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markk's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Three years ago, a group read introduced me to the novel Envious Casca. It was my first time reading one of Georgette Heyer’s novels, and I was taken instantly by the quality of her book. As I was getting into reading classic British mysteries, I decided to seek out as many of hers that I could find, in anticipation of reliving the enjoyable experience of my first read.
The journey has proven an uneven one. The second of her novels that I read, Why Shoot a Butler, not only proved that my first experience wasn’t an aberration, but it convinced me that I had discovered a new favorite author. Then I picked up Footsteps in the Dark, which proved a disappointment but a forgivable one as Heyer herself subsequently disowned it. The next two, They Found Him Dead and The Unfinished Clue, seemingly confirmed my hope that Heyer’s poor novel was an aberration in her oeuvre, while simultaneously clarifying her formula for her novels. It was when I read, Behold, Here’s Poison, however, that I started questioning my previous conclusion.
That was the context in which I read this novel. Initially I was impressed with the quality of the premise, as the story opens immediately with the discovery of the victim and the launch of the investigation. Not only was this refreshingly different from Heyer’s previous works, it allowed for more of the book to be spent following the activities of inspectors Hannasyde and Hemingway, which was hardly a bad thing. As the plot unfolded, however, a sense of annoyance took hold. Some of this was fueled by the activities of the amateur investigators and Hannasyde’s sloppy interview techniques, which seemed to serve little other purpose than to provide dramatic encounters. But my main annoyance was with my suspicions early on as to who the murderer was, as well as with how the character developments would play out. Heyer was not going to be as predictable as that, was she?
Indeed she was. Though I missed a couple of clues that hinted at the motives behind the crime, by the time I reached the end I discovered to my disappointment that I had indeed anticipated accurately the outcome. While some readers may enjoy such a process, for me it’s something of a letdown to predict accurately the identity of the culprit, as it makes the mystery seem not as clever. With the number of Heyer’s unread mysteries dwindling for me, I’m hoping that this and proves the last such result, rather than an example of an author who missed as often as she hit.
Indeed she was. Though I missed a couple of clues that hinted at the motives behind the crime, by the time I reached the end I discovered to my disappointment that I had indeed anticipated accurately the outcome. While some readers may enjoy such a process, for me it’s something of a letdown to predict accurately the identity of the culprit, as it makes the mystery seem not as clever. With the number of Heyer’s unread mysteries dwindling for me, I’m hoping that this and proves the last such result, rather than an example of an author who missed as often as she hit.
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
A Blunt Instrument is the 4th of 4 Inspectors Hannayside & Hemingway mysteries. Originally released in 1938, this reformatting and re-release on Sourcebooks Landmark imprint is 352 pages and due out 2nd April 2019.
Golden age mysteries are my favorites. I love the settings, the characters, and the (usually) civilized dialogue. Georgette Heyer isn't my absolute favorite golden age author, but I've read (and often re-read) most of her books. Though this is the 4th book to feature Inspector Hannayside, it works well as a standalone and there are no spoilers from earlier books with the inspectors.
As other reviewers have stated, this is less of a 'whodunnit' (the culprit is heavily foreshadowed) and more of a procedural with very droll and witty dialogue. I loved Neville and Sally (a monocle wearing mystery writer!), there were several places they had me smiling and chuckling out loud.
A worthwhile and diverting read. The plotting is straightforward and the book makes a nice 'commute' read in that it can be picked up and put down without struggling to remember where you were.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes+
A Blunt Instrument is the 4th of 4 Inspectors Hannayside & Hemingway mysteries. Originally released in 1938, this reformatting and re-release on Sourcebooks Landmark imprint is 352 pages and due out 2nd April 2019.
Golden age mysteries are my favorites. I love the settings, the characters, and the (usually) civilized dialogue. Georgette Heyer isn't my absolute favorite golden age author, but I've read (and often re-read) most of her books. Though this is the 4th book to feature Inspector Hannayside, it works well as a standalone and there are no spoilers from earlier books with the inspectors.
As other reviewers have stated, this is less of a 'whodunnit' (the culprit is heavily foreshadowed) and more of a procedural with very droll and witty dialogue. I loved Neville and Sally (a monocle wearing mystery writer!), there were several places they had me smiling and chuckling out loud.
A worthwhile and diverting read. The plotting is straightforward and the book makes a nice 'commute' read in that it can be picked up and put down without struggling to remember where you were.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes+
pencils's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
maplessence's review against another edition
4.0
Normally I'm all in favour of the retro paperback covers but this one [bc:A Blunt Instrument|28886626|A Blunt Instrument (Inspector Hannasyde, #4)|Georgette Heyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1454443093s/28886626.jpg|1298307] is hideous.
While there is a lot to like about this book, it does have a few flaws. Any time my favourite Watson (Hemingway) came on to the page the whole book sparkled with life & energy & GH gave him some of the books wittiest lines. The remaining funny lines went to Neville & I found his & Hemingway's exchanges with the gloomily religious Corporal Glass hilarious.
But Helen is one of the most selfish, shallow, stupid & all round annoying characters GH ever wrote. Half way through
& Sally seems very affected. A monocle & a cigarette holder - really? She must have been a sight to behold!
Although every era has it's fashion tragedies
The anti-semitism in this one bothered me more than the more famous example in The Grand Sophy. I still want to read uncensored though.
The murder solution was original (especially when you consider how long ago this book was written!) but spoilt a bit by a lack of suspects - especially when you know- this is a spoiler for all Heyer detective stories, so be careful about opening it -
I read Heyer mysteries more for the characters, wit & view of early 20th century life among the middle class & landed gentry. & of course Hemingway!
While there is a lot to like about this book, it does have a few flaws. Any time my favourite Watson (Hemingway) came on to the page the whole book sparkled with life & energy & GH gave him some of the books wittiest lines. The remaining funny lines went to Neville & I found his & Hemingway's exchanges with the gloomily religious Corporal Glass hilarious.
But Helen is one of the most selfish, shallow, stupid & all round annoying characters GH ever wrote. Half way through
Spoiler
if I had been a character in the book I would have murdered her!& Sally seems very affected. A monocle & a cigarette holder - really? She must have been a sight to behold!
Although every era has it's fashion tragedies
The anti-semitism in this one bothered me more than the more famous example in The Grand Sophy. I still want to read uncensored though.
The murder solution was original (especially when you consider how long ago this book was written!) but spoilt a bit by a lack of suspects - especially when you know- this is a spoiler for all Heyer detective stories, so be careful about opening it -
Spoiler
Heyer never makes her romantic leads the killerI read Heyer mysteries more for the characters, wit & view of early 20th century life among the middle class & landed gentry. & of course Hemingway!
swfountaine's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
siria's review
3.0
The beginning of the book and the title rather give away whodunnit, but the whole point of a Heyer novel is simply to be frothy confection of banter and characters who run the gamut from "fairly implausible" to "highly improbable." In other words, excellent to read when you're jet-lagged and awake at 4a.m.
baruchbarnes's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
debralewi's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dlmoldovan's review against another edition
3.0
I know that Heyer is the queen of eccentric, self-absorbed characters, and this book certainly proves it. It is also laugh out loud funny. I have to say that I guessed who the murderer was quite early in the book, but that didn't detract from the mystery for me. The dialogue is superb, as always. The detectives also play a center stage role all throughout the book, and they are not overshadowed by the rest of the quirky characters. If you love ridiculous situations and ridiculous characters, this is the mystery for you.
slferg's review against another edition
5.0
Read several times in the past. Scenes have been recurring to me this past week, so I decided I needed to read it again. Always a fun, good read.