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Inspectors Hannasyde & Hemingway #2
Behold Here's Poison
Title: Behold, Here's Poison <>Binding: Paperback <>Author: Georgette Heyer <>Publisher: ARROW
311 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1936
277 people are currently reading
1832 people want to read
About the author
Georgette Heyer
245 books5,501 followersGeorgette Heyer was a prolific historical romance and detective fiction novelist. Her writing career began in 1921, when she turned a story for her younger brother into the novel The Black Moth.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 467 reviews
September 12, 2017
This wasn't my finest moment as a moderator, but I was so sure I had a copy of this book. Fortunately TradeMe (NZ's answer to Ebay) came to the rescue & I now own all GH's mysteries. So I'm very late to the party at the Georgette Heyer Fans Group
My cover is quite charmingly retro.
Unfortunately the pages were falling out as I read them, but I still enjoyed Ms Heyer's remarkable gift of bringing even the most unlikeable characters (& they were mostly very unlikeable) to life. The murder method was ingenious & the dovetailing of detail very skilled, other than one small error - plus This book represents a considerable step up from the first Hannasyde detective novel
(yes I know I gave that one 5★ as well - it is a sentimental favourite of mine. Humour me!)
Only other fault is there wasn't enough Sergeant Hemingway!
My cover is quite charmingly retro.
Unfortunately the pages were falling out as I read them, but I still enjoyed Ms Heyer's remarkable gift of bringing even the most unlikeable characters (& they were mostly very unlikeable) to life. The murder method was ingenious & the dovetailing of detail very skilled, other than one small error - plus This book represents a considerable step up from the first Hannasyde detective novel
(yes I know I gave that one 5★ as well - it is a sentimental favourite of mine. Humour me!)Only other fault is there wasn't enough Sergeant Hemingway!
August 6, 2021
Loved Randall and his slithery personality because of all the sarcastic quips, especially when dealing with the overbearing Mrs. Putnam! Stella calls him a snake more than once! Couldn't figure out why he loved Stella, but there, Randall is a mystery as well!
Enjoyed the mystery - didn't guess the killer and was interested in how the poison was administered. The characters are all a bit pompous and entitled, but this is a bygone era, thank goodness, so I just enjoy the writing and the characterization and am thankful that things have changed.
I have to say, my siblings and I will pass each other products that we've tried and didn't enjoy. We were raised frugally, and also we try to save things from going to the landfill. So, when Harriet was slammed for recycling stuff, I was not too thrilled.
I like to try new foods and products, but if I am not in love with a new brand, for say, a jar of pickles or Greek olives that I tried, my siblings, who adores them, are happy to take them off my hands - and vice versa. We also go halves or "shares" on those large quantities that you have to buy when you shop at Costco, which we all love. For example, I tried the Better than Bouillon from Costco and didn't love it: Sis came to the rescue and now she enjoys using it. I try to find a good home for my rejected or overflow quantity purchases. How wasteful if everything we try and don't like ends up in the landfill.
So, while I did love this story, it rubbed me a bit raw because it sent a message that I didn't like. I am very environmentally conscious and carry my own rolled up nylon and fabric shopping bags. I am sorry to have to say that some of the sentiments in Heyer's stories are now outdated: recycling is GOOD. Recycle, reuse! (But yeah, one of the items recycled by Harriet was maybe a product I would draw the line at passing on.)
Enjoyed the mystery - didn't guess the killer and was interested in how the poison was administered. The characters are all a bit pompous and entitled, but this is a bygone era, thank goodness, so I just enjoy the writing and the characterization and am thankful that things have changed.
I have to say, my siblings and I will pass each other products that we've tried and didn't enjoy. We were raised frugally, and also we try to save things from going to the landfill. So, when Harriet was slammed for recycling stuff, I was not too thrilled.
I like to try new foods and products, but if I am not in love with a new brand, for say, a jar of pickles or Greek olives that I tried, my siblings, who adores them, are happy to take them off my hands - and vice versa. We also go halves or "shares" on those large quantities that you have to buy when you shop at Costco, which we all love. For example, I tried the Better than Bouillon from Costco and didn't love it: Sis came to the rescue and now she enjoys using it. I try to find a good home for my rejected or overflow quantity purchases. How wasteful if everything we try and don't like ends up in the landfill.
So, while I did love this story, it rubbed me a bit raw because it sent a message that I didn't like. I am very environmentally conscious and carry my own rolled up nylon and fabric shopping bags. I am sorry to have to say that some of the sentiments in Heyer's stories are now outdated: recycling is GOOD. Recycle, reuse! (But yeah, one of the items recycled by Harriet was maybe a product I would draw the line at passing on.)
March 26, 2022
Behold, Here’s Poison is a 1936 Golden Age mystery set at an English country house known as the Poplars, the home of the Matthews, a quarrelsome and melodramatic family. When Gregory Matthews, the elderly head of the house, is found dead in his bed, most assume it is from natural causes; however, one person insists on an inquiry which brings the whole dysfunctional family under suspicion once it is determined the death is from poising. It is no secret that Greg was a difficult man who wielded his power indiscriminately and disliked everyone, so good luck finding some who didn’t wish him dead.
Living at the Poplars, you have Greg’s thrifty unmarried sister Harriet, and his spoiled sister-in-law Zoe, along with Zoe’s two young adult children, Stella and Guy. Stella is engaged to the neighbor, Dr. Deryk Fielding, a man Greg vehemently disliked. In a house in town lives Greg’s other sister Gertrude Lupton with her husband, Henry, and adult daughter, Janet (and husband). Lastly, you have Greg’s other nephew, Randall, a sharp-tongued dandy, who lives alone in town. Besides the family, there is a lesser mentioned neighbor and his wife. In other words, plenty of suspects.
From the beginning, I was confused over the three Ms. Matthews and their familial relationships. I did keep a character list from the start, but I had to update it as I read. The textual clues were frustrating because they seemed contradictory, and in the end, I am still unsure if I got the proper character traits and children assigned to the correct name.
This Heyer book began unusually; it started with viewpoints from the house staff Mary, Rose, and Mr. and Mrs. Beecher (butler and cook), who allude to everyone having a secret or quarrel with another member of the family. It is Mr. Beecher who finds the body and alerts the family. After the initial chapter, the focus shifts to the family members, not returning to the staff’s viewpoints. I wonder why this below stairs look was included and not continued. It could have provided another angle for the reader to observe the family.
Besides the slow start and problems of keeping the characters straight, I found the overall characterization of the book lacking. This was surprising since I associate strong characterization (and humor) as Heyer’s strength. These characters were boring and forgettable or consistently rude. So, what stood out for me was the constant nitpicking about banal topics. It grew tiresome.
I admit the story did pick up once the case was underway. Inspector Hannasyde (aided by local police) led it. But the investigation didn’t impress me. Mostly, it seemed amateurish. I’ve read two other books in this series featuring this inspector, enjoying those books much more than this one, so I know fumbling around isn’t his typical character trait. My biggest issues were
Even though the mode of transmission of the poison was clever, how it was done became obvious to me at an early stage. Sometimes when you guess part of the plot early on, it only adds suspense to the story as you anticipate what is coming. I didn’t feel this story had suspense though.
Some threads were left unresolved or misplaced.
Many readers rated this book significantly higher than I have, so check out their thoughts before dismissing it. Since, I have read and enjoyed other books by this author, I don’t feel daunted by this isolated mishap. Although I cannot recommend this book, I would suggest reading A Christmas Party or The Unfinished Clue – both are entertaining, standalone Golden Age mysteries.
Living at the Poplars, you have Greg’s thrifty unmarried sister Harriet, and his spoiled sister-in-law Zoe, along with Zoe’s two young adult children, Stella and Guy. Stella is engaged to the neighbor, Dr. Deryk Fielding, a man Greg vehemently disliked. In a house in town lives Greg’s other sister Gertrude Lupton with her husband, Henry, and adult daughter, Janet (and husband). Lastly, you have Greg’s other nephew, Randall, a sharp-tongued dandy, who lives alone in town. Besides the family, there is a lesser mentioned neighbor and his wife. In other words, plenty of suspects.
From the beginning, I was confused over the three Ms. Matthews and their familial relationships. I did keep a character list from the start, but I had to update it as I read. The textual clues were frustrating because they seemed contradictory, and in the end, I am still unsure if I got the proper character traits and children assigned to the correct name.
This Heyer book began unusually; it started with viewpoints from the house staff Mary, Rose, and Mr. and Mrs. Beecher (butler and cook), who allude to everyone having a secret or quarrel with another member of the family. It is Mr. Beecher who finds the body and alerts the family. After the initial chapter, the focus shifts to the family members, not returning to the staff’s viewpoints. I wonder why this below stairs look was included and not continued. It could have provided another angle for the reader to observe the family.
Besides the slow start and problems of keeping the characters straight, I found the overall characterization of the book lacking. This was surprising since I associate strong characterization (and humor) as Heyer’s strength. These characters were boring and forgettable or consistently rude. So, what stood out for me was the constant nitpicking about banal topics. It grew tiresome.
I admit the story did pick up once the case was underway. Inspector Hannasyde (aided by local police) led it. But the investigation didn’t impress me. Mostly, it seemed amateurish. I’ve read two other books in this series featuring this inspector, enjoying those books much more than this one, so I know fumbling around isn’t his typical character trait. My biggest issues were
Even though the mode of transmission of the poison was clever, how it was done became obvious to me at an early stage. Sometimes when you guess part of the plot early on, it only adds suspense to the story as you anticipate what is coming. I didn’t feel this story had suspense though.
Some threads were left unresolved or misplaced.
Many readers rated this book significantly higher than I have, so check out their thoughts before dismissing it. Since, I have read and enjoyed other books by this author, I don’t feel daunted by this isolated mishap. Although I cannot recommend this book, I would suggest reading A Christmas Party or The Unfinished Clue – both are entertaining, standalone Golden Age mysteries.
February 16, 2022
This is an excellent Georgette Heyer mystery, featuring the unusual death of the unpopular Gregory Matthews, who presides over a family home including his sister, his sister in law and her two adult children, Guy and Stella. There are also a good range of other possible suspects, including a host of other relatives, a kindly neighbour and a disreputable doctor.
Like other Heyer mysteries I have read, some of the characters from previous books appear, such as Giles Carrington. There is also a rather louche, man about town, in cousin Randall Matthews, who becomes head of the family after the death of his uncle.
Without doubt, the joy of this is in the characters, with some humour and a touch of romance, Heyer creates an intriguing puzzle with side stories, secrets and motives galore. Very enjoyable and I look forward to reading more of her country house murders.
Like other Heyer mysteries I have read, some of the characters from previous books appear, such as Giles Carrington. There is also a rather louche, man about town, in cousin Randall Matthews, who becomes head of the family after the death of his uncle.
Without doubt, the joy of this is in the characters, with some humour and a touch of romance, Heyer creates an intriguing puzzle with side stories, secrets and motives galore. Very enjoyable and I look forward to reading more of her country house murders.
March 15, 2022
Behold, Here’s Poison (1936) is the second of Georgette Heyer’s mysteries featuring Superintendent Hannasyde; in these Hemingway, who later features in his own subset of mysteries, is Sergeant.
Behold, Here’s Poison opens below-the-stairs in Poplars, where the unpleasant and domineering patriarch Gregory Matthews lives with his older sister, Harriet, widowed sister-in-law, Zoe, and Zoe’s two children—Guy, who works as an interior decorator in his own venture in partnership with a friend, and Stella. Living close by is Gregory’s married sister, Mrs Lupton, with her husband, Henry and one daughter Janet while another married daughter Agnes also lives not too far. Another nephew and Gregory’s heir Randall lives in London. The morning our story opens, Gregory is found dead in bed. The family put it down to natural causes for Gregory had heart trouble, and had eaten a heavy meal the previous night (including ‘duck’ as Harriet stresses multiple times, rather than the cutlets she’d ordered for him). The doctor, Deryk Fielding agrees that the symptoms are all of syncope, but Mrs Lupton, who is rather like her brother in character, demands a post mortem. While this may have been done just out of spite, it turns out that Gregory had in fact been murdered, poisoned, and with nicotine no less—not a very ‘common’ poison.
Hannasyde arrives with Hemingway and the local inspector in tow, only to find yet another dysfunctional family, full of eccentrics, most of them constantly at loggerheads, if not at each other’s throats. Any of them could have done it and most did have a motive—money and love—the usual suspects among them. But which of them did?
In its broad structure, this book was much like the previous Hannasyde mystery, Death in the Stocks, with a dysfunctional family with an unlikeable patriarch, a pair of siblings, of which the girl (here Stella) is engaged to a man whom the patriarch disapproves of (here Dr Fielding); the boy in need of money (and here also in danger of being shipped off to Brazil), among other elements. But despite the similarities, it was very much its own story.
This book one once again stands out for its writing, eccentric characters and humour. Among the characters, a couple of standouts for me were aunt Harriet, who has an economy-mania to the extreme—so much so that she does some rather morbid things, apart from trying to cut back on expenses so much that people are loath to eat a meal in the house. Then, somewhat on the lines of the Vereker siblings in the previous book, we have Randall Matthews, who drips sarcasm but is also far brighter than he’d like to let on, although we get many hints of this as our story progresses. We also run into a few of the characters from the previous book, which I very much enjoyed, since like in Barbara Pym’s books for instance, one gets to know what they’ve been up to since our previous meeting. Heyer’s writing and the humour in the story are wonderful as always, though in terms of pure dialogue, I felt there was more sparkle in the previous book.
There is also a romance thread to which I picked up a hint fairly early on, which led me to count one character at least out of it (though I did wonder if Heyer would still surprise me). There is a fair bit of banter between them, but Stella, at least seems to mean it some of the time.
As far as the mystery itself was concerned, I could not at all guess whodunit so that element took me entirely by surprise. Also, the why was something I didn’t work out, but there were a couple of elements as to which I was able to pick up clues as the story progressed (and I think other mystery readers would be able to as well), but which Hannasyde seems to pick up on much later (but then again, we’ve seen and heard things he hasn’t).
A delightful read with a great set of characters, and a mystery I could not guess, this one kept me engrossed all the way till the end.
4 stars
Behold, Here’s Poison opens below-the-stairs in Poplars, where the unpleasant and domineering patriarch Gregory Matthews lives with his older sister, Harriet, widowed sister-in-law, Zoe, and Zoe’s two children—Guy, who works as an interior decorator in his own venture in partnership with a friend, and Stella. Living close by is Gregory’s married sister, Mrs Lupton, with her husband, Henry and one daughter Janet while another married daughter Agnes also lives not too far. Another nephew and Gregory’s heir Randall lives in London. The morning our story opens, Gregory is found dead in bed. The family put it down to natural causes for Gregory had heart trouble, and had eaten a heavy meal the previous night (including ‘duck’ as Harriet stresses multiple times, rather than the cutlets she’d ordered for him). The doctor, Deryk Fielding agrees that the symptoms are all of syncope, but Mrs Lupton, who is rather like her brother in character, demands a post mortem. While this may have been done just out of spite, it turns out that Gregory had in fact been murdered, poisoned, and with nicotine no less—not a very ‘common’ poison.
Hannasyde arrives with Hemingway and the local inspector in tow, only to find yet another dysfunctional family, full of eccentrics, most of them constantly at loggerheads, if not at each other’s throats. Any of them could have done it and most did have a motive—money and love—the usual suspects among them. But which of them did?
In its broad structure, this book was much like the previous Hannasyde mystery, Death in the Stocks, with a dysfunctional family with an unlikeable patriarch, a pair of siblings, of which the girl (here Stella) is engaged to a man whom the patriarch disapproves of (here Dr Fielding); the boy in need of money (and here also in danger of being shipped off to Brazil), among other elements. But despite the similarities, it was very much its own story.
This book one once again stands out for its writing, eccentric characters and humour. Among the characters, a couple of standouts for me were aunt Harriet, who has an economy-mania to the extreme—so much so that she does some rather morbid things, apart from trying to cut back on expenses so much that people are loath to eat a meal in the house. Then, somewhat on the lines of the Vereker siblings in the previous book, we have Randall Matthews, who drips sarcasm but is also far brighter than he’d like to let on, although we get many hints of this as our story progresses. We also run into a few of the characters from the previous book, which I very much enjoyed, since like in Barbara Pym’s books for instance, one gets to know what they’ve been up to since our previous meeting. Heyer’s writing and the humour in the story are wonderful as always, though in terms of pure dialogue, I felt there was more sparkle in the previous book.
There is also a romance thread to which I picked up a hint fairly early on, which led me to count one character at least out of it (though I did wonder if Heyer would still surprise me). There is a fair bit of banter between them, but Stella, at least seems to mean it some of the time.
As far as the mystery itself was concerned, I could not at all guess whodunit so that element took me entirely by surprise. Also, the why was something I didn’t work out, but there were a couple of elements as to which I was able to pick up clues as the story progressed (and I think other mystery readers would be able to as well), but which Hannasyde seems to pick up on much later (but then again, we’ve seen and heard things he hasn’t).
A delightful read with a great set of characters, and a mystery I could not guess, this one kept me engrossed all the way till the end.
4 stars
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July 7, 2021Rather a lot of characters in this one, and quite a good mystery.
I enjoy Randall thoroughly, but I'm not sure if I like him, and I don't think Stella is a strong enough character to hold up against him (and wonder that she should forgive him for his cruelty to gauche teens).
It's also one of those stories where I spend some time feeling sorry for characters I'm meant to dislike. Harriet (the dependent sister with the mania for penny-pinching) is no doubt exceedingly annoying, but how did she get that way, after all? Dependent, derided and dismissed, with no life of her own, it's not all that surprising she was so unhappy. And Gertrude, treated as something quite dreadful for being female and domineering, despite being the most honest character in the story.
The narrator, again, speaks very languidly, but is remarkably good at providing a range of voices.
I enjoy Randall thoroughly, but I'm not sure if I like him, and I don't think Stella is a strong enough character to hold up against him (and wonder that she should forgive him for his cruelty to gauche teens).
It's also one of those stories where I spend some time feeling sorry for characters I'm meant to dislike. Harriet (the dependent sister with the mania for penny-pinching) is no doubt exceedingly annoying, but how did she get that way, after all? Dependent, derided and dismissed, with no life of her own, it's not all that surprising she was so unhappy. And Gertrude, treated as something quite dreadful for being female and domineering, despite being the most honest character in the story.
The narrator, again, speaks very languidly, but is remarkably good at providing a range of voices.
May 7, 2017
A Georgette Heyer mystery, this one was refreshing after all the dull stories about dysfunctional families I had been reading. This one is too about a dysfunctional family, but much more delightful to read than the modern stuff that is being dished out and is so popular. The book starts off with a man, the unlikeable patriarch of a family lying dead and the doctor had already signed his death certificate. But then, a member of the family starts to question the nature of his death and the police are called in. This gets the family on each other's nerves worse than before and half of the charm of the book is in the interactions between the different people.
The plot is very interesting, and I really liked the way it wound up. There are several suspects within the family, and suspicion is pointed from one to the other at various times. The characters are fun to read, if a little cartoonish at times, but they help move the story along with their consistently irrational behaviour.
So why only three stars? First, I don't classify three stars as bad. And the romance in this book prevents me from rating it higher. It is just pulled out of thin air. I also think that GH can sometimes be too fond of the 'bored rich guy in control always' trope. I'd rather read about an abusive man than one who is bored all the time. How can one fall passionately in love with someone who finds life a drag and sneers at people all the time? So yeah, I found the romance unbelievable. There is also the slight unexplained bit about why the victim's sister suddenly came up with the idea that her brother was murdered. That's not something most people would think about when someone dies in their family!
If you can overlook these things, this book is perfect for a nice evening of relaxation. Idyllic surroundings, disturbed by a murder, surprise conclusion. My favourite thing!
The plot is very interesting, and I really liked the way it wound up. There are several suspects within the family, and suspicion is pointed from one to the other at various times. The characters are fun to read, if a little cartoonish at times, but they help move the story along with their consistently irrational behaviour.
So why only three stars? First, I don't classify three stars as bad. And the romance in this book prevents me from rating it higher. It is just pulled out of thin air. I also think that GH can sometimes be too fond of the 'bored rich guy in control always' trope. I'd rather read about an abusive man than one who is bored all the time. How can one fall passionately in love with someone who finds life a drag and sneers at people all the time? So yeah, I found the romance unbelievable. There is also the slight unexplained bit about why the victim's sister suddenly came up with the idea that her brother was murdered. That's not something most people would think about when someone dies in their family!
If you can overlook these things, this book is perfect for a nice evening of relaxation. Idyllic surroundings, disturbed by a murder, surprise conclusion. My favourite thing!
May 18, 2009
Most of you are aware of my love for Georgette Heyer, so it's probably no surprise that I couldn't resist trying out one of her mystery novels. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed! I do believe that this woman could make a grocery list read witty!
Behold, Here's Poison is an entertaining little murder mystery with a "Clue" sort of vibe to it. The characters are a little wacky, but in a delightful and amusing way. There's the outrageously thrifty Miss Matthews, moocher extraordinaire Mrs. Matthews and her spawn...and then there's Mr. Randall Matthews, newly made head of the family. I fell in love with his quick tongue and smart remarks...made me laugh out loud a few times, drawing odd looks from my husband!
Thanks to Danielle at Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read such a great book! I truly enjoyed it and I think you will too!
Behold, Here's Poison is an entertaining little murder mystery with a "Clue" sort of vibe to it. The characters are a little wacky, but in a delightful and amusing way. There's the outrageously thrifty Miss Matthews, moocher extraordinaire Mrs. Matthews and her spawn...and then there's Mr. Randall Matthews, newly made head of the family. I fell in love with his quick tongue and smart remarks...made me laugh out loud a few times, drawing odd looks from my husband!
Thanks to Danielle at Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read such a great book! I truly enjoyed it and I think you will too!
March 12, 2022
This is the first Georgette Heyer I have read and I enjoyed it very much, after a somewhat stodgy start.
The plot is a fairly standard Golden Age-style mystery set in a country house with family feuds, complex inheritance issues and so on, which is all very decently done. The real pleasure, though, is in the writing and Heyer’s creation of some excellently drawn characters, whom she brings to life with a wonderfully sly wit. She has obviously had a whale of a time writing the deliciously louche, cynical Randall – who, of course, turns out to have a soft heart under it all – and I had an equally good time reading about him.
I have to say that the first few chapters of scene-setting and establishing the rather complex family relationships were a bit of a struggle at times, but with the murder and the arrival of Inspector Hannasyde things perk up very nicely and I found this a very enjoyable read.
The plot is a fairly standard Golden Age-style mystery set in a country house with family feuds, complex inheritance issues and so on, which is all very decently done. The real pleasure, though, is in the writing and Heyer’s creation of some excellently drawn characters, whom she brings to life with a wonderfully sly wit. She has obviously had a whale of a time writing the deliciously louche, cynical Randall – who, of course, turns out to have a soft heart under it all – and I had an equally good time reading about him.
I have to say that the first few chapters of scene-setting and establishing the rather complex family relationships were a bit of a struggle at times, but with the murder and the arrival of Inspector Hannasyde things perk up very nicely and I found this a very enjoyable read.
October 5, 2012
Contrary to what this cover leads one to expect, there are no vampish women or costume parties in this mystery, just an unpleasant extended family who lead boring lives (and deaths -- these are about the most boring murders ever) and eat food that is bad even for the English.
November 11, 2025
A very clever plot, very witty dialogue, especially Randall, and an ingenious poisoning. Inspector Hannasyde plays a minor role but I did like him and his sergeant too. Happy to have joined for the monthly group read!
June 5, 2016
A typical Golden Age Mystery: An English country house, a dysfunctional (not always) upper-class family and a whodunit. Georgette Heyer never failed to impress me before, and this time is no exception. It revolves around Gregory Matthews, the head of the family in the Poplars, who's found dead one morning in his bed and it's assumed to be due to natural causes. However his sister is not convinced and demanded a post-mortem, which reveals that he was poisoned. Therefore, Inspector Hannasyde from Scotland Yard is called to solve the case. However, how Gregory was poisoned is a complete mystery and every member of the family has a motive to kill him, and you shall not guess who is he till the end.
July 19, 2015
It didn't take me long to realise I have read this Heyer before, but I very much loved romping through this reread. Deftly drawn characters, sparkling dialogue & a novel method of murder - what's not to love? & Hemingway is my favourite "Watson!"
July 21, 2025
Mr. Gregory Matthews rules his family with an iron fist. He refuses to allow his nephew Guy to continue wasting his money as an interior decorator or to allow Stella, Guy's sister, to marry that Dr. Fielding whose family hides a secret. Mr. Matthews does have a soft spot for the ladies. He allows his sister Harriet to live with him and his ditzy sister-in-law, Zoë too. When the servants find Mr. Matthews dead one morning it comes as a huge shock to everyone, especially the family. Dr. Fielding is certain Mr. Matthews died of a heart ailment and is prepared to sign the death certificate. Not so fast-Gertrude, Mrs. Lupton, another Matthews sibling, insists on a post-mortem. The family is certain that Mr. Matthews died of natural causes but the young adults worry about scandal. The will comes as something of a shock and what's worse, the post-mortem reveals Gregory Matthews did not die a natural death-he was poisoned! By the time Superintendent Hannasyde gets the case, the evidence has already gone missing. He is going to have a difficult time trying to figure this one out, especially with the heir, Randall, possibly hiding evidence.
This mystery got off to a slow start. At first glance the story is about another awful family always bickering with each other. It was hard to figure out each of the characters and how they were related. I needed a family tree! Once the post-mortem results were revealed and Inspector Hannasyde got involved, the story improved a lot. There are some surprising and shocking plot twists I never saw coming. I had no idea who the murderer was. If I have time, I plan to reread this and see if I can pick up on any clues. The way the murder was committed was so surprising and not something I ever would have thought of. I had a hard time putting the book down until I finished. The ending is kind of rushed but everything is revealed and no loose ends are left. There is a romantic subplot that doesn't fit with the story. I didn't like it and it wasn't necessary.
None of the characters were particularly appealing. Mr. Matthews sounds like he was an awful person. Maybe not as bad as Adam Penhallow (Penhallow) but pretty close. It's hard to tell because Mr. Matthews dies so early in the story. I disliked most of the family. Harriet, Miss Matthews, is a stereotypical spinster who likes to pinch pennies and fondly remember her brother's childhood. She deludes herself over his true nature and has no clue she drives everyone crazy. Mrs. Matthews is just as bad. She's selfish and comes across as stupid. She is a hypochondriac too. Of her children I liked Stella better. Stella has some common sense and is willing to escape the family madhouse even if it means finding a job. Guy is your stereotypical Heyer contemporary young man. He's spoiled, a bit whiny and annoying. He's supposed to work as an interior decorator but he doesn't do much work. Mrs. Lupton comes across as awful and tyrannical, much like her brother, but she is one character who actually has brains. Her no-nonsense approach to life alienates her family (except her two daughters) but she gets things done and done in the proper way. Finally, there's Randall, Gregory's nephew and heir. I didn't care for him. He is a dandy and a schemer. His brain is always seems to going to see how he can benefit. Out of his mouth comes things he thinks are witty but his wit comes at the expense of others. His does show some growth by the end but I didn't really care for what he did and how he did it.
Inspector Hannasyde is on the case with a local Inspector who is mostly in the background. I liked Hannasyde in other mysteries. His dry humor makes the story more fun. He does reference a previous investigation (Death in the Stocks) and some of the people involved. If you wondered what happened to them after the end of the book, you get some answers here. If you didn't read Death in the Stocks, you can read Behold, Here's Poison just fine. I had liked Giles and was happy to see him again but he doesn't have much to do.
I'm going to share some spoiler thoughts. Read at your own risk!
I am sure I will have more thoughts to add when the Georgette Heyer Fans group gets around to reading this in September.
_____________________________________
Reread July 2025
Almost everything I said above only I did remember HOW and had a vague memory of WHO but not why! Go figure. When the first read I had the why but not the rest. The ending was a little disapointing.
None of the characters are particularly likable. I liked Guy the most. I get queer vibes from him. Poor Guy is just trying to be his authentic artistic self and probably gay self with his partner - business partner - and design interiors. If he designed Randall's flat, I think he's too modern and sterile for me but Guy is all right. He's portrayed as spoiled by his mother and not traditionally masculine, which has earned him the wrath of his uncle. This is somewhat of a trigger. We have a Guy in my family and while proud of him NOW, when he was a toddler the men kept telling him to be more traditionally masculine. I feel bad for Guy. Stella is a little better but she's flighty and doesn't quite treat her uncle's murder with the gravity it deserves. Harriet is a dithering, ditzy old lady who has been brow beaten her whole life. She's massively cheap and won't spend any money on anything to make life comfortable - not even good food. She even reuses her dead brother's old toothpaste which is kind of creepy. Zoe is also awful. She's manipulative and works her brother-in-law to get her own way. She's unreliable and has her head in the clouds. She doesn't realize she's causing a scandal with her behavior. Randall was in his uncle's confidence. Randall also reads queer but differently from Guy. Randall is sardonic and sarcastic. He doesn't care for his family and sees them all as players in a farce. He's ruthless to Stella and gaslights her. Yet he's a little more sympathetic at the end when he reveals all to the police. The characters are stuck in a Regency drama and don't seem to realize it's the 1930s and most people have WAY less money than the Matthews family and are starving on the streets. Plus they think Mr. Matthews made his money in stocks...
It was fun to catch up with Hemmingway and Hannasyde again. I remembered the bull terriers from the Vereker case but that was about it. Heyer wrote memorable characters but not so memorable mysteries. This Sourcebooks edition features a blurb from none other than Dorothy L. Sayers and I wonder what she REALLY thought of her inferior competitor?
This mystery got off to a slow start. At first glance the story is about another awful family always bickering with each other. It was hard to figure out each of the characters and how they were related. I needed a family tree! Once the post-mortem results were revealed and Inspector Hannasyde got involved, the story improved a lot. There are some surprising and shocking plot twists I never saw coming. I had no idea who the murderer was. If I have time, I plan to reread this and see if I can pick up on any clues. The way the murder was committed was so surprising and not something I ever would have thought of. I had a hard time putting the book down until I finished. The ending is kind of rushed but everything is revealed and no loose ends are left. There is a romantic subplot that doesn't fit with the story. I didn't like it and it wasn't necessary.
None of the characters were particularly appealing. Mr. Matthews sounds like he was an awful person. Maybe not as bad as Adam Penhallow (Penhallow) but pretty close. It's hard to tell because Mr. Matthews dies so early in the story. I disliked most of the family. Harriet, Miss Matthews, is a stereotypical spinster who likes to pinch pennies and fondly remember her brother's childhood. She deludes herself over his true nature and has no clue she drives everyone crazy. Mrs. Matthews is just as bad. She's selfish and comes across as stupid. She is a hypochondriac too. Of her children I liked Stella better. Stella has some common sense and is willing to escape the family madhouse even if it means finding a job. Guy is your stereotypical Heyer contemporary young man. He's spoiled, a bit whiny and annoying. He's supposed to work as an interior decorator but he doesn't do much work. Mrs. Lupton comes across as awful and tyrannical, much like her brother, but she is one character who actually has brains. Her no-nonsense approach to life alienates her family (except her two daughters) but she gets things done and done in the proper way. Finally, there's Randall, Gregory's nephew and heir. I didn't care for him. He is a dandy and a schemer. His brain is always seems to going to see how he can benefit. Out of his mouth comes things he thinks are witty but his wit comes at the expense of others. His does show some growth by the end but I didn't really care for what he did and how he did it.
Inspector Hannasyde is on the case with a local Inspector who is mostly in the background. I liked Hannasyde in other mysteries. His dry humor makes the story more fun. He does reference a previous investigation (Death in the Stocks) and some of the people involved. If you wondered what happened to them after the end of the book, you get some answers here. If you didn't read Death in the Stocks, you can read Behold, Here's Poison just fine. I had liked Giles and was happy to see him again but he doesn't have much to do.
I'm going to share some spoiler thoughts. Read at your own risk!
I am sure I will have more thoughts to add when the Georgette Heyer Fans group gets around to reading this in September.
_____________________________________
Reread July 2025
Almost everything I said above only I did remember HOW and had a vague memory of WHO but not why! Go figure. When the first read I had the why but not the rest. The ending was a little disapointing.
None of the characters are particularly likable. I liked Guy the most. I get queer vibes from him. Poor Guy is just trying to be his authentic artistic self and probably gay self with his partner - business partner - and design interiors. If he designed Randall's flat, I think he's too modern and sterile for me but Guy is all right. He's portrayed as spoiled by his mother and not traditionally masculine, which has earned him the wrath of his uncle. This is somewhat of a trigger. We have a Guy in my family and while proud of him NOW, when he was a toddler the men kept telling him to be more traditionally masculine. I feel bad for Guy. Stella is a little better but she's flighty and doesn't quite treat her uncle's murder with the gravity it deserves. Harriet is a dithering, ditzy old lady who has been brow beaten her whole life. She's massively cheap and won't spend any money on anything to make life comfortable - not even good food. She even reuses her dead brother's old toothpaste which is kind of creepy. Zoe is also awful. She's manipulative and works her brother-in-law to get her own way. She's unreliable and has her head in the clouds. She doesn't realize she's causing a scandal with her behavior. Randall was in his uncle's confidence. Randall also reads queer but differently from Guy. Randall is sardonic and sarcastic. He doesn't care for his family and sees them all as players in a farce. He's ruthless to Stella and gaslights her. Yet he's a little more sympathetic at the end when he reveals all to the police. The characters are stuck in a Regency drama and don't seem to realize it's the 1930s and most people have WAY less money than the Matthews family and are starving on the streets. Plus they think Mr. Matthews made his money in stocks...
It was fun to catch up with Hemmingway and Hannasyde again. I remembered the bull terriers from the Vereker case but that was about it. Heyer wrote memorable characters but not so memorable mysteries. This Sourcebooks edition features a blurb from none other than Dorothy L. Sayers and I wonder what she REALLY thought of her inferior competitor?
May 30, 2025
This was an odd one! I had so much fun discussing it with Beth. And there was one character I particularly enjoyed though I had no idea what to think of this person until way into the story. Rather an obscure motive and lots of unlikable characters. There were some clever bits though so I’m definitely glad I read it.
December 14, 2020
This is a Heyer mystery: forgettable detectives, memorable characters, fun plot, improbable romance, and a ton of accidental queer overtones.
Most mystery series ride on their detectives, who get center stage. Hannasyde and Hemingway, Heyer's detectives in this book, are essentially two-dimensional. There's some effort to make them distinctive -- Hemingway is common and believes in psychology without understanding it, Hannasyde is more genteel, and so, in the approved fashion, has no real personality to speak of, a kind of World's Least Interesting Man -- but Heyer focuses all her character-building energies on the associates of the victim. Well, and the romance, but I'll get to that in a bit.
The characters here are a perfect example of the kind of characterization Dorothy Sayers explains in Gaudy Night. If the plot needs someone to do something no normal human would, guess what? They're not normal, and that weirdness will define them. It works incredibly well here. The elder women of the book are all awful in incredibly believable, amusing ways, and the men are mostly hapless bystanders. The character Heyer wants us to identify with, Stella Matthews, is the one mostly normal person in the book, and she's easy to like. But then we come to her love interest.
As a kid, I found Randall Matthews oddly appealing, without in the least buying his relationship with Stella. And, well, all of that is still true. Matthews is the sort of man Heyer liked best: sleek, intensely well-groomed, with an eye for the finer things and superior décor, sarcastic and witty, smart as hell. He's also one of her more unintentionally queer characters, and trust me, she wrote a LOT of them. (Not as high up as, say, the main characters in The Masqueraders, but he's in the the top quintile for sure.) Like, I know she was homophobic as hell, and she thought of this type of man as the True Romantic Heterosexual, but at one point Randall even *lights another man's cigarette for him*, one of the signals of queerness in the period she was writing. And he reacts precisely as someone who knew that cue would. Every time I read this book, I imagine the gay men of the period reading this and laughing until their sides hurt.
Unfortunately, Randall doesn't work particularly well as a romantic hero (for me), mostly because Heyer's conception of romance was: two people are horribly mean to each other and that means they're attracted! Then the woman is briefly vulnerable in some way and turns to the man. Voila! The proof of love. Get those banns posted! I -- need people to show some sign that they like each other, or some kindness, or SOMETHING, before I can believe in their true love forever. (It's also kind of gross that Randall, who is apparently quite a bit older than Stella, has been ... watching her grow up and waiting for her to be ready for him? Like. I do not need that mental image, especially given that they are Heyer's ideal couple, by which I mean first cousins.)
So this romance doesn't work for me, and Randall works for me but not the way the author wanted him to. Doesn't matter. As classic mysteries go, this one is fun -- nice novel method, great characters, fun twists and frustrations. Very soothing!
Most mystery series ride on their detectives, who get center stage. Hannasyde and Hemingway, Heyer's detectives in this book, are essentially two-dimensional. There's some effort to make them distinctive -- Hemingway is common and believes in psychology without understanding it, Hannasyde is more genteel, and so, in the approved fashion, has no real personality to speak of, a kind of World's Least Interesting Man -- but Heyer focuses all her character-building energies on the associates of the victim. Well, and the romance, but I'll get to that in a bit.
The characters here are a perfect example of the kind of characterization Dorothy Sayers explains in Gaudy Night. If the plot needs someone to do something no normal human would, guess what? They're not normal, and that weirdness will define them. It works incredibly well here. The elder women of the book are all awful in incredibly believable, amusing ways, and the men are mostly hapless bystanders. The character Heyer wants us to identify with, Stella Matthews, is the one mostly normal person in the book, and she's easy to like. But then we come to her love interest.
As a kid, I found Randall Matthews oddly appealing, without in the least buying his relationship with Stella. And, well, all of that is still true. Matthews is the sort of man Heyer liked best: sleek, intensely well-groomed, with an eye for the finer things and superior décor, sarcastic and witty, smart as hell. He's also one of her more unintentionally queer characters, and trust me, she wrote a LOT of them. (Not as high up as, say, the main characters in The Masqueraders, but he's in the the top quintile for sure.) Like, I know she was homophobic as hell, and she thought of this type of man as the True Romantic Heterosexual, but at one point Randall even *lights another man's cigarette for him*, one of the signals of queerness in the period she was writing. And he reacts precisely as someone who knew that cue would. Every time I read this book, I imagine the gay men of the period reading this and laughing until their sides hurt.
Unfortunately, Randall doesn't work particularly well as a romantic hero (for me), mostly because Heyer's conception of romance was: two people are horribly mean to each other and that means they're attracted! Then the woman is briefly vulnerable in some way and turns to the man. Voila! The proof of love. Get those banns posted! I -- need people to show some sign that they like each other, or some kindness, or SOMETHING, before I can believe in their true love forever. (It's also kind of gross that Randall, who is apparently quite a bit older than Stella, has been ... watching her grow up and waiting for her to be ready for him? Like. I do not need that mental image, especially given that they are Heyer's ideal couple, by which I mean first cousins.)
So this romance doesn't work for me, and Randall works for me but not the way the author wanted him to. Doesn't matter. As classic mysteries go, this one is fun -- nice novel method, great characters, fun twists and frustrations. Very soothing!
November 20, 2010
After slogging through some of Heyer's duds (No Wind of Blame and Death in the Stocks) I was beginning to worry that getting through my stack of 7 Heyer murder mysteries was going to be a chore. Happily, Behold, Here's Poison was every bit as good as Why Shoot a Butler? and The Unfinished Clue.
This offering features a cast of family and friends who all have the motive, means and opportunity to murder gruff and bullying Gregory Matthews, who is found dead in his bed. Did he die of natural causes? The doctor called to the scene thinks so, but is overruled by Gregory's sister, who wants a second opinion. Good call that, because toxicology results show that Matthews died of nicotine poisoning.
Scotland Yard inspector Hannasyde sifts through everyone's alibis to arrive at the truth, but it takes a second murder before the killer is exposed.
Good stuff for murder mystery fans. Compares pretty favorably to Christie, although she still trumps Heyer, IMO.
This offering features a cast of family and friends who all have the motive, means and opportunity to murder gruff and bullying Gregory Matthews, who is found dead in his bed. Did he die of natural causes? The doctor called to the scene thinks so, but is overruled by Gregory's sister, who wants a second opinion. Good call that, because toxicology results show that Matthews died of nicotine poisoning.
Scotland Yard inspector Hannasyde sifts through everyone's alibis to arrive at the truth, but it takes a second murder before the killer is exposed.
Good stuff for murder mystery fans. Compares pretty favorably to Christie, although she still trumps Heyer, IMO.
August 24, 2020
Two and a half stars, mostly for the dreadful "they fought like cat and dog so of course it's love" trope (which I think may have possibly first been presented by Jane Austen in P & P). The RO-mance was thoroughly out of place and I don't think the author's heart was really in it, at least I hope not. I mean the girl despises him for the entire book and refers to him repeatedly as a "snake" and yet the minute he crooks his finger she's ready to marry him? Even though she really just wants a home away from insufferable Mumsy, I wonder how long that would last. Ugh.
Speaking of insufferable Mumsy, no one in this book is any fun except Sgt Hemingway and he's given far too little page time. I guess that's what I missed--a little spark, a little humour, even if only between the coppers. The cover says "The wittiest of detective writers," but in this case she wasn't witty at all that I noticed. Maybe it's because I don't read the Daily Mail. I know I was overtired today, having wakened at 2.30 AM (don't even ask), but this reminded me of one of those rather tiresome 1930s movies.
Three stars for the original-ish murder weapon, but no more because short as this book is it got rather long.
Speaking of insufferable Mumsy, no one in this book is any fun except Sgt Hemingway and he's given far too little page time. I guess that's what I missed--a little spark, a little humour, even if only between the coppers. The cover says "The wittiest of detective writers," but in this case she wasn't witty at all that I noticed. Maybe it's because I don't read the Daily Mail. I know I was overtired today, having wakened at 2.30 AM (don't even ask), but this reminded me of one of those rather tiresome 1930s movies.
Three stars for the original-ish murder weapon, but no more because short as this book is it got rather long.
March 3, 2016
I'm still on my Georgette Heyer mystery kick that brought me this latest murder mystery teaser. Set in the London suburbs during the 20's it was full of quirky characters, some good intrigue, and cozy settings that draw the reader in to curl up and relax with a good book.
The story is part of a series, but only in a loosely connected way.
A detestable head of a family is killed and there are plenty of suspects right under his own roof let alone outside the house, but the method of administering the poison and the many motives and suspects who all do their level best to obscure the case leave the police with a real head-scratcher. Meanwhile, the family who none of them have much like for each other start to look at each other askance and struggle through the after effects of having a murder in their midst.
This was an engaging one. Most of the time, I wasn't fond of the characters, but yet I enjoyed reading the story. I've decided after reading several of Heyer's mysteries that there is a pattern in the romance and who comes out fine in the end. Pick the most snarky, pot-stirring male character and you've got half your pair. Then find the most level-headed reasonable female character and you have the other half. Haha! Oddly, I don't mind since it's not the main focus.
This one tricked me a bit. I thought I had it all figured out and I did until I had it wrong. That is I guessed much of it right, but then got the murderer and the details behind his motive wrong. Always fun when that happens.
All in all, another good one and I look forward to more.
The story is part of a series, but only in a loosely connected way.
A detestable head of a family is killed and there are plenty of suspects right under his own roof let alone outside the house, but the method of administering the poison and the many motives and suspects who all do their level best to obscure the case leave the police with a real head-scratcher. Meanwhile, the family who none of them have much like for each other start to look at each other askance and struggle through the after effects of having a murder in their midst.
This was an engaging one. Most of the time, I wasn't fond of the characters, but yet I enjoyed reading the story. I've decided after reading several of Heyer's mysteries that there is a pattern in the romance and who comes out fine in the end. Pick the most snarky, pot-stirring male character and you've got half your pair. Then find the most level-headed reasonable female character and you have the other half. Haha! Oddly, I don't mind since it's not the main focus.
This one tricked me a bit. I thought I had it all figured out and I did until I had it wrong. That is I guessed much of it right, but then got the murderer and the details behind his motive wrong. Always fun when that happens.
All in all, another good one and I look forward to more.
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May 28, 2019
This is the first Heyer mystery I ever read - picked it up at a second-hand shop somewhere, in Wales actually I think. Randall is one of my all-time favourite Heyer heroes and the romance is what makes this book for me. Surprisingly, the mystery isn't too shabby either.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
April 26, 2022
As with the first book in the Hannasyde and Hemingway series, the author presents us with an eclectic group of characters, some of which are the victim's family and potential suspects -- and what a group they are! Their perspectives on life, family, and the crime at hand present the author with all the fodder she needed to provide wit throughout the story.
Inspector Hannasyde of Scotland Yard has patience galore; this is a good thing as finding the truth and the perpetrator are no small task.
Inspector Hannasyde of Scotland Yard has patience galore; this is a good thing as finding the truth and the perpetrator are no small task.
August 26, 2018
Crímenes en la Inglaterra victoriana muy del estilo de Agatha Christie. He leído este libro a raíz del homenaje que se le hace en “La pequeña librería de los corazones solitarios”. No había leído nada de G. Heyer y me ha encantado descubrirla. La trama policiaca es genial. La parte romántica hace muchas, muchas aguas, pero compensa el resto.
June 4, 2012
It's true - Heyer's mysteries are never quite as mysterious as they should be. I was fairly certain who had committed the crime by the second chapter, and my conclusion proved correct.
But never mind - I wasn't in for the mystery. The key is to not see it as anything other than a charming 1930s comedy of errors. I love Georgette Heyer because of her ability to write charming characters. I have read a fair number of regencies and mystery novels where the characters are flat stereotypes of the genre. Her characters, on the other hand, have a rare depth for the genres - they change, and our view of them changes along with the story. The main characters in "Behold, Here's Poison" are universally unlikable when they are first introduced, but over time I grew quite fond of them (in particular Randall, presented as a mean-spirited foppish sort at first, over the course of the novel he was revealed to have unexpected depths... still rather witty at the expense of others, but I appreciate that in a character.)
The romance did come a bit out of nowhere. I think this is the second of Heyer's novels I have read with cousin marrying as a plot point, which is perhaps a bit strange to modern eyes. This isn't her strongest work (none of the mysteries are really - read "The Grand Sophy" if that's what you're looking for. Sophie is one of the greatest characters in a genre populated by stereotypes.) It's enjoyable, and recommended for fans of the 1930s mysteries.
But never mind - I wasn't in for the mystery. The key is to not see it as anything other than a charming 1930s comedy of errors. I love Georgette Heyer because of her ability to write charming characters. I have read a fair number of regencies and mystery novels where the characters are flat stereotypes of the genre. Her characters, on the other hand, have a rare depth for the genres - they change, and our view of them changes along with the story. The main characters in "Behold, Here's Poison" are universally unlikable when they are first introduced, but over time I grew quite fond of them (in particular Randall, presented as a mean-spirited foppish sort at first, over the course of the novel he was revealed to have unexpected depths... still rather witty at the expense of others, but I appreciate that in a character.)
The romance did come a bit out of nowhere. I think this is the second of Heyer's novels I have read with cousin marrying as a plot point, which is perhaps a bit strange to modern eyes. This isn't her strongest work (none of the mysteries are really - read "The Grand Sophy" if that's what you're looking for. Sophie is one of the greatest characters in a genre populated by stereotypes.) It's enjoyable, and recommended for fans of the 1930s mysteries.
March 10, 2023
Wealthy Uncle Gregory has died and one of his sisters insists on a post mortem, despite objections. The family is shocked to learn that he’s been poisoned. Since he was apparently extremely obnoxious, there are no shortage of suspects, mostly family members. This novel was written in the 1930’s, making Heyer a contemporary of Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie.
June 16, 2015
Loved it. I think this might be my favorite of Ms. Heyer's mysteries. The characterizations are marvelous.
March 25, 2019
I've read a few of Georgette Heyer's mysteries now. She also wrote historical novels if I'm not mistaken. Behold, Here's Poison is the 2nd book in her Inspectors Hannasyde & Hemingway collection. I have enjoyed this series she does take a unique look at analysing mysteries.
The story starts with the death of Gregory Matthews, head of a strange family. Although Doctor Hemingway wants to sign off the death as natural causes, one of Gregory's sisters, Mrs. Lupton demands that the death is suspicious and wants a coroner's examination. This brings in the intrepid Scotland Yard investigators and ultimately the death is determined to have been caused by nicotine poisoning. Now the investigation begins in earnest.
Hannasyde and Hemingway seem at times to peripheral to the overall story, which follows the members of the bickering family. Gregory Matthew lived with his other sister, spinster Harriet, sister in law, widow Mrs. Matthews and her two children, Guy and Stella. Everyone seems to have a motive for murdering Matthews, who appears to have been an unlikeable, malicious character. However, none of the other members of the family are much better, sniping at each other and just being irritating. Only Stella seems sympathetic. Add to the mix, Mrs. Lupton who breezes in at inconvenient times and also Randall Matthews, another nephew who inherits everything and makes himself totally unlikeable (Stella calls him an 'amiable snake', and you've got the makings of at the very least an entertaining mystery.
Everything is jumbled and frustrating for Hannasyde and Hemingway but the gather clues and even with the obstructions caused by the irritating family members, make some headway. The story moves along very nicely and the characters become clearer to the mind as you get into the story. The ending is startling but satisfying and there might even be some surprises in the character development. I enjoyed the story very much and will continue to explore Heyer's mysteries. (3.5 stars)
The story starts with the death of Gregory Matthews, head of a strange family. Although Doctor Hemingway wants to sign off the death as natural causes, one of Gregory's sisters, Mrs. Lupton demands that the death is suspicious and wants a coroner's examination. This brings in the intrepid Scotland Yard investigators and ultimately the death is determined to have been caused by nicotine poisoning. Now the investigation begins in earnest.
Hannasyde and Hemingway seem at times to peripheral to the overall story, which follows the members of the bickering family. Gregory Matthew lived with his other sister, spinster Harriet, sister in law, widow Mrs. Matthews and her two children, Guy and Stella. Everyone seems to have a motive for murdering Matthews, who appears to have been an unlikeable, malicious character. However, none of the other members of the family are much better, sniping at each other and just being irritating. Only Stella seems sympathetic. Add to the mix, Mrs. Lupton who breezes in at inconvenient times and also Randall Matthews, another nephew who inherits everything and makes himself totally unlikeable (Stella calls him an 'amiable snake', and you've got the makings of at the very least an entertaining mystery.
Everything is jumbled and frustrating for Hannasyde and Hemingway but the gather clues and even with the obstructions caused by the irritating family members, make some headway. The story moves along very nicely and the characters become clearer to the mind as you get into the story. The ending is startling but satisfying and there might even be some surprises in the character development. I enjoyed the story very much and will continue to explore Heyer's mysteries. (3.5 stars)
November 6, 2019
As Sergeant Hemingway might say, 'good psychology!'
Maybe three stars for the actual murder but a fourth for the characters. I always delight in finding Heyer's traditional characters in different settings. And in her detective fiction, they are not only in a different setting...they are just a bit more unlikable.
Which I love.
The characters all have motive--no matter how slight--for doing away with their unlikable relative. And now he is dead. As the police dig deeper, even the ones without motive gain motive.
I honestly quite enjoyed this book up until the end. The murderer felt a bit too much like a stretch. And the romance did not tie up quite as perfectly as I wished. But I still jumped right in shipping characters and suspecting motives and enjoying all the personalities that emerged. So worth it in the end. I'd re-read it.
Maybe three stars for the actual murder but a fourth for the characters. I always delight in finding Heyer's traditional characters in different settings. And in her detective fiction, they are not only in a different setting...they are just a bit more unlikable.
Which I love.
The characters all have motive--no matter how slight--for doing away with their unlikable relative. And now he is dead. As the police dig deeper, even the ones without motive gain motive.
I honestly quite enjoyed this book up until the end. The murderer felt a bit too much like a stretch. And the romance did not tie up quite as perfectly as I wished. But I still jumped right in shipping characters and suspecting motives and enjoying all the personalities that emerged. So worth it in the end. I'd re-read it.
February 22, 2022
2022: still four stars for me, entertaining golden age mystery, with Heyer’s usual witty dialogue and quirky characters - none very likable, but very entertaining! Read for the Reading the Detectives group buddy read in March.
2017: Still held up as four stars for me for sheer enjoyment, thanks to Heyer's ingenious murder method and the murderer (I forgot both from my last read!), her sharp, witty dialogue and her quirky cast of characters - none of whom are terribly likable, except the police and Stella, niece of the first victim.
Reading this for the second time with the Georgette Heyer group was fun and entertaining, as always... I always gain insight into the author, the characters, the time period. As a fan of historical mysteries, especially from the British Golden Age, I enjoyed this and would recommend this to other fans of the genre, especially if you like a healthy dose of dry as a bone, snarky British humor.
2017: Still held up as four stars for me for sheer enjoyment, thanks to Heyer's ingenious murder method and the murderer (I forgot both from my last read!), her sharp, witty dialogue and her quirky cast of characters - none of whom are terribly likable, except the police and Stella, niece of the first victim.
Reading this for the second time with the Georgette Heyer group was fun and entertaining, as always... I always gain insight into the author, the characters, the time period. As a fan of historical mysteries, especially from the British Golden Age, I enjoyed this and would recommend this to other fans of the genre, especially if you like a healthy dose of dry as a bone, snarky British humor.
July 5, 2008
Heyer has a way of introducing her characters then altering your perception of their qualities. In this book she brings us into a bickering, unhappy, extended family. At first blush there does not seem to be a redeeming feature amongst them yet the one we never meet is the person they consider rude, unpleasant, and, of course, dead. As the interactions progress it appears there are reasons for some of the unpleasant behavior due to the controlling character of the dead man.
As with Neville and other flip, witty, young men Heyer has Randall marked out as the far to clever lounge lizard. At first pass he seems consumed with his sartorial turnout and scorning his relatives with witty but derisive remarks. With repeated exposure all the family becomes sympathetic but Stella and Randall are fanciful but well fleshed through their dialog.
As with Neville and other flip, witty, young men Heyer has Randall marked out as the far to clever lounge lizard. At first pass he seems consumed with his sartorial turnout and scorning his relatives with witty but derisive remarks. With repeated exposure all the family becomes sympathetic but Stella and Randall are fanciful but well fleshed through their dialog.
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