Clouds of Witness

"Clouds of Witness" is the second detective novel featuring Lord Peter Wimsey by British author Dorothy L. Sayers. First published in 1926, the story centers around Lord Peter Wimsey's family. His brother, the Duke of Denver, is renting a shooting lodge in the country and, mysteriously at 3 a.m. one morning Captain Denis Cathcart, the fiancé of Wimsey's sister, Mary, is found shot outside the lodge. Denver becomes the primary suspect, as he was found kneeling over the body and he admits to having argued with Cathcart that evening. He also refuses to explain where he had been or why he was outside. Wimsey and his friend, Inspector Charles Parker, investigate the murder, which is complicated by Mary's unwillingness to cooperate. Wimsey refuses to give up, however, and works tirelessly to clear his brother of guilt, including undertaking a dangerous transatlantic flight to retrieve important evidence. An exhilarating and entertaining tale of dangerous affairs, hidden engagements, murderous violence, and damaging misunderstandings, "Clouds of Witness" has been a popular detective novel since its publication. Readers will enjoy witnessing the continued development of Sayers' beloved character Wimsey into an honorable and clever man of action in this engaging and enduring mystery.