The Not So Mundane Mysteries of Norman Melamourne by G. J. Terral SFINCs3 Book Review
- Tabitha Tomala
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
This review is part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”. This is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.).
To see more information on my team TBR check out this post!
Blurb for The Not So Mundane Mysteries of Norman Melamourne
A down-on-his-luck ex-detective, a jittery professor suspected of murder, and a mystery they can't solve without each other.
If Norman Melamourne, a Source-hating ex-detective, had things his way, the Source wouldn't have snapped into existence twenty years ago. After all, it's the reason his wife lost her life; he lost his job, and now even his favorite restaurants use Source-processed ingredients. He can taste the difference, and it's awful.
When a consulting position lands on his plate, it leaves a bad taste, too. The Source was the apparent method of murder. As much as Norman despises the Source, the one hard and fast rule was it couldn't affect living things. But it seems it had, and to make matters worse, the prime suspect, Lance Delum, is the son of the man Norman blames for his wife's death.
Lance Delum, Professor of Source Studies, can't get the image of his student's, Sasha's, magically burned-out eyes from his head. It was an impossible thing, the Source affecting living material, but it had happened, and Lance, for all his knowledge of the damned field, couldn't figure out how. Or why.
Torn between grief and frustration at his lack of understanding, Lance soon finds himself in a desperate attempt to clear his name. Another body was found days after Lance's release, and more circumstantial evidence points to him.
As he investigates, Norman’s heart says Lance did it. An expert in the field might be able to pull this off, and the kid came from a bad crop as far as Norman was concerned. But his gut says Lance is being set up, and Norman always trusts his gut.
Getting Lance to trust Norman might be about as difficult as clearing the kid’s name, but the two must work together to prove Lance’s innocence and discover why someone is killing with the Source.
The Not So Mundane Mysteries of Norman Melamourne Book Review
The Source has made its way into everyday life. From adding supernatural flavor enhancement to food and beverages, to stopping bullets in mid-air. But one rule has always applied: the Source does not affect inanimate objects. Until a student of the Source is found murdered by what appears to be that very magic. And who else is there to blame but her professor? While some may believe the case is cut and dry, Norman Melamourne isn’t so sure.
The Not So Mundane Mysteries of Norman Melamourne has a classic noir detective feel. Norman’s life has been unraveled by the Source coming into existence and has taken to self-destruction through alcohol. He avoids anything that has been touched by the Source. And on the other hand is Lance Delum, the professor whose student was murdered. Witnessing the Source used in a new capacity completely turns his life upside down. Not to mention, he becomes the prime suspect.
Norman and Lance’s stories intermingle as the mystery pursues, both connected to the Source in tragic ways. This gritty mystery lets the reader sink into the scene settings and darker tones. There won’t be any sudden twists, just an unraveling of the truth and the devastation those obsessed with power can wreak.
At times, the two characters are at odds with one another, both in their written perspectives and in how they connect with the world around them. It can create a disconnect in the writing, but it also showcases how different worlds and ideologies can collide when they are forced to work together.
The Not So Mundane Mysteries of Norman Melamourne is a novel for those with an interest in occult noir mysteries.
To Purchase: Author's Website
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