The Weapon and the Fruit: Four and Twenty Blackboards
The Weapon and the Fruit: Four and Twenty Blackboards is a murder mystery featuring Lance Pomegranate, a private investigator who does not wear shoes. This often results in some amusing exchanges, where he is mistaken for a homeless person. To combat this, he wears toe rings and paints his nails, but all of it is to no avail. In some amusing exchanges, the counterparty gets quite upset when Lance just asks basic questions (other than my lack of shoes, what part of me looks homeless?).
But enough about shoes (or the lack thereof), Lance is a contractor for the London police department, and he is requested to help investigate a murder. A schoolteacher, Jane Alder, is found with a knife in her heart in her home. The doors were locked. While Ms. Alder was abrasive and certainly ruffled some feathers, that isn't exactly a murder motive. The investigation starts off tricky in that way. Furthermore, most of the people they encounter have strong alibis.
Lance accompanies the detectives as they interview witnesses and otherwise solve the case. Of which I don't really want to get into the particulars, as that is part of the fun of the book.
Lance also has a friend, Savanah, who accompanies him at times. They picnic together and otherwise provide a bit of a foil to the murder investigation, which does get dicey at times. She even helps him figure out part of the mystery. The rest of the characters are fun and unique, but Lance, both as the protagonist and as the quirkiest of the lot, stands out in particular.
The mystery was intriguing and kept me engaged as new facts were uncovered. In a typical mystery fashion, the ending and murder are revealed with great flair (what else would you expect from someone with the name Lance Pomegranate?).
The work was compelling, and I recommend it to any mystery fans. Perhaps Mr. Pomegranate will take a place for you among the ranks of Poirot and Holmes.
Length: 312 pages
Perspective: 3rd
Tense: Past
Kindle Unlimited: No
Where to buy:
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