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Murder of a Lady (Dr. Hailey #12)

Anthony Wynne

Start date: May 1, 2023

Finish date: May 31, 2023

Discussion: Group reads

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What Members Thought

Jan 04, 2016 Susan rated it liked it · review of another edition

I have not read any books by Golden Age author Anthony Wynne before, but this is number twelve in a series he wrote featuring amateur sleuth Dr Eustace Hailey. Normally, I dislike reading books out of series order, but this was actually far more about the plot than the characters and so I did not find it difficult that I not read any previous mysteries by the author.

First published in 1931, this novel is set in the Scottish Highlands where Dr Hailey is staying with his friend, Colonel John MacCa ...more

33 likes · Like · see review

Jun 11, 2016 Nancy Oakes added it · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-fiction, british-library-crime-classics, 1930s

3.5 stars

The thing I enjoy most about locked-room mysteries is, of course, waiting for the solution to materialize. Up until that point, I am mentally watching for anything that might be a clue as to how a locked-room murder was pulled off. This time, there was nothing to give it away, and I had to wait until the last few pages for the answer. Clever it was, indeed; I never would have guessed. Yet not all action takes place within the confines of a single locked room -- two other equally puzzlin ...more

16 likes · Like · see review

Oct 07, 2017 Christine PNW rated it really liked it

I found this book to be delightful and the ending made me laugh out loud with glee. The solution to the "impossible crime" was absurd and contrived - as these impossible crime solutions often are - but not such that I was annoyed.

I didn't guess whodunnit. I was pretty sure throughout the entire thing whodidntdunit, and I was right about that, but I focused on the wrong character.

(view spoiler) ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Apr 20, 2023 Jan C rated it really liked it

Shelves: gr-group-read, mystery, 2023, water, scotland

Enjoyable Golden Age mystery, originally published in 1931. Locked room mystery. Taking place in the Scottish Highlands. Very superstitious.

An old woman, who may or may not have been saintly, is killed one night, following an argument with her nephew's wife. The nephew is expected back momentarily. He is serving in the Army in Ayrshire.

The castle of Duchlan is a grim sort of place with a few servants and a small household - the Laird, his sister, the nephew's wife and infant son, a nurse, a cou ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

May 05, 2019 Kavita rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, golden-age-mystery, uk, scotland

When Ms Mary Gregor of Duchlan Castle is murdered, the whole village is shocked. Who could have killed such a wonderful and kind old woman? Dr. Hailey is consulted immediately, so that he is on the spot from the beginning. There appears to be no clue except a fish scale on the wound. A very typical locked room mystery and the plot was rather intriguing.

The story was written in a rather rambling manner. Though it started off crisply with the murder, the family dynamics just went on and on for pa ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 27, 2016 Louise Culmer rated it it was ok

Murder mystery set in the Scottish Highlands. Features an amateur detective, dr Hailey, who is (of course) cleverer than all the police. the plot is extremely melodramatic, and the characters quite unbelievable. One of the policemen in particular is such an absurd caricature I thought he was going to turn out to be an imposter. The identity of the murderer is not difficult to guess. This one apparently has never until now been reprinted, and it is not hard to see why.

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 19, 2023 Susan in NC rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: tbr-with-gr-groups, audiobook

2.5-3 stars, because the buildup of the impossible murders was very entertaining, but when the explanation came, I thought it was rather ridiculous and left too much to chance.

This is the first Dr. Bailey mystery I’ve read by Anthony Wynne. It is #12, and I gather he has quite the reputation as an amateur investigator, using his psychiatry background to figure out who the culprit must be. It becomes clear early on that he believes examining the victim’s character will often reveal the killer. I ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

May 05, 2023 Laura Anne rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, british-isles

3.5 stars Peculiar locked-room mystery in a Scottish castle; pacing is slow & repetitive in the middle section, but there is always something interesting happening by the end of each short chapter. The solution is outrageous but satisfactory.

2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 01, 2017 Neer rated it it was ok

Shelves: vintage-mystery, brit-lit, mysteries, 1930s, reads-17, new-authors-17

I had heard a lot about this book but I liked none of the characters really and am not too sure about the effectiveness of the murder weapon.

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Oct 25, 2024 Laurie rated it really liked it

This book could have benefited from some editing (some parts had lengthy repetitive dialogue) but it engaged me enough to push it to 4 stars instead of 3. A lot of the story turns on really unfortunate and outdated views of women and relationships but it was published in 1931 so what are you going to do. The main things that kept me engaged were (a) wanting to see the terrible people be punished for being terrible and (b) wanting to know the explanation of the two “impossible” crimes.

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