Book Review - The Weapon and the Fruit - Four and Twenty Blackboards by L.E. Bendon

(This book is set to be published on 7th January 2025)

Short Description

Jane Alder has been found dead, but how did she die?

Lance Pomegranate is a detective. he often works on cases with the authorities and is skilled at discovering the truth about a case. When Detectives Esi Owusu and Pawel Krol require assistance investigating the death of a primary teacher, the eccentric detective is their first call. Will he be able to uncover the truth of this case as well?

(Read the official synopsis on Goodreads, Amazon or the author's site)

Review

Disclosure - I was sent this book by the author in return for an honest review. No compensation was given other than that.

First Thoughts

I love a good whodunit mystery. So, when the author contacted me about reviewing his upcoming book, I could hardly contain my excitement. As with most of the mysteries I read, I had no idea what to expect, but I had a lot of fun reading this wonderful book.

Plot

The Weapon and The Fruit - Four and Twenty Blackboards has a pretty straightforward endgame, as do many detective stories. Jane Alder is found dead, and now the investigation must commence. However, no two mysteries are the same, and this book was one I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I love reading mysteries. After fantasy, I believe mystery is my favorite genre. This book was a wonderful mystery, full of the usual drama, exhilaration, and moments of discovery. However, what truly separated it from other mysteries were the relationships and friendships the characters had with one another. I can't say much about the plot (to avoid spoilers), but I'll say that I loved the pacing. It gave the book a cozy feel that I adore in mysteries.

I loved the focus on friendship, family, and belonging. I also loved the investigative process. The detectives I generally read about don't work with the police. They are more independent than Lance is, but that difference is what makes it fun to read about both kinds. We follow the police officers and Lance as they attempt to scope out the crime scene. I also loved how much was being discovered about the victim, and sometimes, it almost felt like I was reading a character study in the best way.

A major theme explored in this book was that of self-acceptance. It expounded on the need to remain true to oneself and never compromise your desires for others or to fit in with societal norms. Lance Pomegranate doesn't wear shoes. he hates them and thinks they hinder his work and life. I must admit that in the beginning, it was strange to me that he would brave the weather, dirt, and other dangerous items on the road just because he preferred going barefoot. However, I soon realized that my reaction was similar to how the people reacted to Lance in the book. This made me deeply contemplate the topic, which may seem simple on the surface but helped me see things in a new light. The story emphasizes individual differences and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

I'm awful at guessing the culprit in mysteries. I find it more enjoyable just following the detectives along, and understanding how they came to their discoveries. That's how I felt in this story too. I loved trying to understand why Lance would do things and how the things he was discovering could be important. I was shocked when the truth was revealed. I didn't see it coming at all. When I thought about it, the clues were there, but I couldn't connect the dots fast enough to get to the answer before Lance did. I loved the writing in this book. It was simple, to the point, hilarious, and clever. I laughed when I understood the meaning behind the name 'The Weapon and The Fruit'. I didn't expect it, but I'm more amazed that I didn't even think of the title that way. 

Also, though this isn't a part of the plot, the dedication was one of the funniest I've read this year.

Characters

Lance - Lance is one of the most unique characters I have followed in a mystery book. He is eccentric, friendly, determined, intelligent, and hates wearing shoes. He is brave, sweet, and more than a little stubborn to do what is best for him. The detective is always my favorite character to follow in a mystery. Their unique quirks, thought processes, and methods of deduction are always vivid in my mind when recalling mysteries. Lance is one such detective, and I had a lot of fun following him along on his brainstorming. He's also one of the kindest friends a person can have.

Esi - Esi is one of my favorite characters in this book. She is reliable, dependable, understanding, and a wonderful friend. She is a spectacular Detective Inspector, and professional no matter who she is dealing with. She remains calm no matter the case and her support of Lance's preferences is heartwarming. I also loved how much she valued her family and that really shone as she investigated this case.

Pawel - Esi's fellow police officer, partner, and Lance's friend. Pawel is another great character. His love for his wife Lena is adorable and his respect for her privacy and boundaries is impressive. He is brave, sweet, and willing to do anything to protect others. I'm not a sports person (at all) yet I found his love of football endearing.

Sahana - Lance's friend and talented trombonist, Sahana was a great addition to this tale. She had nothing to do with the police, unlike the other characters Lance was accustomed to working with, and that made their dynamic intriguing. I loved reading about Sahana's interactions with Lance. Their acceptance of and respect for one another was a lovely touch.

Jane Alder - I won't say too much about Jane as she is the focus of this mystery. However, I will say that Jane's character was handled skillfully by the author. She seemed like a real person with her flaws and strengths. 

Things I Didn't Like

There wasn't a lot I didn't like in this book. Only, sometimes, I felt that the fact that Lance didn't wear shoes overshadowed the mystery of the murdered woman. It got much better as I kept reading and I understood what the author was trying to convey, however, it was commented on a lot throughout the book.

In Summation

I enjoyed reading this book a lot. It was perhaps not a high-stakes mystery like the others I've been reading recently, but it was fun in its own way. If you love mysteries where interaction between the characters is a major presence you'll love this book. If you love mysteries but don't want anything too heavy, this is the book for you. If you love cozy mysteries like I do, I think the friendship and sweet moments in this mystery will be a great fit for you. I hope there will be more books following the eccentric detective, Lance Pomegranate!

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐

Emoji Depiction: 🦶🔑👮