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A review by book_concierge
Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers
2.0
2.5**
When an up and coming advertising copy writer falls down an iron staircase in the office, breaking his neck, it’s viewed as a tragic accident. Soon his replacement is on board and asking lots of questions. What the staff doesn’t know is that Mr Bredon is actually Lord Peter Wimsey and he is working undercover to investigate the death, and a drug-smuggling ring.
I’ve never read any of this series before, and this one is #10. I know they are popular and have heard of them over the years. This particular volume even made it to a Top 100 Books Everyone Should Read list some time back. I’m not sure why.
The first thing I look for in a murder mystery is a fast-paced plot that draws me in immediately and never lets me go. This did not fit that formula. In fact, it took me over a week to read it, and I was bored for much of it. If it hadn’t been the monthly read at one of my book group’s I would have abandoned it.
I do see the potential in the series, however. Lord Peter Wimsey is wealthy, witty, smart and creative. I’m assuming he always goes incognito to help his brother-in-law, Scotland Yard’s Inspector Parker, and I can see that device working well to give him many different experiences. I might try another, but I’ll have to wait a while to let the memory of this dissatisfying read fade.
When an up and coming advertising copy writer falls down an iron staircase in the office, breaking his neck, it’s viewed as a tragic accident. Soon his replacement is on board and asking lots of questions. What the staff doesn’t know is that Mr Bredon is actually Lord Peter Wimsey and he is working undercover to investigate the death, and a drug-smuggling ring.
I’ve never read any of this series before, and this one is #10. I know they are popular and have heard of them over the years. This particular volume even made it to a Top 100 Books Everyone Should Read list some time back. I’m not sure why.
The first thing I look for in a murder mystery is a fast-paced plot that draws me in immediately and never lets me go. This did not fit that formula. In fact, it took me over a week to read it, and I was bored for much of it. If it hadn’t been the monthly read at one of my book group’s I would have abandoned it.
I do see the potential in the series, however. Lord Peter Wimsey is wealthy, witty, smart and creative. I’m assuming he always goes incognito to help his brother-in-law, Scotland Yard’s Inspector Parker, and I can see that device working well to give him many different experiences. I might try another, but I’ll have to wait a while to let the memory of this dissatisfying read fade.