Next to last in my Georgette Heyer murder mystery marathon, The Unfinished Clue was superbly typical Heyer. She really hit the right note throughout!
Nasty but wealthy General Arthur Billington-Smith gets it in the neck and everyone who happens to be staying in the house has a reason to murder him. Was it his long suffering wife who is in love with another man, or the husband of the shallow beauty the General has been flirting with? Or could it be his son whom he despises and threatens to cut out of his will? Or maybe his nephew who needs money? We see the story unfold from Dinah's perspective. She's the wife's younger sister. We also see it unfold from Inspector Harding of Scotland Yard's view point. Lots of interesting characters and, of course, a love story. I completely didn't figure out who did it in this one.
This one would be great made into a movie. But I will say that I do get a bit tired of the occasional antisemitism that was so prevalent in British writing in the 1930s. Also, she always has something unkind to portray about 'foreigners.' Heyer was a great writer but of her time. She definitely was a classist bigot too, unfortunately. So one does have work around that little foible. But other than that, a really fun read.
Typical enjoyable Heyer. Two thumbs up! For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
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