Thursday, May 26, 2011

Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers

A lovely build to a great courtroom drama with slight humor from the brilliant Peter Whimsey. Dorothy Sayer's writing makes other mystery novels appear insipid. The historical aspect is quite intriguing, showing court manners with respect to nobility and class. I enjoyed reading the books out of order because this book shows a much younger Peter and not as well respected as the previous two novels (Busman's Honeymoon and Gaudy Night) that I've read. It makes me want to work on my wit!

Rustic old Riddlesdale Lodge was a Wimsey family retreat filled with country pleasures and the thrill of the hunt — until the game turned up human and quite dead. He lay among the chrysanthemums, wore slippers and a dinner jacket and was Lord Peter's brother-in-law-to-be. His accused murderer was Wimsey's own brother, and if murder set all in the family wasn't enough to boggle the unflappable Lord Wimsey, perhaps a few twists of fate would be — a mysterious vanishing midnight letter from Egypt...a grieving fiancee with suitcase in hand...and a bullet destined for one very special Wimsey.




No comments: