New
New
Year 7

Solving 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'

I can comprehend the events and ending of 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'.

New
New
Year 7

Solving 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'

I can comprehend the events and ending of 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Sherlock Holmes reveals James McCarthy’s innocence.
  2. John Turner is the perpetrator in the death of Charles McCarthy.
  3. Charles McCarthy is revealed to have manipulated and threatened John Turner his whole life.
  4. John Turner kills Charles McCarthy because he did not want James McCarthy to marry his daughter.

Keywords

  • Coroner - A coroner is someone who holds investigations into sudden or suspicious deaths.

  • Deserts - If you get your deserts, you get what you deserve.

  • Filial - A filial duty refers to the respect that a son or daughter is expected to give their parent.

  • Benefactor - A benefactor is someone who gives money to another person.

Common misconception

Students may be confused about Turner's fate at the end of the story.

Explain that no two Sherlock Holmes mysteries are the same. Two perpetrators can face different fates.

Ask students an exit ticket question about how this ending differs from 'The Speckled Band'.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who was murdered in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
James McCarthy
Correct answer: Charles McCarthy
John Turner
Patience Moran
Q2.
Who was arrested for the murder of Charles McCarthy in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
Patience Moran
John Turner
Correct answer: James McCarthy
Q3.
In 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', what peculiar thing did Charles say upon his death?
Correct answer: 'rat'
'mouse'
'Turner'
Q4.
What is believed to have injured McCarthy's head in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
three bullets
relentless punches
Correct answer: a blunt, heavy object
Q5.
In 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', what is consistent with James McCarthy's narrative?
Correct answer: James McCarthy was not following his father.
James McCarthy was following his father.
James McCarthy was chasing his father.
Q6.
What is Holmes' inkling about James McCarthy in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
he is guilty
Correct answer: he is innocent
he is foolish

6 Questions

Q1.
In 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', what object did the murderer leave behind at the crime scene at Boscombe Pool?
Correct answer: used cigar
glove
shoe
Q2.
What was the murder weapon in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
Correct answer: a rock
a gun
a poker stick
Q3.
Who murdered Charles McCarthy in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
James McCarthy
Alice Turner
Correct answer: John Turner
Q4.
In 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', which word describes Charles McCarthy's treatment of Turner whilst alive, according to Turner's narrative?
loving
Correct answer: manipulative
friendly
Q5.
What was Turner's motive in the murder of Charles McCarthy in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
He resented Charles for taking his property and money.
Correct answer: He did not want his daughter, Alice, to marry Charles McCarthy's son.
Charles had hurt his brother back in Australia.
Q6.
What was Turner's fate at the end of 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'?
Correct answer: Holmes kept his secret and Turner passed away 7 months later.
Holmes told the court of Turner's crime and Turner was sent to jail.
Turner ran away and no one knows of his fate.

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