Death in the Stocks by Georgette Heyer
Okay, first of all, don’t you love this cover?
When Arnold Vereker is found stabbed to death in the stocks in the town where he has his vacation home, the problem isn’t so much finding suspects as finding people that are not suspects. Vereker was the unmarried possessor of his father’s great fortune and his half-brother and sister hated him, in addition to having financial motives. Arnold refuses to lend half-brother Kenneth any money to pay off debts or buy an engagement ring for his fiancée; half-sister Antonia’s beau, Rudolph, is denigrated by Arnold to her in a letter and Arnold quarrels with Rudolph the day he dies. It certainly doesn’t help that Antonia and Kenneth are absolutely ridiculous characters. They have no compunction to let everyone know just how little they mourn the passing of their half-brother. In fact, they have quite a rollicking good time teasing that perhaps they did murder him. Their cousin and lawyer Giles Carrington acts as an intermediary between the police and the eccentric Verekers while he tries to get to the bottom of the murder.
Okay, I totally dug this book. I’d read one Heyer before, one of her historical romances. I could tell why people liked her, thought it would be a good comfort read, but wasn’t totally into it. “Death in the Stocks,” though? SO MUCH FUN. Antonia and Kenneth were ridiculous, frivolous, and insipid, and I LOVED them. I don’t know, most of the time characters like that would have driven me batty, but they totally worked for me. I did figure out who the murderer was about halfway through the book, but I still enjoyed it through to the end.
Buy this book from:
Powells.*
A local independent bookstore via Indiebound.*
Amazon.*
Can you believe I’ve never read any of her books? Can you believe I say this all the time about various authors? It really makes me wonder sometimes what the hell I do read.
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Ghosts I Have Been – Richard Peck =-.
I didn’t know she wrote mysteries — I may have to check this one out.
I have been wanting to read Heyer for awhile now after seeing her a lot around the blogosphere. I have already decided that once I finish my current book, I am reading The Convenient Marriage. I can’t wait for my first taste of Heyer!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Library Loot =-.
Oh, this sounds great! I just added it to my wishlist.
That sounds like fun! I’ll have to check my library for it.
I haven’t tried a Heyer book yet, but this one sounds great!
I haven’t read any of her mysteries. I kind of burnt out on the romances, so I think I still need a minute for another of her books. There always seem to be that one over the top character that just drives me nuts.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..The Classics Circuit: A Few Facts About Wilkie Collins =-.
I haven’t read any of her mysteries yet. I’ve always been curious. Your review makes me want to try them out!
I’ve never read Heyer before but her books are getting a lot of buzz lately. I really want to try one of these!
.-= Ladytink_534´s last blog ..What Happens in Vegas… Sometimes Follows You Home =-.
Yay for Georgette Heyer!
.-= Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last blog ..O Come O Come Emmanuel =-.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a review of a Heyer book where the blogger didn’t like the book. I’m definitely going to have to pick up some Heyer soon.
Definitely want to check this book out. It sounds super entertaining.
I really need to try Heyer. I do love that cover!