Strong Poison · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers.
Chapter 1
I
The judge delivers his summing-up in the trial of Harriet Vane for the murder of Philip Boyes, outlining the prosecution's case and the circumstances of their relationship, while Lord Peter Wimsey and Freddy Arbuthnot observe from the gallery.
Chapter 2
Chapter II
The chapter presents the judge's summing-up in Harriet Vane's trial for the murder of Philip Boyes. The judge reviews the evidence, including the timing of arsenic ingestion, the presence of arsenic in Boyes' hair, Harriet's purchases of arsenic for her book research, and the lack of evidence that Boyes himself obtained arsenic. He instructs the jury to consider whether there is reasonable doubt about Harriet's guilt.
Chapter 3
The Hung Jury
The jury in Harriet Vane's trial fails to reach a verdict after hours of deliberation, largely due to the steadfastness of Miss Climpson, who refuses to convict. Lord Peter Wimsey expresses his belief in Harriet's innocence and plans to prove it, while the court is discharged and a retrial is ordered.
Chapter 4
IV
Following the jury's failure to reach a verdict, Sir Impey Biggs holds a council of war with Wimsey and Mr. Crofts. Wimsey recounts the jury's internal dynamics, highlighting the stubborn holdout of Miss Climpson and two other jurors. He declares his belief in Harriet Vane's innocence and secures permission to visit her in prison to hear her story firsthand. The chapter ends with Wimsey arriving at Holloway Gaol for the visit.
Chapter 5
V
Wimsey visits Miss Climpson's typing bureau, which is secretly a front for his investigative network of women, to discuss motives for murder. He then goes to Scotland Yard to confront Chief Inspector Parker about the Vane case, urging him to investigate the possibility that Philip Boyes committed suicide by arsenic and to search for evidence in Doughty Street and Mecklenburgh Square.
Chapter 6
VI
Wimsey visits the Rev. Arthur Boyes, father of Philip Boyes, to gather information about his son's death and possible motives. He learns that Philip had changed his will to leave his copyrights to Mr. Vaughan instead of Harriet Vane, and that there was no significant money or insurance involved. Wimsey then visits the publisher Mr. Cole, who reveals that Philip's books are selling well due to the murder publicity, and then sees Harriet's agent Mr. Challoner, who discusses the boom in her book sales.
Chapter 7
VII
Lord Peter Wimsey visits Harriet Vane in prison and discusses a hypothetical murder plot involving a novelist who kills her partner to profit from his posthumous book sales. He reveals he knows about Philip Boyes' will and who inherits, then visits Urquhart's house and office, learning Urquhart is away at Mrs. Wrayburn's. He arranges for Miss Climpson to place a female clerk in Urquhart's office to gather gossip about the Vane case.
Chapter 8
Chapter VIII
Lord Peter Wimsey interviews Ryland Vaughan, who expresses intense jealousy and resentment towards Harriet Vane and reveals his own suicidal tendencies. Wimsey then tasks Bunter with infiltrating the household of Norman Urquhart to gather information. Later, Wimsey discusses the case with Sylvia Marriott and Eiluned Price, gaining insights into Philip Boyes' character and relationships. The chapter ends with a phone call from Chief Inspector Parker, who reports progress in finding the pub and a packet of white powder.
Chapter 9
IX
Mr. Bunter, having successfully turned a note delivery into a tea invitation, visits the kitchen of Mr. Urquhart's house. Over crumpets, he engages Mrs. Pettican and Hannah Westlock in conversation about the poisoning of Philip Boyes, gathering details about the symptoms, the dinner, and the household's knowledge of Mrs. Wrayburn and Mr. Urquhart's affairs.
Chapter 10
Chapter X
Lord Peter Wimsey and Chief Inspector Parker interview Mrs. Bulfinch, a former barmaid who recalls a suspicious young man leaving a white paper packet at the Nine Rings pub around the time of Philip Boyes' death. Later, Wimsey visits Mr. Norman Urquhart, Boyes' solicitor, to discuss the case and learns about the wealthy but senile great-aunt, Cremorna Garden (Mrs. Wrayburn). Wimsey also clashes with Mr. Crofts over his decision to share evidence with the police, insisting on a full acquittal for Harriet Vane rather than a mere doubt.
Chapter 11
XI
Wimsey examines the will of Cremorna Garden, which disinherits Philip Boyes due to a family feud, and discusses the suicide theory with Urquhart. He then visits Harriet in prison, where their conversation reveals Wimsey's jealousy and Harriet's doubts about trust. Later, Miss Murchison sends a note hinting at Urquhart's suspicious financial dealings.
Chapter 12
XII
At the Christmas gathering at Duke's Denver, Lord Peter Wimsey endures a barrage of insensitive and morbid questions about the Vane case from the guests, including Mrs. Dimsworthy, Captain Bates, and others. The conversation reveals the public's prejudiced view of Harriet Vane and the case. Later, Wimsey has a private conversation with his sister Lady Mary, who confides her intention to marry Chief Inspector Parker, despite the expected disapproval of the Duchess Helen.
Chapter 13
XIII
Miss Murchison visits Lord Peter Wimsey's flat for the first time, where he enlists her help in a covert operation to open a solicitor's deed box. She receives lock-picking training from the reformed burglar Bill Rumm, while Wimsey explains his suspicion that Mr. Urquhart showed him a forged draft of Mrs. Wrayburn's will. Miss Murchison is to search for the real will and memorize its key details.
Chapter 14
XIV
Miss Murchison, working late at the office, attempts to secretly access the Wrayburn deed box after Mr. Pond leaves. She is interrupted by Mr. Pond's return, but manages to retrieve the box and, after a tense search in Mr. Urquhart's private office, discovers a Deed of Trust and a letter from Mrs. Wrayburn granting Norman Urquhart full control over her property, along with evidence of a will.
Chapter 15
Chapter XV
Lord Peter congratulates Miss Murchison on her work and takes her to lunch, but his mind is consumed with the need to prove Harriet Vane's innocence. He visits Miss Climpson to enlist her help in investigating Mrs. Wrayburn and her will, then goes to Scotland Yard to confront Chief Inspector Parker about his intentions toward Lady Mary Wimsey, ultimately learning that Parker has a report for him.
Chapter 16
Chapter XVI
Lord Peter Wimsey endures a week of enforced inactivity while awaiting developments in Harriet Vane's case, finding little solace in the happiness of Chief Inspector Parker and Lady Mary Wimsey. Meanwhile, Miss Climpson, now in Windle, begins her investigation into Mrs. Wrayburn. She successfully locates the house, gathers local gossip about Mrs. Wrayburn's past and her nurse companion Miss Booth, and plans to surveil the town's teashops to encounter Miss Booth.
Chapter 17
XVII
Miss Climpson visits Miss Booth under the guise of a spiritualist séance, gathering information about the household and Mrs. Wrayburn while participating in a manipulated table-rapping session.
Chapter 18
XVIII
Miss Climpson returns to her boardinghouse late at night and faces scrutiny from the other ladies about her involvement with spiritualism and Mrs. Craig. Despite their warnings, she continues her investigations with Miss Booth. During a séance, a spirit directs them to search for something beginning with 'B', leading them to discover a hidden safe containing the will of Rosanna Wrayburn.
Chapter 19
XIX
Miss Climpson successfully opens and reads Mrs. Wrayburn's will, discovering that Philip Boyes is the primary beneficiary, and sends it to Mr. Urquhart. She writes to Lord Peter detailing her methods and findings. Wimsey, reading her letter, declares he knows the criminal and motive but admits he does not yet know how the crime was done.
Chapter 20
The Arsenic Test
Wimsey and Parker review the evidence against Norman Urquhart, including his financial motives and lies about Mrs. Wrayburn's will. Bunter performs a Marsh test on powder from Urquhart's envelope, confirming it contains arsenic. Despite this, Parker notes they still lack proof of opportunity for administration. Wimsey stays up late studying toxicology and trial records, eventually deducing how the murder was done.
Chapter 21
XXI
Lord Peter Wimsey proposes to Harriet Vane, who refuses marriage but offers to live with him. Wimsey then meets with a manicurist, Mabel Herridge, and enlists her help in a secret plan to collect nail parings and hair from a client.
Chapter 22
XXII
Wimsey confronts Urquhart with his theory of arsenic immunity, revealing that Urquhart had been gradually immunizing himself with arsenic to poison Philip Boyes without being affected himself. After a tense exchange, Urquhart is arrested by Parker and Bunter.
Chapter 23
XXIII
Harriet Vane is acquitted after the Crown withdraws the charge of murder, and Lord Peter Wimsey defends his sister Mary's desire to marry Chief Inspector Parker while revealing his own intention to marry Harriet.
Chapter 24
Endnotes
The endnotes section provides references to The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club and a note on Valetta.
