m_is_for_awesome's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable setup, and our first sight of Harriet since her infamous murder trial. The interplay of Harriet and Peter is delightful, as well as Bunter's adventure with the hats. :D
bookcraft's review against another edition
3.0
It's both telling and horrifying that much of the anti-"foreigner" rhetoric espoused by characters in this book (in the lead-up to WWII) is echoed in today's political climate.
The full novel is both better and worse than the audio-play version I previously listened to.
The full novel is both better and worse than the audio-play version I previously listened to.
kirstenfindlay's review
adventurous
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
4.25
alexandraidonea's review against another edition
5.0
How does Sayers keep getting better and better? The banter is brilliant, and for once I did not see the solution to the murder until I was hit over the head with it (mostly. Halfway. Pretty much). I can't wait to buy all these in vintage hardcover editions and read them over and over through the years.
kjboldon's review against another edition
5.0
Overlong, I think, with a section on code solving that I skipped, not even skimmed, but the banter between Harriet and Peter, and the one convo in which their polite masks come down and they get real with one another, were true pleasures. Also, the evidence of the horse. Priceless.
bethebookworm's review against another edition
4.0
reading these all out of order... I like Harriet!
readerpants's review against another edition
4.0
Perhaps because I don't care about solving the mystery as I go along, or perhaps because I'm more interested in word games than railway timetables, I just loved the heck out of this book. I love the Wimsey-Vane conversations, the banter, the literary references, and the sly authorial asides.
I may have even enjoyed it more because the mystery was completely ridiculous and the audience lacks a real connection to the victim. If I'd felt more for the victims involved than for the fun of deciphering the clues, it would have given me an anxious stomachache instead of a nice afternoon of reading at the beach. Pure enjoyment, delightfully written.
ETA 4/20: Less fun on a re-read? But still, I'll read about Harriet and Peter in anything.
I may have even enjoyed it more because the mystery was completely ridiculous and the audience lacks a real connection to the victim. If I'd felt more for the victims involved than for the fun of deciphering the clues, it would have given me an anxious stomachache instead of a nice afternoon of reading at the beach. Pure enjoyment, delightfully written.
ETA 4/20: Less fun on a re-read? But still, I'll read about Harriet and Peter in anything.
claire_michelle18's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this one - but is it supposed to end like that?!
wickedplutoswickedreading's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable mystery, good humor here and there. But overall, some bits were hard to follow. I had to stop and look quite a few things up, mainly colloquialisms, a handful of slurs and quite a bit of French. I dunno what the 1930s in England were like but apparently everyone was fluent in French and could quote french poetry.
The ending left a bit to be desired which is why the rating is low.
The ending left a bit to be desired which is why the rating is low.
elizabethcaneday's review against another edition
5.0
I love Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane!
For a review for all of the Lord Peter Wimsey books, see [b:Strong Poison|246225|Strong Poison (Lord Peter Wimsey, #6)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486963427l/246225._SY75_.jpg|1121561].
Please note! If you haven't read [b:Strong Poison|246225|Strong Poison (Lord Peter Wimsey, #6)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486963427l/246225._SY75_.jpg|1121561] and [b:Whose Body?|192893|Whose Body? (Lord Peter Wimsey, #1)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387573241l/192893._SY75_.jpg|1090544], DON'T READ THIS YET! (That's my opinion. I started with Strong Poison, and though a little confused at first about all the names, I managed to get along really well with all the characters, though I didn't know why on earth P. W. was in love with H. V. I recommend reading this series in order.)
2/29 - Please note this too! I just read [b:The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club|192887|The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club (Lord Peter Wimsey, #5)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389759541l/192887._SY75_.jpg|1093038] and now I know I'm never going to fully understand Lord Peter's reasons for falling in love with Harriet Vane, as it seems like when [b:Strong Poison|246225|Strong Poison (Lord Peter Wimsey, #6)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486963427l/246225._SY75_.jpg|1121561] begins, he already is in love with her.
For a review for all of the Lord Peter Wimsey books, see [b:Strong Poison|246225|Strong Poison (Lord Peter Wimsey, #6)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486963427l/246225._SY75_.jpg|1121561].
Please note! If you haven't read [b:Strong Poison|246225|Strong Poison (Lord Peter Wimsey, #6)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486963427l/246225._SY75_.jpg|1121561] and [b:Whose Body?|192893|Whose Body? (Lord Peter Wimsey, #1)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387573241l/192893._SY75_.jpg|1090544], DON'T READ THIS YET! (That's my opinion. I started with Strong Poison, and though a little confused at first about all the names, I managed to get along really well with all the characters, though I didn't know why on earth P. W. was in love with H. V. I recommend reading this series in order.)
2/29 - Please note this too! I just read [b:The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club|192887|The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club (Lord Peter Wimsey, #5)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1389759541l/192887._SY75_.jpg|1093038] and now I know I'm never going to fully understand Lord Peter's reasons for falling in love with Harriet Vane, as it seems like when [b:Strong Poison|246225|Strong Poison (Lord Peter Wimsey, #6)|Dorothy L. Sayers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1486963427l/246225._SY75_.jpg|1121561] begins, he already is in love with her.