Diabolic Candelabra

''Diabolic Candelabra'' by E. R. Punshon (d. 1956), public domain. The book blends a seemingly impossible murder investigation with labyrinthine puzzles, a wood-dwelling hermit, an animal-whispering girl, and an evil stepfather. The story kicks off when Bobby Owen's wife, Olive, sets out to find the recipe for some "e;uncommonly good chocolates"e;. However, this innocent domestic quest plunges the Inspector directly into a web of trouble. The plot prominently revolves around two highly valuable pieces of art and a series of seemingly impossible murders that will test even the cleverest armchair sleuths. E.R. Punshon s signature discursive writing style is on full display in this novel. Readers can expect a brilliant, character-driven mystery punctuated by his sly wit and social commentary, making it a highly regarded installment in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.