Behold, Here's Poison

I reread the classic Georgette Heyer mystery, Behold, Here's Poison, this weekend. This one was written in 1936 so is one of her early mysteries. Gregory Matthews dies of what the doctor calls a heart attack. His family who disliked the head of the family accepts this verdict until his oldest sister insists on an autopsy. No one really believes it's murder, they just think that Gertrude is interfering. In Heyer's mysteries, she emphasizes characters. Aunt Harriet is a wonderful character, Gregory's sister, who has done his housekeeping for years, and has a mania for saving money. She is pitted against, Mrs. Matthews, Gregory's sister-in-law, who sees the best in everyone and manages to get her way no matter what. The real detecting is done by the younger generation of Matthews. The detective, Detective-Superintendent Hannasyde, is almost an afterthought. (In later Heyer mysteries, the police have a much more important role.)

A fun read. Heyer's mysteries can be read in any order so don't look for the first one to start reading. (Her first two are her worst.)