What happens when a man is struck by lightning and lives? He wakes up and decides to become a detective. Is his background law enforcement? No. Is his background criminal? Well…Other than a love of mystery novels and film noire, he has absolutely no experience at investigating. Does this limitation even cause him to pause? No. With enough confidence to match any SEAL team, he embarks on his quest to open a detective agency. Of course he remembers the golden rule for any new business: location, location, location! There’re many posh office buildings where he could take residence, but they get ignored. Like the early western settlers he’s a trailblazer, and the end of the trail is a breezeway. That’s right, a breezeway! The Butler Did It is the first of many humorous adventures. Everything you thought you knew about classic mysteries will be turned upside down. Characters will easily misbehave, plot points won’t connect, and endings may not be fulfilling. But you’ll laugh along the way, and wait with growing anticipation for the next one!
Assessment:
If the title alone wasn’t a giveaway, the lead’s name, Dick Privates, makes clear that this whodunit is meant to be amusingly tongue-in-cheek. But even on those terms, Boyce's novel will appeal most to readers who enjoy toilet humor. Privates, an amateurish PI, who had worked as a pizza deliveryman, eventually gets himself involved in a murder case -- but the author takes his time getting to that development. And while there are moments of humor, the book suffers from underdeveloped characters and poor plotting.
Date Submitted: June 02, 2016
