Clouds of Witness

Rating:
Summary: A PERFECT PORTRAYAL
Review: Acclaimed for his portrayals of Lord Peter Wimsey on BBC, Ian Carmichael is the ideal voice for this story. As the London Daily Express put it he plays Wimsey so perfectly that "Sayers might have created Wimsey just so Carmichael could portray him."

Dorothy Sayers (1893 - 1957) is surely one of the most popular mystery writers of all time. Today, some years after her death, her stories continue to be widely read. With "Clouds of Witness" her protagonist Lord Peter Wimsey is called upon to investigate the death of his sister's fiancé. At least it may have been a fragrant departure as the recently murdered was found dead among the chrysanthemums, sartorially perfect in dinner jacket and slippers.

Most shocking is the fact that Sir Peter's brother, the Duke of Denver, stands accused. Surely that cannot be so. Sir Peter begins his own investigation in order to save his brother.

As is often the case, Sayers creates a surprising courtroom scene and Carmichael reads it with gusto.

- Gail Cooke

Rating:
Summary: A PERFECT PORTRAYAL
Review: Acclaimed for his portrayals of Lord Peter Wimsey on BBC, Ian Carmichael is the ideal voice for this story. As the London Daily Express put it he plays Wimsey so perfectly that "Sayers might have created Wimsey just so Carmichael could portray him."

Dorothy Sayers (1893 - 1957) is surely one of the most popular mystery writers of all time. Today, some years after her death, her stories continue to be widely read. With "Clouds of Witness" her protagonist Lord Peter Wimsey is called upon to investigate the death of his sister's fiancé. At least it may have been a fragrant departure as the recently murdered was found dead among the chrysanthemums, sartorially perfect in dinner jacket and slippers.

Most shocking is the fact that Sir Peter's brother, the Duke of Denver, stands accused. Surely that cannot be so. Sir Peter begins his own investigation in order to save his brother.

As is often the case, Sayers creates a surprising courtroom scene and Carmichael reads it with gusto.

- Gail Cooke

Rating:
Summary: Shades of the Future
Review: Clouds of Witness is a good book, but not among Sayers best. Written early in her career, the story allows one to feel that there will be greater books yet to come, but this - alas - is not that book. The book suffers mainly because it feels as if Sayers is emulating other writers (at one point Wimsey refers to his "gray cells"), and not trusting her own voice enough. It's understandable, given that this is her sophomore outing, but it's regrettable that it isn't quite what a modern reader might think of as a "Dorothy L. Sayers mystery."

The characters, women particularly, are well fleshed-out stereotypes. We have the noble fool (Lady Mary), the gold-digger (Simone Vonderaa), and the caged bird set free (Mrs. Grimethorpe). Even the legal team of Murbles and Biggs are set at the far ends of the spectrum of lawyerly caricature (Biggs' closing argument is an especially hammy monologue).

While it's nice to meet Wimsey's family, the rest of the hunting party is mostly useless (murder victim excepted). Wimsey and D.I. Parker's camaraderie is enjoyable, though the latter likely has a conflict of interest - doubly so, given his attraction to Lady Mary, Wimsey's sister and the deceased's fiancée.

My greatest frustration with the book has to do with the way the emerald-eyed cat charm is handled. Although its ownership is proven relatively early in the book Wimsey and Parker keep trying to determine if it belonged to someone else. It seems Sayers wants it to be a red herring, but in light of the fact that we know whose it is - as do Wimsey and Parker - it just doesn't work. Sayers also tries her hand at adventure writing, most notably in the "foggy bog" and "trans-Atlantic flight" scenes; in these she succeeds and it's a pity that in the future these dramatic touches are saved mainly for scenes involving the detective and his Daimler.

Even though the book has several shortcomings it's still an entertaining piece of writing. It does better at charting the rise of one of England's finest authors than as a literary masterpiece in its own right, but for all that Sayers fans should be sure not to overlook this early treasure.

Rating:
Summary: More than just a mystery this is England
Review: Dorothy L. Sayers writes many non-fiction books however among her best is the Lord Peter Wimsey series. I came to this series sort of though the back door. My first taste was the BBC productions with Petherbridge as Lord Peter that can now be found on DVD ASIN: B000062XDX. So I read all of Dorothy's books containing the relationship of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. Now it is time to go through the whole series.

Lord Peter returns from Corsica. To find his older brother the Duke of Denver practically accused of murder. What is worse is his brother is not talking. So it is up to Peter to find out what happened and clear his brother.
In the process he puts his foot in it and practically gets all his relatives and friends accused. As with all Sayers' stories nothing is simple there are overlapping plots and foolish deeds, as if Peter can not figure them out. On the side we learn a little about English society and ballistics.

This particular media is the cassette edition with Ian Carmichael. There is a version with Petherbridge but it is abbreviated and you need to hear every word to make the magic of the mystery work. Ian does speak rather fast and once in a while you get the detective mixed up with Peter. So I suggest you also read the book. However the tape has the advantage of inflection and is also desirable for the morning commute.

Rating:
Summary: I Am My Brother's Keeper
Review: Dorothy Sayers' second Lord Peter Wimsey novel comes in on a more serious note. Wimsey, just returned from a long rest in Corsica, finds himself embroiled in a murder far closer to home. While staying at a hunting lodge with friends Peter's brother Gerald has gotten tangled up in a murder, and has become the chief suspect. To make matters more complicated, the victim is their sister Mary's ex-fiancée. Very recently ex, as a matter of fact. The murder was done shortly after Gerald has thrown him out of the house as a card cheat.

When an alibi is demanded, Gerald refuses to give one, and so is charged with the crime. As he is the Duke of Denver, Gerald's case will not be heard in court, but before the House of Lords. Lord Peter is confronted with a case in which the accused seems bound and determined to get himself hung. Gerald offers no help to his brother, the police, or even Impey Biggs, his barrister. Peter and his long time friend Inspector Parker, are left with only faint clues and surmises as the basis for building a defense.

It quickly becomes apparent that there is guilt everywhere. Denis Cathcart, the victim, had lived a suspicious life in Paris, Lady Mary has complicated ties to the British socialist movement, and Gerald, if he wasn't killing Cathcart, had to be doing something he didn't want to reveal. Wimsey and Parker find a surplus of suspicious behavior, in England and abroad, but the puzzle refuses to be unlocked. Worse, those mysteries they can solve do nothing to help Gerald. Time marches inexorably on, and Lord Peter must make a last minute race against time in an effort to solve the mystery.

Despite the seriousness of this case, with all its lurking tragedies, Lord Peter retains his sarcastic style, providing both comic relief and the insights of the master detective. This time however he does reveal more of serious side, leaving behind his facetious exterior as he displays new depth. Sayers, of course, continues to write brilliantly, providing finely grained characters and a wonderful sense of place. An unexpected side romance shows signs of beginning, which will delight the readers, as Inspector Parker leaves behind theology long enough to embarrass himself.

The Wimsey novels can be read in any order, although the latter part of the series does have some thematic material with develops over several volumes. The early novels are independent tales, and I exhort the reader to start with whatever is at hand. In little time you will find yourself addicted to an England that never really was, but certainly should have been.

Rating:
Summary: The Best of Sayers' Early Work
Review: In some respects Dorothy Sayers is a problematic author, and early in her career she struggled with what can only be called a tendency toward incessant clutter: a wordy style, an often awkwardly expressed fascination with the mechanics of timetables, and constant reference to erudite academia that frequently verged on the downright obscure. But with CLOUDS OF WITNESS she found a very neat balance--and the result is not only the first clear sounding of Sayers' literary voice, it is also simply the best of her early works.

In this particular story, death unexpectedly arrives in the very bosom of the Wimsey family: the Duke has taken a rural manor for the hunting season, and when his sister's fiance is found shot to death in the small hours of the morning he is himself accused. Curiously, he declines to offer any sort of alibi--but fortunately there is a sleuth in the family: Lord Peter Wimsey, who arrives post-haste to sort the matter out.

While the novel's conclusion may frustrate many readers, this is a fast, fun read with engaging characters and an emerging and very sophisticated literary style--the style on which Sayers would ultimately establish such later and landmark works as MURDER MUST ADVERTISE, GAUDY NIGHT, and BUSMAN'S HONEYMOON. Established fans will likely enjoy it more than first-timers, but if you've not yet encountered Sayers don't let that stop you: it's an elegant work. Recommended.

--GFT (Amazon.com Reviewer)--

Rating:
Summary: The further adventures of Lord Peter
Review: Lord Peter needed to get away after the stresses he encountered solving a case a few weeks earlier (Whose Body?). He and Bunter went to the wilds of Corsica to relax. On their way back to civilization they discover that while they were gone the fiance of Lord Peter's sister, Lady Mary was murdered. Worse, the murder took place at a shooting party hosted by their older brother, Gerald the Duke of Denver. Worse still Gerald is the prime suspect!

Peter and Bunter hurry home to try to solve the crime only to find that there are many mysteries about what happened that night. Why isn't Mary more upset about the death of her fiance? Why was their engagement called off that very night? Where exactly was Gerald that evening? Who left a suitcase in the conservatory?

Gradually Peter begins to find answers to the various questions and raise a few more along the way. He and Bunter of course eventually save the day but not before having a few adventures along the way.

This is an exciting mystery, it is well plotted and fairly laid out, all the clues are there for the reader. There are a few coincidences but nothing that overly strains possiblities. For fans of the series we are treated to a lot more insight into that wonderfully eccentric Wimsey family.

So why four stars instead of five? First the book does tend to drag just a bit in places. Compared to later books in the series this is one of the lesser works. If you are a fan of the series this is a must read. I would also recommend it if you are a fan of mysteries of the '20's and '30's definitely read this one.

Rating:
Summary: If only they'd let Petherbridge read more...
Review: Lord Peter Wimsey must find the evidence to clear his older brother, Gerald, the Duke of Denver from the charge of murder. The victim is the fiancé of Gerald and Peter's sister, Lady Mary Wimsey.

There is much conflicting testimony amongst the witnesses, and Lord Peter, ably assisted by his faithful manservant Bunter and Inspector Parker, does his best in an effort to save his brother.

The book is well written, and well paced. There is a trial in the House of Lords, something most readers have perhaps heard of, but never have read about in any great detail. We read of the Wimsey family (Lord Peter, the Dowager Duchess, Lady Mary, and the Duke of Denver), and their friends (the Arbuthnots and others), in an excellent depiction of what life was life in the upper-crust families after World War I.

I'd recommend this book, and any of the Lord Peter Wimsey series. Also recommended is the TV adaptation starring Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter.

Rating:
Summary: Wimsey's a Winner
Review: The entire Denver clan's good name is at stake when Lord Peter Wimsey's older brother is accused of murdering their sister's fiancee one fine October night. The task is made no easier since Lord Peter is on vacation at the time and since he returns to find the pig-headed Duke providing very little assistance to his own defense. Sayers does a fine job of balancing family tensions, differing testimony, and various attempts at hiding the truth in this entertaining second novel in the Wimsey series. The multi-layered motivations of her characters and the several sharp and plausible twists in the plot keep the pages turning.

Sayers' writing is always textured and witty, and her Riddlesdale Lodge is just the type of country house an Anglophile mystery reader will enjoy spending a few days. After three Wimsey mysteries I am undeniably hooked, but will spread out my reading of the other eight or nine so as to savor them over a long period.

Rating:
Summary: The ideal introduction to Wimsey and his world
Review: This is one of my three favorite Lord Peter Wimsey novels (the other two are The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club and Murder Must Advertise), and unless you plan to read the entire series (in which case you should start with Unnatural Death), it's the best introduction to Wimsey and his world, as it revolves around his brother Gerald, the Duke of Denver, being accused of murdering their sister Mary's fiance. It also features Wimsey's friend Chief Inspector Parker, as well as introducing several recurring characters.

Unlike Unnatural Death, where Wimsey seems more devil-may-care and speaks in more slang-y sentences, this book shows a more mature Wimsey who's fully aware of his duties to his family and the responsibilities of his position in life (an occasional theme in the series), and we see that Wimsey is far from being merely a man about London.

The mystery itself is one of the more clever ones in the series, revolving around holes in Gerald's testimony which Wimsey must investigate, as well as the background of the murder victim, although the final resolution seems not to completely justify the build-up. (This is common in Sayers' mysteries; the setting and characters tend to be stronger than the puzzle driving the plot.) Overall, though, it's an entertaining book, featuring more moments of dramatic suspense than in the later novels, making it perhaps the most well-rounded Wimsey adventure.