A Murder Mystery: Can You Crack the Case?

To celebrate the launch of his latest Wild Fens Mysteries novel, Deadly Little Secret, Jack Cartwright is inviting readers to put their detective skills to the test in an exclusive social media murder mystery game. 

Starting on Monday 1^st September, Jack is hosting ‘A Murder Mystery’, a seven-day interactive whodunnit unfolding across Facebook and Instagram. Fans of murder mysteries and atmospheric crime fiction won't want to miss it! 

The Case: 

In the heart of the misty fenlands, a quiet village is rocked by the discovery of a body. Reverend James Merton, a well known local vicar, has been found dead beside a remote dyke killed by a blunt force blow to the head. 

There are four suspects, each with a motive and secrets they’d rather keep buried. But only one of them is guilty. 

Suspects: 

Eleanor Vance – The grieving widow 

Background: Eleanor Merton appeared to be the perfect vicar’s wife… but did she have a hidden temper that few people ever saw? 

🔍 Clue: Her fingerprints were found on the old service revolver found in the vicarage – but she told the police she was “just cleaning it for Remembrance Sunday”. 

Luke Vance – The wayward son 

Background: Luke is estranged from his father and hasn’t lived in the village for ten years since an explosive family row. 

🔍 Clue: A week-old text message from Luke on the Reverend Merton’s phone reads: “I can never forgive you for what you did to Mum.” 

Harriet Dean – The parish archivist

Background: Adopted as a baby, unassuming Harriet knows every secret the church walls have ever heard – and some secrets from the vicarage itself…

🔍 Clue: A missing parish ledger from 1989 where the pages have recently been torn out. Harriet claims she was researching family history and spilled wine on the register.

George Cobb – The gardener 

Background: George keeps himself to himself, but he knows the land hereabouts like the back of his hand. 

🔍 Clue: Mud on his boots matches the mud on the vicar’s vestments. A heavy trowel that could double as a murder weapon. “I just weed the flower beds,” he insists. 

How It Works: 

Over the course of the next four days, Jack will release a new clue each day on the blog for each suspect. 

On Saturday 6^th September, participants are invited to comment on the final post with their guess: Who killed the vicar? 

Then, on Monday 8^th September, the killer will be revealed—and one lucky sleuth who guessed correctly will win a Kindle Paperwhite.

✅ How to Enter: 

• Follow @JackCartwrightAuthor on Facebook or Instagram 

• Like each daily post from Monday to Saturday

• On Saturday, comment on the final post with your suspect name and how you cracked the case (means, motive and opportunity) 

What You Can Win: 

At the end of the mystery, one participant who correctly identifies the killer will be selected at random to win a Kindle Paperwhite.

Ready to Play? 

The game begins on Monday, 1^st September, and runs until Saturday 6^th September. The killer will be revealed on Monday 8^th September. 

Follow Jack Cartwright on Facebook or Instagram, and get ready to uncover the truth. 

Because in the Wild Fens… everyone has something to hide. 

📖 Deadly Little Secret is available now, so if you can’t wait: 👉 Order your copy here 

Terms and conditions: 

• The promoter of this competition is Jack Cartwright, author of the Wild Fens Mysteries. 

• The competition is open to residents of the UK aged 18 or over. 

• One entry per person. Duplicate entries will not be counted. 

• No purchase is necessary to enter. 

• Entrants must follow @JackCartwrightAuthor on either Facebook or Instagram to be eligible. 

How to Enter: 

• Follow @JackCartwrightAuthor on Facebook or Instagram. 

• Like the daily posts shared from 1^st to 6^th September. 

• Comment your guess for the killer on the final post published on Saturday 6^th September. 

  
  

Prize: 

• One winner will receive a Kindle Paperwhite. 

• The winner will be selected at random from all correct guesses submitted via Facebook and Instagram. 

• The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered. 

• The killer will be revealed, and the winner announced, on Monday 8^th September 2025 via Jack Cartwright’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. 

  
  

General:

• This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram. 

• By entering the competition, participants agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. 

• Jack Cartwright reserves the right to amend or cancel the competition at any time if necessary.