No Wind of Blame

No Wind of Blame (1939) Georgette Heyer (Inspector Hemingway #1)

She was a large woman, who had enjoyed, in youth, the advantages of golden hair and a pink-and-white complexion. Time had committed some ravages with both these adjuncts, but a lavish use of peroxide and the productions of a famous beauty specialist really worked wonders.
…
Artificial light was kinder to her than the daylight, but she never allowed this tiresome fact to worry her.

‘Well, I’m sorry you’re so set against Alexis, Wally, but honestly he doesn’t speak foreign.’

‘She’s got under God-Control, or something, and she says what the world needs is God-guided citizens, and if you learn Absolute Love you don’t mind about Ermyntrude’s accent, or Wally Carter’s habits.’

‘Gone Groupy, has she?’ said Hugh. ‘How rotten for Tom!’

‘Well, it is rather, because Connie’s started forgiving him for all sorts of things he never knew he’d done.

‘It seems to me,’ said Wally, with a good deal of asperity, ‘that all you learned at that precious finishing-school of yours was to snoop round listening at keyholes. You may think that a smart thing to do, but let me tell you that it isn’t at all the clean potato.’

Vicky, who had cast herself down on the sofa, raised her face from her hands, and demanded: ‘Why don’t you say something?’

‘I haven’t had time to learn my part, miss,’ replied the Inspector promptly.

‘Inspector, it’s a privilege to know you!’ said Hugh.

Characters: Mrs Ermyntrude (Fanshawe) Carter, Mary Cliffe, Wally Carter, Vicky Fanshawe, Harold White, Alan and Janet White, Hugh Dering, Sir William Dering, Lady Ruth Dering, Connie Bawtry, Tom Bawtry, Robert Steel, Prince Alexis Feodor Gregorovitch Varasashvili, Dr Maurice Chester, Percy Baker, Samuel Jones, Dr Hinchcliffe, Peake, Mrs Peake, Inspector Hemingway, Superintendent Hannasyde, Inspector Cook, Superintendent Small, Sergeant Wake, Jupp, Florence Florrie Benson

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Rating: 8/10

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