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Blunt Instrument
A failed professor solves a murder on campus in this new whodunit from the bestselling author of I’ll Be Right Here.
The case of the bludgeoned lecturer has all of Cromwell University reeling, even though the elderly Professor Bullfinch wasn’t particularly well-liked. His ornery nature and Old World approach to campus politics ruffled more than a few feathers over the years, and present tensions within his department mean there are more suspects than mourners in the wake of his death. And the murder weapon—a bronze bust of Nathanial Hawthorne—does seem to indicate that the attack may have been academically motivated…
Enter Dell Chandler, the failed English professor turned self-taught private detective whom Dr. Cutty calls in to investigate the crime. She has the background to tease out the motives among the staff and just enough experience to conduct a thorough inquiry. If she solves the case before the cops do, the university could keep the whole thing quiet, avoiding sensational media about the dark side of campus life. But to do so, she’ll have to dodge her own demons from her past life as a disgraced academic.
Written with the same depth of character and insight that readers have come to expect from author Amy Bloom’s novels and memoirs, Blunt Instrument is an engaging and entertaining mystery with a lovable protagonist at its core.
The case of the bludgeoned lecturer has all of Cromwell University reeling, even though the elderly Professor Bullfinch wasn’t particularly well-liked. His ornery nature and Old World approach to campus politics ruffled more than a few feathers over the years, and present tensions within his department mean there are more suspects than mourners in the wake of his death. And the murder weapon—a bronze bust of Nathanial Hawthorne—does seem to indicate that the attack may have been academically motivated…
Enter Dell Chandler, the failed English professor turned self-taught private detective whom Dr. Cutty calls in to investigate the crime. She has the background to tease out the motives among the staff and just enough experience to conduct a thorough inquiry. If she solves the case before the cops do, the university could keep the whole thing quiet, avoiding sensational media about the dark side of campus life. But to do so, she’ll have to dodge her own demons from her past life as a disgraced academic.
Written with the same depth of character and insight that readers have come to expect from author Amy Bloom’s novels and memoirs, Blunt Instrument is an engaging and entertaining mystery with a lovable protagonist at its core.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Amy Bloom
70 books1,302 followersAmy Bloom is the New York Times bestselling author of White Houses; Come to Me, a National Book Award finalist; A Blind Man Can See How Much I Love You, a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist; Love Invents Us; Normal; Away; Where the God of Love Hangs Out; and Lucky Us. Her stories have appeared in The Best American Short Stories, O. Henry Prize Short Stories, The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction, and many other anthologies. She has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic Monthly, Vogue, O: The Oprah Magazine, Slate, Tin House, and Salon, among other publications, and has won a National Magazine Award.
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February 20, 2026Failed college professor Dell Chandler inherits a profession as a private detective, at which she is severely impeded by "anger management issues, impulse control issues, and apparently unresolvable issues with authority." Also, there's the matter of her general laziness and carelessness, an unfortunate habit of "breathing like a locomotive" when stressed, equal-opportunity lust for men and women, and her predilection for enjoying other people parading their flaws. Her training for PI work? An addiction to watching Law & Order. She is hired to solve the murder of an unlikable professor named Bulfinch.
Like her "regular novels," this mystery has Amy Bloom's sumptuous descriptions—clothes, food, room décor, and people—and off-the-wall sense of humor. But it's hard to describe the style of this book. The action comes with a starkness that reminds me of noir books. There are abrupt transitions: Dell meets a guy and next scene with him, they're having sex. The scenes are kind of pasted together. My sense is that Bloom has re-invented the mystery, using Law & Order's sometimes cut-and-pasted scenes, connected by the famous 2-note musical transition. The characters don't really develop, but I didn't mind. As with Law & Order (I watch it too), I was entertained and the great literary descriptions were like seasoning in a good stew where it didn't matter if you knew what was in it.
Like her "regular novels," this mystery has Amy Bloom's sumptuous descriptions—clothes, food, room décor, and people—and off-the-wall sense of humor. But it's hard to describe the style of this book. The action comes with a starkness that reminds me of noir books. There are abrupt transitions: Dell meets a guy and next scene with him, they're having sex. The scenes are kind of pasted together. My sense is that Bloom has re-invented the mystery, using Law & Order's sometimes cut-and-pasted scenes, connected by the famous 2-note musical transition. The characters don't really develop, but I didn't mind. As with Law & Order (I watch it too), I was entertained and the great literary descriptions were like seasoning in a good stew where it didn't matter if you knew what was in it.
June 10, 2026
Blunt Instrument was almost okay.
In Amy Bloom's newest novel, Dell Chandler is a failed academic turned private investigator, asked to solve the murder of a bludgeoned-to-death professor. I describe the novel as almost okay because it is teeming with promise, but the execution of these promises is nearly absent. The setting is underdeveloped and underwhelming, the characters are static and forgettable, and the conclusion (despite being the most delicious part of a murder mystery) left me hungry for an actual end. There are spoilers past this part, but if you are a hopeful reader of this novel this intro is all you need to know.
The novel advertises itself as a dark academic murder mystery, so, naturally, a reader would expect a rich and alluring backdrop of Gothic architecture, brooding willows, and prophetic stained glass. Instead, I found myself lost between two cities, neither of which Bloom could clearly define. There were vivid descriptions of places that did not remotely matter to the plot–a prominent flaw that extended to the characters, events, and motifs of the novel.
Bloom does a good job of introducing characters through her imagery, but the novel almost immediately forgets about them. We are given an abundance of plot-important dinner parties, with characters that disappear as quickly as they came. We get a three-page description of Elizabeth Cutter, the school president, and then don't hear about her again until she hands Dell her check. Halfway through the novel, Bloom abandons any mention of Bullfinch, whose murder Dell is originally assigned to solve. The character development is also missing, which is probably why these avatars dissipate. Dell frequently mentions making her mother proud and changing her ways, but the reader never gets enough background on Dell to confirm this. Her failed academic origins are briefly mentioned in the first chapter and then never reflected upon again. Her bad habits are sprinkled throughout, but never consistent; Dell is a hopeless romantic, a stone-cold man-eater, a bad communicator, and yet a good liar. Summary: Dell is all over the place, which seems like less of a character flaw and more like poor writing choices.
But the bronze bust that beats, and eventually kills this novel for me, is the inconclusive plot. The conclusion does not give the reader a clear killer, anyway to tie together the events of the novel, or even a remote understanding of the plot. We are given so much random information that ends up not mattering at all, and no details about the actual murder plots. The first half of the novel focuses on Bullfinch's murder, for which Bloom cannot choose a killer. She does not conclusively decide that it was Allison Shein, a candidate for tenure, that Bullfinch bullied. Or if it was Allison and her lover, or if it was Harry, Allison's other lover, or both of them, or all of them together. We are not told how Allison, described as a meek woman, bludgeons a man to death, except for a quick aside about her pilates-style martial arts class. Despite being given nothing about the actual murder, we are given so much about...Bullfinch's irrelevant sexual deviance? Bullfinch rapes a student, information tossed aside. Bullfinch is paying an immigrant cleaner for blowjobs–something completely irrelevant to his murder. Bullfinch has a secret son, who, just like the others, never makes it past the first page he is introduced on.
The second half of the novel introduces new murders, somehow also not connected to the first, and seemingly unexamined. The brakes on Dell's car are cut. We never find out who did it. A rock is thrown through Dell's paternal father's window and (somehow) gravely injures him–this also goes unaccounted for. There is an anonymous hit-and-run with no victim. Then, Harry, Dell's main suspect for Bullfinch's murder, is murdered, for reasons unrelated to Bullfinch's murder, but
the conclusion does not tell us who killed Harry and how. Was it Michelle, the lesbian cop whose girlfriend slept with Harry? Or Michelle's girlfriend, being blackmailed by Harry for the hit-and-run, which she may have committed? The central mystery of this novel seems to be what actually happened in it.
All that being said, there were things I enjoyed. The pace was gripping toward the end. The main character was witty; her voice shines through the pages. I truly believe Amy Bloom could've had a good novel if she hadn't gotten tired of writing and editing it. Just a bit more time, reflection, and revision could have done Bloom and Dell a great service.
In Amy Bloom's newest novel, Dell Chandler is a failed academic turned private investigator, asked to solve the murder of a bludgeoned-to-death professor. I describe the novel as almost okay because it is teeming with promise, but the execution of these promises is nearly absent. The setting is underdeveloped and underwhelming, the characters are static and forgettable, and the conclusion (despite being the most delicious part of a murder mystery) left me hungry for an actual end. There are spoilers past this part, but if you are a hopeful reader of this novel this intro is all you need to know.
The novel advertises itself as a dark academic murder mystery, so, naturally, a reader would expect a rich and alluring backdrop of Gothic architecture, brooding willows, and prophetic stained glass. Instead, I found myself lost between two cities, neither of which Bloom could clearly define. There were vivid descriptions of places that did not remotely matter to the plot–a prominent flaw that extended to the characters, events, and motifs of the novel.
Bloom does a good job of introducing characters through her imagery, but the novel almost immediately forgets about them. We are given an abundance of plot-important dinner parties, with characters that disappear as quickly as they came. We get a three-page description of Elizabeth Cutter, the school president, and then don't hear about her again until she hands Dell her check. Halfway through the novel, Bloom abandons any mention of Bullfinch, whose murder Dell is originally assigned to solve. The character development is also missing, which is probably why these avatars dissipate. Dell frequently mentions making her mother proud and changing her ways, but the reader never gets enough background on Dell to confirm this. Her failed academic origins are briefly mentioned in the first chapter and then never reflected upon again. Her bad habits are sprinkled throughout, but never consistent; Dell is a hopeless romantic, a stone-cold man-eater, a bad communicator, and yet a good liar. Summary: Dell is all over the place, which seems like less of a character flaw and more like poor writing choices.
But the bronze bust that beats, and eventually kills this novel for me, is the inconclusive plot. The conclusion does not give the reader a clear killer, anyway to tie together the events of the novel, or even a remote understanding of the plot. We are given so much random information that ends up not mattering at all, and no details about the actual murder plots. The first half of the novel focuses on Bullfinch's murder, for which Bloom cannot choose a killer. She does not conclusively decide that it was Allison Shein, a candidate for tenure, that Bullfinch bullied. Or if it was Allison and her lover, or if it was Harry, Allison's other lover, or both of them, or all of them together. We are not told how Allison, described as a meek woman, bludgeons a man to death, except for a quick aside about her pilates-style martial arts class. Despite being given nothing about the actual murder, we are given so much about...Bullfinch's irrelevant sexual deviance? Bullfinch rapes a student, information tossed aside. Bullfinch is paying an immigrant cleaner for blowjobs–something completely irrelevant to his murder. Bullfinch has a secret son, who, just like the others, never makes it past the first page he is introduced on.
The second half of the novel introduces new murders, somehow also not connected to the first, and seemingly unexamined. The brakes on Dell's car are cut. We never find out who did it. A rock is thrown through Dell's paternal father's window and (somehow) gravely injures him–this also goes unaccounted for. There is an anonymous hit-and-run with no victim. Then, Harry, Dell's main suspect for Bullfinch's murder, is murdered, for reasons unrelated to Bullfinch's murder, but
the conclusion does not tell us who killed Harry and how. Was it Michelle, the lesbian cop whose girlfriend slept with Harry? Or Michelle's girlfriend, being blackmailed by Harry for the hit-and-run, which she may have committed? The central mystery of this novel seems to be what actually happened in it.
All that being said, there were things I enjoyed. The pace was gripping toward the end. The main character was witty; her voice shines through the pages. I truly believe Amy Bloom could've had a good novel if she hadn't gotten tired of writing and editing it. Just a bit more time, reflection, and revision could have done Bloom and Dell a great service.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Renzler Publishers for providing an advance e-copy of "Blunt Instrument" by Amy Bloom. Expected publication date is June 2, 2026.
Amy Bloom has long been known for writing character-driven literary fiction populated with quirky, memorable characters whom readers can't help but root for. Combined with her renowned wit and mastery of the short story form, Blunt Instruments feels like one wonderfully extended short story--part literary mystery, part comedy of manners, and wholly delightful. At just 288 pages, it delivers both a satisfying whodunit and a richly rewarding literary experience. This is not your typical mystery; it's a literary escape.
The story centers on the irreverent and gloriously snarky Dell Chandler, who is recruited to solve a murder at a small Connecticut college after local law enforcement fails to make progress. Her father, a professor who once taught the college dean, confidently assures the dean that Dell can solve the crime and spare the institution a public relations nightmare.
Why Dell? Well, she spent years working for her uncle's private investigation firm beginning at age sixteen. Surely that counts for something.
Before entering the world of investigations, Dell was an assistant professor. Unfortunately, after her mother's death from cancer, her life unraveled. She arrived to class intoxicated, neglected grading, alienated students, and ultimately lost her position. Dell is the first to admit that she has anger-management issues, impulse-control problems, and an unfortunate tendency to challenge authority figures whenever possible. Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—none of that dampens her confidence.
The victim, a professor, is murdered with a bust of Nathaniel Hawthorne—the titular blunt instrument. From there, Bloom launches readers into a witty, fast-moving mystery filled with eccentric academics, sharp dialogue, and laugh-out-loud observations. Dell's voice is irresistible: intelligent, flawed, self-aware, and endlessly entertaining.
What impressed me most is how effortlessly Bloom blends literary fiction with classic detective storytelling. The mystery itself is engaging, but the real pleasure comes from spending time inside Dell's head and watching her navigate a world she is uniquely qualified--and uniquely unqualified--to investigate.
This is Bloom's first venture into the mystery genre, and if this novel is any indication, I sincerely hope it is the beginning of a long-running Dell Chandler series. I'll happily read every installment.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy literary fiction, witty protagonists, and classic detective stories with a modern, humorous twist.
Amy Bloom has long been known for writing character-driven literary fiction populated with quirky, memorable characters whom readers can't help but root for. Combined with her renowned wit and mastery of the short story form, Blunt Instruments feels like one wonderfully extended short story--part literary mystery, part comedy of manners, and wholly delightful. At just 288 pages, it delivers both a satisfying whodunit and a richly rewarding literary experience. This is not your typical mystery; it's a literary escape.
The story centers on the irreverent and gloriously snarky Dell Chandler, who is recruited to solve a murder at a small Connecticut college after local law enforcement fails to make progress. Her father, a professor who once taught the college dean, confidently assures the dean that Dell can solve the crime and spare the institution a public relations nightmare.
Why Dell? Well, she spent years working for her uncle's private investigation firm beginning at age sixteen. Surely that counts for something.
Before entering the world of investigations, Dell was an assistant professor. Unfortunately, after her mother's death from cancer, her life unraveled. She arrived to class intoxicated, neglected grading, alienated students, and ultimately lost her position. Dell is the first to admit that she has anger-management issues, impulse-control problems, and an unfortunate tendency to challenge authority figures whenever possible. Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—none of that dampens her confidence.
The victim, a professor, is murdered with a bust of Nathaniel Hawthorne—the titular blunt instrument. From there, Bloom launches readers into a witty, fast-moving mystery filled with eccentric academics, sharp dialogue, and laugh-out-loud observations. Dell's voice is irresistible: intelligent, flawed, self-aware, and endlessly entertaining.
What impressed me most is how effortlessly Bloom blends literary fiction with classic detective storytelling. The mystery itself is engaging, but the real pleasure comes from spending time inside Dell's head and watching her navigate a world she is uniquely qualified--and uniquely unqualified--to investigate.
This is Bloom's first venture into the mystery genre, and if this novel is any indication, I sincerely hope it is the beginning of a long-running Dell Chandler series. I'll happily read every installment.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy literary fiction, witty protagonists, and classic detective stories with a modern, humorous twist.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
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.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of the audiobook Blunt Instrument by Amy Bloom, narrated by Hillary Huber, and overall, I really enjoyed it. The story kept my attention from beginning to end, and I found myself fully invested in both the mystery and the characters.
The main character, Dell Chandler, is an ex-English professor turned private detective after inheriting a PI business. Dell is smart, flawed, impulsive, and determined, which made her feel very real to me. She’s hired to investigate the murder of an older, widely disliked professor named Bullfinch at Cromwell University, and it quickly becomes obvious that someone wants her to stop asking questions. When things escalate to dangerous incidents like her brake lines being cut, the suspense really picks up.
I also enjoyed Dell’s personal struggles throughout the story, especially her complicated relationship with her father as his memory declines, along with her loyalty to her blind godfather. Those details gave her character more depth outside of the investigation itself.
One thing I did notice was that some parts of the story moved very quickly. Certain relationships and scenes felt abrupt, and I would have loved a little more development with a few of the side characters and storylines. The ending also came somewhat suddenly for me. Still, none of that stopped me from enjoying the book overall. I actually found Dell to be such an interesting character that I wanted even more time with her.
The narration by Hillary Huber was exceptional. She brought personality, emotion, tension, and humor to the story effortlessly. She’s one of those narrators who can completely pull you into a book, and she absolutely elevated the experience for me.
This is Book 1 of the Dell Chandler Mysteries, and despite a few pacing issues, I think it’s a very promising start to the series. I’m definitely interested in seeing where Dell’s story goes next and will absolutely be listening to the next audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC of this book!
The main character, Dell Chandler, is an ex-English professor turned private detective after inheriting a PI business. Dell is smart, flawed, impulsive, and determined, which made her feel very real to me. She’s hired to investigate the murder of an older, widely disliked professor named Bullfinch at Cromwell University, and it quickly becomes obvious that someone wants her to stop asking questions. When things escalate to dangerous incidents like her brake lines being cut, the suspense really picks up.
I also enjoyed Dell’s personal struggles throughout the story, especially her complicated relationship with her father as his memory declines, along with her loyalty to her blind godfather. Those details gave her character more depth outside of the investigation itself.
One thing I did notice was that some parts of the story moved very quickly. Certain relationships and scenes felt abrupt, and I would have loved a little more development with a few of the side characters and storylines. The ending also came somewhat suddenly for me. Still, none of that stopped me from enjoying the book overall. I actually found Dell to be such an interesting character that I wanted even more time with her.
The narration by Hillary Huber was exceptional. She brought personality, emotion, tension, and humor to the story effortlessly. She’s one of those narrators who can completely pull you into a book, and she absolutely elevated the experience for me.
This is Book 1 of the Dell Chandler Mysteries, and despite a few pacing issues, I think it’s a very promising start to the series. I’m definitely interested in seeing where Dell’s story goes next and will absolutely be listening to the next audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC of this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read a free advance digital review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Dellarobbia “Dell” Chandler, Ph.D., is no longer an associate professor. After her mother died, she went into such a stretch of bad behavior that she blew up her career. Now, here she is, having inherited her relative’s private detective practice. It’s pretty run-of-the-mill stuff until connections get her hired to investigate the murder of old professor Bullfinch at Cromwell University in Connecticut.
Bullfinch had plenty of enemies among the faculty, and maybe beyond. Dell quickly finds plenty of people with motives, but opportunity is a challenge; everybody seems to have an alibi. Dell gets no cooperation from the police detectives assigned to the case, but she meets a different pair of detectives who are a lot more friendly and cooperative.
While she’s on the case, Dell has personal concerns as well. She works to keep up her strained relationship with her father, whose memory is failing, and to look out for her godfather, who is blind.
I’ve enjoyed many of Bloom’s previous books. This is her first mystery, and it’s different. Her other books are sumptuously descriptive and deeply character-driven. The style here is more spare, which makes sense since she seems to be trying out a hard-boiled style of mystery. An old-fashioned hard-boiled mystery is usually short, as is this one, but it could have used a couple of dozen more pages to flesh out some of Dell’s encounters. Instead, she develops an intense relationship almost instantly, with nothing to show why. Some characters are introduced and seem to be significant, but they nearly disappear. The ending is surprisingly abrupt.
Still, I like the Dell character and this seems like a promising start to a series if Amy Bloom chooses to continue.
Dellarobbia “Dell” Chandler, Ph.D., is no longer an associate professor. After her mother died, she went into such a stretch of bad behavior that she blew up her career. Now, here she is, having inherited her relative’s private detective practice. It’s pretty run-of-the-mill stuff until connections get her hired to investigate the murder of old professor Bullfinch at Cromwell University in Connecticut.
Bullfinch had plenty of enemies among the faculty, and maybe beyond. Dell quickly finds plenty of people with motives, but opportunity is a challenge; everybody seems to have an alibi. Dell gets no cooperation from the police detectives assigned to the case, but she meets a different pair of detectives who are a lot more friendly and cooperative.
While she’s on the case, Dell has personal concerns as well. She works to keep up her strained relationship with her father, whose memory is failing, and to look out for her godfather, who is blind.
I’ve enjoyed many of Bloom’s previous books. This is her first mystery, and it’s different. Her other books are sumptuously descriptive and deeply character-driven. The style here is more spare, which makes sense since she seems to be trying out a hard-boiled style of mystery. An old-fashioned hard-boiled mystery is usually short, as is this one, but it could have used a couple of dozen more pages to flesh out some of Dell’s encounters. Instead, she develops an intense relationship almost instantly, with nothing to show why. Some characters are introduced and seem to be significant, but they nearly disappear. The ending is surprisingly abrupt.
Still, I like the Dell character and this seems like a promising start to a series if Amy Bloom chooses to continue.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am a huge fan of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, especially the earlier works. Why do I start out a review of Amy Bloom’s introduction of the Dell Chandler series by saying that? Well, because I’m a fan of works containing a female detective that honestly finds themselves as investigators because they are inept at any other job. Sassy? Bring it on. Humor of a middle school boy? I will probably chuckle at it. But what will keep me is a good mystery and lots of absurdity.
“Blunt Instrument” doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be. Is it the absurd humor of a Stephanie Plum novel? Is it a procedural mystery/thriller? I finished the book and I’m not sure.
The only thing that I could figure out was that the author believes crass equals funny. Which it doesn’t. I wouldn’t have finished the novel, but the mystery part was good. That is until the ending.
Have you ever read a novel and believed they had a page or word count they were aiming for because it just abruptly ends? Well, here is another one. If you struggle with this novel like I did, just skip to the last two pages to see how it ends.
Like I said, this is the beginning of a series. You guys can let me know if it improves along the way.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
“Blunt Instrument” doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be. Is it the absurd humor of a Stephanie Plum novel? Is it a procedural mystery/thriller? I finished the book and I’m not sure.
The only thing that I could figure out was that the author believes crass equals funny. Which it doesn’t. I wouldn’t have finished the novel, but the mystery part was good. That is until the ending.
Have you ever read a novel and believed they had a page or word count they were aiming for because it just abruptly ends? Well, here is another one. If you struggle with this novel like I did, just skip to the last two pages to see how it ends.
Like I said, this is the beginning of a series. You guys can let me know if it improves along the way.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have read a few Amy Blooms and admired her writing style, so was curious as to how she would write a detective story. I read a good review in the LA Times so figured I would give it a try.
Dell Chandler has a PhD, but was fired from her teaching job for her erratic behavior after her mother, an artist ( hence her name Dellrobbia),died. Her father, who was an academic, has dementia. She had worked with her cousin Lou, a PI for a few years and when he died, she inherited his agency.
She gets a call from the President of the University where her father taught and her god father still teaches. A Professor has been murdered and the President doesn't think they are doing a good job.
That is the set up.
What I liked about the book was how the pettiness of academic life is portrayed.
However, Dell isn't much of a detective in the beginning, sort of relying on tropes from Law and order. There are some scenes that don't make sense as she flails around, which is why the ending is a surprise. This may be a series, and if so I will read the next one, just to see if Dell improves.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
Dell Chandler has a PhD, but was fired from her teaching job for her erratic behavior after her mother, an artist ( hence her name Dellrobbia),died. Her father, who was an academic, has dementia. She had worked with her cousin Lou, a PI for a few years and when he died, she inherited his agency.
She gets a call from the President of the University where her father taught and her god father still teaches. A Professor has been murdered and the President doesn't think they are doing a good job.
That is the set up.
What I liked about the book was how the pettiness of academic life is portrayed.
However, Dell isn't much of a detective in the beginning, sort of relying on tropes from Law and order. There are some scenes that don't make sense as she flails around, which is why the ending is a surprise. This may be a series, and if so I will read the next one, just to see if Dell improves.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley, Penzler Publishers | The Mysterious Press, and Highbridge Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this first in a new series by Amy Bloom, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Hillary Huber. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars!
Dell Chandler lost her job as an English professor and is now working as a private detective, when she is called to investigate the death of a not very well-liked professor at Cromwell University. The university is trying to keep things quiet and avoid the media, so Dell needs to solve the murder before the police do.
I seem to have a love/hate relationship with Bloom's books - either they are a 5 star or they are less than. This one was less than, but I am still interested in reading the next in the series because there's lots there to build on, especially since the ending was rather abrupt. Plus, I liked the academic setting. The audiobook narration by Hillary Huber was wonderful as always, and kept me listening when I may have otherwise stopped.
Dell Chandler lost her job as an English professor and is now working as a private detective, when she is called to investigate the death of a not very well-liked professor at Cromwell University. The university is trying to keep things quiet and avoid the media, so Dell needs to solve the murder before the police do.
I seem to have a love/hate relationship with Bloom's books - either they are a 5 star or they are less than. This one was less than, but I am still interested in reading the next in the series because there's lots there to build on, especially since the ending was rather abrupt. Plus, I liked the academic setting. The audiobook narration by Hillary Huber was wonderful as always, and kept me listening when I may have otherwise stopped.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley and Highbridge Audio for the ARC of Blunt Instrument
This Book likely first in a series, follows Dell Chandler a PI investigating the murder of a disliked Professor at Cromwell University. This book has a long list of character many with unsavory links to the professor.
Pros; I enjoyed the humorous, spunky and modern writing with a good mystery well plotted out. I enjoyed the school setting and some of the MFC relationships. This felt like a good old fashioned mystery vs some of the popcorn thrillers I have read.
Cons; I don't understand why this book needed to be so overly sexualized. Not in this spice level but just in the sexual thoughts Dell was constantly having and the over sexualized themes throughout. I did not feel that it added to the book and seemed out of place, overkill and cheesy at times. The ending was super vague and open ended leaving me to believe this will be a series.
I rate this book 2.75 rounded up to 3 stars. I enjoyed the story but the sexual overkill knocked it down a bit and took away from the MFC.
This Book likely first in a series, follows Dell Chandler a PI investigating the murder of a disliked Professor at Cromwell University. This book has a long list of character many with unsavory links to the professor.
Pros; I enjoyed the humorous, spunky and modern writing with a good mystery well plotted out. I enjoyed the school setting and some of the MFC relationships. This felt like a good old fashioned mystery vs some of the popcorn thrillers I have read.
Cons; I don't understand why this book needed to be so overly sexualized. Not in this spice level but just in the sexual thoughts Dell was constantly having and the over sexualized themes throughout. I did not feel that it added to the book and seemed out of place, overkill and cheesy at times. The ending was super vague and open ended leaving me to believe this will be a series.
I rate this book 2.75 rounded up to 3 stars. I enjoyed the story but the sexual overkill knocked it down a bit and took away from the MFC.
June 5, 2026
Blunt Instrument, by talented writer Amy Bloom, has a first novel in a projected private investigation series. The private investigator, Dellarobia Chandler, has an academic background that does not aid her in her new occupation. A very much disliked professor has been killed, and the University's president wants to keep it on the down-low, which is why she calls in a private investigator. There are numerous suspects, making the case difficult for the novice investigator. However, she does uncover people of interest who might benefit from the death of the victim. As befits a mystery set at a university, all the suspects are academics, which, in and of itself, invites obfuscation and less-than-forthright responses. Blunt Instrument moves along quickly and reminds the reader of various television and or features. University-placed private investigation novels have long been a staple of mysteries, and this certainly is worthy of joining that prestigious genre.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This follows the story of a not-so-well-liked professor who gets murdered and how another professor (turned detective/private investigator) decides to investigate the situation.
The school wants to keep the situation private, but that means there's a time crunch to solve the murder.
I did find the pacing to be a bit monotonous. I don't know if the writing style played a roll in that or just how the story was being laid out. It just needed a little more oomph to make it as attention-grabbing as I prefer.
I did really like the academia setting though. I thought that was fun and added a really nice sort of atmosphere that I really appreciated.
I would definitely consider this a sort of dark academia slow-burn murder mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
The school wants to keep the situation private, but that means there's a time crunch to solve the murder.
I did find the pacing to be a bit monotonous. I don't know if the writing style played a roll in that or just how the story was being laid out. It just needed a little more oomph to make it as attention-grabbing as I prefer.
I did really like the academia setting though. I thought that was fun and added a really nice sort of atmosphere that I really appreciated.
I would definitely consider this a sort of dark academia slow-burn murder mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I received the ARC for this book, I had my doubts. A mystery? I’ve read most of Amy Bloom’s short stories and novels and typically find her work to be emotionally challenging and thought provoking. That was not my experience with Blunt Instrument.
What I did not expect was to fly through this book in less than 5 days, or to be so consistently surprised, or to read characters who were both so irreverent and awful but also likable and relatable. I would not consider this to be your classic paperback mystery novel, one in which you can guess the full plot within the first few chapters. This one is different. This one is better.
I was not emotionally challenged, and I was not particularly thrilled, but I was intrigued. This book had my attention. I hope you give it your attention too.
What I did not expect was to fly through this book in less than 5 days, or to be so consistently surprised, or to read characters who were both so irreverent and awful but also likable and relatable. I would not consider this to be your classic paperback mystery novel, one in which you can guess the full plot within the first few chapters. This one is different. This one is better.
I was not emotionally challenged, and I was not particularly thrilled, but I was intrigued. This book had my attention. I hope you give it your attention too.
June 5, 2026
It took me a minute to get into this one, but once I found the sweet spot I stuck around. Dell Chandler is an acquired taste character. She is a private detective, with a doctorate, and an old school approach to sleuthing. She’s not flashy, but she gets the job done. I ended up really liking her style.
The whole book centers around a professor’s death at a prestigious school. Everyone he came in contact with is a suspect, and most of them disliked him. It took me a minute to nail down my suspect, but only a little before its was revealed. While I can’t say the story is fast moving, it’s not a slow burn either. It’s the perfect pace for acquiring clues will narrowing down suspects. I enjoyed it.
June 15, 2026
A snappy, tightly written campus mystery with an excellent protagonist.
Bloom does atmosphere and sense of place so well, and while this one really does focus specifically on the mystery, the campus setting and the feel of the novel are really well crafted.
The mystery itself is also a good one, and my lone complaint about this book is the vagueness of the ending, which makes an otherwise excellent read feel a bit unsatisfying in the end.
But it’s really the writing and the wry humor that make this a standout. I’m happy to see this is slated to become a series. More, please!
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Bloom does atmosphere and sense of place so well, and while this one really does focus specifically on the mystery, the campus setting and the feel of the novel are really well crafted.
The mystery itself is also a good one, and my lone complaint about this book is the vagueness of the ending, which makes an otherwise excellent read feel a bit unsatisfying in the end.
But it’s really the writing and the wry humor that make this a standout. I’m happy to see this is slated to become a series. More, please!
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
June 2, 2026
Blunt Instrument by Amy Bloom
Narrator, Hillary Huber
Having read a few books by this author, I thought I’d give this one a try and I was not disappointed. Dell reminded me somewhat of Kinsey Milhone from years past. She kind of has that self-willed smart ass personality. I also liked her love interest, tortured as the relationship may be. I think I would call this book Ivy League noir and I hope it is the beginning of a series.
Hillary Huber is, as always, an excellent narrator.
Thanks to NetGalley
Narrator, Hillary Huber
Having read a few books by this author, I thought I’d give this one a try and I was not disappointed. Dell reminded me somewhat of Kinsey Milhone from years past. She kind of has that self-willed smart ass personality. I also liked her love interest, tortured as the relationship may be. I think I would call this book Ivy League noir and I hope it is the beginning of a series.
Hillary Huber is, as always, an excellent narrator.
Thanks to NetGalley
June 11, 2026
This was almost a four star for me because I listened to it and narrator Hillary Huber has exactly the right kind of smoky almost snarky voice that made Dell seem real. Reading it might have been a DNF, though. Too many plot threads, characters that could/would/should be suspects and lack of clarity about the main character herself, although if anyone can solve a murder based on experience watching TV procedurals, Dell is that person.
I've really appreciated Amy's other character-driven books so maybe the next in this series will address those glitches.
I've really appreciated Amy's other character-driven books so maybe the next in this series will address those glitches.
June 22, 2026
I quite enjoyed though it felt an uneasy mix of humor and tragedy at times with quite a bit of Sue Grafton mixed in there. Dell is a bit flip about life and death, love, sex and parents though she could really use a good therapist or at least a pet to sort a few things out. Bloom is clearly feeling her oats in this new genre and hoping for a series, which she will get, because she's Bloom. A few more sympathetic characters will help with the next one; everyone is pretty terrible.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Helmed by a clever and sardonic detective, the plot of this investigation careens wildly between suspects and tension and laughter.
I will say that not only is the detective herself a blunt instrument--so was the ending. The novel comes crashing to a halt and leaves you wanting more explanation, more characterization, more insight on the motives of the characters.
I will say that not only is the detective herself a blunt instrument--so was the ending. The novel comes crashing to a halt and leaves you wanting more explanation, more characterization, more insight on the motives of the characters.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thanks for the enjoyable win!! And I definitely did enjoy this one! The main character's voice shines in a smooth way I appreciate. She is her own and that is nice. I'm so going to be waiting impatiently for the follow up!! Because I need to know things! Anyways. A good solid mystery.. as long as we get a series going!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think because of the length of the book, it made the pacing pretty good. I thought the dialogue could have been punchier. It was entertaining enough but not memorable in any way. The writing felt pretty basic, but it was fine for what it was. 2.5 stars.
Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3
Setting: Connecticut
Rep: n/a
The premise of this was great but the execution left something to be desired. Dell did nothing for me as a protagonist and I felt for such a short book there were too many characters. The end was very sudden and I was expecting there to be another chapter so unless my audio arc was faulty, it wasn't very satisfying. There was potential, but it wasn't fulfilled.
Setting: Connecticut
Rep: n/a
The premise of this was great but the execution left something to be desired. Dell did nothing for me as a protagonist and I felt for such a short book there were too many characters. The end was very sudden and I was expecting there to be another chapter so unless my audio arc was faulty, it wasn't very satisfying. There was potential, but it wasn't fulfilled.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was easily distracted while listening to this book. I’m still not sure what all I missed. It was slow and as it’s about a Private Investigator, it’s all happening after the crime. I find I enjoy stories where things are in the thick of the crime and it’s all tied together in the end. This book wasn’t quite like that.
June 3, 2026
I love Amy Bloom and I love mysteries so I was really looking forward to her new book. However, after the first 200 pages I am ready to put it down. I found the narrator entirely too annoying with her constant constant attempts at irony and 7th grade humor. I don't know if Bloom was attempting to emulate gritty noir detectives but this just isn't working for me.
June 11, 2026
I loved the first half: colorful characters, snarky wit, a female detective who can drink and sleep around like any classic hard-boiled dick, university setting. Alas, it's pretty clear who did what by the middle, so then it just sort of moves back and forth, not really telling us more. Then it ends abruptly, leaving quite a few loose ends. I would say 3.5 stars, but Goodreads doesn't do halves.
June 8, 2026
A slim murder mystery in which a hardboiled PI investigates the death of an unpopular academic. Probably inspired by Philip Marlowe and other noir detectives, and definitely inspired by Law & Order, which are some of my favorite things, but I found the twists obvious and the atmosphere lacking.
June 8, 2026
An average academia novel with no particular noteworthy characters. Something of a who done it. But as book went on, I found I didn't care who the villain's name. The main character needed to be stronger, and the sense of place was muddy. Audiobook
June 14, 2026
It has everything going for it: spicy young female sorta detective; academia; a mystery w several intriguing plots around it. It is a first mystery so it is a little uneven but def an enjoyable, quick read.
June 16, 2026
I’ve never read this author & I thought the book was great fun! It kept me engaged & I liked the feisty main character, Dell. The ending was abrupt, but I see there will be a series featuring this character, which I look forward to.
June 17, 2026
I enjoyed this and will definitely read the next installment. It reminded me of Peter Swanson’s novels. I did find the romance and a few of the plot elements confusing - there was a little too much going on here that wasn’t fully developed.
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