Quarter to Midnight – The show begins with Sergeant Munro (Ian Pirie) promoting William “The Duke” Wellington (Stuart Martin) to Chief Inspector. The Duke is surprised to discover he will replace Superintendent McNeil in the Glasgow Force. Munro congratulates him on a job well done. The Duke asks for some time to consider before tossing the promotion on his desk.

Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) asks Moses (Ansu Kabia) if Mr. Victor Lattman, Thomas Pembroke, or Lord Alexander Lipton are linked to scandals. He says, “No” before asking why she is prying into the men’s backgrounds. She tells him about Mrs. Parker hiring her to find her niece a husband. He refuses to help her because it is “boring.” When she asks if it is about money, he assures her it is about his “pride.”

The Duke approaches as Scarlet and Moses emerge from her office. After exchanging pleasantries, Moses takes his leave. The Duke informs her of his promotion. She extends her congratulations. He adds that the Chief Inspector position is in Glasgow. When she assures him that she doesn’t mind, he reminds her of where the job is at. She assumes he will turn the job down like all the other offers. Their discussion continues.

Eliza tells Hattie Parker (Jessie Cave) that she received another list of potential suitors for her. Hattie voices her desire to marry someone who loves her. Eliza suggests she defend herself against her aunt. She says she tries but her aunt is determined at times. Eliza assures her that any man would be fortunate to have her as a wife. Hattie invites Eliza to join her on a visit to see Mr. Norris to discuss to discuss her aunt. After initially refusing her invitation, Eliza is convinced to go see Hattie’s aunt’s accountant. Hattie enters Mr. Norris’s office to find him lying unresponsive on the floor with a lily in his hand.

A puzzled Eliza says Mr. Norris’ death appears to be “staged.” Detective Fitzroy (Evan McCabe) tells The Duke that Mr. Norris’s body is fully rigid. The Duke tells him that it takes up to 18 hours for rigor mortis to develop. Eliza suggests the victim was killed around midnight. The Duke accuses her of developing her own investigative technique. Scarlet points out the clock stopped at midnight like in Samuel Bedborough’s “Quarter to Midnight.” The Duke denies having any knowledge of the book. She provides a comparison of Mr. Norris’s death scene to that in the novel.

When he tries to rush her out, she asks if he is still upset about their recent conversation. He accuses her of saying he is unambitious. After denying the allegations, she describes him as being “settled” in London. As she involuntarily prepares to leave, Fitzroy informs her that the victim in the novel was an accountant like Mr. Norris. Eliza tries to convince The Duke to hire her to help investigate Mr. Norris’s murder. After relenting, he offers her only half her normal rate.

At Willoughby’s Booksellers – Samuel Bedborough (David Bark-Jones) reads from his book. Ms. Willoughby (Olwen May) informs the attendees that Samuel will autograph all books purchased from her bookstore. Eliza and The Duke fail to convince Ms. Willoughby of the purpose of their visit. Anna Bedborough (Carolina Martin) approaches to introduce herself.

Samuel denies knowing anyone who would want to harm Mr. Norris. The Duke asks when he last spoke with Mr. Norris. He says it was several weeks ago. Eliza informs him that the crime scene appears to be similar to that in his book. He tells them that he is booked at Brabham Hotel while he works on his latest novel. The Duke questions if he was there alone. He claims to have spent the evening working on his book after dinner with Anna. Eliza expresses her admiration for his “Quarter to Midnight.” When The Duke tells him that he enjoyed “Curse of the Crimson Shadow”, Samuel denies he is the author.

Eliza provides The Duke with an overview of “Quarter to Midnight.” She says at a young age, the author witnessed his deceased parents holding lilies in their coffins at a quarter to midnight. At the same, but on different nights, two people were murdered. He warns of the possibility the killer will commit another murder to replicate the book. She agrees it is possible. He tells her that Edward Norris was 52 with thousands of clients. She suggests he take the time to reach Samuel’s “Quarter to Midnight.”

The Duke visits Willoughby’s Booksellers to get a copy of “Quarter to Midnight.” She describes Samuel as being “upset” and “withdrawn” before their meeting.

DS Phelps (Tim Chipping) buys The Duke a drink. The Duke reminds him that they’ve been co-workers for 10 years and never had he bought him a drink. Phelps hints that he like a recommendation for his position if he accepts the Glasgow job.

Eliza approaches The Duke as he gets his shoes shined. She asks to see the weapon utilized in the Norris murder. They briefly discuss his promotion. She explains how the murderer in the novel stabbed the first victim in the neck with his own knife. The murderer then utilized the same knife to stab the second victim in the neck, which is also how Norris was killed. He suggests Mr. Norris may be the second victim. As he holds a copy of “Quarter to Midnight,” she holds up a photo of the murder weapon and points out that the publisher logo is identical to the knife logo. He suggests the first victim is the owner of the knife.

Eliza and The Duke visit publisher of “Quarter to Midnight,” Bellamy & Sons Publishers to discover the door locked. The Duke orders the door to be kicked down. Upon entering the establishment, Eliza discovers Mr. Bellamy lying on the floor with a lily in his right hand. She points out that the display is exactly like the book. The Duke says the time is the same as well.

Samuel claims he had utilized Bellamy & Sons Publishers for years. The Duke asks when they last saw each other. He tells him that they had dinner Thursday night. Eliza asks if he knows anyone who wants to harm Mr. Bellamy. Samuel complains about having a foggy mind. Anna claims Samuel spent the night working on his novel. Noticing a bandage on Samuel’s hand, The Duke asks what happened. Samuel says he “slipped in the bath” before asking if it would be okay to end the meeting now.

The Duke points out that in his novel. Samuel assures him that he isn’t going to commit suicide like in his novel. Anna voices her concern for his safety. The Duke agrees to order police protection for him before handing Eliza a message “Check His Alibi” to deliver to Scotland Yard.

Eliza informs The Duke that Samuel left the Brabham Hotel at 9pm and returned around midnight. The Duke informs her that Samuel was arrested but not charged three months ago following a public altercation with actress Francesca Bellesini. They briefly discuss his Chief Inspector promotion. He assures her that she wouldn’t think twice about taking the position. She reminds him that they are very different. He sarcastically says not everyone is lucky enough to inherit their father’s private detective business. Before leaving, she tells him it is almost time for his whiskey.

Eliza visits Francesca Bellesini (Miona Markovic) to discuss her relationship with Samuel. Francesca claims she and Samuel met at a party, but no longer see each other. Eliza asks if her arrest was related to Samuel calling off their relationship. Francesca says Samuel sent her a diamond necklace through Mr. Norris, “Grim Reaper,” to encourage her to play nice.

The Duke explains that both victims were stabbed in the carotid artery with the same weapon. He encourages Fitzroy to learn how to fit in with his colleagues since he may not always be around. Fitzroy immediately questions where he is going. The Duke warns him that Phelps can detect weakness.

Hattie tells Eliza about her aunt being distraught over Mr. Norris’s murder. When Eliza repeats what Samuel said about only meeting Mr. Norris several times a year, Hattie claims they had dinner together several times a month. She says rumor claims Mr. Norris was planning to acquire a home in Knightsbridge. Eliza encourages her to continue. She tells her the neighbors were delighted to have Samuel live among them until a Notice of Repossession was posted on the door.

Moses informs Eliza that Samuel is drowning in debt. Eliza says he is currently staying at the Brabham Hotel. He assures her that it won’t be much longer with such a substantial bill. She says that explains the repossession. He claims Samuel has been trying to reclaim a writing desk that was recently taken from him. She repeats what Samuel said about writing anywhere at any time. He says Samuel was roughed up last night after security discovered him breaking into the warehouse.

Phelps teases Fitzroy until he orders him to shut up. When Phelps calls him a “spoiled brat,” Fitzroy dumps a beer on his head. Getting in his face, Phelps warns him that he shouldn’t have done it.

Moses and Eliza visit the warehouse, where Samuel’s reposed assets are stored. He removes a sheet to expose his writing desk. Upon assessing it, Eliza discovers the word “Harpocrates” carved into the desk. Moses asks what the term means. She says, The Greek God of silence” while feeling around until she discovers a secret latch. A drawer opens to expose Samuel’s manuscripts. Mosses questions why Samuel would want to conceal his manuscripts.

The Duke and Eliza arrive at Samuel’s hotel within a few minutes of each other. Eliza informs them that the author’s suicide is the final death in the novel. The Duke assures her that is why he ordered police security for Samuel. Eliza says Samuel isn’t the author before rushing out of the room.

Anna puts her pen away once she is finished writing. As she places the tip of the knife to her neck, Eliza and The Duke rushe into the room. Eliza informs her of the discovery in the repossessed writing desk. Anna explains how their mother was staying in a workhouse when she died. She admits rewriting nearly every word of Samuel’s story. Eliza asks why she chose to put Samuel’s name on her manuscript. She says Mr. Norris, Bellamy, and Samuel discussed adding her name to the manuscript but female authors only earned half of their male counterparts. Eliza questions why she decided to murder them. She says it was later discovered that all the debt was consuming. The Duke assumes all of her money was spent.

The Duke tells Eliza that he understands how hard she has worked before accusing her of being too pushy at times. She blames her insensitivity on envy of his status.

The Duke discovered a battered Fitzroy in his office. Fitzroy explains how he failed at trying to fit in with the Phelps and the other detectives. The Duke invites him to stay in his spare room.

The Duke continues his same routine until he reaches Monro’s office. He informs Monro that he has decided to not accept the promotion. Monro says the Police Commissioner believes Fitzroy is not showing signs of improvement. The Duke assures him that he has been trying. Monro reminds him of his recommendation to let Fitzroy sink or swim. He tells The Duke that he won’t have a job if he turns down the Glasgow position as the episode comes to an end.

 

Miss Scarlet and the Duke Review

Scarlet and The Duke paired up to investigate Mr. Norris’s death only to get pulled into a serial murder adapted from a mystery novel. The investigation we concocted and executed beautifully.

As always, the acting was flawless and compelling. The show’s biggest fault is its hit-and-miss cinematography. The angle and range are off by a long shot. Some scenes show important clues that are geared toward helping viewers solve the crime in a DIY manner. Since the clues are barely or at all visible, the investigation is hampered.

I am repulsed by the Police Commissioner’s unprofessionalism when it comes to his son. He expects The Duke to transform incompetent Fitzroy into a qualified police detective in a matter of months. He inconveniences and compromises The Duke’s remarkable career to get what he wants.  A parent hiring an unqualified son to do a job he has no interest in.

I suspect the finale will be exciting and fulfilling. The episode deserves a 7.2. Get more Miss Scarlet and the Duke recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking on the link.