Eugene Flinn’s “The Inn of the Seventy-Seven Clocks” is a mystery crime novel combined with the author’s humorous approach in storytelling. An analysis of the novel may be from various perspectives but the succeeding discussion will focus on the protagonists’ methods or techniques in solving the narrative’s mysteries. A combination of logical reasoning and intuition helped Inspector J. Pequod Dyxx and his wife Evangeline unravel the novel’s mysteries. Flinn’s narrative illustrates the effect of one method on the other such that intuition plays an important role in the protagonists’ realization of some details and vice versa. Furthermore, aside from following the plot to its conclusion and featuring Inspector Dyxx’ ingénue and collaborative partnership with his wife Evangeline, Flinn also included social commentary in the novel. Flinn’s characterization reflect the author’s views and perspectives about people in society, particularly those that are powerful or influential including doctors, priests, and lawyers among others.
Flinn’s novel is set in an inn called the Inn of the Seventy-Seven Clocks located by Lake Metedeconk, Vermont. The conflict of the story revolves around the guests at the inn, particularly the death and possible murder of Father Schmidtburger and a local doctor. British Inspector J. Pequod Dyxx and his wife Evangeline investigate Father Schmidtburger’s death and meet various guests at the inn. Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline then investigate the curious disappearance of Keith Garaway, a congressman from Texas, and his mistress Emily, the power-hungry Robert Aaron Garment, the infamous Emilio Gionfrido, and his henchman John Zackawietz.
Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline also meet the innkeepers Benedict and Beatrice who seem to know much about their guests. Unbeknownst to Benedict and Beatrice, the information they share to Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline about their guests contribute to the latter’s investigation. Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline’s observations, investigations, and encounters with various characters or personalities in the story allowed them to make deductions and finally solve the mystery towards the end of the novel. Prior to the resolution, however, they meet different people and visit various places, which creates a sense of adventure in the story and plot devices to illustrate Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline’s interesting exploits that have consistently interested Flinn’s readers.
In Flinn’s novel, Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline combine their skills to solve the mystery behind Father Schmidtburger and Dr. Wilkinson’s cases. Inspector J. Pequod Dyxx has proclivity for ratiocination, which is a way of analyzing issues and problems and arriving at solutions or conclusions based on logical reasoning. Throughout the novel, Inspector Dyxx remains thoughtful and contemplative while conducting his investigations. Flinn wrote his character in a way that the readers get to know or understand Inspector Dyxx’s thought process in different situations or circumstances. While investigating a scene or place, for instance, Dyxx describes what he sees and thinks, which then allows the readers to understand how he arrives at conclusions.
Nonetheless, despite Inspector Dyxx’s penchant for ratiocination or logical reasoning, intuition also influences his thought process. Intuition is innate but Inspector Dyxx despite his insistence of logic may also have been influenced by his wife Evangeline. While Inspector Dyxx resorted to reason in his investigations, Evangeline, on the other hand, relied on her psychic abilities. On the surface, logical reasoning and psychic abilities may not work well together because of the unique or different nature of these methods. Nonetheless, Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline’s methods in the novel mesh together well, consequently allowing them to use their skills and competencies to solve the crime in the story. Both of the characters’ methods appear to be cyclical, such that Inspector Dyxx’s rational thoughts manifest as a result of his intuition while Evangeline’s psychic abilities are similarly supported by Inspector Dyxx’s reports and observations.
Inspector Dyxx also has an eye for detail. In the beginning of the novel, Inspector Dyxx took in all the details of Dr. Wilkinson’s office. Inspector Dyxx described what he saw, which reflected his eye for detail, and therefore, also explains his skill and ingénue when it comes to solving crimes and mysteries. Furthermore, Inspector Dyxx describes things well to the least single detail. He has good memory as he can recall the details while recounting his experiences to Evangeline.
As formerly noted, Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline combined their skills or competencies in solving crimes, which is a more effective way of doing so than relying merely on logical reasoning or on psychic or extrasensory abilities. The narrative proves that the solid and consistent collaboration between Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline has contributed to their success in solving crimes or mysteries. For one, Inspector Dyxx discovered Mrs. Bakersfield in Dr. Wilkinson’s office. Prior to entering Dr. Wilkinson’s office, Inspector Dyxx contemplated doing so and because he learns from his wife, his intuition pushed him to investigate. If not for Evangeline’s influence on Inspector Dyxx, particularly the weight that they both place on intuition, he may not have discovered Mrs. Bakersfield in the office.
Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline work on cases or mysteries effectively because they communicate. Although Inspector Dyxx values ratiocination, he remains open to other people’s ideas, particularly his wife’s. Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline communicate effectively. First of all, they both share information gleaned with each other. Inspector Dyxx, for instance, shares information he learned or experienced with his wife. Evangeline, on the other hand, asks questions and Inspector Dyxx answers them. Both also share their thoughts, ideas, and analysis or views of information or situation communicated with one another. In this way, both of them share what they know, thereby adding new information or ideas for the other.
Evangeline even takes notes so she would be able to read and study information later on. Moreover, Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline also communicate nonverbally in an effective manner. Evangeline, for instance, knows or understands the meaning behind Inspector Dyxx’s movements and actions. Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline’s ability to communicate with another allows them to share their ideas then this sharing of ideas allows them to focus on a broader picture.
Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline work well together as a team. Both characters’ partnership is primarily a result of the way they effectively communicate and rely on one another. Although Inspector Dyxx prefers logical reasoning, he remains open to other ways of thinking or possibilities of viewing people and situations. He actively seeks his wife’s help. Evangeline, known for her psychic abilities, then help her husband view things in a way that is logical but also intuitive at the same time. Hence, both of them not only follow or apply their skills but also take into consideration the skills and interest of the other.
While Inspector Dyxx always remembers his wife’s advice when it comes to following intuition or gut instinct and believing in premonition, Evangeline also takes into consideration her husband’s penchant for logical reasoning. As a result, she finds a way to introduce her own ideas and interpretation in a way that would suit or match Inspector Dyxx’s methods but would also challenge her husband’s views and perspectives. Consequently, by challenging each other, Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline both find new and different ways to view, analyze, and interpret things or situations.
Although “The Inn of the Seventy-Seven Clocks” is seemingly a mystery detective story, it is essentially a social commentary. Flinn is largely known for his criticisms of people particularly those that hold power and influence in society such as businessmen, lawyers, politicians, and religious leaders among others. Throughout the story, Flinn reveals the many ways that these people abuse their social position and influence. Characters in the novel such as the priest portray the sinful nature of people in society. Essentially, Flinn criticizes the way that people in powerful positions try to influence other people not for the good or benefit of the community but for their own personal benefit. Knowing Flinn’s intentions in writing the novel is also essential in understanding Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline’s character. Both are protagonists in the novel and while they navigate through the streets of Vermont to conduct their investigation, they come upon or encounter different people that become the subject of Flinn’s criticisms.
The foregoing analysis of Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline’s partnership prove that they were able to work together effectively to solve the mysteries in the novel because of communication and teamwork. Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline communicate well because they not only listen to one another but also share their views and interpretations using their own unique methods or techniques. Furthermore, they are both open to one another’s views and opinions. Although they have unique styles and techniques in investigating, they are open to other views and perspectives. Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline learn from one another because as they investigate, analyze, and interpret on their own, they also take into consideration the technique of their partner. Overall, effective communication, teamwork, and openness to one another contributed to Inspector Dyxx and Evangeline’s success in solving the mysteries toward the end of the novel. Hence, the combination of logical reasoning and intuition brought about an open way of viewing, investigating, observing, and analyzing that allowed the protagonists to solve the mysteries in Flinn’s story.
References
Flinn, E. C. (2008). The inn of the seventy-seven clocks. Charleston, SC: BookSurge, LLC.
