Complexity: 7
Death Overs Nivea Calhoun, the accountant
Presenting the Mystery
The scene starts at a cricket field on a sunny day. The
Brindlewood Bay Brigadiers are playing against the
Colburn Kingfishers. Our Mavens are seated in the
managers box with a perfect view of the game.
Paint the Scene: Cricket is usually portrayed as
traditional and outdated but something here is flashier
or more modern than you would expect. What is it?
The Mavens have been given tickets by an old friend,
Rudy McNeil. Rudy is a reporter for the Brindlewood
Bay Sentinel. He was supposed to meet them here 20
minutes ago but hasn’t arrived yet.
Establishing Question: Rudy once helped the Mavens
out with a difficult case. What was the case and how did
he help? For one character: Why was this case
particularly important to you?
Mohun, Nivea and Tilly are all in the box with the
Mavens. Virat, John, Kaden and Rachael are on the
field. The Kingfishers won the coin toss at the beginning
of the match and have elected to bat second. Virat is
having an excellent first over and Mohun is ecstatic.
Give the Mavens time to talk with the suspects in the
box and introduce as many of the suspects on the field
as you can. Whenever things are starting to slow down,
Virat will hit a long boundary out of the field behind the
new scoreboard. Mohun will explain that they have to
retrieve the ball before the game can continue and that
one of the junior umpires has gone to fetch it. The
retrieval process is taking longer than expected but just
when Mohun is starting to lose his temper the umpire
staggers into view. Blood streaks the front of his white
uniform.
If the Mavens go to investigate, they will find Rudy
McNeil lying behind one of the buildings next to the
scoreboard. Cause of death is blunt force trauma to the
back of his head. Clare will arrive shortly after the
Mavens. They’ll offer medical assistance but it’s clearly
too late to help.
Suspects
Mohun Baragai, the team owner
Distracted, competitive, Lacoste polo. Growing up in
Chennai, Mohun fell in love with the sport of cricket at
a young age. He used the money inherited from his
father’s successful chain of fast casual restaurants to
fund the Brigadiers. He brought in Racheal’s late
husband, Patrick, as an investor since the Brindlewood
Bay city council was unwilling to provide the necessary
capital.
Quote: “Why is she starting with Hendrix instead of
Hughes? I don’t know how many times I’ve told her to be
more aggressive. This isn’t a test match for god’s sake.
I’m sorry, what were you saying?”
Rachael Keyhoe-Flint, the coach
Severe, dark-humored, pants suits. Rachael is a former
bowler for the English women’s national team. A
staunch traditionalist, she often expresses her dislike
for the ‘vulgar’ changes that the new format has
introduced. She particularly dislikes the more American
elements that Mohun has introduced, like cheerleaders
and fireworks. She owns Flint House after inheriting it
when her husband died.
Quote: “If you’d prefer not to drive back to town you’re
certainly welcome to stay at Flint House for the night.
Besides, it’ll provide a little respite from Mohun’s ‘yankee
charm’.”
Kaden Calhoun, the former player
Rebellious, envious, disheveled clothes. Kaden is the
equipment manager for the Brigadiers. He was a
starting bowler for the Kingfishers until his attitude and
taste for alcohol got him kicked off the team. He’s
constantly pestering Mohun for a try out but Mohun
knows Kaden isn’t popular with most of the players.
Quote: “You don’t think one of the players could have
killed that reporter do you? I mean, it’d be nice if there
was an opening on the team…”
Spontaneous, outspoken, floral prints. Originally from
Brazil, Nivea moved to the US after meeting her
husband Kaden while she was on vacation. She came to
Brindlewood Bay to try and help her husband but
Mohun was so impressed by her credentials he offered
a job managing the teams finances.
Quote: “You know my husband plays also. Not as well
as Virat of course but that’s a fairly high bar to meet.”
Virat Kohli, the ringer
Confident, thoughtful, magnificent beard. Opening
batsman for the Brigadiers. A former batsman for the
New Zealand T20 team. He was injured midway
through his first game and then dismissed with no
public explanation. Mohun brought him in through a
loophole. Since he never actually finished a professional
game, Virat doesn’t count as a professional under
league rules.
Quote: “My Nani would roll over in her grave if she heard
me say this but sometimes I do believe I might actually
be cursed…”
Clare Brewer, the team doctor
Crass, flirty, tie-dye shirt. The conditioning coach and
physical therapist for the Brigadiers. Clare doesn’t have
much experience with cricket but they’ve worked with
most of the local college sports teams throughout their
career. Clare and Tilly dated in the past but it appears
they’ve both gotten over any hard feelings and are
friendly now. Clare can usually be found at the All-
Rounder after matches, especially on karaoke night.
Quote: “I’m sorry about your friend. I know nothing
makes me feel better than a drink and some good
company so if you feel like stopping by the All-Rounder
later…”
Tilly Campbell, the bar owner
Chipper, opportunistic, cricket cap. Tilly and her wife
Lydia recently purchased a bar near the cricket field and
remodeled it into a traditional English pub, called the
All-Rounder. They have a lot riding on the success of the
new league and the Brigadiers in particular. Tilly grew
up in Brindlewod Bay but affects an English accent to
make the All-Rounder seem more authentic.
Quote: “I hope I’ll see you ladies at the All-Rounder after
the match. We’ll have 2 for 1 on Carlsberg and a special
on scotch eggs during happy hour.”
John Nettles, the referee
Dignified, methodical, white uniform. The head referee
for the area. John lives in Brindlewood Bay when he isn’t
overseeing road games. A staunch defender of the T20
format. John has also written a few self published
mystery novels under the pen name Caroline Graham.
Quote: “I understand you ladies are part of the local book
club? I’m a bit of a mystery buff myself. What did you
think of Murder at Madingly Grange?”
Paint The Scene
The All-Rounder
Formerly a golf themed sports bar, Tilly and Lydia have
turned it into a facsimile of an English pub. Opening the
All-Rounder has put a strain on Tilly and Lydia’s
relationship. What evidence do you see of this?
The Clubhouse
The training facilities for the Brigadiers. Mohun has
outfitted it with the latest technology and training
equipment. What here shows Rachael’s old-school,
traditional influence?
Flint House
A once-grand manor house a few miles away from the
cricket field. The house is also a museum to Rachael’s
career and English cricket in general. What here hints at
Flint House's former glory?
For a Maven with The Chariot marked, What signs do
you see of the spirits that inhabit Flint House?
Clues
��An unexpectedly large sum of cash in a suspects
account.
��A memorial of a tragedy that occurred 20 years ago.
��Receipts for a bet placed on one of the teams.
��A heated argument about the new T20 cricket
format.
A Brindlewood Bay mystery by James Shannon. Playtesters: Jeff “Ickey” Woods, Jessica Ireland
��Evidence that one of the suspects is a police
informant.
��A letter from the International Cricket Commission.
��Racy or explicit photos of one of the team members.
��A piece of cricket equipment in an unusual place.
��A prescription for asthma medicine containing
Prednisone (a banned substance under league rules).
��A promotional photo of the team with some of the
players faces crossed out.
��A hypodermic needle.
��An unpublished, negative review of the All-Rounder.
��A dispute over the land where the cricket field is
located.
��An unexpected display of affection between two
suspects.
��An offer of a tryout for a major league cricket team.
��A duplicate of one of the mascots costumes.
��Security camera footage with a crucial portion
erased.
��A container of dried, poisonous leaves; labeled as
loose leaf tea.
��A map of the cricket field with the security cameras
circled in red.
��A calendar showing an appointment between Rudy
and one of the suspects.
Void Clues
��A cricket ball cracked open like an egg. A brackish
slimy trail leads away.
��Low chanting emerging from a disconnected speaker.
��The Brindlewood Bay Brigadier but distorted and
inhuman, it moves in a strange and unnatural way.
��A sports trophy that whispers secrets and disturbing
offers when someone holds it.
��The digital scoreboard flashes a threatening message
addressed to one of the Mavens.
��A vision or dream of a Colosseum. Friends and loved
ones lie dead at the dreamers feet.
��Evidence that Rudy was investigating the Midwives
of the Fragrant Void. (Only if Layer 2 of the Dark
Conspiracy is unlocked).