The Black Tortoise: Being the Strange Story of Old Frick's Diamond

In a quiet London sitting‑room, an old schoolfriend drops a startling surprise: the seasoned private detective known as Monk is leaving for America at the end of November. The narrator, a former engineer turned chronicler, is drawn into a tense supper where Monk’s restless demeanor hints at something far beyond a routine case. Their conversation quickly shifts from polite chatter to a promise that a dark chapter of Monk’s life is about to be revealed.

The tale that unfolds centers on a mysterious black tortoise and a priceless diamond once owned by the enigmatic Old Frick. As Monk begins to recount the events that turned his orderly world upside down, listeners are invited into a labyrinth of logic, betrayal, and hidden motives that only a keen mind can untangle. The first act sets the stage for a gripping investigation, promising a blend of atmospheric storytelling and classic detective intrigue.