Chapter summaries Holmes Is Missing James Patterson & Brian Sitts

Chapter 95: The Funeral of Baby Edwin Cade

Spoiler Notice

Warning: This analysis contains major spoilers for Chapter 95 of Holmes Is Missing. Read the chapter first.

Summary

The chapter takes place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral during the funeral of baby Edwin Cade. The bishop delivers a final commendation, and the Mass of the Angels—a Catholic rite reserved for the young—has just concluded. Sunlight streams through stained glass as the procession of priests, deacons, and the tiny white flower‑draped coffin moves down the center aisle.

Marple and Holmes stand together in a back pew; Poe, Helene Grey, and Virginia are nearby. Sterling and Christine Cade follow their son’s coffin. Outside, police officers form an honor guard, and Officer Amy Polacco salutes. Captain Graham Duff and Dr. Revell Schulte attend as the coffin is placed in the hearse. Holmes leans in and whispers, “This is why” — why he can’t do this anymore. Marple says she understands but inwardly feels more determined than ever. A phone call from Dodgett in London brings news that all four missing UK babies have been found safe in a Southampton warehouse. Marple touches the cathedral wall and offers a prayer of thanks.

Key Events

  • The bishop’s final commendation and the end of the Mass of the Angels.
  • Procession of the tiny white coffin, followed by the Cade family.
  • Police honor guard and Officer Polacco’s salute outside the cathedral.
  • Holmes tells Marple he is quitting the investigation.
  • Marple resolves not to be defeated by the death.
  • Dodgett’s call confirms the four UK babies are safe and heading home; he mentions Rebecca’s service that afternoon.
  • Marple offers a final prayer of thanks.

Character Development

  • Holmes – Reveals his emotional breaking point. The sight of a dead child’s coffin pushes him past his limit; he announces he can no longer continue the work. This decision marks a major shift from his previously relentless investigative drive.
  • Marple – Although she verbally tells Holmes she understands, she inwardly refuses to let the tragedy defeat her. She becomes more determined, showing her resilience and her commitment to the case even without Holmes. Her prayer of thanks for the rescued children reveals her gratitude and humanity.
  • Dodgett – A brief but meaningful phone presence. He delivers the positive resolution on his side of the Atlantic and alludes to the late Rebecca’s service, grounding the chapter in both success and personal loss.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Mass of the Angels – The specific Catholic funeral rite for children underscores the innocence lost and the profound tragedy of a child’s death.
  • The white coffin and delicate flowers – Symbolize purity, grief, and the unnaturalness of burying a baby.
  • Police honor guard and formal salutes – Represent the institutional weight, duty, and respect surrounding the case’s outcome.
  • “This is why” – Holmes’s whisper encapsulates the unbearable emotional toll that leads him to step away from the case.
  • The UK babies’ rescue – A counterpoint to the funeral; a hopeful note that some children were saved, illustrating that the investigation was not entirely in vain.
  • Prayer and the cathedral – Show the characters seeking solace and offering gratitude within a sacred space, blending faith with the aftermath of the crime.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 95 is a pivotal emotional turning point. The funeral brings closure to the Edwin Cade tragedy while exposing the heavy personal cost of the case: Holmes, the lead investigator, decides to walk away. This raises the stakes for Marple, who must now carry the investigation forward alone. Simultaneously, Dodgett’s call delivers a crucial piece of positive news—the four UK babies are safe—reminding the reader that not every effort was futile. The chapter weighs grief against quiet victory and sets the stage for the resolution with Marple’s solitary determination.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Question: Why does Holmes tell Marple “This is why”?
    Answer: He is referring to the funeral of baby Edwin Cade. The overwhelming grief of a child’s death, which he feels his efforts failed to prevent, convinces him he can no longer continue the investigation.

  2. Question: How does Marple react to Holmes’s decision?
    Answer: Outwardly she tells him she understands, but inwardly she feels more determined than ever. She refuses to let the death defeat her and commits to continuing the work, even alone.

  3. Question: What is the significance of Dodgett’s phone call?
    Answer: The call delivers the news that all four missing UK babies have been found safe, providing a crucial moment of hope and success. It connects the transatlantic investigations and reassures Marple—and the reader—that some children were spared.

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