Blunt Instrument

 

Blunt Instrument by Amy Bloom
6/2/26; 288 pages
The Mysterious Press
Dell Chandler Mysteries #1 

Blunt Instrument by Amy Bloom is a recommended investigative mystery and the first novel in a new detective series featuring PI Dellarobbia “Dell” Chandler.

After working at and then inheriting her uncle's practice, Dell Chandler, PhD, former English professor, is currently working as a private investigator. When Cromwell University's English department head Professor Oliver Bullfinch is found murdered, college president Elizabeth Cutty has doubts about the local police department's capabilities, so she hires Dell to come to Connecticut and investigate. Dell can use the $500 daily fee plus she will be able to see her godfather. Once she begins to look into the death it becomes abundantly clear that Bullfinch wasn't well liked, the suspects are plentiful, and the police aren't going to cooperate.

As a character, Dell has her charms as well as many failings as a detective. She can be self-deprecating, sarcastic, witty, ironic, and sometimes insightful, sometimes crude. Admittedly, as a character Dell's personality and actions left me feeling alienated frequently. Reducing every encounter down to the most base thoughts and immediately jumping into bed with someone isn't what I'm looking for in a detective. I want clues, investigating, following leads. You can be sassy, tough, and candid while investigating, but you do the work.

The pacing seems rather nonchalant, and cuts to different scenes like a TV show. All of the suspects are academics. While Dell does investigate, often the clues seem to fall into her hands and seem self-evident, until the end when several surprising reveals suddenly occur. The fact is, however, if Dell had done the work, the actual investigating, earlier, the facts regarding the case could have revealed themselves sooner. The other surprising personal information shared was unrealistic. In the end, this was just average. Thanks to The Mysterious Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.