Why Shoot a Butler?

By Georgette Heyer

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When barrister Frank Amberley, who happens to dabble in amateur detection, comes upon a dead body in an abandoned car, furthermore finding a young lady at the scene acting in a highly suspicious way; all manner of interesting events follow. Frank informs the police of the location of the body, naturally, but neglects to tell them about the young woman found by the dead body’s side. Why you may ask? Even Frank is shocked at his behaviour. He is after all a barrister. In his defence Frank doesn’t think the young woman did the foul deed, however the police would undoubtedly jump to the wrong conclusion. It is therefore his moral duty not to inform the police. Well that’s alright then. However when it transpires that the victim was a butler from nearby Norton Manor, Frank and the police, are intrigued. What could be the possible motive?

The inimitable Georgette Heyer here gives us a murder mystery stuffed with family secrets and dark doings, with sinister servants and a host of humorous characters and situations. As it was written in the 1930s, I think a frightfully clever barrister joining forces with a slow but dedicated police sergeant is perfectly permissible. Thoroughly entertaining.