- Unknown Binding: 287 pages
- Publisher: Ernest Benn (1926)
- Language English
- ASIN: B0008CN11U
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
Clouds of Witness: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In some respects Dorothy Sayers is a problematic author, and early in her career she struggled with what can only be called a tendency toward incessant clutter: a wordy style, an often awkwardly expressed fascination with the mechanics of timetables, and constant reference to erudite academia that frequently verged on the downright obscure. But with CLOUDS OF WITNESS she found a very neat balance--and the result is not only the first clear sounding of Sayers' literary voice, it is also simply the best of her early works.
In this particular story, death unexpectedly arrives in the very bosom of the Wimsey family: the Duke has taken a rural manor for the hunting season, and when his sister's fiance is found shot to death in the small hours of the morning he is himself accused. Curiously, he declines to offer any sort of alibi--but fortunately there is a sleuth in the family: Lord Peter Wimsey, who arrives post-haste to sort the matter out.
While the novel's conclusion may frustrate many readers, this is a fast, fun read with engaging characters and an emerging and very sophisticated literary style--the style on which Sayers would ultimately establish such later and landmark works as MURDER MUST ADVERTISE, GAUDY NIGHT, and BUSMAN'S HONEYMOON. Established fans will likely enjoy it more than first-timers, but if you've not yet encountered Sayers don't let that stop you: it's an elegant work. Recommended.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The worst nightmare for a detective is having a solid case... against a member of your own family. Dorothy Sayers imagined such a story for Lord Peter Wimsey in her second mystery novel, "Clouds of Witness," a solid, twisting whodunnit full of lies, affairs and deception
Peter is on vacation when he finds out that his brother, The Duke of Denver (informally "Gerald"), is on trial for murder -- he had a blowup with his sister Mary's fiancee, Denis Cathcart, upon learning that Cathcart was a former cardsharper. The next morning, Cathcart was found shot through the heart by Gerald's gun, with Gerald bending over the body. The Duke stubbornly refuses to explain why he was out in the rain at three in the morning.
Peter is determined to solve the case, and quickly finds plenty of clues and odd little details, including the fact that Mary keeps lying -- and changing her lies. There are too many clues, and not enough logical motives. Now to save his brother, Peter must unravel plenty of lies and red herrings, and discover who wanted to do away with Denis Cathcart -- and why.
"Clouds of Witness" is an excellent whodunnit, with lots of quirky characters and a very twisty murder mystery -- in fact, it's not even clear whether it's even a murder. And Sayers seemed to be more at ease in this mystery, since it unfolds in a more gradual manner, as if she were more sure of herself than in "Whose Body."
If there's a flaw, it's that her writing can be slightly uneven -- we get lots of descriptions of Mary, but I still have no idea what Bunter looks like. But Sayers can craft a spectacular plot, with lots of red herrings and odd twists, especially since most of the people involved are telling lies, usually about romantic affairs.
The general feeling is unusually taut even for a mystery, since Peter is trying to help his stuffy brother. But Sayers also sprinkles in some comedic moments to lessen the tension, such as when Peter dines with a flaky, chic socialist who thinks it's thrilling when the police raid them. The dialogue is also enjoyably quirky, especially when Peter is doing the talking ("I should be crucified upside down for anemia of the brain!").
The cast is made up of all sorts -- weaselly socialists, flaky socialites, the stuffy Gerald and his equally stiff wife, and the rambling yet clever Dowager. And Peter is the center of all this, a detective who acts like Bertie Wooster and thinks like Hercule Poirot -- he has loads of brains and reasoning ability, but you'd never guess it by how he acts.
"Clouds of Witness" is a clever, twisty murder mystery with a likably eccentric hero, and one of Dorothy Sayers' best mystery novels. Definitely a good, solid read with a colourful cast.
Peter is on vacation when he finds out that his brother, The Duke of Denver (informally "Gerald"), is on trial for murder -- he had a blowup with his sister Mary's fiancee, Denis Cathcart, upon learning that Cathcart was a former cardsharper. The next morning, Cathcart was found shot through the heart by Gerald's gun, with Gerald bending over the body. The Duke stubbornly refuses to explain why he was out in the rain at three in the morning.
Peter is determined to solve the case, and quickly finds plenty of clues and odd little details, including the fact that Mary keeps lying -- and changing her lies. There are too many clues, and not enough logical motives. Now to save his brother, Peter must unravel plenty of lies and red herrings, and discover who wanted to do away with Denis Cathcart -- and why.
"Clouds of Witness" is an excellent whodunnit, with lots of quirky characters and a very twisty murder mystery -- in fact, it's not even clear whether it's even a murder. And Sayers seemed to be more at ease in this mystery, since it unfolds in a more gradual manner, as if she were more sure of herself than in "Whose Body."
If there's a flaw, it's that her writing can be slightly uneven -- we get lots of descriptions of Mary, but I still have no idea what Bunter looks like. But Sayers can craft a spectacular plot, with lots of red herrings and odd twists, especially since most of the people involved are telling lies, usually about romantic affairs.
The general feeling is unusually taut even for a mystery, since Peter is trying to help his stuffy brother. But Sayers also sprinkles in some comedic moments to lessen the tension, such as when Peter dines with a flaky, chic socialist who thinks it's thrilling when the police raid them. The dialogue is also enjoyably quirky, especially when Peter is doing the talking ("I should be crucified upside down for anemia of the brain!").
The cast is made up of all sorts -- weaselly socialists, flaky socialites, the stuffy Gerald and his equally stiff wife, and the rambling yet clever Dowager. And Peter is the center of all this, a detective who acts like Bertie Wooster and thinks like Hercule Poirot -- he has loads of brains and reasoning ability, but you'd never guess it by how he acts.
"Clouds of Witness" is a clever, twisty murder mystery with a likably eccentric hero, and one of Dorothy Sayers' best mystery novels. Definitely a good, solid read with a colourful cast.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I used to read the Lord Peter Wimsey novels when I was a boy. Now, thirty plus years later I've come back to one I was unfamiliar with.
The other reviewers provide a useful synopsis of the book, so I won't bother with a repeat exercise. Suffice it to say that this one is a delight. The dialogues are quirky and at times a little melodramatic, the story unfolds in a reassuringly unformulaic manner, and Wimsey maneuvers his way through his investigation with typical eccentricity. And throughout, Sayers' observations about society are full of wit - her descriptions of the procedures within the House of Lords are just a joy.
A few of the characters could do with a little more fleshing out - Bunter is 'there', but not a particularly defined presence. One is never quite sure of the character of Wimsey's brother - but then he is off-stage for a great part of the narrative. It's hardly a fast-paced storyline, but then it seems to be written for those of us who like to chew over our literature slowly, and relish the ingredients.
A throwback to an age when language, thought and character were prized, reminding us of how much we have lost from our culture.
The other reviewers provide a useful synopsis of the book, so I won't bother with a repeat exercise. Suffice it to say that this one is a delight. The dialogues are quirky and at times a little melodramatic, the story unfolds in a reassuringly unformulaic manner, and Wimsey maneuvers his way through his investigation with typical eccentricity. And throughout, Sayers' observations about society are full of wit - her descriptions of the procedures within the House of Lords are just a joy.
A few of the characters could do with a little more fleshing out - Bunter is 'there', but not a particularly defined presence. One is never quite sure of the character of Wimsey's brother - but then he is off-stage for a great part of the narrative. It's hardly a fast-paced storyline, but then it seems to be written for those of us who like to chew over our literature slowly, and relish the ingredients.
A throwback to an age when language, thought and character were prized, reminding us of how much we have lost from our culture.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dated
I was a big fan of Dorothy L Sayers when I was young, and the stories of Lord Peter Wimsey seemed to me quite sophisticated, in a Jeeves and Wooster kind of way. Read more
Published 13 months ago by moby-dick
A Whimsical Tale
This is the story of an amateur detective, Lord Peter Wimsey, who sets out to prove the innocence of his elder brother, who has been charged with the murder of a Captain Cathcart,... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Woolgatherer
Great book
I bought this book for my mum she loves Lord Peter Wilmsey mysteries and she really enjoyed it would recommend it as a good buy and value for money
Published 17 months ago by Debs
Entertaining read
Entertaining and 'real' characters make this a very enjoyable read. Dorothy L Sayers certainly knows how to write -- and to make you imagination run wild with the vivid... Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2009 by I. Holder
More than just a mystery this is England
Dorothy L. Sayers writes many non-fiction books however among her best is the Lord Peter Wimsey series. I came to this series sort of though the back door. Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2009 by bernie
Finding her feet
This is still not the fully fashioned Wimsey novel and has an unsatisfying denoument. The loose ends are not so much tidied up as shoved quickly out of sight in the hope that noone... Read more
Published on 3 April 2008 by Graham R. Hill
More than just a mystery this is England
Dorothy L. Sayers writes many non-fiction books however among her best is the Lord Peter Wimsey series. I came to this series sort of though the back door. Read more
Published on 13 Nov 2006 by bernie
One of my favourite Whimsy's
I know other people haven't rated this as highly as some of Sayer's other books, but it's always been one of my favourites because of the family setting and the unusually high... Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2006 by Roman Clodia
Clouds of Witness
The 2nd Peter Wimsey mystery. This does have interesting characters but I found the murder mystery to be thin and not very compelling. Disappointing.
Published on 25 Mar 2006 by Rich
More than just a mystery this is England
Dorothy L. Sayers writes many non-fiction books however among her best is the Lord Peter Wimsey series. I came to this series sort of though the back door. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2005 by bernie
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