various towns and villages in Essex, Suffolk, and now London and London Museums.

Author - Cally King published her first novel in August, and has since released three more and stocks them in 12 retailers (Image: Caroline King) In this exclusive story, Cally wrote a mystery tour set around the city’s Christmas lights switch-on.

Cally said: “I’ve based this tour around my favourite places in Colchester following such landmarks as the castle, Firstsite and the Roman wall.

“Given it’s Christmas shopping period, I’ve also taken visitors along my favourite shopping places- along Eld Lane, Trinity Stret and Culver Street for all the lovely independent boutiques, past my favourite department store Fenwicks, and along the fantastic shops of the High Street.

“The tour also passes some of Colchester’s best pubs and restaurants such as Church Street Tavern, Three Wise Monkeys and The George Hotel.

Sights - The mystery tour takes readers to some of Colchester's most popular sights to solve the clues (Image: Caroline King) “What I loved about writing the tour was I spotted a lot of landmarks such as blue plaques or information boards giving information on the history of Colchester which I hadn’t noticed before.

“Doing the tours really makes you notice these small details.”

Read the story and follow the ten clues below to solve the mystery!

‘Mrs Mentary was thrilled to be attending the annual Christmas light switching event in Colchester on Wednesday, November 13.

The city with its castle, fine period-buildings and excellent shops and restaurants was one of Mrs Mentary’s favourite destinations.

Mrs Mentary was waiting for the spectacle to start with the people involved with the event.

Les Artis, an ex-Colchester United and England player was switching on the lights this year. He certainly looked like he’s already got into the Christmas spirit having spent the afternoon in The George Hotel.

There were a number of journalists from local Essex radio, television and newspapers attending: Plum Stow, Bryony Holton-Smith, Alan Carmel and Hewit Charleston. They always loved this event and were very much in the festive spirit!

Oly Trin was the brains behind the operation having spent all year planning the event. He looked a little flustered as they saw the crowds gathering in the streets in anticipation.

Al Kerne was the electrician who was there to make sure the event went off with a bang (or not with a bang…).

Two pupils from a local high school, Cher Egat and Ben Susan, were going to stand on the platform with Les as he turned on the switch.

 Finally, the event was being attended by Cath Erine, a representative from the council and Lady Darcy, the patron of the charity being supported by the event.

The crowd cheered and did a countdown. Les pressed the button, but the lights did not switch on!

Al investigated and discovered that the fuse box had been vandalised. Who could have done such a thing?

Fun - Cally started writing her books after she spent lockdown entertaining her kids with mysteries and games on their walks (Image: Caroline King) Help Mrs Mentary find the Christmas lights Scrooge!  

Suspects: 1. Les Artis, 2.  Plum Stow, 3. Bryony Holton-Smith, 4. Alan Carmel, 5. Hewit Charleston, 6. Oly Trin, 7. Al Kerne, 8. Ben Susan, 9. Cher Egat, 10. Ben Susan, 10. Cath Erine, 11. Lady Darcy

Your tour starts in Castle Park next to the entrance to Colchester Castle (CO1 1TJ). The words in italics are important, so pay special attention!

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

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.

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?

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.

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!

Clue 6: Continue on a few steps within Eld Lane. Can you see an opening in the case?

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

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!

Clue 9: Stay within the area. Is this the gateway to solving the crime?

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.’

For the answer and solutions, check the Gazette tomorrow!

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.