Murdoch Mysteries - Sixteenth Season

: Welcome to the new toronto reference library

And let us raise our glasses to canada's first

International convention of novelists

As we write our city a new and glorious chapter in the arts.

Ah.

Mr. Kipling?

If you would be so kind as to do me the honours, sir.

I used to read my boys "the jungle book"

When they were this big.

Put them to sleep every time.

In a good way, of course.

Name?

Thomas brackenreid.

Brackenreid: R-e-I-d.

Never heard of you. - I'm not a writer.

This is a private party.

I'm accompanying my good friend, the great george crabtree.

Never heard of him, either! - Ah! Uh...

Oh, that's the chap over there.

The author of two classic novels that... Oh!

The titles of which escape me at the moment.

But I assure you...

Bloody hell.

Oh, come here.

Not the goldmine I was hoping for.

How many autographs so far, sir?

One. I didn't know him, either.

I mistook him for robert service.

I'm feeling a little out of depth myself.

Nonsense! These are your people.

Get out there, start mingling.

Sir, have you seen who's here?

Henry james, edith wharton, l. Frank baum.

I'm hardly worthy.

You're an invited guest.

Yeah and, sir, look where I am on the poster,

Right there at the very bottom.

: With all the other up-and-comers!

: And spelled with a "g".

George grabtree.

At a novelists' convention!

I am aware of the irony.

Nobody here has the faintest idea who I am.

Oh! Until now, that is.

: Who's that?

: Lucy maud montgomery.

The writer of "anne of green gardens"?

Gables. - Oh. You know her?

Oh, yes, sir. We became well acquainted.

I inspired her main character.

A little girl called anne?

Sir, an orphan, found in a carpet bag,

Wildly imaginative.

That must be her fiancé she's with.

I heard she became engaged.

But I have no doubt, sir, she'll thank me. Just watch.

For your troubles.

You must've made quite the impression.

Right, that's me for the night. I'm off.

Well, if you're leaving, so am I.

Anyway, how much fun could we possibly miss?

Right. The tipsy ferret it is, then.

Thank you.

Oh. What have we here?

Sir, alfred pope.

One of the writers at the opening cocktail party last night.

That's the man I mistook for robert service.

We should have stuck around longer.

You spoke with this man?

Around 9:30.

He seemed well enough at the time.

I must've gotten his final signature.

Do you think that ups the value?

what have you, mrs. Hart?

It looks like his heart's been penetrated by a single jab.

He's been dead a few hours at least.

Who found the body? - Ah, the cleaner, sir.

She found him this morning.

Apparently the revelry went on until the early hours.

: Someone was sending a message.

: Indeed.

Pages from a book.

Sir, I found several books scattered about the room,

But none of them were missing any pages.

Seems to be some writing on one side, as well.

Red ink, perhaps?

Not a wise choice if you want someone to read it.

Right. George, once mrs. Hart is finished

With the murder weapon and the accompanying pages,

Please bring them to my office.

We also need to speak with all of the guests

In order to retrace mr. Pope's final steps.

: I'm on it.

Excuse me, constable. - Oh, lord!

Would you have any idea why the convention's been postponed?

I'm afraid there's been a murder.

Oh my lord! Who?

Well, we'll make an announcement

Once we notify the next of kin.

To think that I was trying to sneak in here last night.

I was hoping to slip one of them my stories.

Last night you say?

When?

Around 10.

And were you able to get in? Were there any doors unlocked?

Ah, they... They were sealed tight, I'm afraid.

I even tried the windows.

Well, did you notice anything unusual?

Anybody lurking about besides yourself, I suppose?

I'm afraid not.

Right, well if you remember anything, anything at all,

I would appreciate you letting me know.

I'm constable george crabtree. I'm at station house four.

George crabtree, the writer?

Yes, that's right.

Do I know you? - No! But I know you.

"curse of the pharaohs", "a man alone."

I'm a huge fan, sir.

Your words are salve to the soul.

Well, I don't know about that.

I'm norman bean. I fancy myself a bit of a writer, too.

Oh, is that right?

I'm very excited to be in your presence.

I can't help but think that this is fate.

Would you allow me to follow you around for a day?

I could help out, if you'd like.

I'd love to delve into the brain of george crabtree.

Really?

I beg your pardon. Is this seat taken?

Uh, I suppose not.

I suppose everyone turned away

From the novelists' convention ended up here.

Indeed.

I heard there may have been a murder.

Ah, it's true, I'm afraid.

My husband's a detective on the case.

A macabre profession, to be sure.

I used to be a city coroner.

That's where we met.

Oh, how ghastly!

And yet perversely fascinating.

Do you miss it?

Uh, I'd be lying if I said I didn't,

But life had greater adventures in store.

I suppose so.

I didn't quit because of my child,

If that's what you're implying.

Half the trouble in life is caused by pretending there isn't any.

Well,

I'll have you know,

I'm still very active in the medical field.

Edith wharton would not appreciate you twisting her words like that.

Forgive me.

I have a nasty habit of overstepping.

I guess we have that in common.

Perhaps my name might help excuse the blunder.

I'm edith wharton.

Oh, my.

You are.

My lecture's been postponed.

Any suggestions on what one might do to while away

A few hours in this town?

Oh!

Mr. Kipling?

Remember me?

I'm on police business this time.

Are you familiar with an alfred pope?

Uh, I heard. Terrible.

And I heard that you were one of the last people

To leave the party.

Did you exchange words with him, by any chance?

I'll tell you what I know, but you'll have to buy me a drink.

Although, I doubt very much you'd be familiar with it.

Try me.

A pisco sour.

Pisco: Lime juice, simple syrup,

Egg whites, angostura bitters.

Impressive.

But did you also know that it was a favourite

Of that anti-imperialist bastard, mark twain?

May he rest in peace.

Who do you think I got the recipe from?

Join me for a tipple.

Sir, any luck isolating the red ink?

Not much, I'm afraid.

I've tried a number of different light settings,

Including ultraviolet, but nothing seems to be working.

I wonder if there's a way to remove the blood chemically?

Precisely what I was thinking.

However, I will need you to transcribe the text

From these pages so we can still identify the book

Should the process compromise the ink.

I assumed as much.

I took the liberty while you were with the inspector.

Oh!

Well, then I need you to track down alfred pope's wife,

Let her know I need to speak with her.

Sir, done so and she's available this afternoon.

Well, very good. Very good.

Then, perhaps you and the inspector should create a timeline