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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Listened to BBC Radio production on ride to CT for Thanksgiving. Reminded why I can't stand Lord Peter Wimsey - insufferable, classist, thoroughly obnoxious. My companions seemed to like it OK, though.
Harriet Vane, on a walking holiday, discovers a body on a rock about to be washed away by the tide. She examines and photographs it. The police have to decide if it was suicide or murder (the body is eventually recovered) and Sir Peter Wimsey travels down to assist and vouch for Harriet. Overall very enjoyable, especially the relationship between Harriet and Peter. The plot is pretty convoluted and far-fetched, but it moves along briskly for the most part, although I did skim various paragraphs about timings and horses and speeds and skipped an entire chapter in which a cipher is broken. Bunter shadowing a suspect was a lovely chapter. My enjoyment was slightly marred by the fact that my copy is missing four pages and I somehow managed to remember the fact which is the key to the whole thing from the last time I read it, about 25 years ago!
Ahhh what a book so witty and sharp, especially the interaction between peter and Harriet soo sweet. There were moments I simply burst out laughing not because it was bad but because there are moments of light comic affect and just brilliant word play. I have to admit whatever I may have said before about this series I was completely wrong this is a joy to read am looking forward to the next.
A young woman falls asleep on a deserted beach and wakes to discover the body of a man whose throat has been slashed from ear to ear ...
Without expectations, this book becomes a beautiful picture of what respectful love looks like rather than an exercise in frustration because you just want Harriet to get over herself already. Is it the slowest of slow burns? Oh absolutely. On the third re-read, though, you find yourself more and more understanding Harriet's point of view and being grateful that Lord Peter does too. The burden of indebtedness is huge and both people needed the time they took in order to work through that and come out the other side.
A body is found on the beach and Lord Peter Wimsey is called in to solve the case.
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not sure how many times I've read this, but I've had my copy since about 1986. As well as a complex and satisfying murder mystery this is, of course, enjoyable because of the developing relationship between Harriet and Lord Peter.
Much better than Five Red Herrings if only because of how much active, involved Harriet we get in this one. She steals the show, and the moments between her and Peter are some of my favorite in the series so far, including their telegrams and the scene where he talks about why he won't stop asking her to marry him. The ending sums up my feelings about the actual mystery though - if our two sleuths ultimately give up on it, I kind of wish I had a lot earlier, too. But thinking back it was worth it, if just for Harriet Vane.
I love Sayers' Harriet Vane - and Harriet in combination with Peter Wimsey is an excellent team-up.