Suspect Number Five | ONC 2023

Tristan Young is, by all logical conclusions, a failure. His dream career of private investigation has left him with nothing but debt and an empty office. So when a mysterious phone call makes him a grand promise of fame and success, the decision to accept is simple.

There is only one price for his ambition: one night in the local manor, and one dinner with five strangers. Easy enough. Until, sometime in the dark, the price turns bloody.

With one of the party's attendees now dead and no other suspects but the remaining five, they are all thrust deep into a murder case riddled with secrets. For Tristan, it should be his fantasy come true; he finally has a puzzle to solve and a chance to put his skills to use. But the games in his head never placed himself as a puzzle piece.

The game becomes a race. He has to clear his name and win what he was promised before it's too late.

-♧-

Written for the Open Novella Contest 2023, using prompt 49.
-- ONC Shortlister --

[cover art by the amazing @-aceospades-]