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Inspectors Hannasyde & Hemingway #1
Death in the Stocks
Beneath a sky the colour of sapphires and the sinister moonlight, a gentleman in evening dress is discovered slumped in the stocks on the village green - he is dead. Superintendent Hannasyde's consummate powers of detection and solicitor Giles Carrington's amateur sleuthing are tested to their limits as they grapple with the Vereker family - a group of outrageously eccentric and corrupt suspects
274 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1935
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About the author
Georgette Heyer
252 books5,510 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 576 reviews
January 4, 2024
This is the cover picture of the copy I read but it was a cheap edition - small font, closely spaced, only 174 pages. Through no fault of GH's, this made it quite a tiring read.
On to my review! This was my favourite of GH's mysteries when I first read it, & all these years later it still is. I probably wouldn't like Kenneth much in real life (in fact I probably wouldn't be able to stand him) but the dialogue between him & his sister as they argue that they could each of them have been the murderer just crackles with wit. Only a writer as gifted as GH could have made their callousness appealing!
There is one general criticism I have of GH's mysteries
My only other criticisms are that the solution is quite poorly written. & there isn't enough Hemingway!
But just put your brain in neutral & enjoy!
I've forgotten how to switch editions, but this is the edition I read this time
I still enjoyed & found very witty but Kenneth (& his values) are still unlikeable. In turn they seem to be GH's values.
I'm leaving at 5★ because I was so entertained, but I have to be honest - & GH has written better mysteries.
On to my review! This was my favourite of GH's mysteries when I first read it, & all these years later it still is. I probably wouldn't like Kenneth much in real life (in fact I probably wouldn't be able to stand him) but the dialogue between him & his sister as they argue that they could each of them have been the murderer just crackles with wit. Only a writer as gifted as GH could have made their callousness appealing!
There is one general criticism I have of GH's mysteries
My only other criticisms are that the solution is quite poorly written. & there isn't enough Hemingway!
But just put your brain in neutral & enjoy!
I've forgotten how to switch editions, but this is the edition I read this time
I still enjoyed & found very witty but Kenneth (& his values) are still unlikeable. In turn they seem to be GH's values.
I'm leaving at 5★ because I was so entertained, but I have to be honest - & GH has written better mysteries.
November 17, 2021
This is the first mystery featuring Inspector Hannasyde and is the first Georgette Heyer mystery that I have read. It begins with a very unusual murder – Mr Arnold Vereker, who has a weekend cottage in the country, is found stabbed to death with his body left propped in the stocks of Ashleigh Green.
As the story unfolds, we find that Mr Vereker was a wealthy man, who was disliked by his younger half sister and brother. Antonia was engaged to a man that Mr Vereker disapproved of; while her artist brother Kenneth is in debt, and wants to marry the beautiful Violet Williams, who makes no secret of her desire for a good life. Both Kenneth and Antonia treat the matter of Mr Vereker’s murder flippantly, to the despair of both Inspector Hannasyde and their, considerably more sensible, cousin Giles Carrington.
This mystery has a relatively small amount of possible suspects and a lot of humorous conversations between the characters as to who could be guilty. The characters are eccentric, rather than unlikeable, but it is easy to see how the generation divide leads to misunderstanding. I liked this enough to want to read more by Heyer, with a fun storyline, some good plot twists and turns and a likeable amateur sleuth in Giles to aid the Inspector.
As the story unfolds, we find that Mr Vereker was a wealthy man, who was disliked by his younger half sister and brother. Antonia was engaged to a man that Mr Vereker disapproved of; while her artist brother Kenneth is in debt, and wants to marry the beautiful Violet Williams, who makes no secret of her desire for a good life. Both Kenneth and Antonia treat the matter of Mr Vereker’s murder flippantly, to the despair of both Inspector Hannasyde and their, considerably more sensible, cousin Giles Carrington.
This mystery has a relatively small amount of possible suspects and a lot of humorous conversations between the characters as to who could be guilty. The characters are eccentric, rather than unlikeable, but it is easy to see how the generation divide leads to misunderstanding. I liked this enough to want to read more by Heyer, with a fun storyline, some good plot twists and turns and a likeable amateur sleuth in Giles to aid the Inspector.
January 12, 2024
the suspects take a lot of getting used to. the family in question are bizarre aliens from a distant planet called Upper Class England and oh boy they are something else. my jaw dropped several times when reading about their abnormal antics. especially the late arrival: a half-brother who comes across as the most pleasant yet still irritating lunatic one could ever meet. his younger half-siblings are not so charming, alas. the reader must put aside certain things to enjoy this strange sister and brother: a need for characters to act rationally, or to exhibit empathy, or to have even the slightest bit of conversational skills needed to survive outside of their studio apartment. these unnatural creatures are interesting though, on an anthropological level. however did they survive in the wild? and do such beings still exist??
Heyer, as always, has a marvelously light touch, a great eye for detail, and a droll sense of humor. this is a lesser work but I still enjoyed it, despite her obvious snobbery. love her!
Heyer, as always, has a marvelously light touch, a great eye for detail, and a droll sense of humor. this is a lesser work but I still enjoyed it, despite her obvious snobbery. love her!
November 2, 2024
I am a fan of Heyer's historical romances - I have read them all, many of them twice or more, and keep the whole collection on one of my bookshelves. Over the years I have touched on her detective novels but they never really grabbed me. Nevertheless I decided to approach Death in the Stocks with an open mind and I am glad I did.
The book begins with the murder of Arnold Vereker which leads us to meet Kenneth, his heir, and Antonia, Kenneth's sister. These two bright, young things take an intellectual approach towards solving the crime, despite the fact that they are the chief suspects. Their comments and deductions are frequently foolish and endangering towards themselves, but they are fun and they provide the author with a clever way of unpacking the plot for the reader.
There are several more important characters coming and going and nearly all of them are possible suspects. I guessed the actual murderer about half way through the book and it was something Kenneth says that confirmed it for me. Inspector Hannasyde on the other hand takes a wrong direction and has to be saved by his friend Giles Carrington, solicitor, amateur sleuth and cousin to Antonia and Kenneth.
I really enjoyed this book and will certainly now try more of Georgette Heyer's mysteries. This is the first in a series but I was disappointed to discover that Giles, the best character in the book, in my opinion, does not take a leading role in the successive books. Let's hope that Inspector Hannasyde grows on me.
The book begins with the murder of Arnold Vereker which leads us to meet Kenneth, his heir, and Antonia, Kenneth's sister. These two bright, young things take an intellectual approach towards solving the crime, despite the fact that they are the chief suspects. Their comments and deductions are frequently foolish and endangering towards themselves, but they are fun and they provide the author with a clever way of unpacking the plot for the reader.
There are several more important characters coming and going and nearly all of them are possible suspects. I guessed the actual murderer about half way through the book and it was something Kenneth says that confirmed it for me. Inspector Hannasyde on the other hand takes a wrong direction and has to be saved by his friend Giles Carrington, solicitor, amateur sleuth and cousin to Antonia and Kenneth.
I really enjoyed this book and will certainly now try more of Georgette Heyer's mysteries. This is the first in a series but I was disappointed to discover that Giles, the best character in the book, in my opinion, does not take a leading role in the successive books. Let's hope that Inspector Hannasyde grows on me.
April 11, 2019
This is the latest listen with my daughter on our commute (she likes mysteries, I like Georgette Heyer). It turned out well, I think. The mystery element of it was a little weak (I guessed the murderer and the means they'd be detected pretty early) but the characters were strong. There's even a romance that didn't suck, so that's all good. I did notice a real dearth of likeability. I suppose that makes sense in a story where you have to have multiple viable suspects to work.
I kind of hoped we'd see more of Giles in future books in the series, but that doesn't look to be the case. Giles does the bulk of the work and all of the solving in this story with Detective Hannasyde, for whom the series is named, being almost ancillary to his efforts. Hannasyde is competent, at least, but he does get the wrong bull by the horns in the end and has to be straightened out by Giles. It's the start of a series, so we'll see if he improves. I hope so. We already picked up the next for our listening.
I'm calling this 3½ stars that I'm rounding up (because Toni and Giles were just that fun).
A note about Chaste: This isn't a romance so there's no explicit anything. Some (very minor) kissing once Toni dropped the loser and admitted that Giles is awesome.
I kind of hoped we'd see more of Giles in future books in the series, but that doesn't look to be the case. Giles does the bulk of the work and all of the solving in this story with Detective Hannasyde, for whom the series is named, being almost ancillary to his efforts. Hannasyde is competent, at least, but he does get the wrong bull by the horns in the end and has to be straightened out by Giles. It's the start of a series, so we'll see if he improves. I hope so. We already picked up the next for our listening.
I'm calling this 3½ stars that I'm rounding up (because Toni and Giles were just that fun).
A note about Chaste: This isn't a romance so there's no explicit anything. Some (very minor) kissing once Toni dropped the loser and admitted that Giles is awesome.
October 26, 2018
Though billed as a mystery, this book is mostly a serious of long arguments between uppercrust--albeit bohemian--assholes. The Inspector, for whom this is supposedly the first book in a series, scarcely features and does not solve the crime. It's odd. It's also got its fair share of racist nattering about "dark foreigners," while at the same time being highly in favor of cousins marrying. This is the type of book that makes one worry about the English upperclass being terribly inbred.
I got it for free and mostly read it in between splashing around in the ocean, and for those purposes, it was all right. But honestly, there's no other reason to read this while inhabiting the same universe in which Dorothy L. Sayers exists (which, whatever else one might rightly say about our universe at the moment, fortunately, we do).
I got it for free and mostly read it in between splashing around in the ocean, and for those purposes, it was all right. But honestly, there's no other reason to read this while inhabiting the same universe in which Dorothy L. Sayers exists (which, whatever else one might rightly say about our universe at the moment, fortunately, we do).
September 29, 2024
This was a fun and easy read, and I guessed the murderer! There was an interesting balance in this between the efforts of the Scotland Yard man, Inspector Hannasyde, and an amateur detective. Heyer’s style is so wonderfully light and sparkling. I think it did suffer somewhat from a lot of family dynamics amongst the Verekers, which detracted from the mystery plot. But I enjoyed reading it and will definitely keep on with Heyer’s mysteries. She captures England-between-the-wars slang as well as she does Regency slang!
November 18, 2021
The first of the mysteries featuring Superintendent Hannasyde published in 1935 was a very enjoyable read with plenty of humour, eccentric but fun characters, sparkling dialogue, and a pretty good mystery as well.
Our story opens in the village of Ashleigh Green, where Constable Dickenson is returning from night patrol. In the stocks, he spots a person sitting in evening dress slouched over as though drunk; but when he approaches him to ask him to move on, he finds it isn’t a man who’s drunk too much, but one who’s been stabbed through the heart. The local police feel the case is beyond their capabilities, so of course, the yard is called in and Superintendent Hannasyde and his deputy, Hemmingway are on the case.
The dead man is Arnold Vereker, the owner of a mining company, a wealthy but not a particularly well-liked man. More than one had a reason to dislike him, among them, the members of his own family. His half-sister Antonia ‘Tony’ who keeps bull-dogs, was in fact down in the village on the night in question, for Arnold had conveyed is disapproval of the man she was engaged to, making her a possible suspect. Her brother, Kenneth thinks little better of Arnold; an artist, he is in dire straits, ever in need of money, and as Arnold’s heir, he is very much a suspect, perhaps with a stronger motive than his sister. Then there is Rupert, Tony’s fiancé who is suspected of some dubious dealings in Arnold’s company where he worked. But while the mystery before him may not be the most complex (in fact, it seems simple on its face), with the eccentric members of the family—including Tony and Kenneth, and even their old housekeeper Murgatroyd, Superintendent Hannasyde feels rather lost in gauging his suspects. The one sensible member of the family, Kenneth and Tony’s cousin and also their solicitor, Giles Carrington helps reign in the two siblings a little, while also assisting the Superintendent in his investigations.
This was a very enjoyable read for me and I had fun all through. In the five Heyer mysteries I have read so far, what stands out is her characters and that was the case in this one as well. The Vereker family (and really those associated with them as well) seems entirely eccentric, and each more trying than the next when it comes to their involvement in the mystery, and interactions with the police. Both Tony and Kenneth are very bright (but perhaps a little more so than is good for them), but also rather over the top, not only cheeky in their responses but discussing the crime and possible suspects including each other in a matter of fact way, which leaves one wondering whether one should be a little shocked (it is murder they are talking about after all) or laugh, though I must say, one does end up laughing a lot (I do realise if I were in Hannasyde’s place, I’d be tearing my hair and not as calm as him). There is also their housekeeper Murgatroyd who seems much on the same lines. Kenneth’s fiancé Violet Williams is visibly a gold-digger (the siblings, particularly, Tony say so to her face); his childhood friend, Leslie Rivers, also in love with him can be rather intense when it comes to anything to do with Kenneth; Rudolph Mesurier, Tony’s fiancé, who is a bit of a crook himself seems tame in comparison (and nowhere as intelligent as the others). Giles Carrington is the only ‘normal’ one who is bright but not eccentric like his cousins, but he too, while helping Hannasyde is unable to quite pinpoint whether or not his cousins were involved.
The writing is wonderful, and the dialogue—especially between the Vereker siblings—is witty and amusing; for instance;
He wants me to give you his love. He’s just like that.
He always was. I can’t rise to those affectionate heights but tell him I congratulate him on not being dead…
Their discussions about the crime might take one aback for a moment but they are so entertaining that one almost forgets they are speaking of something quite so serious.
But despite all of the humour and wit, there is also a serious mystery involved, and the case does have some twists and turns and developments one doesn’t quite see coming. When whodunit is revealed (and here it is Giles and not Hannasyde who ends up solving things), one realises there were a few hints along the way, but really, the peculiarities of the characters are enough to keep us guessing all through.
I absolutely loved this one and am looking forward to reading more of Heyer’s mysteries soon.
(In some ways, I was reminded of Crispin’s Gervase Fen books where also the writing and wit simply shine all through).
Our story opens in the village of Ashleigh Green, where Constable Dickenson is returning from night patrol. In the stocks, he spots a person sitting in evening dress slouched over as though drunk; but when he approaches him to ask him to move on, he finds it isn’t a man who’s drunk too much, but one who’s been stabbed through the heart. The local police feel the case is beyond their capabilities, so of course, the yard is called in and Superintendent Hannasyde and his deputy, Hemmingway are on the case.
The dead man is Arnold Vereker, the owner of a mining company, a wealthy but not a particularly well-liked man. More than one had a reason to dislike him, among them, the members of his own family. His half-sister Antonia ‘Tony’ who keeps bull-dogs, was in fact down in the village on the night in question, for Arnold had conveyed is disapproval of the man she was engaged to, making her a possible suspect. Her brother, Kenneth thinks little better of Arnold; an artist, he is in dire straits, ever in need of money, and as Arnold’s heir, he is very much a suspect, perhaps with a stronger motive than his sister. Then there is Rupert, Tony’s fiancé who is suspected of some dubious dealings in Arnold’s company where he worked. But while the mystery before him may not be the most complex (in fact, it seems simple on its face), with the eccentric members of the family—including Tony and Kenneth, and even their old housekeeper Murgatroyd, Superintendent Hannasyde feels rather lost in gauging his suspects. The one sensible member of the family, Kenneth and Tony’s cousin and also their solicitor, Giles Carrington helps reign in the two siblings a little, while also assisting the Superintendent in his investigations.
This was a very enjoyable read for me and I had fun all through. In the five Heyer mysteries I have read so far, what stands out is her characters and that was the case in this one as well. The Vereker family (and really those associated with them as well) seems entirely eccentric, and each more trying than the next when it comes to their involvement in the mystery, and interactions with the police. Both Tony and Kenneth are very bright (but perhaps a little more so than is good for them), but also rather over the top, not only cheeky in their responses but discussing the crime and possible suspects including each other in a matter of fact way, which leaves one wondering whether one should be a little shocked (it is murder they are talking about after all) or laugh, though I must say, one does end up laughing a lot (I do realise if I were in Hannasyde’s place, I’d be tearing my hair and not as calm as him). There is also their housekeeper Murgatroyd who seems much on the same lines. Kenneth’s fiancé Violet Williams is visibly a gold-digger (the siblings, particularly, Tony say so to her face); his childhood friend, Leslie Rivers, also in love with him can be rather intense when it comes to anything to do with Kenneth; Rudolph Mesurier, Tony’s fiancé, who is a bit of a crook himself seems tame in comparison (and nowhere as intelligent as the others). Giles Carrington is the only ‘normal’ one who is bright but not eccentric like his cousins, but he too, while helping Hannasyde is unable to quite pinpoint whether or not his cousins were involved.
The writing is wonderful, and the dialogue—especially between the Vereker siblings—is witty and amusing; for instance;
He wants me to give you his love. He’s just like that.
He always was. I can’t rise to those affectionate heights but tell him I congratulate him on not being dead…
Their discussions about the crime might take one aback for a moment but they are so entertaining that one almost forgets they are speaking of something quite so serious.
But despite all of the humour and wit, there is also a serious mystery involved, and the case does have some twists and turns and developments one doesn’t quite see coming. When whodunit is revealed (and here it is Giles and not Hannasyde who ends up solving things), one realises there were a few hints along the way, but really, the peculiarities of the characters are enough to keep us guessing all through.
I absolutely loved this one and am looking forward to reading more of Heyer’s mysteries soon.
(In some ways, I was reminded of Crispin’s Gervase Fen books where also the writing and wit simply shine all through).
February 7, 2016
Georgette Heyer is a writer I keep meaning to read more of. In the past I've enjoyed a couple of her Regency romances, most recently listening to one of the audiobooks read by Richard Armitage, but this is the first time I've tried one of her mysteries.
The style of writing seems quite similar to that of her Regency novels, with a lot of witty dialogue and larger-than-life characters. The story is also laced with romance. Although this is the first in the Inspector Hannasyde series, I'd have to say that quiet professional Hannasyde is totally overshadowed by glamorous amateur detective Giles Carrington, who has hints of Wimsey or Campion about him.
As the title suggests, the book starts with a man's body being found in the stocks on a village green. The victim, Arnold Vereker, soon turns out to have been a thoroughly unpopular character, who had a weekend cottage nearby. The action soon moves to London, where Arnold's younger half-sister and brother, Antonia 'Tony' and Kenneth live in Bohemian splendour - Kenneth is an artist who has cultivated amazing rudeness as his normal mode of conversation. Solicitor Giles is their cousin and struggles to keep them out of trouble. Tony and Kenneth are both awful, but I rather loved to hate them. There aren't very many suspects to choose from, but the mystery is still puzzling, with several twists to keep readers guessing.
One character who I do find a bit much is Tony and Kenneth's housekeeper, always referred to just as 'Murgatroyd' - she is something of a sub-Dickensian eccentric. But in general I enjoyed this a lot and will look forward to reading more Heyer mysteries.
The style of writing seems quite similar to that of her Regency novels, with a lot of witty dialogue and larger-than-life characters. The story is also laced with romance. Although this is the first in the Inspector Hannasyde series, I'd have to say that quiet professional Hannasyde is totally overshadowed by glamorous amateur detective Giles Carrington, who has hints of Wimsey or Campion about him.
As the title suggests, the book starts with a man's body being found in the stocks on a village green. The victim, Arnold Vereker, soon turns out to have been a thoroughly unpopular character, who had a weekend cottage nearby. The action soon moves to London, where Arnold's younger half-sister and brother, Antonia 'Tony' and Kenneth live in Bohemian splendour - Kenneth is an artist who has cultivated amazing rudeness as his normal mode of conversation. Solicitor Giles is their cousin and struggles to keep them out of trouble. Tony and Kenneth are both awful, but I rather loved to hate them. There aren't very many suspects to choose from, but the mystery is still puzzling, with several twists to keep readers guessing.
One character who I do find a bit much is Tony and Kenneth's housekeeper, always referred to just as 'Murgatroyd' - she is something of a sub-Dickensian eccentric. But in general I enjoyed this a lot and will look forward to reading more Heyer mysteries.
November 19, 2014
3.5 stars
Arnold Vereker, a wealthy businessman, is found dead in the stocks in the village of Ashleigh Green, his weekend getaway, and no one much cares. His much younger half-sister Antonia, is the chief suspect, having spent the night alone in her brother's house unexpectedly and she was engaged to Arnold's employee, Rudolph Mesurier, whom Arnold loathed. If Tony didn't do it, surely her brother Kenneth, an eccentric artist did it. He claims he doesn't care about the money except that he's hard up right now. He just wants to go on being a bohemian artist and marry his fiance, Violet Williams. The rest of the family all hate Violet for being a gold digger. Tony's cousin Giles Carrington acts as solicitor and friend to his eccentric cousins and right hand man to the baffled Inspector Hannasyde who is on the case. When an unexpected person shows, another suspect is added to the growing list. Arnold was clearly murdered for his money but which one of them did it?
The mystery in this novel is engaging. The mystery is not as obvious as her Regency mystery type plots. I was certain I knew who the murderer was right away and then there were so many red herrings that I only figured it out just before the characters did. It came as a bit of a surprise but the clues were there. I had a hard time putting the book down but managed to make it last two nights. I enjoyed all the twists and turns but this is a very intellectual story and there isn't a lot of action. It's not a traditional murder mystery in that sense.
The writing style isn't bad but not as lively as her Regency novels. She inserts some period slang that is just as archaic as her Regency slang but readers familiar with the time period will recognize some of the words. (My favorite is "pimple"). I had no idea there were so many different ways of saying drunk in the 1930s. The contemporary 1930s setting is very much in evidence in this novel. It's a good thing they aren't American subject to Prohibition or the story would be a lot different and lose some of the color that makes it good.
The characters are unlikeable at first but they grow on you. Heyer seemed to have a set of stock characters to populate her mysteries and this unloving family is no different from the rest but they're a bit more eccentric and likeable once you get to know them. I did like Tony, being a fellow dog lover, I think we would get along. She's a bit impetuous but she's young. I liked her story though it seemed a little out of place. Her fiance Rudolph is not as likeable. He's weak and cowardly. He's hiding secrets but it quick to spill when confronted and is the most bizarre person of that sort I've ever encountered. Kenneth, Tony's brother, is the least likeable of the bunch. He's supposed to be an eccentric artist but I would label him as mad. He's temperamental and has really bad taste in art and women. His fiance Violet seems like a do-gooder but she has hidden depths that her fiance can not see. The other characters think she's a gold digger and that may be, but she's also struggling to get by during the Great Depression and she is engaged to Kenneth, who is not wealthy. I did really like the surprise character (who wasn't much of a surprise to the reader). He/She was charming and added some humor to the story. Giles is a good man but a little on the boring side. He doesn't have a larger-than-life personality like his cousins but I liked him.
This is the first of the Inspector Hannasyde mysteries and Inspector Hemingway makes an appearance too. Hannasyde didn't strike me as very bright but he has a wry sense of humor.
I liked this mystery the best of the three Heyer mysteries I've read but it doesn't compare with her Regency novels.
Arnold Vereker, a wealthy businessman, is found dead in the stocks in the village of Ashleigh Green, his weekend getaway, and no one much cares. His much younger half-sister Antonia, is the chief suspect, having spent the night alone in her brother's house unexpectedly and she was engaged to Arnold's employee, Rudolph Mesurier, whom Arnold loathed. If Tony didn't do it, surely her brother Kenneth, an eccentric artist did it. He claims he doesn't care about the money except that he's hard up right now. He just wants to go on being a bohemian artist and marry his fiance, Violet Williams. The rest of the family all hate Violet for being a gold digger. Tony's cousin Giles Carrington acts as solicitor and friend to his eccentric cousins and right hand man to the baffled Inspector Hannasyde who is on the case. When an unexpected person shows, another suspect is added to the growing list. Arnold was clearly murdered for his money but which one of them did it?
The mystery in this novel is engaging. The mystery is not as obvious as her Regency mystery type plots. I was certain I knew who the murderer was right away and then there were so many red herrings that I only figured it out just before the characters did. It came as a bit of a surprise but the clues were there. I had a hard time putting the book down but managed to make it last two nights. I enjoyed all the twists and turns but this is a very intellectual story and there isn't a lot of action. It's not a traditional murder mystery in that sense.
The writing style isn't bad but not as lively as her Regency novels. She inserts some period slang that is just as archaic as her Regency slang but readers familiar with the time period will recognize some of the words. (My favorite is "pimple"). I had no idea there were so many different ways of saying drunk in the 1930s. The contemporary 1930s setting is very much in evidence in this novel. It's a good thing they aren't American subject to Prohibition or the story would be a lot different and lose some of the color that makes it good.
The characters are unlikeable at first but they grow on you. Heyer seemed to have a set of stock characters to populate her mysteries and this unloving family is no different from the rest but they're a bit more eccentric and likeable once you get to know them. I did like Tony, being a fellow dog lover, I think we would get along. She's a bit impetuous but she's young. I liked her story though it seemed a little out of place. Her fiance Rudolph is not as likeable. He's weak and cowardly. He's hiding secrets but it quick to spill when confronted and is the most bizarre person of that sort I've ever encountered. Kenneth, Tony's brother, is the least likeable of the bunch. He's supposed to be an eccentric artist but I would label him as mad. He's temperamental and has really bad taste in art and women. His fiance Violet seems like a do-gooder but she has hidden depths that her fiance can not see. The other characters think she's a gold digger and that may be, but she's also struggling to get by during the Great Depression and she is engaged to Kenneth, who is not wealthy. I did really like the surprise character (who wasn't much of a surprise to the reader). He/She was charming and added some humor to the story. Giles is a good man but a little on the boring side. He doesn't have a larger-than-life personality like his cousins but I liked him.
This is the first of the Inspector Hannasyde mysteries and Inspector Hemingway makes an appearance too. Hannasyde didn't strike me as very bright but he has a wry sense of humor.
I liked this mystery the best of the three Heyer mysteries I've read but it doesn't compare with her Regency novels.
May 16, 2012
Georgette Heyer is best remembered today as having been virtually the inventor of the Regency Romance genre but she also wrote a dozen or so detective novels. Her fourth detective novel was Death in the Stocks, published in 1935.
A man is found stabbed to death in the middle of the night, in the stocks in the village square. His name is Arnold Vereker. Superintendent Hannasyde will face a number of problems in solving this case, not the least of them being that everybody who knew Arnold Vereker had an excellent motive for wanting to murder him. Even worse, not one of the suspects has an alibi.
An even bigger problem will be the Vereker family. To say they are eccentrics is putting it mildly. Both Arnold’s half-sister Antonia and his half-brother Kenneth are not only delighted he is dead, they are absolutely thrilled to be considered suspects. Antonia is engaged to be married to Rudolph Mesurier, who also had a very strong motive for killing Arnold. There are several other suspects and the case is already shaping up as a major challenge when yet another suspect arrives on the scene, and this new suspect also has no alibi!
Despite the best efforts of their cousin Giles Carrington who is acting as their solicitor Antonia and Kenneth insist on making no serious effort to clear themselves being far too busy sorting out their complicated love lives.
Heyer’s husband apparently wrote the plot outlines for her mystery novels while Heyer herself was more interested in the characters. And it’s the characters and the sparkling dialogue that are the strong points of Death in the Stocks. Judged purely on its plotting it’s nothing special. As a witty social comedy though it’s highly successful.
An enjoyable and very amusing read.
A man is found stabbed to death in the middle of the night, in the stocks in the village square. His name is Arnold Vereker. Superintendent Hannasyde will face a number of problems in solving this case, not the least of them being that everybody who knew Arnold Vereker had an excellent motive for wanting to murder him. Even worse, not one of the suspects has an alibi.
An even bigger problem will be the Vereker family. To say they are eccentrics is putting it mildly. Both Arnold’s half-sister Antonia and his half-brother Kenneth are not only delighted he is dead, they are absolutely thrilled to be considered suspects. Antonia is engaged to be married to Rudolph Mesurier, who also had a very strong motive for killing Arnold. There are several other suspects and the case is already shaping up as a major challenge when yet another suspect arrives on the scene, and this new suspect also has no alibi!
Despite the best efforts of their cousin Giles Carrington who is acting as their solicitor Antonia and Kenneth insist on making no serious effort to clear themselves being far too busy sorting out their complicated love lives.
Heyer’s husband apparently wrote the plot outlines for her mystery novels while Heyer herself was more interested in the characters. And it’s the characters and the sparkling dialogue that are the strong points of Death in the Stocks. Judged purely on its plotting it’s nothing special. As a witty social comedy though it’s highly successful.
An enjoyable and very amusing read.
January 4, 2024
2023 reread: reduced rating to 3-3.5 stars for this first Hannasyde/Hemingway mystery; Vereker family attorney (and cousin) Giles Carrington spends more time investigating alongside Hannasyde, and cracks the case in the end. We spend much more time in the company of utterly obnoxious artist Kenneth Vereker and his sister Antonia, both suspected of killing wealthy half-brother Arnold. Not my favorite of Heyer’s mysteries, and it drags on too long, but entertaining, at least for the first half.
2021 reread: first time rereading Inspector Hannasyde’s first case. I really enjoyed Hannasyde and Sgt. Hemingway, and family attorney Giles Carrington - trying to rein in his outrageous cousins, Kenneth and Antonia Vereker, both possible suspects in the murder of their very disagreeable cousin, found stabbed in the stocks on the village green near his weekend cottage. I mostly listened to the audiobook, ably narrated by Ulli Berve, who has the plush accent required for Heyer’s upper class characters, but admirably switches to different accents for Sgt. Hemingway and other characters.
Entertaining, but I could still cheerfully strangle Kenneth, one of Heyer’s cheeky but brilliant artist types! This one went on a bit, and ends with Giles admirably doing the amateur gentleman detective bit to assist Hannasyde to the solution. It felt like Heyer perhaps wasn’t yet fully committed to whether she wanted a Scotland Yard detective solving her cases, or a gentleman amateur. Entertaining and fun all the same - I personally am glad she went with Hannasyde-of-the-twinkling-grey-eyes, and the snarky, quick-witted Hemingway!
2014: I love Georgette Heyer - nobody can match her for sparkling, witty dialogue, dark British humor and wonderfully outrageous characters - in both her Regency romances and her mysteries. This case opens with the discovery of a murdered man in evening dress with his feet locked into the stocks on a village green. Shocking enough, until Heyer introduces the half-brother and sister of the deceased, who not only couldn't care less about his death but appear downright jubilant at the prospect of their pending inheritance!
I could cheerfully strangle temperamental, moody artist Kenneth Vereker as he tries to lead Superintendent Hannasyde around by his nose with his foul temper and uncooperative demeanor, but sister Antonia is much more sympathetic and likeable - and a wonderful romantic interest for cousin Giles, the calm, low-key family lawyer who works alongside Scotland Yard to save his family and solve the puzzling case. Delightful!
2021 reread: first time rereading Inspector Hannasyde’s first case. I really enjoyed Hannasyde and Sgt. Hemingway, and family attorney Giles Carrington - trying to rein in his outrageous cousins, Kenneth and Antonia Vereker, both possible suspects in the murder of their very disagreeable cousin, found stabbed in the stocks on the village green near his weekend cottage. I mostly listened to the audiobook, ably narrated by Ulli Berve, who has the plush accent required for Heyer’s upper class characters, but admirably switches to different accents for Sgt. Hemingway and other characters.
Entertaining, but I could still cheerfully strangle Kenneth, one of Heyer’s cheeky but brilliant artist types! This one went on a bit, and ends with Giles admirably doing the amateur gentleman detective bit to assist Hannasyde to the solution. It felt like Heyer perhaps wasn’t yet fully committed to whether she wanted a Scotland Yard detective solving her cases, or a gentleman amateur. Entertaining and fun all the same - I personally am glad she went with Hannasyde-of-the-twinkling-grey-eyes, and the snarky, quick-witted Hemingway!
2014: I love Georgette Heyer - nobody can match her for sparkling, witty dialogue, dark British humor and wonderfully outrageous characters - in both her Regency romances and her mysteries. This case opens with the discovery of a murdered man in evening dress with his feet locked into the stocks on a village green. Shocking enough, until Heyer introduces the half-brother and sister of the deceased, who not only couldn't care less about his death but appear downright jubilant at the prospect of their pending inheritance!
I could cheerfully strangle temperamental, moody artist Kenneth Vereker as he tries to lead Superintendent Hannasyde around by his nose with his foul temper and uncooperative demeanor, but sister Antonia is much more sympathetic and likeable - and a wonderful romantic interest for cousin Giles, the calm, low-key family lawyer who works alongside Scotland Yard to save his family and solve the puzzling case. Delightful!
December 22, 2019
I was in the mood for this book after having started it sometime last year and really enjoying the first few chapters. Unfortunately, the first few chapters are the best part of the book, but fortunately, the rest is quite good too, though I've read better.
The murder in the stocks of Arnold Vereker sparks a series of hilariously convoluted conversations among his eccentric family members, who all had motive and opportunity to murder him, and all seem eager to show how cleverly they each could have contrived his murder.
The Verekers were entertaining without being likeable, and overall the story was pleasant to follow, if a little slow. It pretty much consists only of conversations between various people, and while the wit level is cranked up to eleven from the beginning, the plot was definitely stagnant towards the middle, at which point I correctly guessed the culprit and kept on reading, puzzled that the detective wasn't adding all the pieces together.
My favourite part of these mysteries is the cleverness and resourcefulness of the detectives and police, which was lacking in Death in the Stocks.While I greatly enjoyed the way Superintendent Hannasyde and Mr. Carrignton handled the Verekers, I was hoping for a few more clues and twists to happen, and for them to better manage to corner the suspects.
All in all, a very fun, relaxing mystery to read while enjoying the Holidays at home, but I've read better ones, and certainly better books by this author ;)
The murder in the stocks of Arnold Vereker sparks a series of hilariously convoluted conversations among his eccentric family members, who all had motive and opportunity to murder him, and all seem eager to show how cleverly they each could have contrived his murder.
The Verekers were entertaining without being likeable, and overall the story was pleasant to follow, if a little slow. It pretty much consists only of conversations between various people, and while the wit level is cranked up to eleven from the beginning, the plot was definitely stagnant towards the middle, at which point I correctly guessed the culprit and kept on reading, puzzled that the detective wasn't adding all the pieces together.
My favourite part of these mysteries is the cleverness and resourcefulness of the detectives and police, which was lacking in Death in the Stocks.While I greatly enjoyed the way Superintendent Hannasyde and Mr. Carrignton handled the Verekers, I was hoping for a few more clues and twists to happen, and for them to better manage to corner the suspects.
All in all, a very fun, relaxing mystery to read while enjoying the Holidays at home, but I've read better ones, and certainly better books by this author ;)
January 10, 2024
I loved this book and read it in two days! There are a lot of characters of all descriptions. Some I wanted to slap, especially the two main ones, Kenneth and his sister Antonia, although by the end I liked her and was glad of her outcome.
The murder mystery is very well done. I did guess who the murderer was but it was a long way into the book before the penny dropped. I also liked Giles, Antonia's cousin who while being their solicitor, ended up assisting Superintendent Hannasyde in the solving of the crime.
An excellent read that I thoroughly enjoyed!
The murder mystery is very well done. I did guess who the murderer was but it was a long way into the book before the penny dropped. I also liked Giles, Antonia's cousin who while being their solicitor, ended up assisting Superintendent Hannasyde in the solving of the crime.
An excellent read that I thoroughly enjoyed!
April 17, 2011
Yes, well, it's fair to say that Georgette Heyer was not the world's best mystery writer and the plotting in this one is not particularly strong. (I say this because I guessed the culprit early in the piece. It was just a process of elimination, as there weren't that many suspects to choose from!) But I still enjoyed listening to the audiobook of this novel. Most of the characters are unlikeable, but they are quite funny. I loved their in-depth discussions about how they could have been the murderer. I also loved Roger: he reminded me of one of the stock characters in Georgette Heyer's Regency romances: the disreputable but entertaining younger brother. I don't think Heyer's mysteries are anything like as good as her Regency romances, but for someone who grew up reading and loving those romances - or for someone with an interest in period mysteries - they still make rewarding reading.
August 24, 2018
I know Georgette Heyer is a hit and miss for some people but I love her books, whether they’re her regency or mystery books. Her mystery books remind me of Agatha Christie—not quite up to par with the Queen but enjoyable nonetheless.
The murder happens right from the start. Arthur has been found with a knife in his back in the stocks. From there, we meet several characters. Including, his half-brother, half-sister, fiancées, a lawyer-that is also his cousin, and all of them have a motive for killing Arthur. None of them are likable either. I enjoyed the banter and watching things unfold. Heyer is incredible at what she writes. I haven’t been disappointed with her stories. Another good one that I’ve had the pleasure of reading.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The murder happens right from the start. Arthur has been found with a knife in his back in the stocks. From there, we meet several characters. Including, his half-brother, half-sister, fiancées, a lawyer-that is also his cousin, and all of them have a motive for killing Arthur. None of them are likable either. I enjoyed the banter and watching things unfold. Heyer is incredible at what she writes. I haven’t been disappointed with her stories. Another good one that I’ve had the pleasure of reading.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2015
I liked it. First time reading this author, can't believe I had never heard of her even though she wrote in the 30's. As I read, I kept thinking it would have made a great black and white movie, in the syle of the My Man Godfrey, etc.
February 15, 2019
Slowly, but surely, I have been picking my way through Heyer's detective fiction and thoroughly enjoying my jaunt into her engaging blend of whodunnit with sparkling English country house/ London town settings of the forties and fifties eras. Classy, witty, and delicious murder always await me and this earlier book was somewhat the exception.
Death in the Stocks is the first of the Superintendent Hannislyde books. Though part of a series, it can easily be read standalone or out of order. Heyer's method is to focus on the players in the mystery more than the official police investigations so each book is separate.
In this tale, the Vereker family are under suspicion of murdering Arnold Vereker who is known by all to be universally disliked. Hannislyde is provided a plethora of suspects and motives without much in actual clues. The two half siblings, their fiances, the family retainer are all honest about their dislike and none have good alibis. Giles, the cousin to the deceased, and the police must sift through what they let slip more than what they actually admit.
For most of the book, there is a light and humorous tone as banter and antics are more the form. I enjoyed the tone and setting and the overall story. Now, that said, I find myself admitting that the characters and mystery itself were the weak point for me. Yes, I understand those are the central elements of the book.
I thought Antonia and Kenneth annoying as they sharpened their wit constantly on the police and everyone around them. It was like they only opened their mouths to deliver shock and awe speeches rather than possess actual wit or understanding. They were brats, to be frank, and are lucky that they weren't had up for obstructing justice the way they carried on with their stupid lies and withholding of facts just to be cute. Tony was less so than her brother as she started to realize the seriousness of the situation and started to care what Giles thought of her. Their old family retainer, Murgatroyd, was a nuisance like a small yapping dog as was the loyal family friend, Leslie. Tony and Kenneth's engagement partners were quite obvious in their placeholder roles even to the Verekers themselves which was another annoyance. I liked Giles, the family lawyer who was also connected to the family through the deceased and I liked the police. He was the one reason I stuck this out because I enjoyed his class act and strong intelligence while having a great sense of humor.
I latched onto the killer, the how, and the why early on and the longer the story went on started to wonder how no one was seeing what I thought was obvious. I'm not that astute so yes, Giles or Hannislyde should have worked that out a lot sooner than they did.
This one had good bones and had the appeal of the author's writing style and way of writing a setting and colorful characters, but it feels and is an early effort that her later detective stories far outshine. I'm glad I read it out of order so I didn't judge all her detective stories on this one.
Death in the Stocks is the first of the Superintendent Hannislyde books. Though part of a series, it can easily be read standalone or out of order. Heyer's method is to focus on the players in the mystery more than the official police investigations so each book is separate.
In this tale, the Vereker family are under suspicion of murdering Arnold Vereker who is known by all to be universally disliked. Hannislyde is provided a plethora of suspects and motives without much in actual clues. The two half siblings, their fiances, the family retainer are all honest about their dislike and none have good alibis. Giles, the cousin to the deceased, and the police must sift through what they let slip more than what they actually admit.
For most of the book, there is a light and humorous tone as banter and antics are more the form. I enjoyed the tone and setting and the overall story. Now, that said, I find myself admitting that the characters and mystery itself were the weak point for me. Yes, I understand those are the central elements of the book.
I thought Antonia and Kenneth annoying as they sharpened their wit constantly on the police and everyone around them. It was like they only opened their mouths to deliver shock and awe speeches rather than possess actual wit or understanding. They were brats, to be frank, and are lucky that they weren't had up for obstructing justice the way they carried on with their stupid lies and withholding of facts just to be cute. Tony was less so than her brother as she started to realize the seriousness of the situation and started to care what Giles thought of her. Their old family retainer, Murgatroyd, was a nuisance like a small yapping dog as was the loyal family friend, Leslie. Tony and Kenneth's engagement partners were quite obvious in their placeholder roles even to the Verekers themselves which was another annoyance. I liked Giles, the family lawyer who was also connected to the family through the deceased and I liked the police. He was the one reason I stuck this out because I enjoyed his class act and strong intelligence while having a great sense of humor.
I latched onto the killer, the how, and the why early on and the longer the story went on started to wonder how no one was seeing what I thought was obvious. I'm not that astute so yes, Giles or Hannislyde should have worked that out a lot sooner than they did.
This one had good bones and had the appeal of the author's writing style and way of writing a setting and colorful characters, but it feels and is an early effort that her later detective stories far outshine. I'm glad I read it out of order so I didn't judge all her detective stories on this one.
June 4, 2017
I am positively surprised.
I had had many doubts before I started to read it. I am not much a fan of mystery books. I always suspect that either the truth would be too obvious (consequently boring) or a writer would be unfair against a reader concealing important facts to make a story probably more engaging (but it makes me feel cheated).
I have found here a very entertaining book. All characters were suspects (at least to me). One couldn't be sure who was a murderer, almost to the end. I suspected this person but it didn't disturb my pleasure in reading.
It was very witty - like one would expect from Heyer. In my opinion it was the best advantage of the novel. Together with the mystery and well written characters it made me want to read page after page.
There was a love story in the background, it was very obvious from the beginning. One could see Heyer's [heroine vs. hero] relationship. Although we were here not in Regency times it was the same (loved by me) relationship. So, in spite of the fact that you will find here only one romantic scene and a few meaningful glances, if you are a fan of Heyer's romances you will feel 'love in the air'.
I had had many doubts before I started to read it. I am not much a fan of mystery books. I always suspect that either the truth would be too obvious (consequently boring) or a writer would be unfair against a reader concealing important facts to make a story probably more engaging (but it makes me feel cheated).
I have found here a very entertaining book. All characters were suspects (at least to me). One couldn't be sure who was a murderer, almost to the end. I suspected this person but it didn't disturb my pleasure in reading.
It was very witty - like one would expect from Heyer. In my opinion it was the best advantage of the novel. Together with the mystery and well written characters it made me want to read page after page.
There was a love story in the background, it was very obvious from the beginning. One could see Heyer's [heroine vs. hero] relationship. Although we were here not in Regency times it was the same (loved by me) relationship. So, in spite of the fact that you will find here only one romantic scene and a few meaningful glances, if you are a fan of Heyer's romances you will feel 'love in the air'.
Read
October 21, 2017This reminds me a little of Marsh's Surfeit of Lampreys, with the introduction of a family not only indulging in the brittle gaiety of the time, but added a level of eccentricity of their own - though in this case the eccentricity mainly involves being openly rude to their relatives and acquaintances.
The mystery is one of those where you can spot your murderer by considering main characters who no-one suspects of the murder (even though there's a logical motive for that person.
A reasonable story, but not one of the more compelling of Heyer's mysteries.
The mystery is one of those where you can spot your murderer by considering main characters who no-one suspects of the murder (even though there's a logical motive for that person.
A reasonable story, but not one of the more compelling of Heyer's mysteries.
July 18, 2025
The village appears to be slumbering in its usual quiet stillness when Constable Dickenson is finishing his last round of the night. So when he spots a man in full evening dress apparently resting in the historical stocks outside the King’s Head pub, he assumes it is someone sleeping off alcoholic excesses. But the man does not respond when Constable Dickenson tries to shake him awake, and then topples to the ground, his feet still caught in the loops of the stocks. This, and the blood now covering his hands, makes Dickenson realise there’s more to this than drunken revelry, so he promptly phones his Inspector who equally promptly passes the case to Superintendent Hannasyde of the Yard…
The dead man turns out to be Arnold Vereker, a businessman who keeps a weekend cottage in the village, where he sometimes stays by himself but is sometimes accompanied by a “fancy woman” – one of a selection. No one is sure if a fancy woman had come with him this weekend, but there is a woman in his cottage – his half-sister Antonia, who had come down with the intention of having a fight with him, but finding the cottage empty, had gone to bed. Or so she says. There’s no love lost among the members of the Vereker family. Antonia’s brother, Kenneth, breaks out the champagne on hearing of his half-brother’s death, since this means he’ll come into a large sum of money. Cousin Giles, who is slightly older and a solicitor, behaves more respectfully but he doesn’t shed many tears for the dead man. So Hannasyde will have plenty of suspects to choose from, even before he factors in the missing fancy woman, if she exists, Arnold’s business contacts, and the love interests of both Antonia and Kenneth, who also seem quite pleased at the idea of the family money passing to Kenneth.
This is a very light-hearted novel, as much comedy as mystery. The two young Verekers, Tony (Antonia) and Kenneth, are like characters out of Wodehouse, though more annoying. The book works better if the reader likes them, but I have to admit it took me at least half the book to work up any affection for either of them. Not only are they frankly delighted at their half-brother’s death, but they are both horribly rude to their respective love interests. And they each set out to lead poor Superintendent Hannasyde a merry dance, partly because they realise that they are bound to be the chief suspects in the case. Giles Harrington, their sensible cousin, plays the role of amateur ’tec, getting involved mainly to try to prove the innocence of his cousins, but also becoming friendly with Hannasyde as the investigation progresses. I found it odd that in a book billed as a Hannasyde novel, Giles really has the main role and is eventually the one who solves the case. Perhaps it was only later that Heyer decided to turn Hannasyde into her recurring ’tec. Whatever, unlike his cousins, Giles is easy to like so he gives the reader someone to cheer for.
The mystery is a bit too easy to solve, I felt. There were some suspects who were brushed aside early on, leaving a very small pool for the reader to choose from. I had a pretty good idea of the solution from early on, based as much on the romantic comedy tone as the actual clues. It was obvious we were heading for a happy ending, which ruled out more of the suspects. But that same romantic element adds to the cosy enjoyment of the book, so swings and roundabouts.
Overall I found this good fun – not the greatest mystery but an enjoyable read – and will happily look out for more in the series. I’m intrigued to see if Hannasyde develops into a more successful detective, or if he always has a talented amateur sidekick to help him out.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
The dead man turns out to be Arnold Vereker, a businessman who keeps a weekend cottage in the village, where he sometimes stays by himself but is sometimes accompanied by a “fancy woman” – one of a selection. No one is sure if a fancy woman had come with him this weekend, but there is a woman in his cottage – his half-sister Antonia, who had come down with the intention of having a fight with him, but finding the cottage empty, had gone to bed. Or so she says. There’s no love lost among the members of the Vereker family. Antonia’s brother, Kenneth, breaks out the champagne on hearing of his half-brother’s death, since this means he’ll come into a large sum of money. Cousin Giles, who is slightly older and a solicitor, behaves more respectfully but he doesn’t shed many tears for the dead man. So Hannasyde will have plenty of suspects to choose from, even before he factors in the missing fancy woman, if she exists, Arnold’s business contacts, and the love interests of both Antonia and Kenneth, who also seem quite pleased at the idea of the family money passing to Kenneth.
This is a very light-hearted novel, as much comedy as mystery. The two young Verekers, Tony (Antonia) and Kenneth, are like characters out of Wodehouse, though more annoying. The book works better if the reader likes them, but I have to admit it took me at least half the book to work up any affection for either of them. Not only are they frankly delighted at their half-brother’s death, but they are both horribly rude to their respective love interests. And they each set out to lead poor Superintendent Hannasyde a merry dance, partly because they realise that they are bound to be the chief suspects in the case. Giles Harrington, their sensible cousin, plays the role of amateur ’tec, getting involved mainly to try to prove the innocence of his cousins, but also becoming friendly with Hannasyde as the investigation progresses. I found it odd that in a book billed as a Hannasyde novel, Giles really has the main role and is eventually the one who solves the case. Perhaps it was only later that Heyer decided to turn Hannasyde into her recurring ’tec. Whatever, unlike his cousins, Giles is easy to like so he gives the reader someone to cheer for.
The mystery is a bit too easy to solve, I felt. There were some suspects who were brushed aside early on, leaving a very small pool for the reader to choose from. I had a pretty good idea of the solution from early on, based as much on the romantic comedy tone as the actual clues. It was obvious we were heading for a happy ending, which ruled out more of the suspects. But that same romantic element adds to the cosy enjoyment of the book, so swings and roundabouts.
Overall I found this good fun – not the greatest mystery but an enjoyable read – and will happily look out for more in the series. I’m intrigued to see if Hannasyde develops into a more successful detective, or if he always has a talented amateur sidekick to help him out.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
November 17, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an eGalley of this novel.
Evidently this golden oldie will be getting a new cover on February 1, 2019. I have been a fan of the Georgette Heyer mystery series for a very long time but somehow managed to miss this first offering in the canon. I'm glad I read it if only to know how much Heyer improved the books over time. This one had loads of the "bright young things" but their very brightness rubbed and chaffed after only a very short while. There is only a certain amount of making fun of murder that I can take before it becomes absolutely an unacceptable way for people to act. Heyer found my credulity level and rubbed it with sandpaper until I thought I would have to put the novel down unfinished.
Here are the basics: step-brother (don't dare call him a brother!) is murdered and his body left in a most unusual place; brother and sister should or could be suspects; everyone could be a suspect; engagements and fiancées are proclaimed everywhere except where they should be; the police inspector needs the help of the amateur sleuth to solve the whole thing.
Read this if you are curious or if you want to know you've covered the entire series.
Evidently this golden oldie will be getting a new cover on February 1, 2019. I have been a fan of the Georgette Heyer mystery series for a very long time but somehow managed to miss this first offering in the canon. I'm glad I read it if only to know how much Heyer improved the books over time. This one had loads of the "bright young things" but their very brightness rubbed and chaffed after only a very short while. There is only a certain amount of making fun of murder that I can take before it becomes absolutely an unacceptable way for people to act. Heyer found my credulity level and rubbed it with sandpaper until I thought I would have to put the novel down unfinished.
Here are the basics: step-brother (don't dare call him a brother!) is murdered and his body left in a most unusual place; brother and sister should or could be suspects; everyone could be a suspect; engagements and fiancées are proclaimed everywhere except where they should be; the police inspector needs the help of the amateur sleuth to solve the whole thing.
Read this if you are curious or if you want to know you've covered the entire series.
July 25, 2018
The story opens with the discovery of a body in the stocks on the village green. Arnold Vereker was an unlikable man, with plenty of enemies. They cast of suspects is relatively small; there is his half-brother Kenneth or half-sister Antonia, Antonia's fiance and one or two other possibilities.
It is an enjoyable little mystery, but as with her other mysteries, it is not particularly tightly plotted in the way of an Agatha Christie, what makes it so entertaining is the characterisation. This, I feel, is where Heyer's talent lies.
**Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy to review.**
It is an enjoyable little mystery, but as with her other mysteries, it is not particularly tightly plotted in the way of an Agatha Christie, what makes it so entertaining is the characterisation. This, I feel, is where Heyer's talent lies.
**Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy to review.**
April 2, 2021
Georgette Heyer succeeds where dozens of mystery writers have tried and failed to combine a rollicking comedy of manners with a suspenseful, tightly-knit detective plot. The Verecker siblings are both outrageously funny and genuinely moving in their efforts to face mounting suspicion when their wealthy brother is found murdered--yes, in stocks (one of many ingenious clues). Detective novels really don't get much better than this.
June 2, 2021
I just finished listening again to this book, the first of Heyer’s mysteries. I really enjoyed the book, but most of the characters were hard to like. The plot is complicated, and I guessed the killer’s identity only slightly before the end.
February 26, 2025
Arnold Veneker is found stabbed to death, sitting in stocks on a village green. Who killed him? We’re not short of suspects and none of them is likeable in the least. Antonia and Kenneth, his two half-siblings, are awful characters. They spend all their time sniping nastily at one another, calling it badinage. We’d call it banter except that banter is usually intended to be fun and this certainly isn’t. They are both engaged, she to Mesurier who works for the now deceased Arnold, he to Violet who is clearly a gold digger. The housekeeper, Murgatroyd, is a surly old bat but at least we can laugh at her.
If you enjoy upper class snobbery and Bright Young Thing style dialogue, you’ll probably enjoy this. Don’t expect to be too mystified at whodunnit though. I guessed very quickly though it took the family lawyer until the end of the book to inform the Superintendent that he’d cracked the case. As this is the first in a series starring Hannasyde, the detective, and his sergeant, Hemingway, I can only hope their sleuthing improves!
Finally, I’d just like to point out
3 stars. Entertaining enough but not a particularly good murder mystery. Penhallow is better.
If you enjoy upper class snobbery and Bright Young Thing style dialogue, you’ll probably enjoy this. Don’t expect to be too mystified at whodunnit though. I guessed very quickly though it took the family lawyer until the end of the book to inform the Superintendent that he’d cracked the case. As this is the first in a series starring Hannasyde, the detective, and his sergeant, Hemingway, I can only hope their sleuthing improves!
Finally, I’d just like to point out
3 stars. Entertaining enough but not a particularly good murder mystery. Penhallow is better.
September 20, 2018
Best known for her regency novels, Georgette Heyer also wrote detective novels set in 1930's Great Britain. In this book a man is found dead in the middle of the night, dressed in evening clothes in the stocks set in the middle of the village green. Superintendent Hannasyde determines his identity and discovers that he is hated by almost everyone. It takes all of his skill to uncover the identity of the murderer. Charming characters and witty dialogue as well as amusing plot twists are all characteristic for a Heyer book. It's a fun book and well worth reading, especially for fans of Golden Age Detective novels.
August 28, 2024
The characters in this mystery were either more annoying or considerably flatter than usual for Heyer. Also, I figured out who the murderer was about 25% through and it took the rest of the novel for the characters to discover who was guilty. But I enjoyed the main romance arc; those two characters were my favorites. This novel felt more early-mid twentieth century than most of Heyer's work, which is simultaneously disappointing and intriguing. I've still got several more of her mysteries to read!
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