Scan barcode
essiie's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Medical content, and War
Minor: Antisemitism
ijustreallyliketrees's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Murder
Minor: War
zimmerlemon's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Surprisingly funny! Solid if you like Poirot or Father Brown. Some of the turns of phrase are a little confusing since it’s from the 20s but nothing that gets in the way. I liked the cleverness all around.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
phoebemurtagh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, Racial slurs, Medical content, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: War, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Grief, and Alcohol
streberkatze's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Murder
Minor: War and Medical content
kjboldon's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
On a first reading, I gave this a 5? And said: Super entertaining start to a series. Wimsey is an urbane Sherlock, a brainier Bertie Wooster.
On my second reading, I find it full of promising glimmers and dry humor, but uneven. I immediately love Bunter and the nascent friendship between Peter Wimsey and Charles Parker. Wimsey is, as he admits, "a bit of an ass." But a PTSD breakdown with a shell shock episode gives us some interesting nuance for the future. Still, there are remarkably well-written passages and dialogue that zips and sparkles.
But the antisemitism, especially as voiced by the Dowager Duchess, is upsetting, as is her classist reference to the jurists as cattle or sheep. She later proves to be clever and canny and had a few great scenes.
The mystery is complex and detailed, with grisly elements that can be attributes to the Grand Guignol theater Sayers was enjoying while she wrote the book. Sayers was trying hard to conform to the rules of the genre game. She later admitted they were conventional even while she was trying to add novelistic elements to the classic mystery.
On its own merits, I would likely not recommend it, but as the first in a series that gradually gets better on its way to greatness, this is a solid beginning, and worth reading as an introduction to the characters and style that Sayers developed.
On my second reading, I find it full of promising glimmers and dry humor, but uneven. I immediately love Bunter and the nascent friendship between Peter Wimsey and Charles Parker. Wimsey is, as he admits, "a bit of an ass." But a PTSD breakdown with a shell shock episode gives us some interesting nuance for the future. Still, there are remarkably well-written passages and dialogue that zips and sparkles.
But the antisemitism, especially as voiced by the Dowager Duchess, is upsetting, as is her classist reference to the jurists as cattle or sheep. She later proves to be clever and canny and had a few great scenes.
The mystery is complex and detailed, with grisly elements that can be attributes to the Grand Guignol theater Sayers was enjoying while she wrote the book. Sayers was trying hard to conform to the rules of the genre game. She later admitted they were conventional even while she was trying to add novelistic elements to the classic mystery.
On its own merits, I would likely not recommend it, but as the first in a series that gradually gets better on its way to greatness, this is a solid beginning, and worth reading as an introduction to the characters and style that Sayers developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Death, Violence, Medical content, Classism, Murder, and Suicide attempt
brookeshelby's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Truthfully, not my favourite. It certainly had some good moments, fairly lighthearted for a murder mystery, but I had a hard time getting into it. Maybe needs a retry one day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Antisemitism
Minor: Suicide attempt
More...