What Happened to Joe French?

The story of what happened to Joe French is a mystery and a puzzle. As private in the U.S. Army he goes AWOL and sweet talks his way to thousands of dollars impersonating a Captain in the Medical Corp. French figured out a way to swindle cash from the U.S. Government and continues to manipulate his way through tight security, high-level managers, and military brass gaining acceptance as a Medical Officer. He then hides in plain sight as one of the rich and famous carrying on the charade as an up and coming popular songwriter/singer. He even winds up as Grand Marshal in the annual “Bud Billikin Parade ” in Chicago. An alert Sargent gets suspicious and finally catches French, but has no idea as to the extent the crime spree or the master plan that is in play. Sitting in a prison cell, facing years of incarceration, French reflects on his story. The tale winds between incredulous truth and incredulous fiction, between lost love and larceny, between delusion and deception. Behind this petty thief is a master of the con. He is an unknown and unwitting genius. This is where “Catch-22”, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, “Catch Me if You Can”, and “Forest Gump” come together in one story and one person.

Hidden throughout the story are 33 clues to the puzzle of “What Happened to Joe French?” If you solve the puzzle successfully, the clues will lead you to an exact location. You will not have to travel to the location, only be able to identify it. It is a physical location and the clues, once deciphered, will reveal the name. This is where you will find Joe French. The first person to send the exact location and succinctly describe how they arrived at the solution will receive the 33 ingots of gold (~2 pounds), referenced in the story. Once you have solved the puzzle, send your result to Seiko141@gmail.comwith the exact location in the subject line.  You will be contacted if you are correct.  Once the puzzle is solved, the solution will be posted on the author website at Seiko141.com.  Visit the site for updates, blog posts, reader forums and additional books by Seiko141.