This is an original Sherlock Holmes detective murder mystery story by Phillip Duke Ph.D., author of 8 Sherlock Holmes ebooks, all written in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Fishermen trawling off the coast of England are surprised to see a man's head sticking out of a concrete slab tangled in their nets. Police Inspector Lestrade asks Sherlock Holmes and Dr.John Watson to investigate. Holmes carefully studies and then samples the slab, while Dr. Watson carefully examines the head..

Next morning after a good English breakfast, Holmes astounds Watson with his knowledge of cements. The slab is hydraulic cement, and there is only one supplier in the British Isles.

This clue plus another that indicates when the murder occured, leads directly to the murderer and his accomplices, all of whom confess, are speedily tried and convicted. The accomplices are given long prison sentences, at hard labor, and the murderer is hanged. Justice has been done, and the case is closed.

This story was written for a contest that specified a length of no more than 2500 words. The story won the contest prize. I have increased its length, and added 6 color illustrations. Due to its popularity this ebook has been translated into German and Spanish, and it is available in these languages..

Eight original Sherlock Holmes ebooks by Phillip Duke Ph.D. are describe and 37total number of ebooks are listed by genre and described there.

If you like reading about Sherlock Holmes, you will enjoy reading this ebook and my other Sherlock Holmes ebooks. Good reading!

Phillip Duke Ph.D.