"Busman's Honeymoon" is the final novel in Dorothy L. Sayers' famous Lord Peter Wimsey mystery series, published in 1937. It follows the newlywed couple, Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane, on their honeymoon as they encounter a puzzling and ultimately deadly mystery at their country home in Talboys.
Chapter 1:
The novel opens with Lord Peter and Harriet arriving at Talboys, their newly acquired country home. They are greeted by the staff and the local villagers, who are excited to finally meet the famous sleuth and his newlywed wife. However, their joy is short-lived when they learn that the previous owner of Talboys, Noël Coward, left behind some unfinished business that involves the property. This sets the stage for the main mystery that will unfold throughout the novel.
Chapter 2:
Lord Peter and Harriet explore their new home and its surroundings, including the old mill that comes with the property. They discover that the mill has been left in a state of disarray and decide to take a closer look. Inside the mill, they find a dead body - that of the previous owner, Noël Coward. The police are called and Lord Peter and Harriet are shocked to realize that they are now embroiled in a murder investigation.
Chapter 3:
The investigation begins in earnest with the arrival of Inspector Kirk, who takes charge of the case. He discovers that the cause of death was arsenic poisoning and that Noël Coward's sister, Miss Aggie Twitterton, had been staying with him at the time of his death. She is immediately suspected and taken into custody, but before she can be interrogated, she suffers a heart attack and is unable to provide an alibi.
Chapter 4:
Lord Peter is convinced that Miss Twitterton is innocent and starts to investigate on his own. He discovers that she had been receiving threatening letters before her brother's death, and that Noël had been involved in some shady business dealings. Meanwhile, Harriet tries to deal with the unwanted attention from the media and the villagers, who suspect her involvement in the murder.
Chapter 5:
The investigation takes a new turn when it is discovered that Noël had two wills - one leaving his fortune to Miss Twitterton and the other to his friend Denis Cathcart. Lord Peter and Harriet visit Denis at his hotel in London, where he seems to be hiding something. They also meet Miss Mary Whittaker, Noël's former fiancée and Denis's current partner, who has a volatile relationship with Denis.
Chapter 6:
As the investigation continues, Lord Peter and Harriet discover that Noël's wills are missing and that there is a third will that names Harriet Vane as the sole beneficiary. They also find out that Miss Twitterton was in love with Noël's lawyer, Mr. Murbles, and that he had been present at the mill on the night of the murder.
Chapter 7:
The police receive a confession from a man claiming to be Noël's illegitimate son, who confesses to killing his father for money. However, Lord Peter doubts his story and continues to investigate. He uncovers a deeper conspiracy involving Denis Cathcart, Miss Mary Whittaker, and a financial fraud scheme. As the evidence piles up, Harriet is able to figure out the real culprit and helps Lord Peter bring them to justice.
Chapter 8:
With the mystery solved, Lord Peter and Harriet are finally able to enjoy their honeymoon. However, before they can leave Talboys, they receive a visit from Miss Twitterton's nephew, who confirms their suspicion that she had been covering for someone else. He also reveals that the person she was protecting was Mr. Murbles, who had a secret motive for killing Noël.
Chapter 9:
The novel ends with Lord Peter and Harriet finally leaving Talboys and starting their new life together. They look back on their first adventure as a married couple, thankful for the unexpected thrill that their honeymoon had brought.
In conclusion, "Busman's Honeymoon" is a thrilling and complex mystery that not only keeps the readers on the edge of their seats, but also explores the dynamics of a newlywed couple and the challenges they face in their new life together. Sayers' masterful storytelling and intricate plot twists make this final installment of the Lord Peter Wimsey series a must-read for mystery lovers.
