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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This one is my second least favorite of the series, mainly because of the period typical racism that plays a large part in the second half of the book. A black man is disinherited (or his stipend is cut off, which amounts to the same thing), then he is set up for kidnapping and murder. The murderer expects the police to believe this, despite the black man being a Reverand and over 70, simply because he is black.
It is somewhat good to note that Lord Peter never actually believes any of this. But he does allow the papers to publish the false story, and to hold the black man in custody, because that makes it easier to catch the murderer.
So.
There are some good things, however! This book introduces us to Miss Climpson, the spinster "of a certain age" who goes places and asks questions that Peter and Charles Parker, as a lord and a policeman, simply can't. This puts Miss Climpson ahead of her more famous contemporary, Miss Marple. She doesn't actually solve the case, but she is a delight to read and does get a bit of an action scene at the end. The scene where Peter introduces Parker to her is hysterical, as Parker goes there thinking he is being introduced to Peter's mistress.
The mystery this time is not who but how. Peter knows really early who the murderer is, but he can't figure out how the murder was done. In fact, Parker spends a good bit of the book not entirely convinced that a murder has taken place at all. Of course, 1920s. The method is not actually medically sound. Oh well.
At least we get Miss Climpson in later books.
It is somewhat good to note that Lord Peter never actually believes any of this. But he does allow the papers to publish the false story, and to hold the black man in custody, because that makes it easier to catch the murderer.
So.
There are some good things, however! This book introduces us to Miss Climpson, the spinster "of a certain age" who goes places and asks questions that Peter and Charles Parker, as a lord and a policeman, simply can't. This puts Miss Climpson ahead of her more famous contemporary, Miss Marple. She doesn't actually solve the case, but she is a delight to read and does get a bit of an action scene at the end. The scene where Peter introduces Parker to her is hysterical, as Parker goes there thinking he is being introduced to Peter's mistress.
The mystery this time is not who but how. Peter knows really early who the murderer is, but he can't figure out how the murder was done. In fact, Parker spends a good bit of the book not entirely convinced that a murder has taken place at all. Of course, 1920s. The method is not actually medically sound. Oh well.
At least we get Miss Climpson in later books.
lighthearted
slow-paced
I think it's hard to say whether I prefer Miss Climpson or Harriet - I love them both. A thoroughly enjoyable story, with many laughs.
As others have mentioned, it was hard to read the casual racism, sexism, and homophobia without cringing (though, "schwarmerei," who knew? I had to pull out a dictionary for that one). It's just so off-putting and unnecessary to the plot. It made me like and respect Dorothy Sayers just a little less. At least Cousin Hallelujah was clearly never considered to be a villain, and the characters' racism did them discredit.
As others have mentioned, it was hard to read the casual racism, sexism, and homophobia without cringing (though, "schwarmerei," who knew? I had to pull out a dictionary for that one). It's just so off-putting and unnecessary to the plot. It made me like and respect Dorothy Sayers just a little less. At least Cousin Hallelujah was clearly never considered to be a villain, and the characters' racism did them discredit.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Sayers had me guessing for a while with the female friendships for sure! TOTALLY missed that the niece was the London woman but I audiobooked it which may be why. overall quite solid with a couple weird patches and of course, no Harriet
mysterious
medium-paced
medium-paced
mysterious
tense
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