Detection Unlimited by Georgette Heyer - SPOILER Thread - (July/August 24)

[Susan]

Welcome to our July/August buddy read of Detection Unlimited by Georgette Heyer

Published in 1953 this is the fourth book in the Inspector Hemingway series and Book 12 in the Country House Mysteries series. It is the final mystery by Georgette Heyer and brings to a conclusion another of our buddy read series.

Slumped on a seat under an oak tree is old Sampson Warrenby, with a bullet through his brain. He is discovered by his anxious niece, Mavis, who is just one of the the people in the village in the running for chief suspect, having just cause to dislike Warrenby intensely. Only Chief Inspector Hemingway can uncover which of the ten has turned hatred into murder.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

[Susan in NC]

I had forgotten who the killer was, for some reason thinking it was the squire, which I thought would be heartbreaking- losing his heir in the war, sickly wife, struggling financially, then that. I was so thrilled to read the ending and see for once, the rotten person who I wanted to be the killer was arrested!

[Jackie]

Yes, and I love Hemingway so it's wonderful to see him get the best of the villain, who is truly obnoxious. I believe I was misled and didn't remember who the murderer was the first half dozen times I read it!

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "Yes, and I love Hemingway so it's wonderful to see him get the best of the villain, who is truly obnoxious. I believe I was misled and didn't remember who the murderer was the first half dozen time..."

lol, that’s like me - sometimes I’m enjoying the characters and humor, forget the resolution and whodunnit!

[Sandy]

I read this five years ago and all I remembered was the lady with the Pekes. Usually the book is familiar as I read even if I don't know what is coming next, but not this time. I loved it and will miss Hemingway's attitude. I thought of P D James and how Dalglish would disapprove of these cheerful investigators. I was very glad the farmer's and local gentry's secrets were not revealed.

[Judy]

I didn't suspect the right person for a long time, because his type of humour was so similar to the style of romantic heroes in some of the other books - but then I realised that he hadn't fallen in love with anyone, so he might be suspicious after all!

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "I didn't suspect the right person for a long time, because his type of humour was so similar to the style of romantic heroes in some of the other books - but then I realised that he hadn't fallen i..."

Yes! Exactly what I was thinking! “Jeez, I can’t stand him, but she’s made obnoxious characters sort of an anti-hero in other books, I suppose that’s the case with this guy.” But yes, when there was no sign of redeeming character traits, like someone falling in love with him, or even a screwball comedy, hate-to-love vibe happening, I wondered…even though it was my second read of this one! I couldn’t remember whodunnit

[Frances]

I've just finished this and also sad that this will be the last Hemingway mystery, although I've saved Envious Casca to read over Christmas so I have that to look forward to.
Why does Hemmingway keep changing sidekicks? What happened to Hannyside-or was he just getting too much for Heyer to stick? They also mentioned Grant a few times in this one, and I for one am glad he's gone with his irritating Gaelic words thrown in (I have no problem with gaelic speakers, just the random tossing in of obscure phrases). Mavis really was too annoying and I for one was rooting for her to be the villain, but it would probably have been too much for her to be a secret marksman.

Not sure I buy the solution=I thought it would be obvious if a body had been moved, and the "convoluted plot because the murderer was a mystery writer" thing was a bit much even for me. This might be because it is becoming a thing for mystery characters to comment on how much like a book their situation is which was amusing the first time but now that Anthony Horowitz has taken it to extremes with his Hawthorn and Horowitz series featuring himself (starting with The Word is Murder) as the sidekick it is all becoming a bit too meta for me.

I do like that she squeezed in a romance although it took me a while to differentiate Abby from Mavis (both being someone's niece) and like Susan I was relieved it wasn't the squire or the Lindales, and that their secrets were safe.

I've never read a non-mystery Heyer so am considering doing so-any recommendations? Also, which other series are the Heyer fans reading? I'm doing the Mrs Pargeter ones, and will continue Catherine Aird-any others that would appeal to those who liked the Heyer?

[Jackie]

Hannyside was the original detective and Hemingway was his sidekick.

I loved Envious Casca!

There are tons of good non-mystery Heyers! if you want a little mystery thrown in try The Toll-Gate. Otherwise, my very favorite is The Grand Sophy

[Gretchen]

This was one of the craziest ones maybe because it was written in the classic English mystery but the whole time I was saying to myself this a real murder really did happen it was oh well yes that person is gone such a shame it was so British. Awesome!

[Jill]

This is the last of Heyer's detective series. I liked it but not as much as some of the earlier ones. I'm pleased I got to finally read this last story, but the series is not one I would be likely to read again.

[Susan]

I enjoyed this, having finished it. I would re-read but I don't think I would want to explore her other books. I am not a fan of romance.

[Judy]

Jackie wrote: "There are tons of good non-mystery Heyers! if you want a little mystery thrown in try The Toll-Gate. Otherwise, my very favorite is The Grand Sophy..."

Thanks for the recommendation. I picked up Sylvester the other day as it is on special offer at the moment and sounded good - do you like that one, Jackie? I remembered that False Colours was my favourite when I was a teenager, but I'll save that one for later.

[Judy]

Gretchen wrote: "This was one of the craziest ones maybe because it was written in the classic English mystery but the whole time I was saying to myself this a real murder really did happen ..."

I know what you mean, people often seem to be amazingly unbothered about murders in some of the Golden Age books. While I enjoy lighter books, it's good if there is still some recognition of murder as an appalling crime - it can be a difficult balance to strike. At least Hemingway is determined to get the killer and see justice done.

[Jackie]

I like Sylvester OK, it's not in my top Heyers but it's not at the bottom, either.

it's certainly worth reading!

[Jackie]

Susan wrote

I would re-read but I don't think I would want to explore her other books. I am not a fan of romance.

can you just think of them as historical novels? she wrote a real variety and I hate to think of you missing out on something you might enjoy.