Diskrete Zeugen (1926)

Dorothy Sayers is without a doubt my favorite Golden Age mystery author - after Dame Christie, of course. There is always that spark of intelligence behind Wimsey’s wit and that is sometimes missing in other authors of the era. And generally a bit of social conscience as with the battered wife issue in this book.

As I read this I couldn’t help but be reminded of the 10 commandments of the Detection Club, most notably that the murderer had to be someone introduced fairly early in the book, and that the detective must not withhold anything he or she knows. All the more fun trying to figure out “who done it” when you know it’s not hidden too deeply.

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(33) The second Peter Wimsey mystery. Ugh - I though Inspector Wexford was weighed down with ponderous literary quotes - but Wimsey takes the cake. Whole untranslated passages in French and tons of allusions to arcane details of the British peerage and court system. Indeed, I had to skim at times. That being said this was the best installment thus far. Wimsey's brother The Duke of Denver is indicted for murder of their sister's fiancee. This case was alluded to in 'Gaudy Night' I believe. It turns out multiple people were wandering the grounds the night that it happened; everyone has secrets. And many want to take the blame on themselves to prevent harm to others. Thankfully Lord Peter, Bunter, and Inspector Parker are on the case.

I followed this along easily and guessed some things. I did better than I usually do at figuring things out, yet there were still a few surprises. In general, the final clue that saved the day seemed to be a bit far-fetched. It seemed they should have checked out that avenue long before the few words of French that were deduced on the blotter. And the lucky coincidences abounded - enough so that the author addressed it obliquely to the reader to forestall criticism.

Overall enjoyable, but not particularly surprising or clever. And parts were a bit tiresome. I will continue this series for now in lieu of Rendell's Wexford - but so far both series share the same strengths and weaknesses. ( )

Wimsey is set to save his brother accused of murder. A series of coincidences - and bad behaviour - intermingle as the accused refuses to speak up. Sayers is witty and fun; she also has a real knack for accents. Her characters are lively and the plot is entertaining.
A lovely read to relax ( )

"Excuse me, my lord," said Mr Bunter, deferentially, "but having seen The Times, I made no doubt your lordship would be wishing to go to Riddlesdale at once."

"Riddlesdale!" exclaimed Peter. "What's the matter? Anything wrong with my brother?"

For answer Mr Bunter handed him the paper, folded at the heading:

Riddlesdale Inquest. Duke of Denver Arrested on Murder Charge. Clouds of Witness by Dorothy Sayers

England, ca 1923
Indeholder kapitlerne "1. 'Of His Malice Aforethought'", "2. The Green-Eyed Cat", "3. Mudstains and Bloodstains", "4. - And His Daughter, Much-Afraid", "5. The Rue St. Honore and the Rue de la Paix", "6. Mary Much Contrary", "7. The Club and the Bullet", "8. Mr. Parker takes Notes", "9. Goyles", "10. Nothing Abides at the Noon", "11. Meribah", "12. The Alibi", "13. Manon", "14. The Edge of the Axe towards Him", "15. Bar Falling", "16. The Second String", "17. The Eloquent Dead", "18. The Speech for the Defence", "19. Who Goes Home?", "Peter Wimsey Biography by Paul Austin Delagardie".

Lord Peter Wimsey og hans kammertjener Bunter er på rejse på kontinentet, da Bunter ser en avisoverskrift om at Peters bror Gerald, som er Duke of Denver, er arresteret og anklaget for mord. De sætter kurs hjemad med det samme. Den dræbte skulle giftes med deres søster, han har været oppe at skændes med Gerald og han er blevet fundet skudt lige udenfor dennes jagthytte.
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I en fiktiv biografi angiveligt skrevet af Peter Wimseys onkel Paul Austin Delagardie får vi fyldt lidt huller i historien ud. Wimsey er født i 1890 og i denne historie er han 33 år gammel, så den foregår altså ca 1923.

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