Unnatural Death · Chapter
XX: Murder explained
Parker investigates Mary Whittaker's disappearance, discovering she destroyed her photographs after Agatha Dawson's death.
What happens
Parker investigates Mary Whittaker's disappearance, discovering she destroyed her photographs after Agatha Dawson's death. He gathers local group photos and sends Vera Findlater's pictures to the police. A boy-scout leads them to Shelly Head, where Vera Findlater's body is found with a spanner and a man's cap. Footprints indicate a struggle and a second car. The Austin is found in a wood, with a marked copy of The Black Mask suggesting a clue.
Themes in this chapter
The Ambiguity of Evidence
The chapter presents ambiguous clues such as the marked magazine, footprints, and the cap, leaving interpretation open.
Psychological Manipulation
Mary Whittaker's destruction of photographs and her influence over Vera Findlater suggest manipulative behavior.
Characters to notice
- Detective Inspector Parker
Investigates Mary Whittaker's disappearance, gathers photographs, and leads the search at Shelly Head.
- Lord Peter Wimsey
Accompanies Parker to Shelly Head, examines evidence including the cap and the marked magazine.
- Mary Whittaker
Disappeared; her footprints are found at the scene, suggesting she was taken in another car.
- Vera Findlater
Found dead at Shelly Head with a head wound; her photographs are sent to police.
- Miss Alexandra Climpson
Mentioned as possibly able to obtain a photograph of Mary Whittaker; she is out when Parker visits.
- Bunter
Not directly present but referenced in the context of Wimsey's team.
Key passages
“Parker, too, had spent a disappointing half-hour. It appeared that Miss Whittaker not only disliked having her photograph taken, but had actually destroyed all the existing portraits she could lay hands on, shortly after Miss Dawson’s death.”
Parker's investigation was frustrating; he learned that Mary Whittaker had destroyed all her photographs after Agatha Dawson's death.
Highlights Mary's secretive behavior and possible guilt.
“On the ground, close to the dead girl’s head, was a thick, heavy spanner—unpleasantly discoloured and with a few fair hairs sticking to its jaws.”
Near the victim's head lay a heavy spanner, stained and with blonde hairs attached.
Key piece of physical evidence suggesting murder.
“He put his hand down behind the cushions of the car and pulled out an American magazine—that monthly collection of mystery and sensational fiction published under the name of The Black Mask.”
Wimsey found a copy of The Black Mask magazine hidden behind the car cushions.
Potential clue; a marked title may indicate a message.