Special Sub-Topic: Wimsey and Vane: Have His Carcase Click Here To Play: Wimsey and Vane: Have His Carcase

In the opening line of the novel, what specifically is Harriet Vane attempting to remedy in her life through her walking trip?

a bruised heart. Sayers opens, "the best remedy for a bruised heart is not, as so many people think, repose upon a manly bosom. Much more efficacious are honest work, physical activity, and the sudden acquisition of wealth."

After finding the body, what does Harriet Vane initially do that is key early in the investigation?

takes snapshots of the murder scene. Realizing that the tide is moving in, the enterprising Miss Vane takes snapshots of the corpse. This is the only early evidence that there is of a body. She also calls to a boat for help, checks out the footprints, and searches the corpse.

Which red wine does Lord Peter mention to suggest the color of dress that Harriet should wear?

Claret. "Claret," said Wimsey. "Chateau Margaux 1893 or thereabouts. I'm not that particular to a year or two."

From which seaside location does the official investigation take place?

Wilvercombe. Harriet establishes her base in Wilvercombe at the Resplendent Hotel. "'Hullo!' she said, wearily. 'Hullo!' said an official voice. 'Is that the Wilvercombe police?'"

What is the supposed surname of the self-proclaimed itinerant hairdresser whose statement backs the initial assumption of suicide?

Bright. Lord Peter is introduced to Mr. Bright by Salcombe Hardy (through the ad in his paper) and on reflection states, "'at the moment there seem to be a good many things that call for justification, but perhaps I shall feel better about them when I've heard what Mr. Bright has to tell me. Have at it!'" Of course, Mr. Bright is not, in actuality, Mr. Bright.

In the course of the investigation, it appears that Haviland Martin's rental car was out of commission. What was memorable to onlookers about the car in which he hitched a ride?

OIOIOI. "Haviland Martin" caught a ride with Mrs. Morecambe whose flashy plate, "OIOIOI" is noteworthy in the establishment of his alibi.

What about Alexis confuses the time of death?

his hemophilia. The clue that Alexis was a hemophiliac confuses the time of death for both his murderers and the detectives. His affliction with this particular disease also supports his claims of Russian royal birth. Many European royal families were also afflicted with this peculiar problem. Alexis' hemophilia helped to convince him of the sincerity of the murderers' story.

By which form of transport did the murderer arrive at the Flatiron Rock?

horse. Lord Peter determines from a dropped horseshoe that Alexis encountered someone riding a "nice little cob, about fourteen hands. Pretty little animal, fairly well-bred, rather given to kicking her shoes off, pecks a little with the off-fore."

Which body part does Bunter recognize of "Bright?"

his back. After returning to Wilvercombe from his tailing adventure in London, Bunter recounts: "he saw the back of the bearded man, outlined against the sudden blue daylight, passing through an exit, and remembered how Wimsey had once said to him: 'Any fool can disguise his face, but it takes a genius to disguise a back.'"

Who murders Alexis?

all three conspire. While Henry Weldon (aka Martin), dealt the death blow, all three (Henry Weldon, Mrs. Morecambe, and Mr. Morecambe (aka Bright)) played pivotal roles in the murder of Alexis.