Duplicate Death - SPOILER Thread - by Georgette Heyer (Feb/March 24)

[Susan]

Welcome to our Feb/March 24 buddy read of Duplicate Death The third book in the Inspector Hemingway series / Book 11 in the Country House Mysteries series was published in 1951.

Inspector Hemingway has his work cut out for him when a seemingly civilized card game ends in a double murder.

The two crimes appear identical, but were they carried out by the same hand?

When Timothy Harte’s young fiancé – a put-upon secretary and suspected gold digger – becomes the inspector’s prime suspect, Harte is determined to prove her innocence.

But when he starts digging into her past, he finds it's more than a little bit shady...

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

[Sandy]

I enjoyed my re-re-read, especially reuniting with Timothy and his brother. Great humorous characters in this book.

[Susan in NC]

Same here, this one is fun!

[Susan in NC]

Judy mentioned Miss Pickhill in the other thread - as I was rereading this time, I had it in my head for some reason, that she was the killer! I have no idea why - turns out her babble provides an important clue to the killer’s identity. I knew she was involved somehow!

[Judy]

I've finished rereading this and didn't remember whodunnit, although as soon as legitimacy was mentioned I thought it must be an important clue - but that was near the end anyway! I enjoyed this one, especially Miss Pickhill and the relationship between Timothy and Beulah, which is making me think that I really must try one of Heyer's Regencies soon - I've been meaning to for years without getting round to it.

[Susan in NC]

I’m not sure which you’d like best, but read a couple GR reviews on whichever title you choose to start with; I’m a casual Heyer fan, but in a group on GR, and while I really enjoy some, there are a handful of titles I avoid like the plague-no humor, or annoying characters, etc. The Heyer group has several members who have encyclopedic knowledge of her work and definite favorites, and discussions can get into the weeds of the plot, characters, history. I just read for enjoyment , move on to the next book - but everyone is very polite and civil in discussions.

The reviews might help you decide whether you want to read a certain title or not.

[Sandy]

Continuing with Heyer's Regency romances: I divide them into two categories. In one the heroine is over-the-hill, usually by 25 or so, and not looking for romance; in the other she is barely of age, impulsive and giddy, but eventually showing good sense.

[Judy]

Thanks, Susan and Sandy. I've read a couple in the past and I know the quality varies, so I'll remember to check the reviews before choosing one to try next, Sandy, a bit depressing to think of being over the hill at 25! ;)

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Continuing with Heyer's Regency romances: I divide them into two categories. In one the heroine is over-the-hill, usually by 25 or so, and not looking for romance; in the other she is barely of age..."

I’d say that’s a fair assessment! Would only add some have a bit more adventure/humor vibe, where the romance is a bit more in the background.

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "Thanks, Susan and Sandy. I've read a couple in the past and I know the quality varies, so I'll remember to check the reviews before choosing one to try next, Sandy, a bit depressing to think of bei..."

lol! Yes, the bad old days…

[Jackie]

Susan in NC wrote: "Judy mentioned Miss Pickhill in the other thread - as I was rereading this time, I had it in my head for some reason, that she was the killer! I have no idea why - turns out her babble provides an ..."

I not done yet but don't you mean the babble of the seamstress Miss Spennymoor? Miss Pickhill is the sister of Mrs Haddington (Cynthia's Aunt).

I find both of them funny as characters, and would probably dislike them in real life.

[Jackie]

Judy wrote: "I've finished rereading this and didn't remember whodunnit, although as soon as legitimacy was mentioned I thought it must be an important clue - but that was near the end anyway! I enjoyed this on..."

Judy, I'm a more rabid Heyer fan than Susan in NC, and if you can tell me what it is about the relationship between Timothy and Beulah you like I'll take a shot at recommending a romance.

I like them all but many (and all the mysteries) were an acquired taste.

I should wait until I've finished the re-read (again!) but I'll say here, this one was not enjoyable for me at first. I disliked that Beulah was "sullen", but it makes sense given what she's been through. I got to feeling better about her on re-reads, which I continued to do because I like Hemingway so much.

Probably my favorite Heyer mystery is Envious Casca largely due to how much Hemingway makes me laugh.

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Judy mentioned Miss Pickhill in the other thread - as I was rereading this time, I had it in my head for some reason, that she was the killer! I have no idea why - turns out her..."

Oh, thanks, Jackie, I never remember character names! Yes, that’s what I meant. I agree, they are both amusing in the plot, but in real life they’d drive me nuts!

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "Judy wrote: "I've finished rereading this and didn't remember whodunnit, although as soon as legitimacy was mentioned I thought it must be an important clue - but that was near the end anyway! I en..."

Oh, Casca is a fun Christmas reread - great characters, humor, holiday setting’

[Jackie]

I finally finished it again and I think I enjoy more with each re-read! Certainly some very interesting characters and I've gotten over disliking Beulah for her starting out "sullen".

But I'm with Jim Kane on having trouble putting up with Nanny, much more of her baby talk and I'd want to do some violence.

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "I finally finished it again and I think I enjoy more with each re-read! Certainly some very interesting characters and I've gotten over disliking Beulah for her starting out "sullen".

But I'm with..."

lol, there was a Nurse character who took care of county mothers about to give birth, or elderly folk in a few Angela Thirkell’s Barsetshire books - same insane cheeriness, talked to everyone like they were a child- very funny, but I imagine would be very hard to live with her!

[Judy]

Jackie wrote: "Judy, I'm a more rabid Heyer fan than Susan in NC, and if you can tell me what it is about the relationship between Timothy and Beulah you like I'll take a shot at recommending a romance..."

Thanks Jackie! I think it's the way he is so totally loyal - when she says she may not be right to him or reveals dark secrets that might put him off, he never considers the idea of splitting up for a second.

I also like the way she can't help being amused by him even when she is trying to be noble and give him up. On Beulah being sullen, I think it's hardly surprising after being jailed for a crime she didn't commit.

I do agree with you and Susan about the Nurse, absolutely infuriating - but hilarious!

[Jackie]

Judy, I thought for sure I'd have some advice for you but I think all of Heyer's heroes are loyal as it's something she values herself.

honestly, I'll bet you like any of the romances you try.

ETA maybe not Cousin Kate.

[Judy]

Jackie wrote: "Judy, I thought for sure I'd have some advice for you but I think all of Heyer's heroes are loyal ... honestly, I'll bet you like any of the romances you try. ..."

Thanks, Jackie! I'll make a date with one very soon and let you know :)

[Frances]

I've just finished this one and quite enjoyed it! I also liked the relationship between Timothy and Beulah, and would have liked to see more of them together. I kept getting confused about the relationships between Timothy, his brother, their mother vs Jim's wife-I wish they'd used Pat's name instead of referring to her incessantly as Mrs James Kane!

The mystery was quite intriguing until the solution hinged on someone taking down a painting, removing the wire, replacing it with string, rehanging the painting and then strangling Mrs H with the wire-that was just too unbelievable even for a committed mystery fan! And Lance, who seemed like a bit of an airhead, would be the last one to do something like that-so when that started to seem like the solution I wondered if it was in fact his sister Beatrice who did it!

Anyway, I look forward to reading the last in the series next.