From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Why Shoot a Butler?

Georgette Heyer

Start date: March 13, 2021

Finish date: April 9, 2021

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: Next in our series of Georgette Heyer buddy reads, which are always popular.
[close] Next in our series of Georgette Heyer buddy reads, which are always popular.

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Buddy reads

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What Members Thought

Feb 25, 2021 Susan rated it liked it · review of another edition

I have read a few of Georgette Heyer's mysteries now, but this was one of the weaker ones. Published in 1933, it features Frank Amberley, nephew to Sir Humphrey and Lady Marion Mathews, who he is driving to visit when he sees a woman standing by a car. Although he is late for dinner, he pulls over and the surly young woman, Shirley Brown, says she needs no help. This is particularly ungracious, as there is a dead body in the car...

Although Amberley is a barrister, he covers up Shirley's role in ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Jun 24, 2021 Lady Wesley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: listened, aud-rev, 2021-faves

Review of the audiobook narrated by Ulle Birve

I thought that I had read all of Georgette Heyer's detective stories but stumbled across this one and grabbed it.

Why Shoot a Butler is now my favorite of her mysteries. It’s a complicated plot that I didn’t catch on to until near the end. The hero, Frank Amberley, is a 20th-century version of Ivo Rotherham (Bath Tangle) -- arrogant, rude, and smarter than everybody. He is a young barrister who is condescending to everyone, and they put up with it. I ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Jan 25, 2013 Julie Durnell rated it really liked it

Slow going but great ending, dated writing but the plot was worth the read, so very Christie-like.

2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 05, 2014 ShanDizzy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Very clever story...had the British wit and meiosis. Another great read from Ms. Heyer.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 06, 2022 Jackie rated it liked it

I've read this many times and it's grown on me over the years. The first time I would have given it one star! ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 06, 2020 Paperbackreader rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: all-collections, read-but-unowned, british, mystery, detective, audiobook

This book has most of the weaknesses I associate with Georgette Heyer’s mysteries. It contains one-dimensional/weakly developed characters and badly developed plot points. Frank Amberley, the sleuthing hero, is cleverer than anyone else in the story and he behaves accordingly by keeping back information and sneering at people. Fortunately for me, I am currently in a cranky mood and only wish I could tell-off people like he does. So, I didn’t mind his arrogance as much as I would have had I read ...more

Like · see review