Chocolate Insomnia
Concept & Story

A classic mystery's sweet-toothed redux!

A century ago in London, a certain group of amateur sleuths known as the Crimes Circle met its match against the unknown mastermind of the so-called Poisoned Chocolates Case, an affair tangled like a spiderweb whose apparent simplicity belied its true depth.

Flashforward to modern day Japan―the Crimes Circle is back in an unexpected form. Tokiwa Private Academy is a school for the youth's elite. Among them exists an unofficial gathering of eccentrics, fascinated by the dark world of criminology―when this bunch find themselves embroiled in an affair endlessly similar to that which their forefathers had been stumped by, they have no choice but to try their hands―and heads―at solving it. And in classic fashion, they'll take turns doing so!

Anthony Berkeley's 1929 mystery classic The Poisoned Chocolates Case sees six different amateur detectives, all members of the so-called Crimes Circle, each put forth their own deductions concerning a seemingly simple case: a woman poisoned to death with a box of chocolates.

This elegant and memorable novel has spawned an interesting tradition: other writers would begin making their own attempts at new, novel deductions surrounding the classic case, subverting the original resolution. A new ending by Christianna Brand was added in the 1979 reprint, and the yet another one by Martin Edwards in the 2016 edition.

And that brings us to me. After mystery aficionado and friend of the site Jared E. Jellson introduced me to the story and gave me the writing prompt of creating one such new deduction, I set out to do just that. Yet after actually reading the novel, the congealed, slimy rotting mass that is my mind spun and spun for months until what you see before you materialized into existence.

One part pastiche, one part modern, light novel-inspired reimagining, this novella only fulfills the criteria of the original prompt by the most generous of standards. Nevertheless, for fans of Anthony Berkeley's novel as well as interested newcomers, I hope it'll make for a good time.

- Genma496
October, 2024

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Cast of Characters
The Crimes Circle
Shirahama Ryoukai　Class 2-A
The president of the Crimes Circle. Grandson to one of Tokiwa Academy's board members. A man with a constant unpleasant smile, whose cordial demeanor always seems insincere. Likes birdwatching and foie gras.
Araya Ryuuo　Class 3-B
An infamous delinquent despite his wellborn upbringing, feared for his irritable attitude and mean scowl. A cynic and a realist, he values being right above all else. Has known Damari since elementary school. Is secretly afraid of spiders.
Gekihara Esuzu　Class 2-C
The president of the Drama Club. An ordinary girl with an extraordinary love of pomp and circumstance. Best friends with Damari, whom she unequivocally supports. Her weakest subject is PE.
Sekimonji Shisai　Class 3-C
A professional novelist despite his young age. Saved his family from poverty with the revenue from his book sales. A genius with no patience for frivolous or irrational things. Has attended every Comiket for 5 years running.
Damari Arisa　Class 3-B
An elegant girl with a mysterious aura. Highly observant of others yet impossible to read. The second most senior member of the Crimes Circle. Dotes on Gekihara. Enjoys making fun of Araya.
Kanshou Kisuke　Class 1-D
The newest and youngest member of the Crimes Circle. An unassuming boy with a nervous air and a weak presence. Miraculously passed the test to join the gathering despite being poor at deductions.
The Disciplinary Committee
Moribe　Class 3-A
The vice chairwoman of the Tokiwa Academy's Disciplinary Committee. Determined to bring all criminals (rulebreakers) to justice. Has a thorny expression, but is actually quite gentle. Her glasses are just for show.