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A Blunt Instrument Group Read Feb 2016 Chapters 1-7
This is the first time I'm reading it. I came to Heyer late (after I downsized), and only have one dead-tree book of hers. Everything else is an e-book.
My first read of Blunt Instrument was a Library book; I was a teenager then. I re-read it last fall on my Kindle. I don't remember how many times I have read it in between those two.Kay
I've read this one several times (one mark of a good writer is that their mysteries are re-readable -- even when you already know whodunit). I have a battered Bantam paperback that I'm sure I picked up secondhand somewhere, but the cover is really very tasteful:
and not a spoiler either because it basically depicts the murder victim exactly as we see him in the very first scene of the book.
This is my first time reading this book. I have only read one other of her mysteries and didn't care for it. I think it was Death in the Stock that we read together a year or two ago.I will be reading an actual book for a change. Normally I like to do her stories as audiobooks but this one I picked up in paperback used.
I read it once years ago (not so much a fan of the GH mysteries), so long ago I don’t really remember it. I have a yellowed 1961 Panther paperback that seems to have sold in Britain for 60p. Hope the pages don’t crumble when I turn them!
I have a very old hard back with a vintage police officer standing over the bodyI also have an audio version which I played last night and fell asleep listening to
But my main read is an e book
I like the bible verses! Striving to work out the meaning in the context
How did GH find them
Also the hero such a willowy figure but athletic of course and intligent too
Did GH model some of her young men on her son?
All Right! I am so excited to read this - it is my first time! I am reading it in ebook format.
This will be my first time reading this. I haven't started yet as I'm trying to finish up another challenge. I have lots of her books but would you believe it I don't own this one. So I'll have to purchase it. Looking forward to the read though.
Abigail wrote: "I read it once years ago (not so much a fan of the GH mysteries), so long ago I don’t really remember it. I have a yellowed 1961 Panther paperback that seems to have sold in Britain for 60p. Hope t..."Same cover as this one? A Blunt Instrument Mine is from 1972 - in good condition considering it's age.
Carol wrote, “Same cover as this one?”Yes, that’s it!
Carol ♪ Blinded by the Light ♪ GR Background wrote: "Yay, finally a GH mystery! Please everyone - no spoilers or use the spoiler coding.Is this anyone's first time reading it?
How many times have you read it?
What format are you using..."
I am rereading but I don't know how many times I have read it before - 2? 3?
I am reading it in paperback but not my old 1987 Berkeley edition -- I now have the 2006 Arrow edition. My old edition was in poor shape so I was happy to take my mom's copy when she was culling her books!
my old cover:
my new cover:
Leslie wrote: " I am rereading but I don't know how many times I have read it before - 2? 3?I am reading it in paperback but not my old 1987 Berkeley edition -- I now have the 2006 Arrow edition. My old edition was in poor shape so I was happy to take my mom's copy when she was culling her books!
Love the cover on your older copy, Leslie!
I've started & I have read this one before. Just loving the dialogue!
I've read it a few times before, but don't really remember it. I don't like Heyer's mysteries nearly as much as I like her historical romances. I do like mysteries -- they're the other genre which I read most of -- so it's not that. She just seems to write much better when she isn't writing contemporaries.
My word, Helen is irritating!
Just started this morning, and I'm getting a serious kick out of the dialog. Helen makes a great foil because she's so irritating AND dumb!
Reading an Arrow paperback whose front cover bears no relation to the story! (Sorry, I have no idea how to upload a picture of the cover! ) Have never read this GH before, as I have never been a fan of GH mysteries. Sorry, but so far I am finding nothing to change my mind. I mean, it's okay - a few bits are funny but overall the writing bears absolutely no relationship to that displayed so brilliantly in GH's historical stuff. If I didn't know better, then I would suspect someone else wrote them. I will carry on reading and see if I get more interested.
I read this book once before about five years ago and have the Sourcebook paperback edition. I've always been a big fan of Golden Age British mysteries, so imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered one of my favorite authors wrote mysteries, too! I remember I had a hard time getting into this the first time I read it, but once I got a couple chapters in I was hooked. I've only read a few pages so far and vaguely remember the opening scene, but the characters aren't making a dent yet...
I read it a few years back in paperback but this time it is on my Kindle, actually because on the Reading The Detectives group we read the 1st in the series this month I have read through all 4 (well on number 4 at the moment) and I am glad to re-read them :D (I do like Hannasyde and Hemingway and I was pleased to see that Hemingway gets to be the lead character in the follow on series to this one)
Hi HilaryI've said it before & I'll say it again - Hemingway is my favourite Watson! :)
Carol ♪ Blinded by the Light ♪ GR Background wrote: "Hi HilaryI've said it before & I'll say it again - Hemingway is my favourite Watson! :)"
I quite agree!
I just hit the chapter 7 point and have two comments.I love Hemingway. He is really amusing. If it weren't for him and the superintendent I probably would've put this book down.
It is so incredibly unbelievable how the characters are acting. If my neighbor had just been murdered or my uncle there is no way I would be walking around being glib and harassing the police. It is so outlandish that it takes me out of the story somewhat.
it's okay though not one of my favourites. I don't find hannasyde a very interesting detective, I much prefer the Inspector Hemmingway stories, he's much more amusing.
I picked this up at the library the other day, and read 60 or 70 pages tonight. I don't know that I'm particularly impressed yet: it seems like a washed out Agatha Christie mystery with just the barest hint of the witty dialogue I love in Heyer's romances. But it's a very quick read, so I'll carry on.Helen North is pretty useless, isn't she? She reminds me of a character in another book, but I can't quite put my finger on it yet. (Maybe it was the sister of the hero, who tried to make her husband jealous, in Diane Farr's Falling for Chloe.) I like her sister, and her husband John. Not sure quite what to think of Neville yet. No one else has made an impression thus far.
Tadiana ✩ Night Owl☽ wrote: "Helen North . . . reminds me of a character in another book, but I can't quite put my finger on it yet." Why look to other authors? She reminds me of some of Guess wHo's blonde, blue-eyed "peageese."
Susan wrote: "Reading an Arrow paperback whose front cover bears no relation to the story! (Sorry, I have no idea how to upload a picture of the cover! ) Have never read this GH before, as I have never been a fa..."An interesting point. I know her husband constructed the murders - was he a sounding board for some of the story?
I'll have a look & see if I can can find your Arrow for you, Susan.
Tadiana ✩ Night Owl☽ wrote: "I picked this up at the library the other day, and read 60 or 70 pages tonight. I don't know that I'm particularly impressed yet: it seems like a washed out Agatha Christie mystery with just the ba..."
I feel like hot footing it over to the least liked character thread & nominating Helen. If I was a character in this book I (view spoiler)
GH has given Hemingway some marvellous dialogue.
OK Susan is your cover this one
or this one?
Carol ♪ Blinded by the Light ♪ GR Background wrote: "OK Susan is your cover this one or this one? "The one on the left of the group of people at the fireside. A very pretty cover and of the era but does not relate to any scene in the book that I can recall!
Ok to do what I just did...see the add book/author just above the comment(reply) box? Click on that. I got the different edition by clicking on that & looking through the list. :)
Telling us that Mr. Heyer constructed the murders.... Without a spoiler!?!?!?!
Susan wrote: " Carol ♪ Blinded by the Light ♪ GR Background wrote: "OK Susan is your cover this one or this one? "The one on the lef..."
Thanks for finding these two covers, Carol, and the tip on how to do so, I don't know how to put them in my message either; I'm reading the version on the right. As Susan says, also very attractive and appropriate to the era but not indicative in any way of the plot, as far as I can tell...(unless the red head looking coyly at the camera is supposed to be our insipid drama queen Helen?")
Carol ♪ Blinded by the Light ♪ GR Background wrote: "Ok to do what I just did...see the add book/author just above the comment(reply) box? Click on that. I got the different edition by clicking on that & looking through the list. :)"Carol - I must be being really stoopid (as Venetia would have put it!) but I cannot see an add book/author - nor a comment box - all I have is 'post a comment'. What am I missing?
Amy wrote: "I just hit the chapter 7 point and have two comments.I love Hemingway. He is really amusing. If it weren't for him and the superintendent I probably would've put this book down.
It is so incredi..."
I've read most of Heyer's mysteries, and the "bright young people" almost all act and talk like that, which was quite jarring at first - not at all like Christie's Golden Age mysteries! Their staccato banter and dark humor remind me more of the screwball comedies of the 1930s and 40s I enjoy watching rather the usual staid British country house murder crowd...I've come to really appreciate how Heyer turned that genre on it's head, with the able assistance of the wise-cracking Hemingway, an enjoyable departure from the usual Scotland Yard stiff.
Susan wrote: "Carol - I must be being really stoopid (as Venetia would have put it!) but I cannot see an add book/author - nor a comment box - all I have is 'post a comment'. What am I missing? "Looking at the comment box to the right hand side at the top there is "add book/author", when you click on that there is then an option to have either a link or a cover link
Howard wrote: "Telling us that Mr. Heyer constructed the murders.... Without a spoiler!?!?!?!"It's Mr Rougier btw. Heyer was GH's maiden name.
Tadiana wrote:it seems like a washed out Agatha Christie mystery with just the barest hint of the witty dialogue I love in Heyer's romances.
-------------------------------
That was my attitude toward the only GH mystery I attempted. In addition to Christie I also had Sayers, Marsh and several other authors from that period that I found far more entertaining.
Susan wrote: "Hilary wrote: "Susan wrote: "Carol - I must be being really stoopid (as Venetia would have put it!) but I cannot see an add book/author - nor a comment box - all I have is 'post a comment'. What am..."Hang on - I have just found it! Hooray - I was beginning to feel beyond stoopid!!!!
not sure how to do a screen shot - sorry!
Tadiana ✩ Night Owl☽ wrote: "Susan, the comment box is just where you type any comment that you're adding to a thread, like this. Right above where you type, there should be a link that says "add book/author" right next to ano..."Thanks Tadiana, I usually use my iPad and the layout in the App is different from my Mac. I feel an utter idiot not being able to see the blindingly obvious - but thanks for your hint, (and thanks to Carol and Hilary too!) I do so love the folk on here - helpful as always!!
Cheers, Susan!Back to the main topic, I'm at the start of Chapter 6. Am feeling a little more kindly toward Helen (view spoiler) Or in real life, for that matter?
Carol ♪ Blinded by the Light ♪ GR Background wrote: "My word, Helen is irritating!"You know who she reminds me of? Nell from one of my least favorite of her romances, April Lady. I'm in Chapter 5 now -- I do remember who did it but it hasn't affected my enjoyment of the book so far.
Susan wrote: " Carol ♪ Blinded by the Light ♪ GR Background wrote: "Ok to do what I just did...see the add book/author just above the comment(reply) box? Click on that. I got the different edition by clicking on..."You can only do this on the website, not from the app.
Leslie wrote: " Carol ♪ Blinded by the Light ♪ GR Background wrote: "My word, Helen is irritating!"You know who she reminds me of? Nell from one of my least favorite of her romances, April Lady...."
Yes, that is who she reminds me of too. Only I liked Nell more.
I don't think anyone has mentioned Neville and Sally except by referring to bright young things being glib and irritating the police. I think we're told about Neville's athletic prowess to make him more palatable, and it does seem as though his rather annoying act hides a nicer character since he was prepared to try and get Helen's IOUs back from Ernie without there being any benefit to him if he did. He also goes to warn her that Ernie's dead. Also, he thinks of things to keep his aunt busy so that she doesn't just sit around being miserable.Some people do act oddly when they're shocked, and it does seem that he was genuinely shocked at seeing Ernie's body. However, he keeps up the annoying behaviour for far longer then would be accounted for by shock. I think he's got into the habit of hiding how intelligent he really is by acting the fool.
Sally has yet to become real for me. I'm put off by the monocle, which does seem a bit of an affectation to me. She keeps trying to appear more hard-boiled than she really is. She and Helen seem to be totally different characters.
I do wish the names of the two detectives weren't so similar. I know they aren't really, but they both start with H and are about the same length, so I have to keep stopping to actually read the name to see which one it is. Glass is immensely irritating; I find it hard to believe that he would have got through his initial probationary period.
This is my first time reading this novel. I'm reading the first American edition from 1938. There's a LOT of antisemitic comments regarding Abraham Budd. That bothers me more than Mr. Goldhanger in The Grand Sophy. That was one scene with a stereotypical comical villain. I know people in the 30s said and thought those kinds of things but when it's about one of the suspects it just feels wrong.Anyhow, the rest of the characters, minus Helen, are delicious! The religious butler and the cop are too funny. I adore Neville. He's crazy but fun. My favorite character is Sally. Hannasmyde and Hemingway are great together. I'm just starting Ch. 7. Ernie doesn't sound like a pleasant man.
Anyone have any guesses as to "whodunnit" so far? Or what the blunt instrument is? I know they said a woman wouldn't be able to do it but I wouldn't put it past any of the females in the story, including Ernie's sister. My guess as to the blunt instrument? The telephone.
HJ wrote: "Sally has yet to become real for me. I'm put off by the monocle, which does seem a bit of an affectation to me. She keeps trying to appear more hard-boiled than she really is. She and Helen seem to be totally different characters."It seems odd about how long monocles and quizzing glasses were used. Are there that many people with poor vision in only one eye? I can see them as a fad - but for that long?!?!
They would be very clumsy to use.
I think one of the reasons for Neville's athletic prowess is to show us that he's not all that he seems. Could he, in fact, be a murderer?I love the telephone idea, but I'm thinking it'd be hard to get the blood off. I'm trying to remember just how bumpy those vintage phones were. Were they smooth on the bottom? And I just got a flashback of a lurid detective novel - or movie poster - with the villain holding a telephone over his head in true menacing style, so maybe it would be a great blunt instrument! (One of the scariest movies I ever saw as a kid was the old "Sorry, Wrong Number", which prominently featured a phone, but not as a head basher.)
Howard wrote: "HJ wrote: "Sally has yet to become real for me. I'm put off by the monocle, which does seem a bit of an affectation to me. She keeps trying to appear more hard-boiled than she really is. She and He..."I've never worn a monocle or used a quizzing glass, but one of my eyes is much more near-sighted than the other. I suppose the obvious thing to do would be to have clear glass in the other spectacle lens if you only had bad vision in one eye, but maybe a monocle is easier to pop in and out than just having to wear glasses all the time?
Yes, Karlyne, I thought about this. I think it would be much more comfortable to wear glasses!
QNPoohBear wrote: "...I know they said a woman wouldn't be able to do it but I wouldn't put it past any of the females in the story, including Ernie's sister...."I do find the suggestion that a woman couldn't have done it to be rather incredible. It doesn't take much force, with the right blunt instrument, to break a skull, especially since it transpires that there was more than one blow. However, since the police have stated it as a fact, I suppose we have to proceed on that basis.
Georgette Heyer Fans
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Is this anyone's first time reading it?
How many times have you read it?
What format are you using.
I think I have read it before but I'm really not sure. I have an old Panther paperback & Holy Guacamole is the print ever small!