The Butler

By Jove, I absolutely loved The Butler.

I enjoy a good mystery and when I'm given a book with a compelling main character, a murder and a gaggle of suspects in a luxurious locale in the south of France, that's a resounding 'Oui, merci!' for me.

At the centre of this book is Baxter the butler who is a consummate professional. He's a bit stodgy and a stickler for rules but he gets the job done. He's been brought in to manage house staff to serve a bunch of entitled and self-absorbed guests in a luxurious villa during the Cannes Film Festival. Unbeknownst to the guests and adding to Baxter's stress, his mysterious employer has asked him to pass along any financial information about one of the affluent guests he can find. When a guest ends up dead, Baxter, with the help of the maid, the chef and a stray pickpocket, tries to figure out 'whodunnit'.

This was a well-executed mystery that moves quickly, aided by short chapters and plot teases that kept me turning 'just one more page'. Both staff and guests have varied backgrounds and secrets they must keep hidden, which makes for an interesting list of culprits and some good twists. Dun dun duuun!

This was an entertaining read that blends amateur sleuthing, tidbits of Macintosh's humour, dysfunctional family drama and unexpected heart as we learn about the staff's backstories. 

I truly hope this is the start of a new series. I can't wait to see what mischief Baxter and his protégé get up to next.

Disclaimer: Sincere thanks to the publisher for the advanced digital copy of this book that was gifted to me in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 5 stars

Author: Clare Mackintosh

Genre: Mystery

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Podium Publishing

First Published: June 16, 2026

Read: June 11-12, 2026

Book Description from GoodReads: From the New York Times -bestselling A glamorous French villa. A carefully curated guest list. A body in the pool.

The South of France is stunning, though not without its imperfections, from pickpockets to burglars to the occasional cold-blooded killer. But in his twenty-five years of service, Baxter—with a spotless reputation as a polished, well-mannered butler—has never run into any issues catering to the ultrawealthy. Until now.

Baxter's latest assignment is at Villa Sérénité, where Alec Prescott is hosting a colorful cast of characters, including his ex-wife, his much younger lady friend, and some Hollywood hotshots, after the Cannes Film Festival. But it doesn't take long for a week of sun, wine, and a family birthday celebration to devolve into bickering and backstabbing. And soon, secrets aren't the only thing floating to the surface . . .

When one of the guests is found dead in the villa's glittering pool, the unflappable Baxter must assist the gendarmes in determining who's responsible. With some standing to gain and others motivated to take it away, fingers are pointed in all directions. A good butler is expected to see everything and say nothing—but what if he too becomes a target?