No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer (Feb/March 23)

[Susan]

Welcome to our Feb/March 23 buddy read of No Wind of Blame first published in 1939.

Tragedy befalls the Carter family following an eventful visit from a Russian prince and a scandalous blackmail letter. The murder of Wally Carter generates a bewildering mystery - how does one shoot a man crossing a narrow bridge without being near the murder weapon when it is fired? The superlatively analytical Inspector Hemingway reveals his unnerving talent for solving a fiendish problem.

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

[Judy]

It's mid month, so just opening up our discussion of this Georgette Heyer mystery. Who is joining in on this one?

The spoiler thread is linked below:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Susan in NC]

I’ve read this one several times, Heyer outdid herself creating a clever murder method (I never understand descriptions of complex mechanical murder methods, a drawing would help), and over the top characters!

[Jackie]

I am re-reading this on my computer (the library book won't download to my Kindle for some reason).
I enjoy most of the mysteries Heyer wrote and this one is somewhere in the middle: not my favorite, not my least favorite. Like most of her mysteries, I have come to appreciate it more on re-reading.

[Sandy]

I have the physical book out of the library and will be re-reading it soon but after a couple of other books that need to be returned.

[Teri-K]

I have read this one several times and look forward to revisiting it. I should start reading it in a day or so.

[Judy]

I've started now - this is a reread for me, as I read it about 5 years ago. So far I don't remember the plot but do remember some of the characters, especially Ermyntrude, who I think is very entertaining.

[Susan]

A re-read for me too - I think we read it some time ago? Good fun, I enjoyed it.

[Teri-K]

I read about half of this last night. I didn't remember who did the murder or how till it happened, then it came back to me. It's very distinctive, isn't it? Not your usual sort of poison in the teacup. I also remember a couple of twists coming up, but I'm pretty sure I don't remember them all.

Ermyntrude is fun to read about, as is Vicky, though I wouldn't enjoy spending much time with them in real life. I really like Hugh and his parents, his mother is enjoying the spectacle while maneuvering for a new hospital, and his father seems long-suffering but game. Hugh and his mother seem to share that ability to remain detached from others while being amused by them.

Behold, Here's Poison is another Heyer mystery I love to read but full of people I wouldn't want to spend a lot of time with IRL. lol

[Susan in NC]

Teri-K wrote: "I read about half of this last night. I didn't remember who did the murder or how till it happened, then it came back to me. It's very distinctive, isn't it? Not your usual sort of poison in the te..."

Exactly, Teri, read about them, yes, live with them? End up in Bedlam…

[Judy]

Teri-K wrote: "Ermyntrude is fun to read about, as is Vicky, though I wouldn't enjoy spending much time with them in real life. ..."

Definitely, I'm constantly laughing at both of them, especially Vicky with all her pretensions and her different outfits which are supposed to turn her into different characters! But they would drive me round the bend in real life.

I'm enjoying my reread of this so far because of all the great humour, though I haven't got up to the murder yet!

[Rosina]

I'm re-reading it too, this time with an Audible version read by Matt Addis. The humour is superb. I love Vicky as a character, although when I was a lot younger I didn't appreciate her, or Ermyntrude, or the Prince at all!

I haven't got to the murder yet, either, though I do remember who, and vaguely how.

[Jackie]

I'm with Rowena: when I read this years ago I was too young, I think, to appreciate characters like Vicky although I've always liked Erymtrude. She has a genuinely kind heart, but she needs (view spoiler)[ her daughter to be ruthless on her behalf. (hide spoiler)]

I think Ermytrude would make a wonderful neighbor.

[Judy]

The further into the book I get, the more I love Vicky. I'm even thinking I wouldn't mind her living next door now.

[Teri-K]

Judy wrote: "The further into the book I get, the more I love Vicky. I'm even thinking I wouldn't mind her living next door now."

She'd be great as a neighbor, I'd have fun watching how she was dressed and trying to guess what she was up to, I agree. And I love that she's theatrical, but smart and insightful. Not an airhead at all, though she might try to come across as one sometimes.

[Jackie]

I guess I will post more about Vicky in the spoiler thread, just in case.

[Sandy]

I am over halfway through and still don't remember the murderer though I have suspicions. It will be hard to take any credit if I am right as it is a re-read so I should know who did it.

[Teri-K]

Sandy wrote: "I am over halfway through and still don't remember the murderer though I have suspicions. It will be hard to take any credit if I am right as it is a re-read so I should know who did it."

I often reread mysteries, and often I don't remember or I'm not sure who did it. Sometimes I'm completely surprised! So I say take credit for it if you guess right, and give that memory a pat on the back. lol

[Jackie]

Even though I know I have a bad memory, when I'm re-reading a mystery and don't recall who the murder is I always attribute this to the skill of the author.

Because it's true good writing will mislead you!

[Sandy]

I finished and I was right. Thanks for the credit Teri-K.

[Frances]

I finally got a copy of this book and time to read it, so I am starting today and hope to finish in the next week or so.

[Judy]

Hope you enjoy it, Frances. I think it's a fun read.

[Teri-K]

Frances wrote: "I finally got a copy of this book and time to read it, so I am starting today and hope to finish in the next week or so."

I'm glad you were able to get it. Have you read it before? Do pop back and let us know what you think of it! I'll be interested in your opinions and happy to discuss it with you, and I'm sure others will, too.