A long article I wrote about deadly butlers is in this month’s Believer magazine. 

What the Butler Did: The Origins of One of Mystery Fiction’s Most Enduring Clichés Discussed: An Alarming Appearance of Shirtsleeves, The Golden Age of Mystery Fiction, The Codification of Acceptable Culprits, Unapologetic Feminists, Titillating Fan Fiction, Handy Double Entendres, Nefarious Pasts and Murderous Presents, Incredibly Trusting Ladies and Lords, A Fateful Fur Coat

The first part is online here.