Shakespeare References in Mrs. Pargeter’s Pound Of Flesh

Simon Brett’s mystery novel Mrs. Pargeter’s Pound Of Flesh contains a few Shakespeare references. The first, obviously, is in the very title of the book, which is a reference to The Merchant Of Venice, and specifically to Shylock’s bond. That title is what drew me to the book in the first place. The first reference within the book’s pages, however, is not to Merchant, but to Hamlet. Simon Brett writes: “But Mrs. Pargeter had interrupted him firmly, insisting she always would pay for everything. ‘Neither a lender nor a borrower be,’ she had said, quoting another of the late Mr. Pargeter’s regular sayings (though he may perhaps have borrowed that one from someone else)” (p. 76). Yes, indeed he did. The line is part of the advice that Polonius gives to Laertes.in the play’s first act. It isn’t until near the end of the book that Simon Brett refers to The Merchant Of Venice, writing “Shylock was not more pertinacious in his demands than she in her determination to settle scores with Julian Embridge” (p. 197). And then: “His betrayal of the late Mr. Pargeter was avenged. Mrs. Pargeter had her pound of flesh” (p. 204).

Mrs. Pargater’s Pound Of Flesh was published in 1992. My copy was the hardcover edition.