Some mysteries begin with a missing jewel; others unfold through the small gestures that bring two people closer. Richard Enns brings both possibilities together in Detective Pemberton’s Lessons in Love. It’s a welcoming premise for readers who enjoy an intriguing case with a personal journey at its heart.
An Emerald, a Clock Shop, and Plenty of Questions
Arthur Pemberton has a gift for spotting details. A misplaced file, a changed security log, or a single fiber can command his attention. Working as a property-crimes detective in Ocean View, he’s comfortable following evidence and examining patterns. Human interactions present a more puzzling challenge, especially when he tries to understand why people keep smiling at him.
His investigative instincts find a demanding outlet when the Chronos Emerald vanishes from a historic clock shop. There’s no obvious sign of forced entry, leaving Arthur with a theft that invites careful scrutiny. An eleven-minute gap in surveillance footage adds another question to the growing collection of clues.
The inquiry draws him toward suspicious business dealings, professional thieves, security experts, and a rival jeweler whose knowledge raises concerns. Each connection gives the mystery room to develop. Readers are invited to follow the relationship between the visible evidence and the intentions hidden behind it.
The clock shop setting adds an appealing sense of atmosphere to the premise. Time, precision, and a gap in the recorded sequence all sit naturally alongside Arthur’s methodical approach. As danger increases, the investigation also creates opportunities to explore how he responds when circumstances demand trust.
Across the street, Petal and Stem introduces a particularly intriguing connection. Florist Chloe Vance notices things other people overlook, bringing an understanding of motives and emotions into Arthur’s carefully organized world. Her presence gives the case an additional human dimension, opening space for an unlikely partnership to grow.
A Relationship Arthur Has Yet to Recognize
Chloe’s ability to read people makes her an engaging companion for a detective who finds social signals difficult to interpret. Arthur tries to keep their relationship professional, yet he repeatedly returns to her flower shop. Those visits carry a delightful complication: he’s oblivious to the fact that they’re dating.
That detail gives the romance a playful starting point. Readers can anticipate the humor in a man who recognizes tiny irregularities at a crime scene while struggling to identify the meaning of his own growing attachment. His uncertainty creates room for affection, awkwardness, and gradual discovery.
Arthur is neurodivergent and has dyslexia and ADHD. These details form part of his characterization alongside his professional skills and highly methodical habits. His experiences offer an opportunity for the story to explore the individual ways people process information, communicate, and approach relationships.
Chloe brings her own complex history. She’s recovering from heroin addiction and has moved away from a past involving promiscuity. Her recovery introduces questions of change and vulnerability into the developing romance. Her important cigarette ritual is another specific detail that readers can watch as they get to know her.
Together, their backgrounds give the partnership emotional weight. Arthur’s difficulty recognizing romantic cues and Chloe’s understanding of emotions create fertile ground for a relationship built through repeated encounters. Their connection also places trust at the center of the investigation as the case becomes more dangerous.
This is the first book in the Detective Pemberton series, with a connection to Richard’s Michael Tough Mystery Series as a spin-off. Its combination of police investigation, romance, humor, and character development offers several reasons to follow Arthur into his first adventure. The central question of the stolen emerald shares space with his emerging understanding of love.
About Author
Richard is a retired probation officer who worked for the San Diego County Probation Department for nearly 22 years. His professional background brings an interesting context to his interest in crime fiction and the people whose lives become entangled in it.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in History from North Park College in Chicago and a Master of Divinity from North Park Theological Seminary. He lives in San Diego with his wife and two children. His thrillers include The Least of These, The Gynecologist’s Daughter, The Noblest Motive, The Public Good, and It Started With a Murder.
A Promising First Case
Detective Pemberton’s Lessons in Love introduces a detective whose next discovery could change his personal life. Available on Amazon, this series opener invites readers to follow the missing emerald, enjoy Arthur and Chloe’s developing connection, and see where their shared trust leads.