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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
"She now selected a slinky garment, composed of what male writers call 'some soft, clinging material,' with a corsage which outlined the figure and a skirt which waved tempestuously about her ankles."
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
A very satisfying mystery (if super convoluted) and I just love Harriet always. The evolution of her feelings for Lord Peter, as detailed here, fit in well with previous and subsequent installments of the series — a romance that unfolds gradually over time is for me, the most relatable and delicious!
I’ve been listening to Ian Carmichael’s audio narration for most of my current reread of the Wimseys, and am greatly enjoying it.
I’ve been listening to Ian Carmichael’s audio narration for most of my current reread of the Wimseys, and am greatly enjoying it.
Locked Room Mystery on a Deserted Beach - The First of the Fabulous Final Five Wimseys
Review of the Hodder & Stoughton paperback edition (2016) (with [a:Lee Child|5091|Lee Child|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1377708686p2/5091.jpg] Introduction) of the 1932 original
Review of the Hodder & Stoughton paperback edition (2016) (with [a:Lee Child|5091|Lee Child|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1377708686p2/5091.jpg] Introduction) of the 1932 original
Wo then to whom I shall discover here
Loitering among the tents, let him escape
My vengeance if he can. The vulture's maw
Shall have his carcase, and the dogs his bones.
- Book II, The Iliad, translated by [a:William Cowper|352881|William Cowper|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1423688114p2/352881.jpg] (1791)
This isn't one of Sayers' best. The mystery is overcomplicated and the general story unpleasant, but mediocre Sayers is better than most mystery writers' best efforts.
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Yaaawn. OK, admittedly we were reading it aloud as a bedtime read and it took us months. Too many characters, a hopelessly convoluted plot -- we soon lost track of who was who among the minor characters (not to mention the one who was two people), and of who was where at what time and why it mattered. We started skipping chunks of boring conversation and yes, the whole chapter about ciphers. Ceased to care who had done it and extremely underwhelmed by the ending. I'm giving it two stars because somehow we finished it.
We enjoyed [b:Strong Poison|246225|Strong Poison (Lord Peter Wimsey, #5)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486963427l/246225._SY75_.jpg|1121561], so much snappier and with some entertaining set pieces (the Cattery! The medium! The Soho party!). But I confess to giving up on [b:Gaudy Night|93575|Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Wimsey, #10)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388197565l/93575._SY75_.jpg|341789] out of boredom with the academic arguments. So although she was an admirable person I think I'm done with Ms Sayers.
We enjoyed [b:Strong Poison|246225|Strong Poison (Lord Peter Wimsey, #5)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486963427l/246225._SY75_.jpg|1121561], so much snappier and with some entertaining set pieces (the Cattery! The medium! The Soho party!). But I confess to giving up on [b:Gaudy Night|93575|Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Wimsey, #10)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388197565l/93575._SY75_.jpg|341789] out of boredom with the academic arguments. So although she was an admirable person I think I'm done with Ms Sayers.
Oh, look. The b*tch is back.
Who the f*ck turns down marriage proposals from a LORD with the words "Certainly not" no less than five times like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth? Harriet Vane, that's who.
This mystery is lengthy. And yes, Harriet adds a terrific level-headed counter-balance to all the cops, investigators and whatnot who are grand-standing and theorizing all over the place. She's a character who stands up to post-feminism scrutiny.
And I have learned the fascinating twist in Dorothy Sayers' mystery style. The "Who" dunnit takes a very bland back seat to the question of "HOW" dunnit. Twists with every chapter.
Who the f*ck turns down marriage proposals from a LORD with the words "Certainly not" no less than five times like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth? Harriet Vane, that's who.
This mystery is lengthy. And yes, Harriet adds a terrific level-headed counter-balance to all the cops, investigators and whatnot who are grand-standing and theorizing all over the place. She's a character who stands up to post-feminism scrutiny.
And I have learned the fascinating twist in Dorothy Sayers' mystery style. The "Who" dunnit takes a very bland back seat to the question of "HOW" dunnit. Twists with every chapter.
A bit overlong, not as tight as some of her earlier work