A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer

A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer ISBN-13: 9781492677123 Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Released: April 2, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When Ernest Fletcher is found bludgeoned to death in his study, everyone is shocked and mystified. After all, Ernest was well liked and respected...which leaves one pressing question on everyone's tongues: Who would kill the perfect gentleman?

Superintendent Hannasyde, with consummate detective skills, is on the job. He'll uncover one dirty little secret after another, and with them, a host of people who all have reasons for wanting Ernest dead. And when a second murder adds a grotesque twist to this unusual case, Hannasyde is quick to realize that he's up against a killer on a mission...


My Review:
A Blunt Instrument is a mystery set in England and originally published in 1938. It's the fourth book in a series, but it works as a stand-alone. It's a clue-based puzzle mystery. It seems like everyone is lying to the detective, so he had to sort through and check out everything to determine what was true. By the time his sergeant jokes that the timing--as supplied by two people--proves that the murder could not have happened, I had a pretty good idea of who the murderer was. But an objection that was used for one suspect would have applied for this one as well. It turns out I was correct, and the issue that kept me from being certain about whodunit was never even addressed. The characters were interesting and had a fun sense of humor, so the story was fun to read.

There was no sex. There was occasional use of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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