The Roar of the Butterflies

by Reginald Hill

Book Overview

Laid-off lathe operator-turned-private investigator Joe Sixsmith is suddenly very popular, and not just with the ladies. Though he doesn't know a putter from a nine iron, he's being implored to come... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0007252749
• ISBN13: 9780007252749
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Entrancing comic crime novel

I loved all Reginald Hill's serious detective novels but this one is so different, too funny for words almost! All the books in the short Joe Sixpence series are fun but this is the best!

A tip of the hat to P.G. Wodehouse

Most readers know the extraordinary mystery writer, Reginald Hill, through his crackerjack Pascoe and Dalziel detective series. There are few crime stories out there with the same level of complexity and wit as the P & D books. With "The Roar of the Butterflies," author Hill is plowing a different field. This much lighter and more broadly comedic book is part of the Joe Sixsmith series which has not been as widely sold in the U.S. as Hill's other books. Genuflecting frequently in the direction of P.G. Wodehouse, Hill's protagonist Sixsmith is a laid off factory worker who has set himself up as a private detective in the country town of Luton. Approached by the fair-haired scion of local aristocracy, Christian Porphyry, to sort out a cheating scandal at the local country club, the dumpy, middle-aged and slightly dim Sixsmith soon finds himself lavished with attention by A-list citizenry and attendant beautiful women that all seem connected to the relatively unimportant cheating incident at the golf club. Regular fans of Reginald Hill may find "The Roar..." a little slow and simple at the outset, but give the book a chance as the story becomes more complex and substantive as it progresses. Hill may be doing homage to Wodehouse, but he is still the creator of Pascoe and Dalziel when all is said and done. And ultimately the story is another satisfying tale of justice served and heroism rewarded. Definitely a good read.

This is a great read

Reading The Roar of the Butterflies was most enjoyable. It was a satisfying read.

roar

Entertaining English mystery with an unlikely detective. Enjoyed the lingo, the settings, the character development.

Perfect summer read - and great for winter too!

Most readers know Reginald Hill for his Dalziel and Pascoe books, and very good they are too. The Joe Sexsmith series showcases the lighter side of this wonderful crime writer. In this book Sexsmith, a somewhat tubby middle-aged black PI, is asked to help a popular local golf-club member fight the allegation that he cheated during an important match. Sounds like a minor problem to Joe, but while investigating the incident he turns up something much nastier. I'm not a golfer myself and though the game of golf is front and centre in the plot I had no trouble following along as any arcane terms were subtly explained. Joe's lissome nurse girlfriend, his cat Whitey, and a forceful, jealous boxer are just a few of the beautifully described and very funny characters in this book, while the plot is so gripping that I literally could not put it down. This is a wonderful read for a summer's afternoon - but beware. Supper could be late!