The Clue · Chapter
An Interview with Cicely explained
Fessenden and Kitty French interview Cicely Dupuy, Madeleine Van Norman's private secretary.
What happens
Fessenden and Kitty French interview Cicely Dupuy, Madeleine Van Norman's private secretary. Cicely reveals that Madeleine was deeply in love with Schuyler Carleton but that Carleton loved another woman, Dorothy Burt. Cicely admits she wrote the suicide note found in the library and that the letter 'S' referred to Carleton, revealing her own secret love for him. When Fessenden confronts her about inconsistencies in her timeline of Carleton's arrival, Cicely faints. The chapter also includes Fessenden's reflections on the case and his growing interest in Kitty French.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak of the chara…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Secrecy and Confession
Cicely's hidden love for Carleton is revealed through Fessenden's questioning, and she confesses to writing the suicide note, highlighting the tension between concealment and truth.
- Jealousy and Motive
Cicely's jealousy of Dorothy Burt and her unrequited love for Carleton provide a potential motive for involvement in Madeleine's death.
- Detection and Reasoning
Fessenden uses logical deduction and direct questioning to uncover Cicely's secrets, demonstrating the detective's methodical approach.
Characters to notice
- Cicely Dupuy
Reveals her secret love for Schuyler Carleton, admits writing the suicide note, and faints when confronted about timeline inconsistencies.
- Rob Fessenden
Conducts the interview, uses deductive questioning to uncover Cicely's secret, and decides to stay in Mapleton to continue investigating.
- Kitty French
Assists in arranging the interview, provides emotional support, and begins to attract Fessenden's romantic interest.
- Schuyler Carleton
Discussed as the object of both Madeleine's and Cicely's affections; revealed to love Dorothy Burt.
- Madeleine Van Norman
Referenced as having confided in Cicely about her heartbreak over Carleton's love for another woman.
Key passages
“I know it, Miss French. In her sorrow over the matter, Miss Van Norman often confided in me as in a friend.”
Cicely claims that Madeleine frequently shared her heartbreak with her.
Establishes Cicely as a confidante and source of insider knowledge about Madeleine's emotional state.
“I went to get that paper. Because it was mine. I had a right to it.”
Cicely admits she tried to retrieve the suicide note from the library because she wrote it.
Key admission linking Cicely directly to the note and raising questions about her motives.
“With an agonized cry of dismay, Miss Dupuy fainted into utter unconsciousness.”
Cicely collapses when Fessenden points out the inconsistency in her account of Carleton's arrival time.
Her extreme reaction suggests she is hiding something significant about the timeline of events.
