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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
First read in the mid-1990s ; 5/16/2002 ; 3/11/2003 ; 3/21/2009 reread on Kindle 11/28/2012 ; 5/9/2014 ; 10/28/17
many more rereads than this but don't have records of those rereadings
many more rereads than this but don't have records of those rereadings
It seems a bit strange to rate a mystery on the same scale as a more literary book. As mysteries go, this is a good one. At least the second read for me, and I knew who-dun-it, but it was interesting to watch the plot expand from the beginning, knowing the end. Such fun characters and lively writing.
I'm enjoying my rereading journey through the peter wimsey universe and so far this is still my favorite as always! A lot more subtlety of the overall Wimsey universe can be appreciated when you consume the books one after another, a clearer picture of Wimsey as a feeling being not just a detective protagonist emerges.
Such a delight to read! I'm normally not a mystery novel person because I'm not big on convoluted plots with many red herrings etc, but this one is interesting in that I would quantify it mostly as a comedy of manners that happens to be a mystery novel as well. Sayers has a pitch-perfect, sly comic timing that characterizes all of my favourite novels. It's really not so much about the whodunit (I had a pretty fair idea of the who probably by the time I was a third of the way through) as how Peter's team goes about finding the evidence to prove who had done it. In that sense, it's more about infiltrating places and gaining people's trust in order to break into a safe etc; it has a spy vibe to it. A really fun and hilarious read, and I look forward to reading more Dorothy Sayers in the future.
I continue loving these characters--and am very excited to read/see more of Harriet Vane! The rapport between her & Peter was fantastic. Might have to take a break from these for awhile, but they're just so much fun to read that it's hard to stay away!
2021 Review
I'm going to admit, the mystery itself doesn't quite strike me as 5 stars upon re-read. There are a few too many coincidences for comfort. And it is weird that the story randomly follows the adventure of a middle age lady for like the last third of the book. Harriet gets almost no screen time. And the mystery is more about "how did it happen" than "who did it" considering the pure lack of suspects.
But, oh. Sir Peter. He's gold, pure gold. I adored him. Everything about him is perfection.
I was also struck by the numerous absurd and hilarious scenes in the book. The Dowager Duchess is just amazing. She made me laugh so hard.
Definitely a book I love for the characters over the plot.
2015 Review
Simply marvelous.
Mystery writer Harriet Vane knows all about poison. Unfortunately so does her former lover....he's been killed by it. As the only obvious individual with means & motive, Harriet presents the obvious suspect and is charged accordingly. Sir Peter Wimsey is convinced she didn't do it. He has one month before it comes to trial to save her from the hangman's noose.
It's not just the mystery that makes this novel so wonderful. It's all the characters. Though its a 'Lord Peter Wimsey Novel', many chapters get devoted to 'other' characters and their adventures. It doesn't lose the thread of the plot. It simply follows the natural course which is fabulous. From middle age women learning to pick locks or a bureau funded for sleuthing women, Sir Peter shares the spotlight and it changes the tone for the better.
Its also fun to read a mystery that has, in some ways, 'gone cold'. Sir Peter isn't on the spot to examine the body. He has to pick together clues and hunt for motive. A refreshing change of pace for a detective story.
Easily my favorite Sayers.
I'm going to admit, the mystery itself doesn't quite strike me as 5 stars upon re-read. There are a few too many coincidences for comfort. And it is weird that the story randomly follows the adventure of a middle age lady for like the last third of the book. Harriet gets almost no screen time. And the mystery is more about "how did it happen" than "who did it" considering the pure lack of suspects.
But, oh. Sir Peter. He's gold, pure gold. I adored him. Everything about him is perfection.
I was also struck by the numerous absurd and hilarious scenes in the book. The Dowager Duchess is just amazing. She made me laugh so hard.
Definitely a book I love for the characters over the plot.
2015 Review
Simply marvelous.
Mystery writer Harriet Vane knows all about poison. Unfortunately so does her former lover....he's been killed by it. As the only obvious individual with means & motive, Harriet presents the obvious suspect and is charged accordingly. Sir Peter Wimsey is convinced she didn't do it. He has one month before it comes to trial to save her from the hangman's noose.
It's not just the mystery that makes this novel so wonderful. It's all the characters. Though its a 'Lord Peter Wimsey Novel', many chapters get devoted to 'other' characters and their adventures. It doesn't lose the thread of the plot. It simply follows the natural course which is fabulous. From middle age women learning to pick locks or a bureau funded for sleuthing women, Sir Peter shares the spotlight and it changes the tone for the better.
Its also fun to read a mystery that has, in some ways, 'gone cold'. Sir Peter isn't on the spot to examine the body. He has to pick together clues and hunt for motive. A refreshing change of pace for a detective story.
Easily my favorite Sayers.
I actually read the beautiful 1998 Folio edition of this book, which Goodreads technically has. So many essential details are missing from its entry, however, that I have chosen the closest alternative.
This was a delightful book. It was fast-paced, hilarious (rather like Wooster and Jeeves, I thought, but then the main character tells his man[servant] to stop talking like Jeeves and I was completely confused. Was she allowed to do that?), and clever. Though, in my opinion, Lord Peter Wimsey did one-third of the work of solving this case. Miss Murchison and Miss Climpson obviously did the grunt work.
I will shortly be seeking out the rest of these novels.
This was a delightful book. It was fast-paced, hilarious (rather like Wooster and Jeeves, I thought, but then the main character tells his man[servant] to stop talking like Jeeves and I was completely confused. Was she allowed to do that?), and clever. Though, in my opinion, Lord Peter Wimsey did one-third of the work of solving this case. Miss Murchison and Miss Climpson obviously did the grunt work.
I will shortly be seeking out the rest of these novels.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A Golden Era mystery series with landed gentry as the amateur detective. Not as good as Agatha Christie but an interesting series.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
Content Warnings
Minor: Antisemitism