Argh!! Massive plot hole!

I'm reading this book I picked up because it's an historical murder mystery set in 1920s Hollywood. The protagonist is also gay. Should be fun! But ...

Despite everything already in this book, author also had to add psychic powers. Not only is the protagonist psychic, but his mother is, too. And so is (real) movie star Clara Bow, who is a large part of the story.

Okay, maybe an author can juggle all that and make it work (spoiler: he can't), but the psychic nonsense adds a major plot hole.

The protagonist can always tell when someone is lying. He can't tell what the truth is, but he can sense lies, including lies of omission.

But for some reason, when the protagonist interviews suspects, he doesn't ask, "Did you kill him?" or even, "Do you know who the killer is?"

Worse, the book doesn't actually need the psychic junk. I've switched over to reading it with an editor's eye, and that whole thing can be airlifted out with minimal rewriting. The protagonist could just have a strong urge that someone is lying (this is a standard trope in murder mysteries). The protagonist's psychic connection with Clara Bow can be changed into fast friendship. The reading of the crime scene that reveals unhelpful snatches of the mystery can be converted to everyday clues.

Ugh! I want to toss the book at the author's keyboard.


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