Note: the tab marked "Explanation" reveals the ending of the story. Do not view that if you are reading the story for the first time and do not want to spoil your enjoyment.
| Title: | The Adventure of the Norwood Builder | Collection: | The Return of Sherlock Holmes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year published: | 1903 (October) | Year set in: | |
| Mystery: | Who killed a retired builder? | ||
| Apparent crime: | Murder and fraud | Actual crime: | Shown below (possible spoiler) |
| Summary: | A man is arrested for murdering a builder who made him his beneficiary. | ||
- Introduction
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A solicitor, John McFarlane, is visited by a retired builder, Jonas Oldacre, who wishes him to write up a will. In the will, Oldacre leaves everything to McFarlane because he once knew the latter's mother.
However, after McFarlane leaves Oldacre's home, the builder is apparently murdered and McFarlane is the prime suspect. He asks Holmes to prove him innocent.
- Actual crime
- Murder and fraud
- Explanation (spoiler alert)
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Oldacre had framed McFarlane, burning an animal to make it look like his body and hiding away in a special hidden area of his house. He was an unpleasant man and had been angered when McFarlane's mother had rejected him.
- Quotations in this story (0)
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Quote There are no quotes for this story
- Characters in this story (4)
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Surname First name Title Holmes Sherlock Lestrade Inspector Oldacre Jonas Watson John Doctor
- Locations in this story (1)
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Location Town/City County 221b Baker Street London
- Other notes
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- Keywords
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John Hector McFarlane Jonas Oldacre Lower Norwood Deep Dene House builder Blackheath Lestrade Cornelius Lexington