The Forgotten Clue
Inspector Alistair Finch, a detective haunted by past failures, finds himself embroiled in a complex mystery at Penhaligon Manor. Arthur Penhaligon, the wealthy collector, lies dead in his locked study, surrounded by priceless antiquities and rare books. The scene suggests a struggle, but no forced entry. Partnered with the eager Sergeant Iris Bellweather, Finch begins his investigation, questioning the suspects: Beatrice Penhaligon, Arthur's estranged niece, Silas Blackwood, a rival antiquarian, Evelyn Croft, the loyal housekeeper, and Victor Sterling, a shady art dealer.
Each suspect carries a motive, a connection to the victim, and a potential to be withholding vital information, throwing Finch into a web of deceit. A torn page from "The Book of Shadows," a legendary grimoire rumoured to be in Arthur's possession, is found near the body. This adds a layer of occult mystery to the case, raising the stakes and the potential for supernatural motives. Silas Blackwood, a ruthlessly ambitious antiquarian, seems to have a strong alibi but Finch suspects his motives. The investigation leads them to Blackwood Antiquities, where Finch uncovers evidence linking Blackwood to Arthur's collection and a stolen artifact, hinting at a deeper connection. Finch's personal demons rear their head as he revisits his past, remembering an unresolved case involving a missing child, mirroring the current mystery and struggling with his personal demons. His strained relationship with his estranged brother, Rupert, an artist struggling with addiction, throws Finch's personal life into the case, and forces him to confront his past failures.
A meeting between Evelyn Croft and Victor Sterling is witnessed, raising suspicions of a deeper conspiracy. The Serpent's Eye Amulet, a valuable artifact missing from Arthur's collection, resurfaces, containing coded messages in a rare manuscript that provide a new lead. Finch races against time to decipher the code, hoping to unravel the secrets behind Arthur's murder. The hunt leads him to uncover a hidden room in the manor, potentially used for clandestine dealings. The disappearance of Victor Sterling heightens the tension, making Finch suspicious of a larger conspiracy involving the smuggling of stolen artifacts, creating doubt if Sterling is a victim or a key player.
Finch's relentless pursuit forces him to revisit the crime scene and this time notices a crucial detail: a bloodstained antique letter opener. The overlooked item is connected to a specific letter in Arthur's collection, leading to the true killer. Facing the truth, Finch confronts the perpetrator, unveiling their hidden motives and the sequence of events that led to Arthur's death. The case is closed, yet Finch is left grappling with the complexities of human nature. Evelyn Croft, the housekeeper, is revealed as the killer, driven by a desperate desire to protect a long-held family secret linked to the grimoire. In the end, Finch reconciles with his past failures, helps Rupert recover, and finds a measure of peace, finally lifting the shadows of his past.
Customer Reviews
ThriftBooks® and the ThriftBooks® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
