Blacker than Black. The Scales of Themis

In the novel Blacker than Black, the intellectual investigator Roderick Alleyn must solve a brutal ritual murder committed at the embassy of a small African country during a festive reception. Alleyn has an entire team of professionals at his disposal, but his main assistant this time is a small black cat named Lucy... In a small town, where there are plenty of skeletons in closets, eccentric oddballs, and old ladies reminiscent of Miss Marple, a murder has occurred. The victim's name is Colonel Carteret, and he is found by the riverbank next to the legendary giant trout that all local fishermen have dreamed of catching for a long time. But he wasn't killed for that, after all? So, for what? Inspector Alleyn begins to ask questions and immediately realizes: only a few are willing to tell the truth here...