Blunt Instrument

One time, English professor Dell Chandler turned private investigator, and her history makes her the perfect candidate to assist in solving the murder of Cromwell University’s resident curmudgeon, Professor Bullfinch. This begins Amy Bloom’s Blunt Instrument. For full disclosure, I have loved everything Bloom has written, but this is her first foray into murder mystery, and it just doesn’t land. There is an interesting, tasty story, but the relationships are inconsistent at best, and a love story within the narrative makes absolutely no sense. While the ending was a bit of a surprise, I just didn’t care about any of the characters enough to be impressed by it.

But: if you like mysteries within academic settings, and if you’ve ever taught at the college level (as I have), there are some great moments here.