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clacksee's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I kind of expected the racism. And the classism. I didn’t expect the to be quite so bad. The way the end plays out is absurd. The killer was obvious, but I did not expect such a tediously detailed confession.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Classism
Minor: War and Suicide
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
audreylee's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-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
The mystery was fine. The antisemitism was real. Many pages real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Minor: Classism
kjboldon's review
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
antoniac's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Such an interesting mystery, and Lord Peter is such an interesting sleuth. Major minus stars for the gratuitous antisemitism. Although characteristic of many 1920s novels I'd imagine, it makes for extremely uncomfortable reading. I was initially going to go for 2 stars for this, but the late chracter development and the very exciting and satisfying conclusion make it up to 3. I'll maybe return to Sayers in future, just being wary about the very dated language.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Medical content, Gore, and Racial slurs
Minor: Classism
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