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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
On second reading (this time via audio book), I still find Wimsey an utter delight -- I had forgotten or not noticed his interest in early printed works, so that just added to the story for me -- and I found myself chuckling at his witty conversation more than once. Also, I have missed Bunter.
That said -- wow, what a product of its time. While there was nothing fully anti-semitic expressed, the constant need to comment on one of the victim's Jewishness and offer sweeping stereotypical views caused me quite a bit of dismay. I'm taking the opportunity to explore how things I didn't consciously examine in my previous reading may have tainted my worldview, and we'll see how far I get in the re-read of the series.
Also, hilariously, the audio version that I listened to was a legitimately published copy, but had clearly been copied off the CD, including both the change-CD now prompts and a portion obscured by disk damage. It surprises me that a publisher would release digital content in such a poorly edited state. The reader also took some getting used to -- very British, very lugubrious and languid in his speech, with a great many mouth noises as the the tale progressed. Very... authentic.
That said -- wow, what a product of its time. While there was nothing fully anti-semitic expressed, the constant need to comment on one of the victim's Jewishness and offer sweeping stereotypical views caused me quite a bit of dismay. I'm taking the opportunity to explore how things I didn't consciously examine in my previous reading may have tainted my worldview, and we'll see how far I get in the re-read of the series.
Also, hilariously, the audio version that I listened to was a legitimately published copy, but had clearly been copied off the CD, including both the change-CD now prompts and a portion obscured by disk damage. It surprises me that a publisher would release digital content in such a poorly edited state. The reader also took some getting used to -- very British, very lugubrious and languid in his speech, with a great many mouth noises as the the tale progressed. Very... authentic.
I decided it's time to re-read the Lord Peter mysteries, in publication order. This one is a lot of fun, and Sayers deftly sets up the elements and characters that will serve so well in the coming novels: Bunter, who is capable, efficient, and secretly soft-hearted; Detective Parker, stolid but an excellent detective in his own right; the delightful Dowager Duchess; and of course Lord Peter Wimsey himself, both fascinated by crime and conflicted by the idea that his hobby of choice is putting people behind bars.
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is the first book in the Lord Peter Wimsey series. If this is the first one you read, don't judge Wimsey or Sayers by this outing; both improve with time. Sayers writes Wimsey as a rather foppish, fey caricature; having read other Wimsey mysteries, I found this irritating. I'm glad Sayers kept at it and polished Wimsey up!
An unknown corpse is found in a bathtub with only a pair of pince-nez on a freshly shaven face. A prominent financier disappeared on the same day, and while the police hope the unknown corpse will prove to be the financier, Wimsey knows otherwise.
It's a good story, but I was irritated with how silly Wimsey was. He's much better when he has matured a bit.
An unknown corpse is found in a bathtub with only a pair of pince-nez on a freshly shaven face. A prominent financier disappeared on the same day, and while the police hope the unknown corpse will prove to be the financier, Wimsey knows otherwise.
It's a good story, but I was irritated with how silly Wimsey was. He's much better when he has matured a bit.
A solid, entertaining, classic mystery read very well by an English woman named Nadia May who excelled at men's voices and different class accents. The characters were well drawn and I'm looking forward to seeing Sayers explore them more in future books in the Lord Wimsey series.
adventurous
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:
No
Delightful. Lord Whimsy is so camp. Apart from a few unfortunately antisemetic lines, this book is a real gem. I find Sayer's plots are great but her actual writing is surprisingly gorgeous.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is my first Dorthy Sayer's detective novel. I really enjoyed it! Very intriguing, engaging, and a joy to read.
Lord Peter Wimsey is charming, intelligent aristocrat who keeps occupied as a rare book collector and an amateur sleuth. Set in post-World War I Britain, he occasionally suffers from PTSD from his war years. Wimsey enlists the help of his valet, Mervyn Bunter, in the detective work, and the dry British wit. I did enjoy the humor shared between the duo. Wimsey's mother, the Dowager Duchess of Denver a socialite who fits the voices of 1920s upper class.
A body naked except for a pair of gold pince-nez is found in the bathtub of an acquaintance of Wimsey's mother. On the same day Reuben Levy, an important Jewish financier, is reported missing. The corpse has a mild resemblance to Levy. Wimsey, Bunter, and the competent Inspector Parker from Scotland Yard work together to solve the cases. A confessional letter by the criminal at the end of the book detailed why the corpse was found in the tub.
I love the old school mysteries especially from British writers. The wit and comfy feel to them that keep you engaged into the whodunit throughout.
A body naked except for a pair of gold pince-nez is found in the bathtub of an acquaintance of Wimsey's mother. On the same day Reuben Levy, an important Jewish financier, is reported missing. The corpse has a mild resemblance to Levy. Wimsey, Bunter, and the competent Inspector Parker from Scotland Yard work together to solve the cases. A confessional letter by the criminal at the end of the book detailed why the corpse was found in the tub.
I love the old school mysteries especially from British writers. The wit and comfy feel to them that keep you engaged into the whodunit throughout.
This is one of my favorite authors for mystery. I am going back through the series of Lord Peter Wimsey and starting at the beginning.