THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB

In this post-WWI period piece, Lord Peter Wimsey investigates the death of an aged general at his club. His goal is merely to settle an inheritance--until he discovers the death appears suspicious. Ian Carmichael is subtly charming as Wimsey, very much the 1920s toff, with his "ain't" and "righty-ho" and dropped "g's." But Carmichael also manages to convey Wimsey's intelligence and essential seriousness and decency. The rest of the cast supports him ably. Some public locations are indicated by a hollow, echoing sort of sound, which merely seems poorly recorded--a bad choice. But, for the most part, this program is well acted and well made, and very much of its time. Despite a melodramatic ending, it keeps the listener both involved and entertained. W.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2008]