Warning: Spoilers Included

Somebody got away with murder on Christmas Eve in Savannah, Missouri.

In the last months of 1900, Frank Richardson was on the verge of losing everything. The merchant’s drinking, jealousy, and carousing were destroying his marriage and livelihood. When his wife Addie took the children and left, Frank vowed to change. His promises and heartfelt pleas won his wife over and the family returned to Savannah.

On Christmas Eve, the Richardson family planned to attend a concert but a mysterious chain of events sent Frank rushing home instead. Seconds after he entered the dark house, a gunshot rang out. The merchant lay dead on the floor and his murderer vanished like a phantom.

The investigation exposed Frank’s troubled life to the world. He had many enemies but his last words “Has it come to this?” created a cloud of suspicion around three suspects: his wife Addie; his 17-year-old paramour Goldie; and Stewart Fife, the young man who was often the target of Frank’s jealousy and aggression. To whom did he ask that fateful question?

The clues and evidence are here. The case is waiting to be solved. Can you discover the truth behind who murdered Frank Richardson?

Note: I’m qualified to earn a commission from any purchase of the book on this website.

I’d love to hear any thoughts you’d like to share, including about the suspects, their motives, the crime scene, the investigation, and the trials, or feel free to weigh in on any of these controversial questions:

• Who was Frank looking at and talking to when he asked, “Has it come to this?”
• Addie told over a dozen people that Frank’s last words were, “Has it come to this?” Later, she said that Frank said, “Come to–” Why did she change? Is it a significant change?
• Did Goldie Whitehead and/or Frank Davis have anything to do with the murder?
• Do you believe Stewart Fife’s alibi? If it wasn’t true, where was he?
• Why did Bessie Phillis suddenly change her story? Why did she disappear?
• Do you suspect anyone who was not investigated?
• Who got away with murder on Christmas Eve 1900?

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