Murder in the Morning by Dorothy L. Sayers
Introduction
Dorothy L. Sayers’s short story, Murder in the Morning, features the detective Montague Egg. Mr. Egg is a travelling salesman—polite and quick to notice details—who uses the skills from his job to solve mysteries. He cracks cases by using simple logic and wisdom gained from everyday life.
Sayers is famous for her high-class investigator, Lord Peter Wimsey. However, Egg serves as the reverse of the aristocratic Wimsey, proving that common people are just as smart. This narrative features clear morals, exciting tension, and sharp dialogue, making it a perfect example of classic Golden Age detective writing.
About the Author
Dorothy L. Sayers (1893–1957) was a major author during the “Golden Age” of detective stories. She stood out among great mystery writers like Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh. She didn’t only write mysteries. Sayers also wrote poetry, translated works from other languages, and created essays. Murder in the Morning, featuring Montague Egg, shows that being observant and honest can help solve crimes just as much as having power or high status.
The Character of Montague Egg
Montague Egg is a travelling salesman for a wine and spirit company. He is always polite and professional as he promotes his sales. Both his business approach and his method for solving crimes are guided by rhyming rules from The Salesman’s Handbook, such as “It pays to be polite” and “A good salesman never argues, but always reasons why.” These simple maxims teach him to use careful observation, clear logic, and good manners in everything he does.
A Clever Detective
Egg was on a business trip when he stayed at an inn where a man had been killed. While everyone else was scared and guessing what happened, Egg stayed calm. He looked closely at the place where the murder happened and listened to what people said. He noticed that people weren’t telling the same story. He also saw little things that others missed, like where things were placed or when things happened. Using his smart thinking and being polite, Egg figured out who was lying. He helped find the person who committed the murder and showed that they were not telling the truth. Egg was good at solving this because he watched carefully and thought clearly.
Themes and Style
The mystery takes place in a typical environment, stressing that intelligence and the facts of a situation can be found in everyday life. Good observation and restraint are main ideas, since the correct answer is usually hidden in plain sight. The story also champions strong moral character, proving that courtesy and fairness are necessary steps toward achieving justice. Sayers uses simple, direct language, which allows the reader to follow the clues and solve the puzzle alongside Egg.
Lasting Insights
Even though this story was created many years ago, its message remains important now. It reminds us that being truthful, patient, and watchful are crucial for discovering what is real. Montague Egg is a hero not because of his job, but because of the person he is. His calm spirit and polite ways show us what practical wisdom looks like in daily life. Sayers’s story encourages readers to consider their actions carefully and to notice small details that prove to be very important.
Key Lessons
“Murder in the Morning” clearly shows us that being clever and achieving fairness don’t depend on a person’s status or power. Through Montague Egg, the author Sayers teaches that clean thinking, sharp observation, and the courage to do what’s right can always bring out the truth. The story’s main message is easy to understand but very important: real wisdom comes from paying attention. It also proves that even everyday people can make sure justice is served by being honest and acting with care.
