A locked room. A brutal murder. And a killer who can unwind time…
Ooh, what a fabulous premise. I was sure I would love this before I even read the blurb, and I was right. Part myth, part mystery and completely compelling, ‘Black Lake Manor’ is a cleverly crafted tale with a satisfying ending.
What’s it about?
Meet Ella Manning: part time constable, octopus owner and former fianc̩e of famous tech entrepreneur Lincoln Shan, who has just been found dead in his home the morning after a controversial product launch. Not just dead, but brutally murdered inside a locked room on Black Lake Рa place where some inhabitants have the power to rewind time.
Just as Ella is sure she has identified the culprit, the last six hours are undone. With no memory of what she discovered before, her investigation begins again with very different results. But which conclusion was true? The race is on to find the killer before they strike again – and time is not on Ella’s side…
What’s it like?
Just brilliant fun. A locked room mystery with moveable parts, where you know someone is manipulating Ella, but it isn’t clear who until the very end. As with all the best science fiction, there are strict rules:
Only one who is Hamatsa may summon the Wolf
The Wolf will eat no more than one quarter of one Day
Only the Hamatsa and any who pass to the Night will remember
The Wolf will heed the call of each Hamatsa only once
Simple, right? The first few chapters move from 1804 to 2025 to 2045, introducing many characters and setting up many elements of the plot. Just as my head began to spin, the narrative settled into two distinct tracks and began to weave a dark tale of very human greed.
Final thoughts
This is both classic crime fiction and a delightful novelty. Our victim had made enemies (tick), some of whom were in attendance at his party, giving them the opportunity to kill him (tick), and the murder appears to be both grisly and impossible (tick); but there’s also the dirty history and secrets of a group of tribespeople, a surprising amount of information about octopi and a magic that seems destined to thwart justice…
Thoroughly enjoyable; this is a proper puzzle, with a first chapter that gives a dark taste of the main story.
Author notes
This is the second novel by London barrister Guy Morpuss, whose first novel, Five Minds, was equally inventive, clever and thrilling. I am really looking forward to reading whatever scenario Morpuss dreams up next!
‘Black Lake Manor’,
Guy Morpuss,
2023, Viper, paperback