![]() ![]() ![]() The villain in Dorothy Sayers’ Gaudy Night starts modestly, tormenting the students and staff at Oxford’s Shrewsbury College with damning notes before ratcheting up the tension to almost supernatural heights. ![]() And when that happens, it isn’t long before someone too fragile for these assaults on their mental health contemplates ending it all as the only means of escape. ![]() But when that fails, matters invariably escalate to vandalism and veiled threats. At the start, composing the messages can act as a sort of safety valve, releasing the pressure of too much strong emotion. Unwilling to accept the burden of garden-variety hatred or resentment, the sender indulges in a special kind of malice, exercising their spite by taking it out for a walk. It is the refuge of an unhealthy mind that longs to do something more visceral than poking pins into a poppet. It exists-at least at first-solely to torment. Unlike blackmail notes, the typical poison pen letter doesn’t demand money or favors to purchase peace. Of course, much depends upon the sender’s ultimate intention. Victims begin to jump at shadows and consider even their most devoted friends through new and suspicious eyes. Everyone becomes a suspect every conversation is examined for clues to the sender’s identity and motive. Suddenly, the victim’s peace of mind is shattered and paranoia sets in. However it materializes, the note marks a change. ![]()
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