Dorothy L Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey series of novels includes the thrilling mystery, Strong Poison.

RV had written about this novel a few months ago. I figured I should give it a try.

Peter Wimsey is a Detective with a small but effective team. Bunter, a shrewd companion of Wimsey, is one of them. Miss Climpson, who has a habit of infiltrating even the most remote places to retrieve artifacts for her boss, is another. Wimsey also has allies in the Police and Attorneys, such as Parker, a police officer who is also fond of Wimsey’s sister.

Strong Poison (1930) –

Lord Peter Wimsey encountered a prisoner by the name of Miss Harriet Vane during her trial for the murder of her ex-boyfriend, Philip Boyes. Harriet had been living with Philip for a year. Philip sounded as if he did not believe married life and relationship. Though Harriet wanted to get married with him, but he convinced her.

But although he wanted to marry her after a year, Harriet refused, feeling that a marriage between them would be a mistake. Because she thought Philip deceived her even though he believed in married life. She felt down as Philip did a trial with her to find out if she would be a fit to be his wife.

Philip was left heartbroken at Harriet’s refusal. He was desperate to meet her one last time in order to try and convince her to change her mind. He did meet her but was unable to persuade her. He fell ill on his journey home, eventually passing away three days later. The circumstantial evidence pointed to Harriet as the murderer.

Wimsey fell in love with her at first sight, just as Kamban wrote of Rama and Sita’s first meeting: ‘அண்ணலும் நோக்கினார் அவளும் நோக்கினாள்’ :). However, Harriet is not Sita and Wimsey is not Rama, right? She did not return his feelings, and Wimsey only wanted her to marry him if she truly liked him, not because he had saved her. Throughout the novel, there were two moments which I truly enjoyed. The first was the conversation between Wimsey and Parker when Wimsey is discussing about Paker’s love for his sister. It was a pleasure to read. The second was when Miss Climpson managed to find the will using a seance; the chapter raced by!

This novel is a must-read!

I’m participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter!

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Borrow – NLB

Buy – Amazon India, Kobo

Related pages – STRONG POISON – Characters By Chapter