Blue Blood Will Out

Simon Bognor #2

by Tim Heald

First American Edition. A very good copy in a very good dust jacket. Heavy soiling to the edges of the book's upper page block. The dust jacket has rubs to its spine tips and corners. White paint drop on the front panel. Dust soiling to the rear panel.

Genres: Mystery

205 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Tim Heald (b. 1944) is a journalist and author of mysteries. Born in Dorchester, England, he studied modern history at Oxford before becoming a reporter and columnist for the Sunday Times. He began writing novels in the early 1970s, starting with Unbecoming Habits (1973), which introduced Simon Bognor, a defiantly lazy investigator for the British Board of Trade. Heald followed Bognor through nine more novels, including Murder at Moose Jaw (1981) and Business Unusual (1989) before taking a two-decade break from the series, which returned in 2011 with Death in the Opening Chapter.

Reviews

[Valene Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

So incredibly slow and boring. This book was painful to get through. I do not recommend it at all.

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

a slightly dated murder mystery takes the opportunity for some gentle ridicule of the peerage and the stately home business

[Belinda Avdek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun Simon Bognor mystery with colorful characters and a frustrated newly assigned detective. A great setting of mansions open to the public and the aristocracy that own them who live the high life but need the funding to be prosperous. Really enjoying this series.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the back of the book: the convocation of stately home owners at regal Abney House is rudely interrupted. It seems that while taking a morning swim in the Thames, Lord Maidenhead has also taken a bullet in the head. Victims mount mysteriously as more blue blood is spilled.

It takes a crusty individual to take on England's upper crust. What better choice to crack this case than the overweight but ever willing Simon Bognor, investigator? Simon's lst of suspects is deliciously long. Is the killer the black and beautiful Honesuckle Johnson, African arch-nationalist? The freshly widowed Lady Maidenhead, whose carnal appetitie belies her name? The gay Cosmo Green, elegant and ruthless social climber. Or could it be some unexpectedly murderous member of the gentry?

My take: Decent mystery. Has some humorous bits. Not an all-time favorite.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, it passed the time ok on an airplane ride. Nothing good enough or bad enough to really write a detailed review about.