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The Roar of the Butterflies | 
 enlarge | Author: Reginald Hill
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £10.00
Buy New: £3.50
You Save: £6.50 (65%)
New (27) Used (8) from £2.45
Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 10828
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.1
ISBN: 0007252730
EAN: 9780007252732
ASIN: 0007252730
Publication Date: June 2, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 roar of the butterflies August 21, 2008
E. Olsen (uk)
A welcome return for Joe Sixsmith and as usual the story is fast paced and made me laugh in several places. Joe is a bumbling detective, he finds facts almost by mistake and generally excels at being in the worng place - but at the right time!
The story revolves around a local golf club and thankfully Joe is no golfer so any references to golfing are made simple through his lack of understanding. The original case does not seem too exciting and Joe despairs of being able to do anything. This is where Reginald Hill proves that he can write a good mystery, as Joe ploughs around trying to find something that will help he uncovers layer after layer of new mysteries and ends up solving a murder and defusing a business takeover.
My favourite part is where Joe is attacked in his flat - just read the book to find out why this is funny. I would thoroughly recommend this story, well up with the rest of the series if you have read them, and it will make you want to read the rest if you haven't.
 Brief But Fun Visit August 7, 2008
Kevan James
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Nice to see the return of Joe Sixsmith, Reginald Hill's other series hero. He's a likeable character, solving crimes in a bumbling, almost accidental, manner. He reminds me a bit of Miss Marple in the way he's discounted by those around him and he's able to pick up clues that maybe wouldn't be left if the perpertrators thought a 'real' detective was on to them.
This is a very short book, more of a long short story than a full novel but it makes an entertaining read. With the last few Dalziel and Pascoe books being somewhat less interesting than previous installments, it's nice to see the return of Joe in a well plotted romp. I hope Mr Hill brings him back again soon!
High Summer in Luton July 26, 2008
NickR (UK)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
How nice to see Joe Sixsmith back again. If you're a Reginald Hill fan, but haven't yet read any of the Sixsmith books, you're in for a (pleasant) surprise. There's none of the dark undertone of the Dalziel and Pascoe books, but a clear impression that the prolific Mr Hill enjoys dashing off these lighter-weight romps in his spare moments. Good stuff.
If I have one grumble, it's about the physical object (this is the HarperCollins UK hardback edition). The printed cover is, well, OK, I suppose, but will soon get dented and marked. It's the illustrations inside which really let the book down. They contribute nothing to the telling of the tale; the illustrator doesn't even get a credit (which suggests some embarrassment on the part of the publisher); and for anyone who has already formed their own visual image of Joe, they are actually counterproductive. Having just finished Hill's excellent collection of short stories, There are no Ghosts in the Soviet Union, I found myself missing that book's less ambitious look and feel.
Perfect summer read (and great for winter too!) July 6, 2008
UK, French, Canadian tri-national
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
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!
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