Review copy was received from Library. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers Narrator: Mark Meadows
Series: Lord Peter Wimsey #2
Published by Dreamscape Media on January 11, 2022
Genres: Mystery
Length: 9 hours, 35 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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Rustic old Riddlesdale Lodge was a Wimsey family retreat filled with country pleasures and the thrill of the hunt -- until the game turned up human and quite dead. He lay among the chrysanthemums, wore slippers and a dinner jacket and was Lord Peter's brother-in-law-to-be. His accused murderer was Wimsey's own brother, and if murder set all in the family wasn't enough to boggle the unflappable Lord Wimsey, perhaps a few twists of fate would be -- a mysterious vanishing midnight letter from Egypt...a grieving fiancee with suitcase in hand...and a bullet destined for one very special Wimsey.
Hi ho, Lord Peter fans! He’s off to tackle another mystery and this time it hits close to home. Set post WWI during the exciting Roaring Twenties, Lord Peter’s personality is larger than life and was fun to see him among his family and friends rootling out the truth that both his siblings are working to hide for their own secretive reasons.
Clouds of Witness is the second book in the series and would work fine standalone.
A body is discovered near the conservatory door of the Duke of Denver’s hunting lodge where he’s hosting a hunting party. Unfortunately, Denver is discovered with the body and the coroner’s court determines to arrest him. Lord Peter hies it home from his travels in the Med to help out his brother from going to the gallows and solve it for his little sister’s sake since the deceased was her fiancé.
Loved the atmospheric York moors and the phlegmatic Yorkshire people getting to be the backdrop for this whodunit country house party murder. Sayers doesn’t limit her cast of suspects to the houseparty themselves, but include the possibility of the unknown when Peter and Parker detect clues that hint at outside night-time visitors to the lodge.
The first half of the book was light and fun and loaded with lots of Peter detecting with the help of his valet, Bunter, and his friend in Scotland Yard, Inspector Parker. I enjoyed seeing Peter interact with the younger sister he realizes he barely knows now and his older brother, Gerald who can be pompous. The Dowager duchess is a hoot and is the source of all Peter’s personality.
But the second half around the three-quarter mark really slowed down when the court scenes began. There is a background suspense of Peter still pulling together clues as the clock is ticking. But, there were two things that were entirely superfluous and dragged the story to a grind. First, the letter read in court was read in its entirety in French and then entirely in English. It wasn’t short- it was necessary, but not two times worth. Secondly, after all the evidence and what should have been a quick wrap up, instead we got the lawyer retelling a redundant whole history of the case. All stuff the reader got from the previous pages. Then at the end, the lawyer finally hit on new details and the book wrapped up with a hilarious scene.
All in all, I enjoyed this fun historical cozy murder mystery written during the Golden Age of British Mysteries. Definitely recommend when readers want a classic.
Narration:
Mark Meadows was a solid narrator and did great with Lord Peter’s antics, the thick Yorkshire accents and the French with all the cast of characters easily distinguished.
Listen to the clip:Â HEREÂ
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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This isn’t an era I really have read much from, but a mystery sounds like a great place to start. Thanks!
Yeah, I love Agatha Christie, but I wanted to read other classic Brit mysteries, too. These are lighter and cozier, but a good mystery.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it even with some niggles and that the narration was really good!
Yeah, it was a tight story until that last section, but I’m definitely becoming a Lord Peter fan. 🙂
I do love Peter Wimsey stories. I’ve read them all several times and have several in my collection. (Mostly the ones with Harriet)
I wish I had started reading them earlier, Glynnis. I’ve watched the TV adaptions, but I’ve enjoyed the first two books just as much. I can’t wait to get the the Harriet books.
I’m glad to hear you liked it for the most part.
Yeah, its been fun exploring these classic mysteries, Mary. 🙂
historical cozy murder mystery? Fun!
You said it, Carole. 🙂
I prefer Agatha Christie and Patricia Wentworth but I am trying to read more Sayers. I enjoyed this one and am hoping to read more of her books in 2024. Great review!
I’ve not tried any Patricia Wentworth yet, but the library has several of hers so I’ll get to them. I plan to get through a few more of these in 2024 too.
Court scenes are rough to make fun
Very true! The tension was great when I was really hoping Lord Peter would get the evidence in time. But, after when they did the rehash, that was blah for me.