# XXI: By What Means? explained — Unnatural Death

> Chapter companion for Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers.

## What happens

Wimsey and Parker, with Dr. Faulkner, discuss the plot against Mary Whittaker and the murder of Vera Findlater. They receive news that Rev. Hallelujah Dawson has been arrested after presenting a £10,000 cheque from Mary Whittaker, which they believe is a plant. Dr. Faulkner confirms that the blow to Vera's head was inflicted after death and that chloroform burns on her face suggest the true cause of death was chloroform, not the gang attack as publicly claimed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Psychological Manipulation

Mary Whittaker and Mrs. Forrest are portrayed as master manipulators, using false clues and alibis to mislead the investigation and frame others.

### The Ambiguity of Evidence

The chapter highlights how physical evidence (the head wound, chloroform burns) can be misinterpreted, and how a clever defense could dismantle the case against Mary Whittaker.

### The Role of Women

Parker and Wimsey discuss how women, when wicked and unscrupulous, can be more ruthless criminals than men, challenging sentimental stereotypes.

## Character check-ins

### Lord Peter Wimsey

Discusses the plot with Parker and Dr. Faulkner, theorizes about Mary Whittaker's schemes, and expresses concern over the arrest of Rev. Hallelujah Dawson.

### Detective Inspector Parker

Coordinates the investigation, receives news of Hallelujah Dawson's arrest, and instructs the press to portray Dawson as the suspect.

### Mary Whittaker

Described as a charming but ruthless young woman who is the prime suspect; her financial transactions with Mrs. Forrest are uncovered.

### Mrs. Forrest

Identified as an accomplice to Mary Whittaker, with financial evidence linking her to the crimes; she is being shadowed by police.

### Vera Findlater

Found dead with a head wound and chloroform burns; Dr. Faulkner determines the head blow was postmortem and the true cause of death was chloroform.

### Rev. Hallelujah Dawson

Arrested after presenting a £10,000 cheque from Mary Whittaker; Wimsey believes he is innocent and that the cheque is a plant.

## Key lines

> When a woman is wicked and unscrupulous, she is the most ruthless criminal in the world—fifty times worse than a man, because she is always so much more single-minded about it.

Parker asserts that a wicked, unscrupulous woman is far more dangerous than a man because of her single-minded focus.

_Reflects the theme of The Role of Women and the perception of female criminals._

> If Cousin Hallelujah has not produced a satisfactory alibi, we shall learn that he was on the spot directing the murderers. If he has definitely shown that he wasn’t there, his name will have been mentioned, or he will have turned up at some time which the poor dear girl couldn’t exactly ascertain, in some dreadful den to which she was taken in a place which she won’t be able to identify.

Wimsey explains how Mary Whittaker's plot is designed to frame Rev. Hallelujah Dawson regardless of his alibi.

_Highlights the theme of Psychological Manipulation and the framing of an innocent man._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xxi-by-what-means
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unnatural_death_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters