Reginald Belcik and the Mystery of the Diamonds is a standalone cozy mystery by Roger Blieck featuring a widowed retired engineer thrust by circumstance into the role of amateur sleuth when he stumbles across a shoebox containing diamonds in his new role as building supervisor. Released 22nd June 2022 by The Book Guild, it's 314 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

The bones of a very good mystery, entertainingly told, are here. The author has a quirky humorous style of writing and an appealingly wonky view of the world which adds warmth and style to his storytelling. The writing, however, is rough, and it very much reads like he translated it himself with the assistance of Google translate from (presumably) Dutch to English with possibly an intermediary step to Swahili. There are idioms throughout which either are oddly translated or just don't have a good equivalent in English.

Here's a random quote:

"Faced with such tragedies, we can look at everything through a telescope, but from the lens to the eyepiece. Everything becomes very small. The pile on the table too?

They left, relieved of a problem, which is not one for those who know what is there in the big package of documents.

I return to my chair and contemplate my table, full of files. I can leave it like this, without touching it. I have no obligation to touch it…"

It isn't ideal that it's written in first person present tense throughout (though I admire the author's gumption - quite a lot). It's also full of stacatto bursts of dialogue, scattered sentence fragments, and broken idiomatic phrases.

That being said, it is an entertaining and well constructed mystery. Readers who read a lot of literature in translation or aren't overly daunted by reading in the original language aided by a translating dictionary will enjoy the mystery for its own sake. The book would have benefited greatly by a thorough editing process -or- having been written in the author's native Dutch and -then- being translated to English. Whatever the process, it's clearly not written fluently. Eagle eyed readers will have cottoned onto the fact that the author himself is a retired engineer who was also a building supervisor and whose surname bears an uncanny resemblance to the hero in the story.

Four strong stars for the actual mystery, two for the writing itself. It's a nice attempt and a disappointing execution.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

DNF - Ultimately, this wasn't for me though I certainly hope that it makes its way to readers who will truly appreciate it for all that it is.

A fun and quirky Murder mystery book that kept me entertained from start to finish. Recommend for fans of this genre

Retired engineer and widower Reginald lives alone in a nice apartment complex.

When he receives an unexpected visit from the president of the resident’s association, he’s suddenly asked to take over as building manager. The reason? The young lady that he will inherit the position from has recently been murdered.

Reginald accepts the position – and the keys – to begin his new responsibilities, and it’s then that he discovers a shoebox full of diamonds.

Entangled in the mystery of the woman’s death, and falling fast for her mother, Reginald digs for answers… but this plot goes deeper than even he could anticipate.

I think the story was good but the story was a bit difficult to read in terms of going back and forth in terms of narration which made it difficult to finish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review .

OH my goodness this is great. Read it.

Reginald, retired engineer and widower, is asked by the president of the resident's association to take over as building manager, because the lady supposed to inherit the position has been murdered. But no sooner does he get the keys to the apartment complex, he finds a box full of diamonds.
This cozy mystery contains a touch of humor, is faced paced and full of red herrings. I will be on the lookout for this author's word.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from The Book Guild and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Cozy mystery lovers you're in for a treat. A delightful read with the perfect mix of suspense, mystery and humor in the right place.

I read this book so quickly that I was disappointed to finish it. I loved the main character and it reminds you that age is just a number. I would say it reminded me a little bit of Agatha Christie and perhaps MCBeaton. I would really recommend this to cozy crime lovers everywhere.