LemonSky reviewed In the teeth of the evidence, and other stories. by Dorothy L. Sayers (The Collected edition of detective stories by Dorothy L. Sayers, v. 15)
Review of 'In the teeth of the evidence, and other stories.' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
A good mix of Sayers' short fiction, which is not limited to her Wimsey stories.
In the title story, Lord Peter Wimsey is called upon by his fellow club member - and dentist - Mr Lamplough is called in by Scotland Yard to help identify a body:
"Apparently this man Prendergast was all alone there - and just going off for a holiday or something -and he contrived to set himself and his car and his garage alight last night and was burnt to death. In fact, when they found him, he was so badly charred that they couldn't be sure it was he. So, being sticklers for routine, they had a look at his teeth."
Wimsey steers the detectives and Mr Lamplough towards the truth, which they are completely overlooking. There are references to a real life murder that, unfortunately, give away what happened if you're familiar with historic …
A good mix of Sayers' short fiction, which is not limited to her Wimsey stories.
In the title story, Lord Peter Wimsey is called upon by his fellow club member - and dentist - Mr Lamplough is called in by Scotland Yard to help identify a body:
"Apparently this man Prendergast was all alone there - and just going off for a holiday or something -and he contrived to set himself and his car and his garage alight last night and was burnt to death. In fact, when they found him, he was so badly charred that they couldn't be sure it was he. So, being sticklers for routine, they had a look at his teeth."
Wimsey steers the detectives and Mr Lamplough towards the truth, which they are completely overlooking. There are references to a real life murder that, unfortunately, give away what happened if you're familiar with historic crimes like I am. An excellent story, though, with humor and good supporting characters.
In "Absolutely Elsewhere," Wimsey investigates the murder of a wealthy moneylender. The complication is that all the suspects seem to have an alibi - they were all somewhere else at the time. Or were they? It got a little confusing at times, and I think the trick involved is rather dated now, but it is a good job of misdirection.
There are five stories involving a lesser-known Sayers detective, Montague Egg, a wine salesman. He reminded me of Jessica Fletcher - wherever he goes, people turn up dead ;) The stories are amusing and clever and have a light touch, but they don't really stand out like the Wimsey/Vane stories do.
"Dilemma" - A group of people discusses the case of a young doctor who had the choice of saving priceless papers that could lead to a cure for a deadly disease, or he could save the drunken butler who probably started the fire in the first place. He choose the papers and left the butler to his death. His act earns him widespread derision and hatred, and completely ruins him. Was his decision right or wrong?
"Nebuchadnezzar" is a party game similar to charades:
"You choose a name - and unless your audience is very patient, it had better be a short one - of some well-known character. Say, Job. Then you act in dumb show a character beginning with J, then one beginning with O, then one being with B. Then you act Job, and the spectators guess that Job is what you mean and applaud kindly."
Cyril Markham is attending the birthday party of one of his late wife's friends. The other guests are also her friends. They are not Cyril's friends. He has never fit in amongst them. He has always felt apart, especially since his wife's death. Why did they invite him to the party? Do they have an ulterior motive? A good psychological suspense story with a twist at the end.
"The Inspiration of Mr Budd" - a meek little barber hits upon a wonderful idea to catch a murderous fugitive - something that will definitely make the killer stand out. Very humorous, especially the ending.
All in all, a good mix of stories that show how versatile Sayers was as a writer.
