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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I didn't realize before I checked this one out from the library that it was a collection of short stories. While I still enjoyed it, I much prefer a full-length novel. I look forward to reading the next Lord Peter Wimsey book as soon as my wish list hold comes up available!
Didn't realize this was a collection of short stories! They were all so great. I have a *huge* literary crush on L.P.D.B.W., it's becoming a problem.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
This collection is a very nice mix of Lord Peter Wimsey stories. I particularly liked the ones where he's an under-cover spy, and the one where he and his nephew go on a treasuer hunt. While the plot quality varies a bit, the writing and character building are delightful.
lighthearted
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:
N/A
A couple of real gems saved this collection of shorts - especially the opening story. That the ENTIRE second story hung on Wimsey's grasp of French, and thus included 2/3 of a page of untranslated French was indicative of much that is disagreeable about Sayers' writing.
Lord Peter Views the Body, is a delightful gathering of stories featuring Lord Peter Wimsey. The hard copy version has twelve stories while this particular audio version (read by Ian Carmichael) is missing three of the originals--including one of my favorites, "The Learned Adventure of the Dragon's Head." I have put together a brief note on each of these fun stories. Not a lot of detail, but that's to be expected with short stories. Sayers does manage to pull the reader right in regardless. ★★★★--but, then, I am biased. I love all things Wimsey and I especially love all things Wimsey when read by Ian Carmichael.
"The Abominable History of the Man with Copper Fingers": A story of jealousy and a well-known sculptor's plan for revenge. Fortunately, Wimsey is on hand to prevent the artist from completing the second half of his masterpiece.
"The Fantastic Horror of the Cat in the Bag": A high-speed motorcyclist gets a nasty surprise when he opens a bag picked up from a cloak room.
"The Unprincipled Affair of the Practical Joker": Wimsey uses a lovely bit of sleight of hand to silence a blackmailer.
"The Undignified Melodrama of the Bone of Contention": Wimsey delves into the mystery of the death coach--a ghostly coach pulled by headless white horses and driven by a headless coachman.
"The Vindictive Story of the Footsteps That Ran": His lordship solves a murder by noticing which way the footsteps ran.
"The Bibulous Business of a Matter of Taste": Will the real Lord Peter please stand up? Or at least correctly identify six varieties of wine. A story of not one, not two, but three Wimseys.
"The Piscatorial Farce of the Stolen Stomach": Great Uncle Joseph chooses an unusual hiding place for his wealth.
"The Unsolved Puzzle of the Man with No Face": Wimsey solves a murder using clues provided in the discussion amongst his fellow train travelers.
"The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba": Lord Peter is reported dead....and events that follow lead to the capture of a gang of criminals.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
"The Abominable History of the Man with Copper Fingers": A story of jealousy and a well-known sculptor's plan for revenge. Fortunately, Wimsey is on hand to prevent the artist from completing the second half of his masterpiece.
"The Fantastic Horror of the Cat in the Bag": A high-speed motorcyclist gets a nasty surprise when he opens a bag picked up from a cloak room.
"The Unprincipled Affair of the Practical Joker": Wimsey uses a lovely bit of sleight of hand to silence a blackmailer.
"The Undignified Melodrama of the Bone of Contention": Wimsey delves into the mystery of the death coach--a ghostly coach pulled by headless white horses and driven by a headless coachman.
"The Vindictive Story of the Footsteps That Ran": His lordship solves a murder by noticing which way the footsteps ran.
"The Bibulous Business of a Matter of Taste": Will the real Lord Peter please stand up? Or at least correctly identify six varieties of wine. A story of not one, not two, but three Wimseys.
"The Piscatorial Farce of the Stolen Stomach": Great Uncle Joseph chooses an unusual hiding place for his wealth.
"The Unsolved Puzzle of the Man with No Face": Wimsey solves a murder using clues provided in the discussion amongst his fellow train travelers.
"The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba": Lord Peter is reported dead....and events that follow lead to the capture of a gang of criminals.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Perfectly solid collection of puzzle mysteries.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
I have read a lot of Agatha Christie (whose early work was written in the same time period) but this is my first Dorothy Sayers book. Honestly kind of regretting putting it on my tbr so soon after I enjoyed that book where the queen solves mysteries because now I feel like a gentry stan. But I did enjoy it! There's an atmosphere to these earlyish detective stories that I haven't really been able to find in modern ones (though I am always looking for recs!) and I found Lord Peter very charming despite his many faults (i.e. being a Lord.) It's also very funny to me that he is out here being a full on amateur detective and his fancy and rich friends and family are just like "well, gotta have a hobby I guess. Don't mind Peter."
There are unfortunately a few moments of antisemitic/ national stereotypes (mostly about Italians to be honest) but otherwise I found the stories pretty enjoyable with a variety of mystery types and an entertaining trip to the solution. The wide cast of supporting characters in the various stories were fun, especially since Sayers writes out all their various British accents phonetically. If you don't mind stories about rich white men and servants who really love their jobs, it definitely has those between-Wars British vibes that I crave for some reason. I will probably be picking up more of Sayers' detective novels when I find them used.
There are unfortunately a few moments of antisemitic/ national stereotypes (mostly about Italians to be honest) but otherwise I found the stories pretty enjoyable with a variety of mystery types and an entertaining trip to the solution. The wide cast of supporting characters in the various stories were fun, especially since Sayers writes out all their various British accents phonetically. If you don't mind stories about rich white men and servants who really love their jobs, it definitely has those between-Wars British vibes that I crave for some reason. I will probably be picking up more of Sayers' detective novels when I find them used.
Clever collection of short mysteries starring Wimsey. Some whiplash, jumping around in time, but a lot of very interesting brain pleasing stories. One particularly hilarious auction day, where Lord Peter behaves badly had me laughing loudly, although a typo in Hypnotermachia had me wincing. Wincing also at the racial slurs that rise up from nowhere in Sayers' work, and are a mirror of her time.
A fascinating mixture of short stories of wildly varying quality. I've read the Peter Wimsey novels completely out of order, but I do love the character. Some of these stories were perfect little mysteries in their own right, while others were enjoyable for the insight provided into the background of beloved characters.