Full Description

No Wind of Blame

The superlatively analytical Inspector Hemingway is confronted by a murder that seems impossible—no one was near the murder weapon at the time the shot was fired. Everyone on the scene seems to have a motive, not to mention the wherewithal to commit murder, and alibis that simply don't hold up. The inspector is sorely tried by a wide variety of suspects, including the neglected widow, the neighbor who's in love with her, her resentful daughter, and a patently phony Russian prince preying on the widow's emotional vulnerability and social aspirations. And then there's the blackmail plot that may—or may not—be at the heart of the case…

PRAISE FOR GEORGETTE HEYER:

"Our Georgette Heyer display of the Sourcebooks reprints has been a huge success, not only to those early fans like myself, but to many new readers who appreciate her style and wit."
Nancy Olson, Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, NC

"Reading Georgette Heyer is the next best thing to reading Jane Austen."
Publishers Weekly

"Wonderful characters, elegant, witty writing, perfect period detail, and rapturously romantic. Georgette Heyer achieves what the rest of us only aspire to."
Katie Fforde

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Excerpt

Excerpt

Reviews

Reviews

Gumshoe Review Gayle Surrette
When rich widow Ermyntrude Fanshawe married neer-do-well Wally Carter, his ward Mary Cliffe also moves into the household at Palings, becoming Ermyntrude’s social secretary. Wally is always stating that he’ll be rich himself someday even if it’s only inheriting insane Aunt Clara’s money. Mary is aware of his faults and foibles—gambling and women. Ermyntrude has come to recognize that Wally is not the man she thought he was when they met and married but she stands by him.

Vicky Fanshawe, Ermyntrude’s daughter, has finished schooling and is now living at home and is at loose ends. Ermyntrude had been an actress before marrying her first husband and doesn’t want her daughter to follow in her footsteps. So, Vicky does her acting at home by playing various icon society types such as sporty girl, sensible matron, femme fatale, and so on. This of course, can be very trying to the rest of the household, not to mention the police investigators.

Add in a dodgy friend of Wally’s, Harold White, and his two adult children, a neighbor or two, the country doctor, a Russian Prince in exile and looking to marry money, unrequited love, a wronged mistress, murder, police inspectors local and from Scotland Yard, mix well and you get an amazingly convoluted mystery.

This is one of those mysteries where there are lots of people who could have reason and ability to do the deed, but there is no apparent way it could have been done. Every bit of evidence seems to indicate that a different person is guilty. Then there’s Vicky playing parts, Ermyntrude’s histronics, Mary trying desperately to hold things together, and the usual rumors when murder occurs in a small village.

Dated by the language and some attitudes, but at heart No Wind of Blame is a modern mystery. Red herrings abound but it is solid police procedures and forensics that solve the case in the end. Heyer may have been the Queen of Regency Romance but she sure could write a good solid mystery.

Reading Extravaganza Lilly
It’s already November, the end of year is near and I can safely speak about who my favorite awesome writer discovery is this year. It is undoubtedly, definitely Georgette Heyer. I am completely taken by this author of mysteries and historical romances and also extremely happy that luck was on my side and I did get to know about her, considering that I had lived on this planet for 31 years (20 of which having been a total bookworm) before I laid my hands on the books of Ms. Heyer. It is therefore not going to be a surprise to you to learn that No Wind of Blame was yet another hit for me.

Wally Carter provided all who knew him many reasons to want to kill him and the list includes his overly dramatic wife, absurdly theatrical stepdaughter and a newly acquainted phony Russian prince who isn’t really Russian and has no princely belongings. However, the fact that everyone had a motive is not what complicates the case of Mr. Carter’s murder. It’s not why but how he was killed that Inspector Hemingway has to figure out first because none of the suspects were anywhere near the murder weapon when it was used to fire the deadly shot. Now Inspector Hemingway has quite a cast of characters to deal with before the guilty party is found and how he gets to interrogate the suspects makes up for one hilarious read.

I honestly cannot praise Heyer’s talent at writing mysteries enough. No Wind of Blame my fourth Heyer mystery I read this year and they just keep getting better for me. On the surface it is a cozy whodunit read in the same field as Agatha Christie’s books. And as such it already would have been enjoyable enough. What makes this book extra special for me is the clever dialogue showing off the absurdity of some human characters and the hilarious comedy of manners. Ms. Heyer will provide you with tons of laughs if only you’ll give it a chance. At least I couldn’t stop myself from bursting out laughing every once in a while. And boy did I need it! I think it takes a special kind of author to write intelligent, hysterical mysteries that provide just the right mixture of entertainment and secrets to keep a reader intrigued and hooked until the last page. I also think that Georgette Heyer is that special kind of author and No Wind of Blame is that special kind of book.

Book Tumbling Christine Zegelis
No Wind of Blame (Georgette Heyer) is a rollicking murder mystery full of colorful players and numerous plot twists. The first quarter of the book is devoted to introducing the reader to the vast array of characters. The descriptions are not overt. Yes, the usual physical details are given but the true nature of each individual is cleverly exposed through dialogue and reactions to situations and each other. Ermyntrude, the drama-queen of a widow, Prince Alexis who blatantly expresses his desire to marry Ermyntrude while her husband was still among the living and the properly steadfast Inspector Hemingway are just a few of the principles that create a quick and sometimes comical read. Personally, my favorite character was Vicky, the daughter of Ermyntrude from her first marriage. Vicky lives each moment of the day as if she is on stage – literally. She changes clothing and personality depending on the situation and other players involved. She actually becomes jealous when she discovers she is NOT considered a prime suspect in her step-father’s murder and creates a storyline making her the “star” of the investigation. The investigation following the murder is a head-spinning venture for Inspector Hemingway with everyone a suspect. His job is made all the more difficult with that not one of those suspected seems to be very concerned and at times, say and do things that creates even more doubt as to their innocence. There are some love triangles, some unexpected twists and a satisfying conclusion.

It took me a few pages to acclimate myself to Ms. Heyer’s writing style. There are some dated phrases but this is to be expected as the book was originally published in 1939. It certainly has stood the test of time and I look forward to reading other titles from this entertaining author.

Enchanted by Josephine Lucy Bertoldi
As you know, I mostly read books based on history (fiction and non-fiction) as well as literary and regency…this one was none of the above. I read it because it was a Georgette Heyer one and I just couldn’t pass it up. I figured that I love a good mystery, humour and Heyer- so I made the exception and took the plunge into a 20th c read. Blame it on Georgie…

No Wind of Blame is an hysterically funny murder mystery. Who gets killed? No other than the most inconsiderate, obnoxious, good for-nothing, adulterer, gambler, schemer, middle-aged- and he’s not even remotely close to being handsome; Wally Carter. Wally is married to a once-famous actress, the very flamboyant, but kind and warm-hearted, Ermyntrude. The couple lives with Ermyntrude’s eccentric young daughter, Vicky and plain Mary, Wally’s niece.

Everything is in preparation for a grand dinner for their guest, the Russian Prince Varasashvili (whom everyone, except Ermyntrude, thinks is way over the top). All the guests, which include some neighbors (liked and disliked) and friends (including those who would rather be more than just friendly towards Ermyntrude)are also invited to hunt for sport.

As situation will have it, Wally has one… with all the characters in this story. Firstly he owes money he gambled, to his neighbor Mr. White(who is crude and detested by Ermyntrude for his vile ways). Then there’s Mr. Steel, who is secretly (but it’s no secret) in love with Ermyntrude and this annoys Wally in no small way. Pierce is a young man who claims that Wally has misled a young lady and she is now in the ‘family way’ so he wants Wally to own up (ca-ching, ca-ching). Vicky is the young step-daughter who is always causing him stress with her young mundane ways. Mary, his niece, has taken Ermyntrude’s side now that he’s claimed a gambler and a womanizer. Then there’s the desolate Ermyntrude who is hysterical with him for having gotten hismself into so much trouble (but nonetheless, she’s rich and he desperately needs her money to clarify all his troubles). Lastly, there’s that darn Prince (whose name matches that of Wally’s dog)- The Prince who is way too elegant and way too gallant towards Ermyntrude…

On that fatal day that Wally gets shot, who’s to blame? Everyone’s got motive and everyone’s got a glitch in their story or alibi. It’s more than touch- and –go for the inspectors and just when the suspect seems found and the mystery solved, something else comes up.

Heyer’s talent is incredible. How she’s kept me dancing through more than 360 pages of ‘It’s him-No -it’s her’, I just don’t know. All I know is that I laughed right through this one.

For anyone who loves a good funny mystery, read this. You won’t be disappointed. As for me, I’m done- although I did find this entertaining and a definite change of pace and genre, it’s back to Heyer regencies from here on.

I’d like to Thank Danielle from Sourcebooks for this fun and engaging read.

Book-a-Rama Christina MacLean
Wally Carter’s been murdered. Shot dead in his backyard. The people with the motive to kill Wally are numerous. The Russian Prince in love with his wife, the disgruntled brother of his pregnant lover, or his angry wife; the list is endless. But they all have alibis and Wally’s end is a head scratcher for the local authorities of this small English village.

Enter Inspector Hemingway from Scotland Yard. He’s been around his fair share of murder cases but even he’s stumped. Every lead comes to a dead end. One way or the other, the Inspector will get his man- or woman.

No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer is my first Heyer mystery. Unlike her Regency or historical novels, No Wind of Blame is contemporary- for Heyer that is, written in 1939.

No Wind of Blame is not just a mystery; it’s funny and entertaining. The characters are quirky and the dialogue witty. Retired actress Ermyntrude (how’s that for a handle?) is the epitome of the word diva, with her hysterics and drama. Her daughter Vicky is following in her footsteps. She never enters a ’scene’ without being in character, complete with the appropriate costume. Mary is the straight man in this comedy trying to wrangle the characters together and make them act sensibly. The women are the stars of this story, even Inspector Hemingway takes a backseat to the ladies.

As for Inspector Hemingway, we know he’ll solve the case, of course, but although I suspected the who, the how surprised me. Everyone had a reason to kill Wally; he wasn’t a well loved guy. The Inspector is never fazed. He knows that there is much that the suspects aren’t telling. The evidence will solve the case.

If you enjoy mystery, humour and a pinch of romance, you’ll be entertained by No Wind of Blame.

Highly recommended.

We Be Reading Kristen M.
Of the Georgette Heyer mysteries that I’ve read so far, No Wind of Blame is one of my favorites. It has a more balanced set of characters—with a few that are even tolerable people—and a strong mystery.

With the first third of the book reserved for character development before the murder, this book shows the strength of the Heyer mystery. A pieced-together family lives in their English countryside home, Palings. We have Ermyntrude Carter, a widow on her second marriage with an adult daughter, Vicky, from the first. Her husband of the last two years is Wally Carter who brought along with him his cousin and adult ward, Mary Cliffe. They are an unconventional set that have their good days and bad. Ermyntrude was on the stage in her youth and Vicky spends her days on her own mental stage and gets through her days by acting in different personae. In the adjoining Dower House is Wally’s distant relative, the generally-disliked Harold White, who tends to bring out the worst in Wally. Ermyntrude has a retinue of admirers in the picture as well and when Wally is murdered one afternoon, there is no shortage of suspects.

I really enjoyed this book and it is one that I would definitely recommend to someone new to Georgette Heyer’s mysteries. There were a few twists and turns and the requisite Heyer romance. It also features a new detective from Scotland Yard, Inspector Hemingway, who has a great sense of humor to match his strong wits. I hope that the next mystery I read is as strong as this one.

An unexpected murder can ruin any pleasant afternoon,
K

Apprentice-Writer Maya Missani
Premise
Host of country house party dies unnaturally; all present have reason to welcome this development.

Cover
Very pretty. Great chartreuse color, not overdone. Don’t entirely comprehend the title but it is irrelevant, anyway; it is the famous author readers come for, and her name is understandably more prominent than the title. The cover girl looks like a quintessential flapper with her marcelled hair, sleeveless dress, and smoke-curling cigarette from the days when smoking was still considered sophisticated. The only surprise is that she holds it barehanded rather than in a cigarette holder or with elbow-length gloves.


What Works
This was Apprentice Writer’s first Heyer mystery, and what fun it was. The assembled characters and how they bounce off each other were wonderful: Russian prince, disingenuous daughter, belligerent schemer, neglected wife, husband on a tight leash, noble admirer, sensible poor cousin, irate villager who refuses to accept supposed innate superiority of the rich and titled - all encountered by the mystery reader before, but all well done, and all deserving of the question ’Or is he/she?’ following description of their surface persona. This means the question "Who had the motive and possibility to do the deed?" transforms into "Who of the plentiful supply of people with motive and possibility was the most likely?"

The country house, the grounds, the dower house tucked away out of sight, the household rituals and pets - all can be easily visualized. But it is the character descriptions and little bits of interaction between them that typify the story most and where it shines:

"Mrs. Carter stretched out a plump arm to the toast rack She was a large woman who had enjoyed, in her youth, the advantages of golden hair and a pink-and-white complexion. Time had committed some ravages with both these adjuncts...Artificial light was kinder to her than the daylight, but she never allowed this tiresome fact to worry her...she never put on her corsets until fortified by breakfast. (Her niece) had never been able to accustom herself to the sight of Ermyntrude’s flowing sleeves trailing negligently across the butter dishes and occasionally dipping into her coffee..."

What reader could dislike a character called Ermyntrude? Certainly not this one.

"Vicky came in some little time after the tea table was spread. Mary had little patience for poses, but had too much humor not to appreciate the manner of this entrance. Vicky was sinuous in a teagown that swathed her limbs in folds of chiffon, and trailed behind her over the floor. She came in with her hand resting lightly on the neck of the dog, and paused for a moment, looking round with tragic vagueness. The dog, lacking histrionic talent, escaped from the imperceptible restraint of her hand to investigate the Prince."

Etc. If this type of description appeals to the Gentle Reader, by all means pick up this story. If it makes the Gentle Reader impatient and long to get on with the clues and crime instead of the crumpets, it may be that a different sort of mystery may be better for them. But for Apprentice Writer, the mix was right.

What Doesn’t
The copyright of this book was registered in 1939, and reflects a bygone social system and language. Some readers may need more time than others to become accustomed to dialogue saturated with class consciousness and putdowns of varying subtlety aimed by almost everyone at almost everyone else, linked to focus on appearance, lack of it, wealth, lack of it, intelligence, lack of it, social ambition, lack of it, conformity to gender stereotypes, lack of it.... The Gentle Reader gets the picture.

Taken literally, it presents a picture of a world the modern reader (or perhaps, simply the non-British one) would find difficult to relate to. It is AW’s understanding, however, that the author is known for her satirical skill; viewed in that light, the characters’ relentless snippy comments towards others coupled with utter certainty of their own superiority becomes a very telling criticism of such attitudes, and thus in reality, a strength of the novel.

Overall
A most entertaining story for a rainy afternoon with a pot of tea. Great for fans of British house parties, Oscar Wile’s zingers, and the era of Hercule Poirot.

Mystery Librarian Chanya Harris
I have always liked author Georgette Heyer. I started reading her mystery novels back in the late 70’s during what I call my “Georgette Heyer Infatuation Phase.” I liked her writing so much that I actually read her biography. That’s why I was so glad to see what looked like a new book by Georgette Heyer titled No Wind of Blame. I knew it couldn’t truly be a “new” mystery book (she died in 1974) but I didn’t recognize the title. Once I started reading it I realized I hadn’t read it during my Georgette Heyer phase.

The Story:
This book is a romantic mystery set before the First World War. The characters are typical of that historical era. The main character is a woman named Mary Cliffe who is the ward and cousin of Wallace Carter. Wallace is a bumbling, grumbling, ineffectual yet likeable character who is rather funny and endearing. Wallace is married to Ermyntrude Fanshawe, a wealthy, kind, but often common woman. Ermyntrude had a daughter from a former marriage, Vicky, who was educated at an elite private school. Vicky has a huge imagination and loves to create drama however Mary is more grounded and sensible. Since they both live at home they sometimes get on each other’s nerves but overall, they really like one another.

The mystery takes off when Wallace is murdered while walking to a friend’s home.

As you can imagine, this book contains lots of characters who might want Wallace dead. There’s the sleazy Russian prince who’s staying at Wallace’s home and wants to marry Ermyntrude for her money. There’s a wealthy farmer who’s loved Ermyntrude for years. And lastly, there’s Mary, who may be in a position to inherit money from a rich aunt upon Wallace’s death.

This makes for an interesting mix of suspects in the demise of poor Wally. Adding to the cast of characters (and suspects) are young, handsome, aristocratic Hugh (which both girls fancy) and the good looking, well-respected bachelor doctor.

The clever, shrewd and witty Sergeant Hemingway is called in when Wally’s corpse is found. As you can imagine he has a plethora of suspects to choose from in this intricate mystery set in the early years of the twentieth century. Needless to say, as with all of Georgette Heyer’s novels, there IS a happy ending, but you’ll be hard pressed to guess whodunit!

I’m so glad a Georgette Heyer novel has returned to my life, especially one I missed reading in the 70’s. It reminded me of all the good times I had reading them in my earlier years, and I hope that more of her novels are reprinted soon.

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Trade Paper Specfications

• Length: 7.00 in
• Width: 5.00 in
• Height: 0.00 in
• Weight: 12.00 oz
• Page Count: 368 pages