proust_mobile's review against another edition
4.5
This one's for the real Wimsey-heads. It feels like a conscious return to the outright comedy of the first two novels in the series, and a lot of the humor could be lost on readers not already familiar with Lord Peter. But as a fan, this novel is such a gift. It's got a barely incognito detective getting too invested in his fake job, heapfulls of ridiculous workplace politics, the entire advertising industry treated as farce, and the kind of slapstick murder that the book reassures you that you do not have to feel sad about. Sayers even dips her toes into noir for the first (only?) time with a plot about seedy drug runners and reckless socialites. An unexpectedly chilling ending caps off this excellent entry in the series.
bareruinedchoirs's review against another edition
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
4.0
eleaax's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
nat3780's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this on a whim at a thrift store, a while back. I've never read anything by Sayers before, and I haven't read much in the mystery genre, so this was a new experience for me in many ways.
I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was smart, funny and engaging. I'll be looking into reading more books of this type (and by this author) in the future.
I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was smart, funny and engaging. I'll be looking into reading more books of this type (and by this author) in the future.
abrswf's review against another edition
4.0
It’s Sayers and Wimsey, so of course I liked this book, but it’s a weak entry in the series, as the murder at issue is mostly an afterthought, there’s very little Bunter and no Harriet Vane, the all knowing drug merchants in the background were unconvincing, and the advertising milieu is very dated. Sayers herself worked in an ad agency, and much of this book felt very like inside baseball — obscure and uninteresting to most of the rest of us.
coops456's review against another edition
4.0
Intrigue in the world of advertising! With Lord Peter taking on the guise of his disreputable cousin Death Bredon, there is little of the normal Wimsey/Bunter domesticity and no appearance by Harriet Vane.
talina's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I particularly enjoy the look into the advertising world that comes with this book. It's amusing to see Lord Peter in an office setting, which contrasts with the dark underworld of crime that he is simultaneously investigating. I enjoy the characters a lot in this one. It's one of my favorite Sayers novels.
megsnewcar's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0