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lelia_t's review against another edition
3.0
For some reason I’m reading Sayers’ mysteries from Gaudy Night backwards and each preceding book gets a little more typical of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction genre, with less of the thoughtfulness and depth of character that we get with Gaudy Night. That’s not a complaint - I enjoy both for different reasons - but it’s interesting to imagine Sayers trying to do more with each successive book as she got comfortable with the genre.
Hard to talk about the best parts of this mystery without giving away some of the surprises, but there’s plenty to enjoy here. There is also the off-putting use of racial slurs, not as a reflection of Sayers’ or Wimsey’s beliefs, but as a reflection of societal stereotypes.
Hard to talk about the best parts of this mystery without giving away some of the surprises, but there’s plenty to enjoy here. There is also the off-putting use of racial slurs, not as a reflection of Sayers’ or Wimsey’s beliefs, but as a reflection of societal stereotypes.
geofisch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
calfaile's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
laz_'s review against another edition
4.0
really thrilled one of dorothy l. sayers’ mysteries stuck the landing for me!! she seems so up my alley so i was a little let down by the first two. also …. THE LESBIAN SUBTEXT IN THIS? i could write a whole essay about it. so much to think about
imperfectcj's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoy how Lord Peter seems clever but also a little silly and impetuous, but there's a point in each of Sayers's novels when his serious side comes through, not in a heavy-handed way, but often just as a glimpse. In many ways I find this mask/true self characterization more realistic than the more either/or characters in many books, and it helps to explain why those around him are so devoted to him, even when he acts like an ass.
saranies's review against another edition
4.0
Boston marriages and statutory interpretation played a role in this piece of fluff. A nice distraction for the fear, sadness, and anger I've felt for the past few days.
cmx's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Audible free, waited too long to write the review don't actually remember the plot line anymore. I think I remember pieces and it was a decent book but I can't read it better than 3 for lack of memory
rosiecockshutt's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
tal38's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Classic Wimsey story, quite good in terms of the mystery. A fair amount of weirdness from 1920s British racism. It’s clearly trying to be progressive for the time and is certainly better than some, but ends up being very patronizing, thoughtless and a bit yucky about the one Black character. Also interesting with sexuality. Several of the female characters are/were in female life partnerships. One of them is described wholly positively and another portrayed as a sign of sickness in the eventual murderer . One character specifically says girls having crushes on girls is alright in adolescents but not in adults. Very interesting view into the time overall, but def modifies my feelings about the book.