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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
When the description mentions outrageously eccentric and corrupt suspects, they do mean it. This mystery, like all other Georgette Heyer mysteries is meant to be taken a little tongue in cheek. There's nothing very realistic about it. The descriptions are marvelous - I can almost picture the characters and the setting. I love how the author captured the essence of the time period. Overall, they are light, fluffy reads - more fluff than substance, but quite entertaining. If you are looking for humour, sarcasm, outrageous characters, mystery and a beautiful setting, then this is the book for you.
I have to admit that although I am a huge fan of Heyer's historicals, I am very blah about her detective stories. This is the second one I've read in the Hannasyde/Hemingway series, and they seem to be populated by fatuous 20-somethings being willfully obtuse, and arrogant older adults being willfully obstructive and arrogant. This book and Behold, Here's Poison, were so-so. For one thing, in both the books Hannasyde doesn't actually solve the murder, someone else does. That was more apparent in this book, where Hannasyde is not only not the main character, but plays a relatively small role overall. I figured out the murderer early on.
Heyer was an observer of people, and since these books were written in the 1920's as contemporary fiction, one must assume this is how she viewed the people around her. These books are much more like small, satirical, often witty vignettes of people under pressure than detective stories. Plus Heyer has a thing for cousin marriages. Was that still so common in the '20s?
I've read a couple other mysteries by Heyer that I liked better: Why Shoot the Butler and Footsteps in the Dark.
Heyer was an observer of people, and since these books were written in the 1920's as contemporary fiction, one must assume this is how she viewed the people around her. These books are much more like small, satirical, often witty vignettes of people under pressure than detective stories. Plus Heyer has a thing for cousin marriages. Was that still so common in the '20s?
I've read a couple other mysteries by Heyer that I liked better: Why Shoot the Butler and Footsteps in the Dark.
Enjoyable enough. A classic yarn. Not the best I’ve read, but entertaining. Certainly not complex.
Oh gosh I could really do without the misogyny and casual racism.
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not my favorite of the series, but I think this is where we meet Giles, who comes up in a later book. And I do like Giles. I think the majority of the characters are two selfish to be likable, so that takes away part of its charm. But it is the first Detective Hannasyde mystery, and I do love this series.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
I had such as fun time listening to this!
I never knew murder mystery could be combined with comedy. To be fair, the mystery itself wasn't very good, but it was a nice change to follow the suspects' and attorney's side of the investigation instead of the detective.
The characters were absolutely ridiculous, and I laughed so much listening to this. I was even fully invested in the tiny romance side plot! The audiobook is definitely to be thanked for that - I think I might have found the characters annoying rather than funny without the narrator.
If you want a good plot and intricate mystery, this isn't it. But if you just want a fun time and don't mind exaggerated/absurd characters, this is for you ^^
I never knew murder mystery could be combined with comedy. To be fair, the mystery itself wasn't very good, but it was a nice change to follow the suspects' and attorney's side of the investigation instead of the detective.
The characters were absolutely ridiculous, and I laughed so much listening to this. I was even fully invested in the tiny romance side plot! The audiobook is definitely to be thanked for that - I think I might have found the characters annoying rather than funny without the narrator.
If you want a good plot and intricate mystery, this isn't it. But if you just want a fun time and don't mind exaggerated/absurd characters, this is for you ^^
What a great read, with sparkling dialogue and witty suspects.
the mystery itself was good enough, but an excess of witty banter made the novel a bit exhausting at times.
The first Inspector Hannasyde mystery. I went on a binge of Georgette Heyer's mysteries and decided to read them in order.
Inspector Hannasyde is called in when a body is found in the stocks in a village between London and his weekend house. But no car is found. The man's half-sister is found at his weekend house, having washed her skirt to get rid of the blood caused by her bull terrier getting in a fight. The local police take her into custody. She admits she was going down to "have it out with him", but won't tell what or why. Inspector Hannasyde seriously doubts that she has anything to do with it, but she insists on calling her solicitor, a sort of cousin. Hannasyde and his assistant are dragged into the madhouse that is Antonia's living quarters with her brother, an artist. Giles Carrington explains to Hannasyde, or tries to, the total flippancy that is the household. The man's death leaves Antonia's brother the heir to his fortune. But, there is a monkey wrench. An older brother, presumed to be dead turns up to disinherit Kenneth. The police are aware that the dead man was in the habit of taking women to his weekend place, but are unable to identify the woman.
Inspector Hannasyde is called in when a body is found in the stocks in a village between London and his weekend house. But no car is found. The man's half-sister is found at his weekend house, having washed her skirt to get rid of the blood caused by her bull terrier getting in a fight. The local police take her into custody. She admits she was going down to "have it out with him", but won't tell what or why. Inspector Hannasyde seriously doubts that she has anything to do with it, but she insists on calling her solicitor, a sort of cousin. Hannasyde and his assistant are dragged into the madhouse that is Antonia's living quarters with her brother, an artist. Giles Carrington explains to Hannasyde, or tries to, the total flippancy that is the household. The man's death leaves Antonia's brother the heir to his fortune. But, there is a monkey wrench. An older brother, presumed to be dead turns up to disinherit Kenneth. The police are aware that the dead man was in the habit of taking women to his weekend place, but are unable to identify the woman.