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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I wasn't as big a fan of this one as I've been of Sayers' other Lord Peter books. It felt much more Victorian than her other books, like she had gone back and stolen the plot from Wilkie Collins.
A Lord Peter Wimsey mystery about lesbians, mostly. The mystery itself wasn't very compelling, with a solution so obvious I kept expecting a twist. The lesbian couples were a nice touch, though applied with their fair share of misogyny. Then there's the racism, which … could've been worse, I guess? Is implicitly criticised, vaguely? There were some pretty good characters to this book, but not much else.
Third in the series and the best far, imo.
It's always interesting to me to see cultural views reflected in literature of the time. Here, for instance, one of the characters relays another character's indignation at having a "nigger" (who is actually half-polynesian, half-white) over to lunch. It's quite clear that the main characters think that the indignant one is too narrow-minded, and I get the impression that the author is quite liberal for her era. Anyway, I appreciate that honest picture of the era (gives me an idea of how I would have been treated by polite society back then, I suppose). Similarly, a major plot point hinges on a lesbian relationship (actually two), that is clearly communicated but never spelled out.
Ms. Climpson, btw, is another wonderful character. I wonder if she's a Mary Sue.
It's always interesting to me to see cultural views reflected in literature of the time. Here, for instance, one of the characters relays another character's indignation at having a "nigger" (who is actually half-polynesian, half-white) over to lunch. It's quite clear that the main characters think that the indignant one is too narrow-minded, and I get the impression that the author is quite liberal for her era. Anyway, I appreciate that honest picture of the era (gives me an idea of how I would have been treated by polite society back then, I suppose). Similarly, a major plot point hinges on a lesbian relationship (actually two), that is clearly communicated but never spelled out.
Ms. Climpson, btw, is another wonderful character. I wonder if she's a Mary Sue.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Have to quote Sarah's review on this one:
"Fun stuff (aside from of-the-period racism and unaddressed lesbian subtext.)"
"Fun stuff (aside from of-the-period racism and unaddressed lesbian subtext.)"
adventurous
dark
funny
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
Best one yet
I'm more of a fan of the later Wimseys, but this is a very compelling story, and I liked it more than I remembered on second reading. Great Miss Climpson. Also, there are lesbians, which is nice, except they may all be silly or evil.
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-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
I am not sure what made me give Wimsey one more try but for some reason I did. It might have been Martin Edwards The Life Of Crime, or the Art of the English by Lucy Morsely but either way getting to book 3 was very much worth it.
I loved this. This worked in every way for me. Wimsey wasn't as annoying as usual. Parker made me smile a bit like Inspector Japp.
I loved how you knew who the bad guy was from the beginning but the solution was out of hand till the end.
Overall good stuff. I am so glad I gave Sayers another shot. So let's hope this continues to improve.
I loved this. This worked in every way for me. Wimsey wasn't as annoying as usual. Parker made me smile a bit like Inspector Japp.
I loved how you knew who the bad guy was from the beginning but the solution was out of hand till the end.
Overall good stuff. I am so glad I gave Sayers another shot. So let's hope this continues to improve.
The series is very much a Batman and Alfred type of story. Lord Peter is the crime fighting, spoiled guy, and Bunter is the obvious valet/butler. But that’s what makes this so great!!
Bunter is amazing, he can do so much and you don’t expect it. Lord Peter gets in trouble and has no idea how to spend all his money and it’s glorious.They truly care about each other, and solve every crime. They use fingerprints [something new in that time] and think outside the box. They keep you wanting to read more and more!
I love it when a detective is done right and keeps you wondering throughout who did it, and this one definitely did that for me. I hadn’t guessed the ending at all!
The books aren’t greatly written, by all means, but the Lord Peter series are definitely just as good as the Poirot series. And if I recommend you to start any detective series, Lord Peter would be on top of my list.
Bunter is amazing, he can do so much and you don’t expect it. Lord Peter gets in trouble and has no idea how to spend all his money and it’s glorious.They truly care about each other, and solve every crime. They use fingerprints [something new in that time] and think outside the box. They keep you wanting to read more and more!
I love it when a detective is done right and keeps you wondering throughout who did it, and this one definitely did that for me. I hadn’t guessed the ending at all!
The books aren’t greatly written, by all means, but the Lord Peter series are definitely just as good as the Poirot series. And if I recommend you to start any detective series, Lord Peter would be on top of my list.