I think I’ve said this before, but I’ve often found that ‘writer’s block’ is really my imagination saying that the story wasn’t meant to be happening this way. This time around, it was chapter 10 of Flames of Doubt, which is what I’ve tentatively titled book 2 in the series.
It’s the stage where Yaetherim thinks he’s figured out who did it, and now he’s seeking to prove it. Originally, he was going to set a trap to flush them out, and this was going to be justified in a scene where he explains this to two other characters. It felt a bit forced, as though it was happening purely for the plot to reach the point I wanted it to reach.
After sitting back and considering it, I was able to adjust the plot so that it flows a bit better. Now, while trying to gather evidence, Yaetherim realises that he’s seeing another murder attempt play out. So he quickly improvises a plan to intervene and entrap the killer. This works a lot better, and still leads into the finale I’m after.