A review by holtfan
A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer

4.0

It flickers guiltily through my conscience that if any other person had written this book, I would have given it 3 stars. But it is Heyer and I delight in anything she writes like a doting parent delights in her children's drawings. Even the weaker ones. So you'll just have to accept this as a disclaimer.
The mystery of A Blunt Instrument was sadly predictable and often involves people sitting around discussing clues that have already been hashed out ad nauseam. There are some definite tones of sexism that I like to think are in fun but might not have been. And if you're familiar with Heyer's character archetypes, the characters fall into their somewhat predictable spheres.
And yet what fun spheres they are! Honestly, I read this book for the characters. The King James quoting constable kept me laughing out loud and I can't get over Heyer's daring in giving the mystery writing sister a monocle. What could be less romantic? I love the nephew with his crazy plans to keep his aunt occupied and the estranged couple each wrapped in their own private drama.
So I give this book 4 stars because it was fun and it was written by her. Don't go in expecting much.