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Daisy Dalrymple #3
Requiem for a Mezzo
In March 1923, the Honourable Daisy Dalrymple takes a break from her writing to attend a performance of Verdi's Requiem at the Albert Hall with Scotland Yard's Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher. The tickets are a gift from Muriel Westlea, Daisy's neighbor and the sister of Bettina Westlea, who will be singing the mezzo role. What should be a pleasant afternoon is quickly disrupted when, during the performance, Bettina falls dead on stage--killed by cyanide poisoning. While it is quickly determined that Bettina's on-stage glass of liqueur was laced with the poison, discovering the person responsible will not prove to be an easy task.
Bettina was neither well liked nor well behaved, and many of her colleagues, associates, and even her family had good reason to want her dead. Daisy, determined to help Detective Chief Inspector Fletcher whether he wants help or not, decides to do some investigating on her own. But with so many suspects, the murderer may well go free....
Bettina was neither well liked nor well behaved, and many of her colleagues, associates, and even her family had good reason to want her dead. Daisy, determined to help Detective Chief Inspector Fletcher whether he wants help or not, decides to do some investigating on her own. But with so many suspects, the murderer may well go free....
249 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
Carola Dunn
101 books860 followersCarola Dunn is the author of more than 30 Regency romances, as well as 16 mysteries (the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series is set in England in the 1920s). Ms. Dunn was born and grew up in England, where she got a B.A. in Russian and French from Manchester University. She travelled as far as Fiji before returning to settle in California. After 30 years in the US, she says she still sounds as if she arrived a month ago.
Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.
Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)
Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.
Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
August 7, 2012
Had it not been for Jessica Ennis and Mo Farrar et al i probably would have finished this ages ago. It is an easy quick read of the Agatha Christie school though the plot is nowhere near as well set up. This is the first of the series that i have opened and it teeters on the edge of whether I will bother to open any others. It was a perfectly serviceable story involving a murder, lots of suspects, over the top characters and a solution with some love interest thrown in but that was its problem.....oodles of writers have blazed this trail before and Dunn seems just to be trailing along in the cinders left by the passing flames.
The story is set in the early 1920's and everything that could be crammed into the story is crammed in. We have, in the space of 232 pages, references and links to the Russian Revolution, the 'Great War', the weird new fashions of hairstyle and dress, the clash of the old pre-War society and the thrusting new one, the seeking of new career paths and the seeking after female independance, the rise of the 'lower classes' and the ebbing away of the 'upper class' but it all rings pretty hollow. All the characters, whether good or bad, are so telegraphed ahead that it would take a total idiot not to know where the story is going. I am rubbish at guessing the murderers in stuff and yet I knew from far back in the book who did the deed. Dunn tried far too hard to tell us which characters we were supposed to like and loathe, the ones we were supposed to smile at and those we were to sneer at. When it suited her story, infidelity was to be tutted over and frowned upon but then at other times it was presented as the path to release and fulfillment. Come on Dunn, lets have a bit of consistency here.
Our heroine, the Honourable Daisy Dalrymple, is the daughter of an aristo but she is only honourable cos her title could not be inherited by a woman but passes to the next male heir, a cousin. Her burgeoning romance with the Detective Chief Inspector enables all sorts of predictable plotlines to move forward. There are also heavy doses of anti-semitism from many of the characters which, though sadly present in society at this time, is rather laid on with the proverbial trowel. There are excitable foreigners and mousey sisters, bitchey sopranos and lustful tenors and there is even a ridiculously unsympathetic vicar thrown in for good measure. Cliche after cliche, exaggeration after exaggeration. Not particularly bad but not particularly good. I would say this is a 2.5 leading to a 3. An easy read for times when you are likely to be interrupted a good deal. Train journeys, waiting in the dentist, stuck in traffic but not a book that brings you into a real place.
Now here comes a diatribe from me and apologies ahead of time but you can always miss this bit out. She and 'all her set' talk in that ridiculously stupid way that only characters in books written about the 1920's or 30's ever speak. I mean seriously, did anybody on God's earth ever say 'spiffing' or 'ripping' or 'you are a duffer' or other such inanities anywhere other than in the imagination of writers desperate to create a social strata that, though it really existed, would no more have spoken in such stupid, clipped ways than would people now really grab their groins for no apparent reason, poke the air with their hands as they speak and say innit and kinda and bro and the other inarticulate nonsense that has been created as the new 'youff speak' had it not been made clear that that is the cool way to speak.
Actually thinking about it, perhaps Dunn is right, maybe they did talk in such stupidly effected ways because peer pressure, as we see every day on the media, can create empty, meaningless inarticulate nonsense and so, just as i am pleased I am too old to bow to pressure and tug on my groin in public to punctuate anything I might have to say, so i am also pleased that I was spared the inane, pretentious drivel of the flapper era......maybe that is why i don't like PG Wodehouse.
WHUMP.....that was me climbing off my soapbox
The story is set in the early 1920's and everything that could be crammed into the story is crammed in. We have, in the space of 232 pages, references and links to the Russian Revolution, the 'Great War', the weird new fashions of hairstyle and dress, the clash of the old pre-War society and the thrusting new one, the seeking of new career paths and the seeking after female independance, the rise of the 'lower classes' and the ebbing away of the 'upper class' but it all rings pretty hollow. All the characters, whether good or bad, are so telegraphed ahead that it would take a total idiot not to know where the story is going. I am rubbish at guessing the murderers in stuff and yet I knew from far back in the book who did the deed. Dunn tried far too hard to tell us which characters we were supposed to like and loathe, the ones we were supposed to smile at and those we were to sneer at. When it suited her story, infidelity was to be tutted over and frowned upon but then at other times it was presented as the path to release and fulfillment. Come on Dunn, lets have a bit of consistency here.
Our heroine, the Honourable Daisy Dalrymple, is the daughter of an aristo but she is only honourable cos her title could not be inherited by a woman but passes to the next male heir, a cousin. Her burgeoning romance with the Detective Chief Inspector enables all sorts of predictable plotlines to move forward. There are also heavy doses of anti-semitism from many of the characters which, though sadly present in society at this time, is rather laid on with the proverbial trowel. There are excitable foreigners and mousey sisters, bitchey sopranos and lustful tenors and there is even a ridiculously unsympathetic vicar thrown in for good measure. Cliche after cliche, exaggeration after exaggeration. Not particularly bad but not particularly good. I would say this is a 2.5 leading to a 3. An easy read for times when you are likely to be interrupted a good deal. Train journeys, waiting in the dentist, stuck in traffic but not a book that brings you into a real place.
Now here comes a diatribe from me and apologies ahead of time but you can always miss this bit out. She and 'all her set' talk in that ridiculously stupid way that only characters in books written about the 1920's or 30's ever speak. I mean seriously, did anybody on God's earth ever say 'spiffing' or 'ripping' or 'you are a duffer' or other such inanities anywhere other than in the imagination of writers desperate to create a social strata that, though it really existed, would no more have spoken in such stupid, clipped ways than would people now really grab their groins for no apparent reason, poke the air with their hands as they speak and say innit and kinda and bro and the other inarticulate nonsense that has been created as the new 'youff speak' had it not been made clear that that is the cool way to speak.
Actually thinking about it, perhaps Dunn is right, maybe they did talk in such stupidly effected ways because peer pressure, as we see every day on the media, can create empty, meaningless inarticulate nonsense and so, just as i am pleased I am too old to bow to pressure and tug on my groin in public to punctuate anything I might have to say, so i am also pleased that I was spared the inane, pretentious drivel of the flapper era......maybe that is why i don't like PG Wodehouse.
WHUMP.....that was me climbing off my soapbox
September 10, 2019
The book equivalent of a sitcom. Entertaining and requires nothing on my part. These are fabulous little go-to books during times of strife and turmoil. Yesterday I called it “Nancy Drew for Grown Ups.”
January 13, 2019
Another fun murder mystery in the Downton Abbey tradition, although this one takes place entirely in London. Daisy's relationship continues to deepen with Alex, but that's about the only reason to read these in order. Well narrated & a pretty good mystery, although I had some trouble keeping 2 of the couples straight. There are a lot of suspects & those 2 couples just didn't strike me as memorable enough. The rest of the characters were, though.
I'm looking forward to reading #4 when I can get it from the library. No big rush, as these are a bit like dessert.
I'm looking forward to reading #4 when I can get it from the library. No big rush, as these are a bit like dessert.
September 6, 2017
3.5 stars. These are sort of delightfully light and readable, without doing anything annoying.
And the mysteries are half-decent.
Basically, I really like the characters. Particularly the policemen. Tring and Ernie, and their teasing and banter with Alec is fun. Also enjoy Alec and Daisy's dynamic. And Daisy's habit of exclaiming "Spiffing!" amuses me to no end.
Perhaps I am easily amused, but you know what? If other things are stressful, why not?
And the mysteries are half-decent.
Basically, I really like the characters. Particularly the policemen. Tring and Ernie, and their teasing and banter with Alec is fun. Also enjoy Alec and Daisy's dynamic. And Daisy's habit of exclaiming "Spiffing!" amuses me to no end.
Perhaps I am easily amused, but you know what? If other things are stressful, why not?
June 6, 2021
Requiem for a Mezzo
3 Stars
The Honorable Miss Daisy Dalrymple and Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher attend the opera only to find themselves enmeshed in a murder investigation when the Soprano Mezzo, who also happens to be Daisy's neighbor, is poisoned on stage. As the details emerge, it is revealed that more than one person might have wanted the diva dead.
Not as entertaining as the first two books mostly due to the fact that the mystery leaves much to be desired.
To begin with, the victim is a nasty piece of work and it is difficult to drum up any sympathy for her. The suspects, of which there are far too many to keep track of without a notebook, are all stereotypical and cartoonish, and it is easy to figure out the culprit and the motive.
Nevertheless, the ongoing character development for Daisy is engaging and her relationship with Alec is progressing in the right direction. The playful banter between Daisy, Alec, and the two police officers under his command is particularly entertaining.
Overall, not the best effort, but I am enjoying the series and the next one takes place on a train á la Murder on the Orient Express!
3 Stars
The Honorable Miss Daisy Dalrymple and Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher attend the opera only to find themselves enmeshed in a murder investigation when the Soprano Mezzo, who also happens to be Daisy's neighbor, is poisoned on stage. As the details emerge, it is revealed that more than one person might have wanted the diva dead.
Not as entertaining as the first two books mostly due to the fact that the mystery leaves much to be desired.
To begin with, the victim is a nasty piece of work and it is difficult to drum up any sympathy for her. The suspects, of which there are far too many to keep track of without a notebook, are all stereotypical and cartoonish, and it is easy to figure out the culprit and the motive.
Nevertheless, the ongoing character development for Daisy is engaging and her relationship with Alec is progressing in the right direction. The playful banter between Daisy, Alec, and the two police officers under his command is particularly entertaining.
Overall, not the best effort, but I am enjoying the series and the next one takes place on a train á la Murder on the Orient Express!
January 8, 2021
Wieder ein unterhaltsamer Cozy-Krimi
February 1, 2021
Trochę mi się dłużyła, w dodatku w trakcie dopadł mnie zastój czytelniczy hah, poprzednie części podobały mi się bardziej, ta była ok
June 11, 2015
It seems that period cosy mystery writers feel the need to write certain "installments" in their series. We have the War Hero Mystery, the Train Mystery, the House Party Mystery, the Sporting Event Mystery, the University/Public School Mystery, the Formal Dinner/Ball Mystery...and in this case, the Musical Mystery. When I started this one, I was strongly reminded of Greenwood's Murder and Mendelssohn, except in this case it's the mezzo of the title who gets topped instead of the director. I've sung in many a chorus as a contralto. Believe me, you do want to kill the soprano soloist--frequently.
This little diva really had it coming--but who dun it? The betrayed husband, one of her many lovers, the sister she treats like a servant, or the Unusual Ukranian bass?
Daisy has mysteries of her own--should she finally bob her hair? Where are things going with Alec? To tea or not to tea?
A light, enjoyable bit of froth that I read in a couple of days. Good fun, and she avoided the pitfalls of putting 21st century language or attitudes into vintage minds, this time. My only complaint was that the end was chopped off, leaving us hanging, wondering what was going to happen at that all-important tea date!
This little diva really had it coming--but who dun it? The betrayed husband, one of her many lovers, the sister she treats like a servant, or the Unusual Ukranian bass?
Daisy has mysteries of her own--should she finally bob her hair? Where are things going with Alec? To tea or not to tea?
A light, enjoyable bit of froth that I read in a couple of days. Good fun, and she avoided the pitfalls of putting 21st century language or attitudes into vintage minds, this time. My only complaint was that the end was chopped off, leaving us hanging, wondering what was going to happen at that all-important tea date!
November 21, 2017
These are cute short cozy mysteries, playing homage to Agatha Christie. I'm not sure how many times Daisy can just happen to be around when there is a murder, but we shall see as the series progresses ;)
September 25, 2008
I got excited when the second book of this series was pretty good. I was hoping for some sort of steady upward progression. Unfortunately, Dunn took another dip with book three. Although the main plot is well developed, several tangents remain cloudy and, well, tangential. The story centers on the poisoning of Bettina Westlea, a successful but spiteful soprano. Daisy, a friend of the deceased sister, decides to help Alec Fletcher investigate. There is no lack of suspects, since Bettina had many enemies. Several rival singers, a fledgling conductor, Bettina's sister Muriel, Muriel's suitor, and the wives of several men that Bettina fooled around with all look like possible murderers. Somehow Dunn slips a anarchist plot into the mix, which makes for a few too many red herrings for my taste. But the character development is decent and Dunn explores the interesting relationship between Alec and Daisy. Alec seems overly persistent in pushing Daisy away, but things are looking up by the ending.
August 17, 2021
Dieses Mal wieder als Hörbuch, auch nett. Die deutsche Hörbuchsprecherin (gibt's bei Bookbeat und damit wohl auch bei Spotify) liegt mir sogar mehr als die englische, die ist mir nicht britisch genug... Die Geschichte ist wieder nett, aber von denen, die ich bisher gelesen/gehört habe, nicht unbedingt ganz die stärkste - für knapp 4 Sterne reicht es noch. Die gute Muriel fand ich ein bissle arg pinzig und weinerlich, die Konfrontation von Lucy mit dem Inspektor fand ich aber klasse.
November 13, 2022
Good fun. Carols Dunn enhances the story with lots of great details about the world of music.
November 9, 2022
Still enjoying this series. Not too much emphasis on romance; mystery dominates.
January 26, 2019
Reviewed for the Bibliophibian.
The Daisy Dalrymple books are definite cosies: mostly victims the reader will dislike, while the real culprit is never someone the reader is meant to like, or had a really good reason if they are; a ‘clean’ romance, with Alec and Daisy decorously falling in love with only hints here and there of physical lust; blood and guts minimised. Requiem for a Mezzo continues in that vein as expected, with the poisoning of a woman who rather made the lives of everyone around her miserable — a literal diva who has made a career for herself as a singer at the expense of her sister. The villain is not quite as expected, mind you — but I won’t spoil that part for you.
The investigation goes along as expected: various suspects, the weird complication of a Ukrainian terrorist group (an issue mostly skirted around and not used to full potential), plenty of red herrings. Daisy remains likeable, though not someone I’d ever invite round to my house (someone would be sure to die). She’s a little bit too perfect, despite her unfashionably rounded figure and her freckles (it all just makes her sound comfortable and cute to the modern reader), but she gets away with it. Alec isn’t too clever, but avoids ever relying hopelessly on Daisy’s help. It’s all within the bounds of tolerability — this makes it sound like I’m damning the books with faint praise, which is not my intention: I deeply enjoy them for the cosy mysteries they are.
I found the resolution of this one maybe a little too pat. I don’t believe in the motive, and feel like we ended the book without an answer as to who was the real culprit. But it’s still fun, and there were some lovely character moments: not just Daisy and Alec, but little glimpses of other people’s thoughts and feelings that make it feel a little more real.
The Daisy Dalrymple books are definite cosies: mostly victims the reader will dislike, while the real culprit is never someone the reader is meant to like, or had a really good reason if they are; a ‘clean’ romance, with Alec and Daisy decorously falling in love with only hints here and there of physical lust; blood and guts minimised. Requiem for a Mezzo continues in that vein as expected, with the poisoning of a woman who rather made the lives of everyone around her miserable — a literal diva who has made a career for herself as a singer at the expense of her sister. The villain is not quite as expected, mind you — but I won’t spoil that part for you.
The investigation goes along as expected: various suspects, the weird complication of a Ukrainian terrorist group (an issue mostly skirted around and not used to full potential), plenty of red herrings. Daisy remains likeable, though not someone I’d ever invite round to my house (someone would be sure to die). She’s a little bit too perfect, despite her unfashionably rounded figure and her freckles (it all just makes her sound comfortable and cute to the modern reader), but she gets away with it. Alec isn’t too clever, but avoids ever relying hopelessly on Daisy’s help. It’s all within the bounds of tolerability — this makes it sound like I’m damning the books with faint praise, which is not my intention: I deeply enjoy them for the cosy mysteries they are.
I found the resolution of this one maybe a little too pat. I don’t believe in the motive, and feel like we ended the book without an answer as to who was the real culprit. But it’s still fun, and there were some lovely character moments: not just Daisy and Alec, but little glimpses of other people’s thoughts and feelings that make it feel a little more real.
March 17, 2017
Bk3 in the Daisy Dalrymple series is as charming and fun as the first two. Belonging definitely in the "cozy crime" category, it's light and easy to read and is perfect as a palate cleanser between heavy novels or just to lighten your mood. If you're a fan of Dame Agatha and Phryne Fisher, you really need to get your hands on this series, you won't be sorry. I'm just happy that there's about twenty books so far, and I think she's still writing!
September 15, 2017
Predictable plot that serves as a vehicle to develop the main characters relationship. That may be pretty standard cozy mystery fare, but I'm disappointed in Daisy's lack of deductive ability. It makes sense that the actual police detective is the one who figures it all out and catches the criminal, but in that case, shouldn't it be the Alec Fletcher mystery series?
December 30, 2023
I was looking for a light read during the holiday week, and these Daisy Dalrymple books are fun. I'm all caught up on my favorite cozies, so I thought I would try this series. I don't feel compelled to race through the entire series, but did enjoy reading or listenting to the the first three books in the series. The narrator is pleasent to listen to.
August 12, 2020
Fun, but not a great mystery. I love Daisy Dalrymple and Alec Fletcher and read these books mostly for them at this point, so this was a fun read even though I did not particularly like any of the characters involved in the murder mystery and wondered for at least the last third of the book why it was taking so long for the two of them to realize who the murderer really was.
January 12, 2022
I like our two protagonists well enough, but this portrayal of a murder mystery among musicians was difficult to swallow. It hasn’t put me off the series, but this wasn’t as compelling as one would hope. 2.5 stars
November 7, 2018
Lovely cosy crime
May 22, 2020
Well read
October 9, 2020
Another ‘fun’ murder mystery, if murders can actually be ‘fun’.
September 18, 2022
Fun mystery read, especially while in London.
March 15, 2024
This is a fun series of cozy mysteries. Fun characters
Read
April 2, 2024DNF- too slow for me
March 5, 2023
Book 3 of 15
I love the Daisy Dalrynple mystery murders. The plot, characters and the audio are all amazing and the stories are very entertaining.
A good book and a outstanding cover is a win win for me.
I love the Daisy Dalrynple mystery murders. The plot, characters and the audio are all amazing and the stories are very entertaining.
A good book and a outstanding cover is a win win for me.
July 20, 2023
A good mystery with with plenty of suspects for Alex and his team to unravel with help from Daisy.
May 24, 2023
This was okay. I like Daisy and Alec, but I found this a bit predictable and my attention kept wandering.
Read
May 1, 2024A short fun mystery. Interesting characters and Daisy being irrepressible and madcap in London seems a little more fitting than in the more dour setting of the last book. Looking forward to the next one.
January 17, 2012
3-3.5 stars
You can count on the Daisy Dalrymple series to contain interesting and varied characters in the 1920s, post-WWI Britain era - aristocrats, middle class, servants, and just about everyone "in-between". They're solid books, easy to read, not too taxing on the brain, and generally provide the reader with all the necessary clues to solve the mystery. Sometimes, the clues come early and the murderer is obvious - as in this book. But they're delightful reads, mostly because of the main characters: Daisy (the "Honorable"), Chief Detective Inspector Alec Fletcher (a love interest for Daisy), Lucy (Daisy's friend and flat-mate), Philip Petrie (childhood friend), and Alec's fellow Scotland Yard men: Sergeant Tripe and Ernie Piper.
In this book, Alec and Daisy are out on a date, attending a matinee performance of an opera, Verdi's Requiem, when the Mezzo-Soprano, Daisy's next-door neighbor, Bettina (Elizabeth "Betsy") Westlea (aka Mrs. Roger Abernathy) dies on-stage, just before one of her big solo parts. Bettina had just taken a drink of her wine, when she sputtered and choked, and then fell. The bitter smell of almonds was everywhere. But was it truly cyanide poisoning? Because Bettina drank ratafia, a British "lady's" liquer made from the same peach and almond pits as cyanide and with the distinct almond odor and flavor.
And who killed Bettina? Her downtrod sister, Muriel, who was in the Chorus - never the golden-haired, beautiful favorite like her sister, Muriel was expected to take care of her sister by her parents and her sister. She saw to Bettina's every need, and even lived with Bettina and her husband, Roger, in London as a sort of housekeeper. Bettina had interfered constantly in Muriel's life, selfishly claiming every ounce of attention and glory. And when Yacov Levich, a Russian Jew who plays the violin in the orchestra, started paying attention to Muriel, Bettina threatened to tell their parents, effectively putting an end to any hopes Muriel might have had of a relationship.
Was it her sainted husband, Roger Abernathy? Bettina only married the older man because he was her ticket out of Hampshire -- he offered marriage and vocal lessons... and possible connections. But Roger wasn't young, gorgeous, or rich. And he had a heart condition. And he knew of Bettina's many love affairs. Did he really love her enough to overlook those infidelities and the crass, cruel way she treated him? Bettina even left all her worldly goods to her sister Muriel, not her husband - another slap in Roger's face?
Was it Yacov, trying to make the way for himself with Muriel?
Was it one of Bettina's many former or current lovers? Gower, the tenor, who usually preferred the exotic foreign beauties, but chose Bettina and promised to use his influence to push her career farther and higher? Mrs. Gower, who put up with foreign mistresses, because Mr. Gower always came back to her and the husband at the end of the season; was she afraid that the British Mezzo-Soprano would steal her husband away for good? The Ukrainian bass, Marachenko, who had given Bettina a fortune in smuggled Russian jewels -- the same man she'd publicly slapped and called names, shaming and embarassing him?
Was it the conductor, Cochrane? He showed up to her house weekly... but it wasn't for Bettina, it was for Oliva Blaise, taking voice lessons with Roger. Bettina threatened to reveal their affair to Mrs. Cochrane. Did Cochrane kill her to prevent her from tattling? Or did Olivia try to protect her lover? Or was Olivia trying to eliminate her competition? After all, Olivia was to have the Mezzo-Soprano role before Bettina blackmailed her way into it. Or was it Mrs. Cochrane, the older, rich woman whom Cochrane married for position and money? Mrs. C is almost another Lady MacBeth, willing to do whatever it took to further her husband's career and secure a baronetcy or knighthood for him.
And will Daisy and Alec ever have a real date without a murder interfering?
--------------
There is always a large and varied cast of characters in these books, and sometimes it takes a bit to sort out who is whom. This book is no exception.
It's interesting to watch Alec walk the tightrope between professional and personal... see him struggle with Daisy being involved in his murder investigations, yet know that he can rely on her to find info and help get to the truth. Daisy is also walking her own tightrope, falling for Alec but dealing with the lines between the classes, somewhat blurred by the war, and yet firm in the minds of many; upper-class aristocrats and middle-class policemen (however educated) don't mix socially or personally.
Good read!
You can count on the Daisy Dalrymple series to contain interesting and varied characters in the 1920s, post-WWI Britain era - aristocrats, middle class, servants, and just about everyone "in-between". They're solid books, easy to read, not too taxing on the brain, and generally provide the reader with all the necessary clues to solve the mystery. Sometimes, the clues come early and the murderer is obvious - as in this book. But they're delightful reads, mostly because of the main characters: Daisy (the "Honorable"), Chief Detective Inspector Alec Fletcher (a love interest for Daisy), Lucy (Daisy's friend and flat-mate), Philip Petrie (childhood friend), and Alec's fellow Scotland Yard men: Sergeant Tripe and Ernie Piper.
In this book, Alec and Daisy are out on a date, attending a matinee performance of an opera, Verdi's Requiem, when the Mezzo-Soprano, Daisy's next-door neighbor, Bettina (Elizabeth "Betsy") Westlea (aka Mrs. Roger Abernathy) dies on-stage, just before one of her big solo parts. Bettina had just taken a drink of her wine, when she sputtered and choked, and then fell. The bitter smell of almonds was everywhere. But was it truly cyanide poisoning? Because Bettina drank ratafia, a British "lady's" liquer made from the same peach and almond pits as cyanide and with the distinct almond odor and flavor.
And who killed Bettina? Her downtrod sister, Muriel, who was in the Chorus - never the golden-haired, beautiful favorite like her sister, Muriel was expected to take care of her sister by her parents and her sister. She saw to Bettina's every need, and even lived with Bettina and her husband, Roger, in London as a sort of housekeeper. Bettina had interfered constantly in Muriel's life, selfishly claiming every ounce of attention and glory. And when Yacov Levich, a Russian Jew who plays the violin in the orchestra, started paying attention to Muriel, Bettina threatened to tell their parents, effectively putting an end to any hopes Muriel might have had of a relationship.
Was it her sainted husband, Roger Abernathy? Bettina only married the older man because he was her ticket out of Hampshire -- he offered marriage and vocal lessons... and possible connections. But Roger wasn't young, gorgeous, or rich. And he had a heart condition. And he knew of Bettina's many love affairs. Did he really love her enough to overlook those infidelities and the crass, cruel way she treated him? Bettina even left all her worldly goods to her sister Muriel, not her husband - another slap in Roger's face?
Was it Yacov, trying to make the way for himself with Muriel?
Was it one of Bettina's many former or current lovers? Gower, the tenor, who usually preferred the exotic foreign beauties, but chose Bettina and promised to use his influence to push her career farther and higher? Mrs. Gower, who put up with foreign mistresses, because Mr. Gower always came back to her and the husband at the end of the season; was she afraid that the British Mezzo-Soprano would steal her husband away for good? The Ukrainian bass, Marachenko, who had given Bettina a fortune in smuggled Russian jewels -- the same man she'd publicly slapped and called names, shaming and embarassing him?
Was it the conductor, Cochrane? He showed up to her house weekly... but it wasn't for Bettina, it was for Oliva Blaise, taking voice lessons with Roger. Bettina threatened to reveal their affair to Mrs. Cochrane. Did Cochrane kill her to prevent her from tattling? Or did Olivia try to protect her lover? Or was Olivia trying to eliminate her competition? After all, Olivia was to have the Mezzo-Soprano role before Bettina blackmailed her way into it. Or was it Mrs. Cochrane, the older, rich woman whom Cochrane married for position and money? Mrs. C is almost another Lady MacBeth, willing to do whatever it took to further her husband's career and secure a baronetcy or knighthood for him.
And will Daisy and Alec ever have a real date without a murder interfering?
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There is always a large and varied cast of characters in these books, and sometimes it takes a bit to sort out who is whom. This book is no exception.
It's interesting to watch Alec walk the tightrope between professional and personal... see him struggle with Daisy being involved in his murder investigations, yet know that he can rely on her to find info and help get to the truth. Daisy is also walking her own tightrope, falling for Alec but dealing with the lines between the classes, somewhat blurred by the war, and yet firm in the minds of many; upper-class aristocrats and middle-class policemen (however educated) don't mix socially or personally.
Good read!
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