Fall of a Philanderer

Daisy Dalrymple #14

by Carola Dunn

In the summer of 1924, the Honourable Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher is off on a summer holiday by the sea with her step-daughter Belinda and Belinda's chum Deva, and her husband, Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard. Daisy is anticipating a relaxing, non-dramatic holiday. But Daisy doesn't have that kind of luck. It seems that a local low-rent Don Juan has been busily seducing the local womanfolk and, in a town this small, no secret is kept for long. A fact that is amply illustrated when the Fletcher's simple picnic is interrupted by the discovery of a broken body at the foot of the cliff--that of the philandering local innkeeper of bad memory. Like Jacqueline Winspear's much praised novels about Maisy Dobbs, Carola Dunn vividly evokes the life and times of 1920's England wrapped in a classic mystery to delight her many fans.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Historical Mystery

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Carola Dunn is the author of more than 30 Regency romances, as well as 16 mysteries (the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series is set in England in the 1920s). Ms. Dunn was born and grew up in England, where she got a B.A. in Russian and French from Manchester University. She travelled as far as Fiji before returning to settle in California. After 30 years in the US, she says she still sounds as if she arrived a month ago.

Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.

Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another interesting murder that Daisy finds herself involved with while on vacation. This time she's at a seaside inn & poor Alec's vacation is mostly work, solving the mystery since he's there. As usual, the characters were interesting as was the twisty mystery. Best of all were the glimpses into life at the time.

Just a century ago many still didn't have electric, running water, cars, or many of the things we take for granted. There's a glimpse of a farm run by a tyrant who could beat his wife & daughter. Nary a clock to be found since it's the milking time that is important & the cows keep that. The sun does for the rest. No days off for most, either. Roads that are barely paths & a mute that is an object of ridicule, even though he's fairly bright. A small camera that is the latest thing.

Definitely one of the better books in the series.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The victim is a slime-ball and the people Daisy is siding with this time are all lovely people that I would like to befriend. The atmosphere is beautiful and makes me wish for a holiday by the seaside. The mystery is decent and although the ending is slightly disappointing at least it does not spoil the mood of this holiday.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher is on vacation by the sea in 1924 with her stepdaughter Belinda and a friend. The trio are enjoying the beach until they discover a dead body. It’s the married local pub owner, who’s known for his amorous advances. Lots of folks have reason to want revenge. And when Daisy’s detective husband gets roped into taking the case, she determines to help him find the culprit. The story is a delightful romp into a different era amid a hotbed of suspicion.

[Olga Godim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a fan of this cozy mystery series and its protagonist, Daisy, a plucky young journalist and a daughter of a viscount in England of 1924. I’ve read almost all the novels of the series and I can say: this is one of the best. In this story, Daisy is on vacation in Devon. For the first (and only, I think) time in the series, she doesn’t discover a dead body; her husband Alec Fletcher, the Detective Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard, does by accident when he joins her for a short holiday.
Although the body doesn’t appear until chapter 7, the writer unflinchingly keeps the reader’s interest from line one. Little, seemingly inconsequential events spring up along the pages, the plot romps ahead like a playful colt, inciting smiles, and the atmosphere building through vivid descriptions – alternately idyllic and foreboding – is done by a master storyteller.

Thursday was another sunny day, but Friday brought a dank and dismal grey mist that left droplets beading everything it touched. Before dawn, Daisy’s dreams were haunted by the mournful howl of a foghorn.

Later the same morning:

Halfway back to Westcombe, they could see ahead a solid-looking mass of fog lying in wait, crouching between the hillsides, “Like a big grey cat waiting to pounce,” Belinda said.

Daisy is her usual charming self, warm-hearted but sensible. Around her revolves the multitude of secondary characters, all different, all living and breathing and possessing their unique quirks: the bevy of suspects, the local policemen, the denizens of the small seaside village. Some of them provide comic interludes so common to Dunn’s tales.
The village bobby Puckle, for example, has an edifying conversation with Alec shortly after the body was found. The author makes Puckle’s accent unmistakable but clear, unlike some less skillful writers. Alec, who had hoped to keep his Scotland Yard identity secret for this holiday, asks Puckle in frustration:

“But why should they think it was murder, not an accident?”
Puckle looked at him in surprise. “Acos of I told ’em you was here, sir. Stands to reason. If ’tweren’t murder, why would a detective chief inspector from the Yard be on the spot, like?”

The constable’s logic is irrefutable, albeit circular.
Another source of giggles is a medical student Vernon, assisting Alec in the investigation. Vernon is a fan of mystery novels, but Sherlock Holmes is not among his favorite fictional detectives. Instead he admires Dr. Thorndyke of R. Austin Freeman much more (a new name for me, I must admit). Alec says to him:

“I’m sure you would have made an apt pupil if he were not a fictional character.”
Unoffended, the medical student grinned. “Julia thinks I’m an absolute ass, but I do think I’d make a better pupil than Jervis. He’s definitely not too swift in the uptake. It seems to be the fashion to give the top detectives rather thick assistants. Look at Dr. Watson. And do you know this new chappie, the Belgian detective? Same thing—he has the bumbling Colonel Hastings to crow over.”

My sentiments precisely! I read this quaint little book very fast, I chuckled a lot, and I enjoyed it tremendously. I also learned a new concept: a ducking stool for scolds. Only Daisy would be so brazen as to introduce it to the modern day readers.
Overall, a delightful novel of mystery and mayhem in the post-WWI England.

[Karen ⊰✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you get to book 14 of a series, you sure know what to expect! Daisy is great for an easy cozy mystery read and in this instalment it is Alec that gets more of the focus. We get to follow the mystery more closely through his eyes while Daisy takes a slight backseat as she rests through the first part of her pregnancy.

[Karen Potts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adventure of Daisy & Alec really pleased me. The characters were varied & interesting individuals whose interactions made an entertaining & hard to solve mystery story with a hugely satisfying ending. The bad guys get their comeuppance & the good ones have their reward.

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, and it was fun to see Daisy with her new daughter, Belinda, and Bel's friend, Deva, on h0oliday. She sure has a lot of help keeping the girls occupied, but she's there for them. even as she sleuths. Alec is always great, and the supporting cast, especially the med student and vicar's daughter were great!!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this latest episode in the series, Daisy is on holiday in Devon with her stepdaughter Bel and Bel's friend Deva. She meets some of the locals, including the landlord of the local pub, George Enderby, who has a reputation as a bit of a lothario. After a week, her husband Alec aka Detective Chief Inspector Fletcher, arrives to join them hoping for some peaceful family time but before long he stumbles on a body at the foot of the cliff and is dragged into an investigation.

3.5 stars really, but rounded up for the charming descriptions of a 1920s seaside holiday - making sandcastles on the beach, walking along the cliff, writing postcards home and eating ice cream - a lovely touch of nostalgia. It was also fun to see Alec taking charge, although Daisy still manages some of her kind-hearted meddling!

Undemanding and amusing read that put a smile on my face.

[Kaitlyn Dunnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this one, and particularly liked the way the author worked out a satisfying ending. An added delight came from the snippets (just the right length to set the scene without turning into a travelogue)of Daisy (and to a lesser degree, Alec) walking on the cliffs and through the countryside and setting out to sea as a passenger in a lifeboat. Talk about pulling the reader into the scene!

[Lbaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is great, very interesting reading about England 1920's. These are light books, but are neither silly nor shallow.

This is book 14 in the series, Daisy is married to Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher and enjoying married life and being a step-mother.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit better than the last Daisy D book, if only because there aren't quite so many characters, so there's more depth to each character and more story. This book takes place just a month after the previous book (which was to be Lucy's June wedding), and Daisy has her step-daughter Belinda and Belinda's friend, Deva, with her at a small ocean community. Alec is expected in a day or so, and they're to have some much needed vacation time to themselves.

But almost immediately, Daisy encounters two interesting characters: Sid, a mute (called "dumb" in those days), who lives somewhere near the beach and has a cart full of interesting, but raggedy items; and Mr. George Enderby, the co-owner of the local pub and inn, who gives her the creeps. While Daisy is cautious of Sid until she gets to know him a bit better, she's downright avoiding Mr. Enderby, a known philanderer who, despite being married himself, has no qualms about pursuing any female in the area, whether she's married or not. To Daisy's delight, having the two girls with her puts Enderby off just enough to allow her to give him a wide berth. And an encounter between the two men provides valuable clues as to what's to come.

In this little town, everyone knows everyone else's business. Most try to ignore it, but a Mrs. Hammett is not only a busy-body, but she makes sure that her opinions are heard, loud and clear, and she hasn't any scruples about making sure everyone else knows what she knows.

When Daisy's landlady, Mrs. Anstruthers, warns her about Enderby, Daisy gets the feeling that Mrs. A is speaking from personal experience. Mrs. A's husband, Peter, is a navy man and is often gone for several months at a time; in an unguarded moment, Mrs. A confides to Daisy that she did have an affair with Enderby - one that she bitterly regrets. But there isn't much time for more confidences when another visitor shows up: a schoolteacher, Mr. Baskin. Baskin says he's there to hike as much as possible, but there's something more to it. Baskin is asking too many questions about Enderby - questions such as the placement of possible scars on his body. Daisy overhears him mutter to himself that Enderby needs to be stopped.

After a public airing of a quarrel between Enderby and his wife, Daisy is more sure than ever that the philanderer is no good. And when Mrs. A's husband, Peter, comes home the same day that Alec arrives, and they witness a brawl in the pub after Peter's mate, Stubbins, tells him that his wife had an affair with Enderby... Alec, Daisy, and Baskin all follow Peter home to prevent him from domestic violence. But Peter doesn't beat his wife; instead, they talk (she obviously confesses), and the two make up... while Baskin, Alec, and Daisy awkwardly crouch nearby, unable to move without being seen or heard.

The next day, on a picnic hike with the girls, Alec discovers the body of Mr. Enderby. It looks as if it was badly beaten before being thrown off the cliff. Of course, despite his resolve to stay out of it, Alec is called in as the DCI in charge from by Scotland Yard. An Inspector Mallow is a nearby local man, but Daisy witnesses his sly, deceptive ways of dropping "bombs" on his suspects - he even forces Daisy into admitting that Alec is a DCI. So Alec, unwilling to keep his own men from their vacations, uses the local police force as much as possible - keeping Mallow away from most of the questioning.

Did Peter Anstruthers murder Enderby in a jealous rage? What is Baskin's business with Enderby and why did he seem to relieved to learn that Enderby was dead? Which town woman did Enderby move to after Mrs. A? And which farm girl was his latest victim? Was she the one who left a dazzling but cheap earring at the cliffside? And will Alec be able to wrap up this mystery and still have some time to spend with his wife and daughter?
==================
In the last book, there were too many characters. In this book, there are too many possible suspects - everyone in this little town hated Enderby and most had a reason to want him dead or out of the way. Despite knowing his reputation and despite knowing even his victim's names, why did someone not act before? Why choose to act now? Which is why Peter Anstruther and Baskin are the prime suspects - they're the "new" factor.

And while Baskin's motives remain a mystery until the end of the book, for whatever reason Alec and Daisy trust him enough to allow him to take Belinda and Deva on hikes - huh? The man is nice and all, but he's a SUSPECT! With unknown motives! And because most of the crime solving takes place over a weekend, it's tough to get too much information about Baskin from Scotland Yard. So WHY are Daisy and Alec trusting this man with Belinda's and Deva's lives?

Once again, the author proves she knows nothing about pregnancy or pregnant women. She remarks that Daisy's waist is growing by inches... and that Daisy might be "front heavy"... and that Daisy needs to be extra cautious walking, and yet she has no qualms about carrying a heavy deck chair down to the beach. HUH? Daisy is 3 months pregnant! At that stage of pregnancy, she probably has a baby bump, but unless she's been chowing down everything in sight, she likely doesn't even look pregnant! In fact, Enderby obviously doesn't notice her "extra inches" when he makes his passes at her. And no one else, not even Belinda, suspects the pregnancy until Daisy lets on. Remember the way women dressed in this time? The long, straight, hip-hugging dresses?

Again, the plot is good, but there are too many details that get in the way. It's OK to lead the reader on a merry chase with all the possible suspects and motives. But it seems that this author has a tendency to wander too long or get overly dramatic when she has a good plot, but a thin one. In this case, Mallow and the local police fill a few pages with their antics, as does the local colorful beat-em-up farmer, who should have been pulled in for domestic violence long ago. But this was another age - an age where domestic violence wasn't reported often and was often overlooked.

Ah well... not quite the satisfying demise that it could have been, but a sufficient overall story. I was just sad that Alec missed most of his vacation. I realize that these are mystery books, but it seems as Daisy and Alec could catch a break for longer than a few pages.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such a solid, predictably good series! Carola Dunn did a wonderful job of introducing a young, frivolous single woman of the 1920's in the first book and gradually growing her into a mature, sensible married woman pregnant with her first child by book 14. Yet just as in real life, Daisy's basic nature is unchanged. She is still as clever and daring as ever, just with a little more grace -- and a little less flapper slang in her vocabulary -- at this point in her life.

This book was set at the seaside, so we didn't get the full complement of supporting players, but Dunn wrote such rich characters for the vacation village that we got along quite well without them. I give Dunn extra credit for writing a marriage that is believably happy while still leaving room for moments of exasperation. I will be sad when I get through the entire series, because these have become such a comfort read for me!

[Maggie Hesseling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this novel really dissapointing. It was less mystery and more travellogue. Which, in itself isn't bad, but I was expecting more of what I've come to consider a 'classic Dalrymple mystery.'

What made the novel readable, was the fact that Alec really took charge of the case. And though Daisy's information was really invaluble, here we really get to see how good an investigator he is. But I wanted Daisy back. I miss her stumbling over bodies and insinuating herself in investigations. I know that because she was with the children she let it slide, but I hope that after she gives birth this doesn't turn to a regular occurance. I want her a forward thinking woman who throws caution to the wind and just goes for it.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher novel. For this genre, it was well done. It is 1924. Three months pregnant, Daisy, her husband Alec Fletcher is DCI with Scotland Yard, his daughter Belinda and Belinda's friend Deva are vacationing in Cornwall. They are residing with landlady, Cecily Omstruther whose husband Peter is in the military. There is another resident, Donald Baskin, a school teacher who plans to walk the cliffs. The girls make friends with a mute man, Sid, who is a beachcomber.
George and Nancy Enderby own a pub called the Schooner Inn. George is a philanderer and is having affairs with Cecily and a farmer's daughter, Olive Coleman. Sid is Olive's uncle. Then George is found dead on a cliff. Then Olive and Sid go missing.
Daisy and Alec work together to solve the case.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher is off on a summer holiday by the sea with her step-daughter Belinda and Belinda's chum Deva. Her husband, Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard, who arrives days later is anticipating a relaxing, non-dramatic holiday.

The local tavern keeper has been seducing the local women & tossing them aside, the Inn-keeper where daisy & family are staying is one of his many victims and her husband promptly goes into the tavern to settle up.

Later, when the Fletcher's simple picnic is interrupted by the discovery of a broken body at the foot of the cliff--that of the philanderer, there is no lack of suspects.

This was a fast & easy read, which I found to be not as interesting as Dunn's later offerings.

[Cameron Toney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its been a while since I read any Daisy Dalrymple, and a quick check of my previous reviews tells me that I was so angered by the last one I read that I swore off the series entirely.
Well, I should know better than that. There is always a chance that I'll wander back in.
This one held together better than the last one, but no amount of saying how trustworthy your main character is will make the fact that people spill their guts to her believable.
Daisys instincts are never wrong, the murder victim is not very much missed, and the whole thing ticks along at an easy, uncomplicated pace.
You know, I may dip my hand back into this series from time to time, when I am in the mood, but I doubt it shall ever be a favorite.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very enjoyable book in this delightful series. I was a bit let down by the ending, but I liked how Alex finally was given a chance to do most of the investigating this time. Daisy was most helpful though. I’m also enjoying following the character development with each book. The reader is terrific giving distinct voices to each person, but my one problem is that her voice for Alex makes him sound like a way older man. I know he’s older than Daisy, and that Daisy is in her 20’s, but I thought that maybe Alex was in his late 30’s. He ‘sounds’ like he’s in his 60’s or 70’s - at least to me. Lol.

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this installment, Daisy and family take a beach vacation. This time it's Alec who comes across a dead body and of course gets put in charge of the case. The victim was a terrible person, so there's a multitude of suspects, including the owners of their vacation spot. How awkward! Daisy works her usual charm and befriends a few suspects. Some of the subplots petered out, the bossy Mrs. Hammett and the violent local farmer. One annoying part of this story is the many comments about Daisy's pregnancy and how she has to take it slow and needs help lifting a beach chair, but she's only 3 months pregnant! The ending was not very satisfying, but I'll still continue with this series.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to listen to this twice because I kept daydreaming during all the key parts. On the one hand, I like the comfort of the setting. On the other hand, it feels like we are moving away from Daisy and it’s becoming the Alec series. And as I am no fan, it makes the story hard work.

I can’t say sure as I was constantly having to rewind, but I swear Daisy was only 3 months pregnant and the story made it seem like she teetered between not pregnant to 6 months the way she behaved and everyone treated her. It was a little bizarre. I’m bummed the author jumped right into baby land. Not sure where the series will end up. But I can’t quit now.

[Grey853 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daisy is on a summer holiday by the sea with her step-daughter Belinda and her school chum Diva. Her husband Alec shows up a while later and on the first day there they run across the body of the local Don Juan. There are any number of suspects.

The mystery is on equal footing with the personal interactions in this one. I rather enjoy seeing how Daisy interacts with the children and how easily she fits in with a small village life. What I like about Daisy is how she seems to be so sympathetic and less judgemental than others of the same time period.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't one of my favorites in this series. There was something a little off about how Alec and Daisy "shared" the case. It was still a fun little cozy and Daisy and her marriage to Alec are charming as ever. I think Carola Dunn does a good job of making Daisy a "modern" woman while still grounding her firmly in the 1920s. Daisy does seem perhaps a little too flighty when it comes to watching the children, probably to give her the freedom to be involved in the action but I hope they do introduce a nurse or nanny soon so that Daisy's haring off doesn't seem so irresponsible:).

[Victoria Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourteenth book in the Daisy Dalrymple 1920s cosy murder mystery series sees the discovery of the body of a local philanderer. This one was a tale of two halves. The first half I really enjoyed. It had a bit of a slow start but it was nice to see Carola Dunn building up to the discovery of the body. The second half, despite more action I just did not enjoy as much and I was a little disappointed with the final reveal. Overall it was fine but I had been expecting a little bit more from the first half of the book.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title. (Audible Membership)

Daisy has gone on holiday to a seaside resort. She and Brenda, as well as the young Indian school friend of Brenda's, have a week before Alex follows them for another week of relaxation.
Or that was the plan, until Alex stumbles across a body stuck in rocks on the edge of the sea.
Yes, you can guess what happens to poor Alex, but the mystery of how the person ended in such a situation is both fascinating and intriguing.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites of the more recent ones, I have read, but only because the formula was different. Still love all the characters. New voice, too. Like this one better. No attempt at voice=character...which I found confusing (because it was I consistent ) looking forward to the next one. (I am glad these are entertaining...they help me to sleep, and not to obsess when I am working on or doing things that otherwise would leave my mind open to worry about the state of our country.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now that Daisy is pregnant, Alex is even more concerned (and miffed) when another dead body turns up while on family vacation. At least this time, Alex is the one who discovers the body, but as usual, Daisy manages to get herself involved in the investigation. And try as he might to stay out of it, Alex is put in charge, thus ruining a nice holiday. This time we have a bit of a different ending as all the players try to unravel who might have pushed the despicable, philandering George Enderby.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery at the beach-cliff side solved - done and dusted -- and good riddance!

I really enjoy all the people Daisy and Co. meet on their out of town adventures - from the local constabulary to witnesses and suspects of diverse personalities and backgrounds.

My favorite in this book was the backpacker teacher and Sid.

And of course, Daisy with the oft-repeated physical characteristic "guileless blue eyes" that make people want to tell her things. 😜

[Wina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook read by Bernadette Dunne, who does a fine job.
These are very enjoyable cozy mysteries, and set in the 1920s. I also like how the characters are admirable people on my side of social justice issues. Daisy is not taking advantage of her "honorable" rank, and believes in women working, etc. There is romance, too, and lots to like. Clean but for occasional swearwords, reference to sex or affairs, etc. Happy ending.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher is on a beach holiday in Devon with her stepdaughter Belinda and her friend Deva. Three months pregnant, Daisy is taking it easy but, nevertheless, gets quite involved when a body is found. Alec, of course, tries to keep her out of the case. However, without his usual team, he is even more reliant on her sharp observations and unlimited ability to charm. A light, enjoyable read.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

#14 in the Honorable Daisy Dalrymple (and her husband Scotland Yard Detective chief Inspector Alec Fletcher), magazine writer and heiress (no inheritance due to British entailed system) mystery series. It is Summer (August?), 1924, Daisy is now 3 months pregnant and the family is on a 2 week seaside vacation when they discover a body at the base of a cliff.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an unusual reversal, DCI Alec is the one to find the body! Poor Alec, all he wanted was a short seaside vacation with his wife, daughter, and daughter's friend. Instead he got saddled with a murder investigation and an unpleasant local DI. Good story and Bernadette Dunne is marvelous as narrator.