Taxed to Death 
Taxed to Death (written by John Lutz) is a mystery puzzle with a story about a tax accountant who is brutally murdered. Follow us as we find the clues to his terrifying death and determine who his murder is. With four likely suspects and cryptic clues, we’ll discover whose final penalty is due!
“On the night of April 15th hours before the deadline, Louis Quick knew he would die alone-but not quite yet….”
Our Four likely clients/suspects:
David Penner - He’s a builder with a temper and the unfortunate numbers 1099 at the end of his social security number.
Eve Baker - A hard-edged brunette in her late forties, she lives on income from her late husband’s investments. Coincidentally, she resides at 1040-1099 Beechwood Boulevard.
Lois Glass - She owns a trendy and profitable herb shop with the telling numbers at the end of its phone number.
Jonathan Spence - Detective Murray dug this condescending amateur archeologist out of the files because of the curious deduction he claimed for a donation to the Smithsonian totaling $109,910.40.
Clues
A note written in his own blood, concealed under a lamp on his desk reading “1040 1099”
The set back clock on the desk has time reversed
.
The doodle of the deerstalker cap and curve-stemmed pipe refers to Sherlock Holmes-like Louis Quick, a master of deduction
The drinking glass, pen set, lamp and phone receiver are, like the clock hands, reversed.
The note written in blood refers to 1040-1099 - the late eleventh century. (see picture of lamp above)
The apple on the desk, with the bite out of it signifying sin, is a Jonathan apple
All of the clues point to the client who claimed a tax deduction for his donation to the museum, and whose regular income and 1099 Quick reversed on Form 1040.
The client whose name is virtually spelled out by a dollar sign--basically the letter S--scrawled in front of three pennies, or 'pence,' which is also the plural of penny...
