The first lead
The opening assignment tells investigators where the search begins.
SOLVE THE MONTHLY CRIME · CASE OPEN
CASE OPEN · ENTRIES ACCEPTEDRENNA PALMER PUBLISHING PRESENTS
SOLVE MONTHLY CRIME
Five pieces of evidence. One trail through Detroit. One final answer. The first eligible investigator to solve the complete trail wins the announced reward.
SOLVE MONTHLY CRIME STATUSSolve Monthly Crime 01 · The Missing Shield · OpenOPENINGOpen now through September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, unless solved earlierFIRST REWARDAutographed bookmark + book light
HOW THE TRAIL WORKS
The website becomes the case file.
Five pieces of evidence are concealed naturally across Detroit history, geography, newspapers, Crime Crawl, and the Ralph Palmer archive. Each discovery will point toward the next destination. The fifth will unlock the final answer.
The city record
A detail inside the site directs careful readers deeper into Detroit.
The connection
Names, dates, streets, and records may matter—but only in the correct order.
The turn
The fourth discovery narrows the trail and points toward the final file.
The final evidence
The last discovery makes the complete answer possible.
THE STANDING FRAMEWORK
Careful research wins.
FREE TO ENTER
No purchase will be required to enter or win.
ONE COMPLETE ANSWER
The submission must contain the requested final answer, not an explanation of every clue.
FIRST CORRECT SUBMISSION
The site’s recorded submission time will determine the first eligible correct entry.
PUBLIC HISTORY ONLY
No paid newspaper subscription or private family record will be required to complete Solve Monthly Crime.
FAIR TRAIL
Every required piece of evidence will be available on this website while Solve Monthly Crime is open.
OFFICIAL RULES CONTROL
The concise Official Rules govern eligibility, timing, entries, winner verification and the prize.
THE SUBMISSION DESK
The Missing Shield is open.
Begin with Evidence 01 on the homepage. Follow all five locations, restore the missing event and exact date, then return to the official entry form.
BEGIN WITH EVIDENCE 01 → SUBMIT AN ANSWER →Read the concise Official Rules. No purchase is necessary. One entry per person.