Golden Age of Detective Fiction

Have His Carcase by Dorothy L. Sayers is the third book I’ll be reviewing from my summer TBR and I probably should have looked at how long the book was before committing to it. At a whopping 499 pages, Have His Carcase is hefty tome for what is ostensibly supposed to be a jaunty summer holiday for Harriet Vane.

Of course, things are never that simple for Harriet, and she is soon the sole witness to a body on the beach before it gets swept out with the tide. Was it a tragic suicide or murder that lead to the death of a man on an isolated stretch of beach?

Plot Synopsis

Have His Carcase, one of Dorothy L. Sayers’ most captivating novels, invites readers to immerse themselves in an intricate web of mystery, romance, and deception. Set against the picturesque yet treacherous backdrop of England’s southwest coast, the story combines the brilliant minds of detective novelist Harriet Vane and the inimitable Lord Peter Wimsey in a quest for truth and justice.

The tale begins with Harriet Vane embarking on a solo hiking holiday along the scenic southwest coast of England. Her peaceful retreat takes a macabre turn when she discovers a man’s body lying on an isolated rock near the resort of Wilvercombe. The man’s throat has been cut, and his blood is still liquid, indicating that he died shortly before Harriet’s arrival. With no footprints in the sand except her own and those of the victim, Harriet swiftly documents the scene, taking photographs and collecting personal items, including the razor used in the murder. Unfortunately, before she can summon help, the rising tide washes the corpse away, leaving behind only the chilling evidence she has gathered.

Alerted by a friend about Harriet’s grim discovery, Lord Peter Wimsey rushes to Wilvercombe to assist in the investigation. Together, they identify the victim as Paul Alexis, a young man of Russian descent employed by a local hotel as a professional dancing partner. The initial police theory suggests that Alexis committed suicide by cutting his own throat. However, Harriet and Wimsey are not convinced.

As they delve deeper, Harriet and Wimsey learn that Alexis was engaged to Mrs. Weldon, a wealthy widow in her fifties. This engagement horrified her son, Henry Weldon, who is appalled at the prospect of his mother marrying a gigolo and potentially losing his inheritance. Described as a simple and brutish man, Henry becomes a primary suspect. He travels to Wilvercombe under the guise of comforting his mother, all the while closely monitoring the investigation. Despite his seemingly solid alibi, Henry’s suspicious behavior keeps him under scrutiny.

The investigation reveals that Alexis’ death was not a suicide but the result of an elaborate murder plot designed to exploit his fantasies. Alexis, an avid reader of Ruritanian romances, believed he was a descendant of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. A series of ciphered letters convinced him that he was destined to return to Russia to reclaim his rightful place as Tsar. He was lured to the isolated rock by an anonymous correspondent who promised that a “Rider from the Sea” would deliver instructions for his journey to Warsaw. Instead, the rider, who had carefully avoided leaving tracks by riding through the incoming tide, met Alexis and murdered him.

The Review

Have His Carcase, one of Dorothy L. Sayers’ most captivating novels, invites readers to immerse themselves in an intricate web of mystery, romance, and deception. Set against the picturesque yet treacherous backdrop of England’s southwest coast, the story combines the brilliant minds of detective novelist Harriet Vane and the inimitable Lord Peter Wimsey in a quest for truth and justice.

The tale begins with Harriet Vane embarking on a solo hiking holiday along the scenic southwest coast of England. Her peaceful retreat takes a macabre turn when she discovers a man’s body lying on an isolated rock near the resort of Wilvercombe. The man’s throat has been cut, and his blood is still liquid, indicating that he died shortly before Harriet’s arrival. With no footprints in the sand except her own and those of the victim, Harriet swiftly documents the scene, taking photographs and collecting personal items, including the razor used in the murder. Unfortunately, before she can summon help, the rising tide washes the corpse away, leaving behind only the chilling evidence she has gathered.

Alerted by a friend about Harriet’s grim discovery, Lord Peter Wimsey rushes to Wilvercombe to assist in the investigation. Together, they identify the victim as Paul Alexis, a young man of Russian descent employed by a local hotel as a professional dancing partner. The initial police theory suggests that Alexis committed suicide by cutting his own throat. However, Harriet and Wimsey are not convinced.

As they delve deeper, Harriet and Wimsey learn that Alexis was engaged to Mrs. Weldon, a wealthy widow in her fifties. This engagement horrified her son, Henry Weldon, who is appalled at the prospect of his mother marrying a gigolo and potentially losing his inheritance. Described as a simple and brutish man, Henry becomes a primary suspect. He travels to Wilvercombe under the guise of comforting his mother, all the while closely monitoring the investigation. Despite his seemingly solid alibi, Henry’s suspicious behavior keeps him under scrutiny.

The investigation reveals that Alexis’ death was not a suicide but the result of an elaborate murder plot designed to exploit his fantasies. Alexis, an avid reader of Ruritanian romances, believed he was a descendant of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. A series of ciphered letters convinced him that he was destined to return to Russia to reclaim his rightful place as Tsar. He was lured to the isolated rock by an anonymous correspondent who promised that a “Rider from the Sea” would deliver instructions for his journey to Warsaw. Instead, the rider, who had carefully avoided leaving tracks by riding through the incoming tide, met Alexis and murdered him.

As Harriet and Wimsey piece together the clues, they realize that Henry Weldon is not the simpleton he appears to be. In reality, he is a cunning criminal living under dual identities. He was the rider who murdered Alexis, aided by two co-conspirators: a friend and his wife. Their alibis, initially watertight, begin to unravel as Wimsey and Harriet discover Alexis’ hemophilia—a blood-clotting disorder that caused his blood to remain liquid much longer than normal. This revelation shifts the time of death, exposing the flaws in the conspirators’ alibis.

In a dramatic climax, the conspirators’ attempts to adjust their alibis fail, and their actual friendship is revealed, sealing their guilt. With the case solved, Wimsey and Harriet can finally reflect on the intricacies of human nature and the lengths to which people will go for greed and deception. Meanwhile, Mrs. Weldon, undeterred by the scandal, moves on to another gigolo.

Have His Carcase is a masterful blend of mystery, character study, and social commentary. Dorothy L. Sayers crafts a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, skillfully weaving together a complex plot and rich characterizations. Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Wimsey’s partnership shines, showcasing their intellect, determination, and undeniable chemistry. This novel is a testament to Sayers’ prowess as a writer and remains a beloved classic in the detective fiction genre.

The Review

Dorothy L. Sayers’ Have His Carcase is a captivating detective novel that expertly blends mystery, romance, and intellectual challenge. Set against the stunning and rugged backdrop of England’s southwest coast, the story brings together Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Wimsey in a quest for justice that is as complex as it is engaging.

The novel opens with Harriet Vane, a detective novelist, discovering a man’s body on an isolated rock near the seaside resort of Wilvercombe. The man’s throat is cut, and the tide is rising, threatening to wash away the evidence. Harriet’s quick thinking to photograph the scene and collect clues sets the stage for an investigation that immediately hooks the reader.

Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Wimsey are a dynamic duo, both intellectually formidable and deeply human. Sayers’ character development is excellent, particularly in depicting their evolving relationship. Harriet’s independence and intelligence make her a compelling heroine, while Wimsey’s charm and wit complement her perfectly. Their chemistry adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative.

The plot of Have His Carcase is intricate and well-crafted. The initial mystery of Paul Alexis’ death, seemingly a suicide, unravels into a much more elaborate and sinister plot. Sayers masterfully weaves in themes of deception, fantasy, and greed, keeping the reader guessing at every turn. The revelation of Alexis’ belief in his royal lineage and the ciphered letters adds a fascinating psychological dimension to the story.

The setting on the southwest coast of England is vividly described, contributing to the novel’s atmospheric tension. The isolated rock, the relentless tide, and the small-town dynamics of Wilvercombe all serve to enhance the sense of mystery and urgency. Sayers’ descriptive prose immerses the reader in the scene, making the investigation feel all the more immediate and pressing.

Fans of classic detective fiction will appreciate the well-placed clues and red herrings that Sayers employs. The novel challenges the reader to piece together the puzzle alongside Harriet and Wimsey. Literally. There’s an entire chapter where Wimsey and Vane create a clue chart and another chapter devoted to decoding the cipher. Have His Carcase also has a brilliant twist that shifts the entire investigation’s timeline, showcasing Sayers’ ingenuity in plotting which is the first time this particular twist has ever been used in fiction.

Beyond the mystery, Have His Carcase explores themes of identity, deception, and the human propensity for self-delusion. The murderer presents themselves as a too weak to have committed the murder but is revealed to be a cunning criminal, underscores the theme of hidden identities. Alexis’ fantasy of royal descent and the lengths to which he is manipulated play into the larger commentary on human vulnerability and gullibility.

While Have His Carcase is a thoroughly engaging read, the complex plot and numerous characters can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, this is a minor drawback in an otherwise excellently crafted novel. Sayers’ ability to blend intellectual challenge with deep character study and an evocative setting makes this book a standout in the genre.

Have His Carcase is a richly rewarding read that showcases Dorothy L. Sayers’ talents as a writer of classic detective fiction. It earns a well-deserved four stars for its intricate plot, strong characters, and thought-provoking themes. Fans of mystery and detective stories will find much to admire and enjoy in this compelling novel.

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