Blue Blood Will Out

Simon Bognor #2

by Tim Heald

At a for-profit ancestral pile, Bognor seeks an earl-killing sniper

As real estate moguls slice and dice the great properties of the English countryside, the rambling grounds of Abney House are kept intact by being turned into a sort of theme park of the aristocracy for the public--complete with cafeteria, sailing museum, and safari-themed shooting gallery. But the theme isn't complete until a visiting earl is felled by a sniper's bullet, giving Abney House what every manor needs: a blue-blooded murder. Normally this killing would not fall under the jurisdiction of Board of Trade investigator Simon Bognor, but the downed earl was tied up in a top-secret international exchange, and the killing may have had a political motive. As Bognor settles into life at the old estate, he is forced to decide which will be more dangerous: the sharpshooting assassin, or the tedious aristocratic company.

Genres: Mystery

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

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.