My dearest young sleuths,
I must tell you a remarkable tale. Years ago, I was part of a little circle of mystery-lovers — we called ourselves The Monday Night Investigation Society. One of our brightest members was a certain lady who went on to write the most marvellous adventures of intrepid children and their loyal dogs. You’ll know her name well: Miss Enid Blyton.
Last week, while tidying the attic, I came upon a battered notebook tied with blue ribbon. Inside were notes for several “domestic” cases Miss Blyton once told me about; trifles too small for the Famous Five, Secret Seven, or the Five Find-Outers, who were all rather busy unmasking smugglers and catching thieves. She thought perhaps I might take them on instead.
Her birthday is coming round again, and I mean to present her with the solved cases as a gift...but I’ll need your clever minds to crack them. There’s a picnic basket in peril, a larder in chaos, some muddled drinks, and an entire pantry in need of sorting. Will you help me before the candles are lit on her cake?
1. The Case of the Pilfered Picnic Basket
A perfect basket was packed for a countryside ramble, brimming with delicious fare. Yet by the time it reached the meadow, half its contents had mysteriously vanished. The missing treats are hidden in the grid — can you find them all before the trail goes cold?
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2. The Case of the Jolly Jumbled Larder
A once-neat larder has fallen into chaos: jars, tins, and packets now bear scrambled labels, their true contents disguised. Can you unscramble each one to reveal the delicacies within?
i. ELPAPS | ii. ROBOTTEE | iii. CATO MELD | iv. ARCHE SEMCEE | v. DROPSY LUNGE | vi. KIDD LUMPING | vii. BATMEN MILD | viii. HOMUMROSS | ix. GNUOAT | x. ALPINESPE PUNCKH | xi. DEPOMT ATTE | xii. ADHISSER | xiii. ASSURES GALLO | xiv. ARLETTE CART
***
3. The Case of the Curious Concoctions
On a certain pantry shelf, bottles of cordials and soft drinks have been placed in the wrong crates, their labels all jumbled together. Below is the full list of beverages; can you fit them into the grid so that every word connects perfectly and every space is filled?
COFFEE | GINGER BEER | HOT CHOCOLATE | LEMONADE | ORANGEADE | RASPBERRY SYRUP
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4. The Mystery of the Grand Inventory
A pantry audit has revealed a muddle of categories: sandwiches mixed with cakes, buns with pies, ices with jams. Many labels are now faded or torn, leaving only fragments of the names behind. Use the missing letters to restore each treat to its rightful category and set the shelves in order once more.
Sandwiches:
H__ (3) | C_R__D B_E_ (10) | T_M_T_ (6) | E__ (3) | L_T__C_ (7) | S_R_I_E (7) | C_E__E (6) | P_R_ (4) | H_N_Y (5)
Biscuits:
G_N_ER (6) | O_T_EA_ (7)
Cakes:
C_ER_Y (6) | S_ON_E (6) | C_O__L_TE (9) | F_U_T_A_E (9)
Buns:
J_MM_ (5) | G_OGL_ (6) | R_C_ (4)
Pies & Tarts:
S_E_K (5) | M_AT (4) | P_U_ (4) | M_N_E (5)
Ices:
S_R_WB_RR_ (10) | V_NI_L_ (7)
Jams:
AP__CO_ (7) | RA_P__R_Y (9)
Sweets:
B__LED L_L__ES (6 + 7) | B__LED S_E__S (6 + 7)
***
And there you have it, my trusty detectives; every crumb and jar accounted for. With your solutions in hand, I can send the notebook back to Miss Blyton, neatly annotated, ready for her birthday tea. I’ve no doubt she’ll raise her teacup to you in thanks. Until our next case, keep your wits sharp, your torches handy, and never underestimate the clues hiding at the bottom of a picnic basket.
Yours ever, in mystery and marmalade.
Ms. Prudence Butterworth
P.S. For those keen to check their handiwork, I’ve enclosed a set of directions below. No peeking until you’ve given every last clue a fair try!
***
Here's what was hidden among the clues for the Pilfered Picnic Basket:
For The Jolly Jumbled Larder, the right words are:
i. APPLES | ii. BEETROOT | iii. COLD MEAT | iv. CREAM CHEESE | v. GOLDEN SYRUP | vi. MILK PUDDING | vii. MINTED LAMB | viii. MUSHROOMS | ix. NOUGAT | x. PINEAPPLE CHUNKS | xi. POTTED MEAT | xii. RADISHES | xiii. SAUSAGE ROLLS | xiv. TREACLE TART
These are the right spots for all six drinks in the case of the Curious Concoctions:
And here are the items from the Grand Inventory, in full:
Sandwiches: HAM | CORNED BEEF | TOMATO | EGG | LETTUCE | SARDINE | CHEESE | PORK | HONEY
Biscuits: GINGER | OATMEAL
Cakes: CHERRY | SPONGE | CHOCOLATE | FRUITCAKE
Buns: JAMMY | GOOGLE | ROCK
Pies & Tarts: STEAK | MEAT | PLUM | MINCE
Ices: STRAWBERRY | VANILLA
Jams: APRICOT | RASPBERRY
Sweets: BOILED LOLLIES | BOILED SWEETS