Four and Twenty Blackbirds

by Brian Beneventi

Defense attorney Thomas Crowe must complete a routine case assignment before he can take a trip that will hopefully save his marriage. While working in Seoul, South Korea, he meets billionaire environmentalist Kenneth Yang, he learns this case is anything but routine. Yang needs help preparing a civil lawsuit against Japanese world heritage site preservationist Keiji Kittaka. Following Kittaka’s arrival at Yang’s mansion and a heated dinner between the two men, Kittaka turns up dead and devoured by Yang’s pet crows. Thinking his work done, Thomas prepares to save his marriage, but when he tries to make a hasty exit he draws the suspicion of the police. Matters are made worse when his fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. When Yang betrays him to save face, Thomas teams up with Su, a Korean street thief girl, to solve the murder and prove Thomas’ innocence. While chasing the real killer, Thomas realizes that Su reminds him of his deceased daughter and adopting her may be the key to his happiness. But Su is hiding a terrible secret that threatens to drive them apart forever.

265 pages, Paperback

Published November 27, 2023

Reviews

[Kaylin Worthington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Written in the kind of present tense that keeps you flipping the pages fast, this action packed mystery was a delight that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Speculating on the “who did it,” putting the clues together, with twists and turns along the way, I was riveted by it all, and especially enjoyed watching the main character navigate his relationships. With the questions I still had at the end, it left me yearning for more!