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nina_christine's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lise_haag's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.5
caitibeth's review against another edition
4.0
Love re-reading Sayers now and then. Gaudy Night is one of my favorite books, and while Strong Poison isn't quite at that level, it's still quite good. Peter's a bit annoying with his instant pash on Harriet, but that's necessary to set up the Peter/Harriet saga. Miss Climpson and Miss Murchison are absolutely fabulous, and I also love Eiluned, Sylvia, and Marjorie.
bookswithbets's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cubist_tubist's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Suicide
meghaha's review against another edition
2.0
I was disappointed by this book because the reputation of Sayers is such that I was expecting something special, when this book (the first I've read by her) was merely ordinary. I have to admit Sayers writes some very witty dialogue, but that's not enough for me to love a book, and she compares unfavorably with Wodehouse. On the whole, this novel felt like it was a very thin surface, with nothing underneath. That last sentence probably sounds I'm dismissing this book out of highbrow pretensions about 'literature', but what I mean is that there was a lack of any heart, or dimensionality. The reason it felt quite so thin, I think, is because the book consisted almost entirely of dialogue/conversations. It reads quickly for this reason, but the end effect was as if I was at listening to some witty, clever person telling me an amusing yet empty story that I'd smile and nod at during the moment, but which would glancingly fly out of my brain the moment she stopped talking. Which is not exactly what I want to feel about a murder mystery. I suppose I can't complain that I guessed early on who did it, since probably time has been unkind to the originality of the plot. Another thing is, I didn't like how the supporting characters ingratiated themselves with witnesses, pretending to offer friendship to some rather lonely-seeming figures in order to milk them for information, rather then just being upfront about their role as detectives. Using people, even for a 'noble' cause, is still using them.
ETA: On further thought, I'd like to add that Wimsey, supposedly a very 'likable' character, irritated me. The whole premise: rich lord goes to a trial, falls in love with the accused, and then pompously decides he'll investigate on his own based on romantic feelings (except mostly he just gets his employees or persuades people in lower social classes to do his work for him) is not a very appealing one. It may be because I started with Strong Poison, but I was unimpressed by how unprofessional and casual the Wimsey is as detective, and how he gets to flounce about and do as he likes just because he is a rich noble and not because of (at least in this book) any demonstrated merit of his own. Like I said, kind of irritating. Whoops.
ETA: On further thought, I'd like to add that Wimsey, supposedly a very 'likable' character, irritated me. The whole premise: rich lord goes to a trial, falls in love with the accused, and then pompously decides he'll investigate on his own based on romantic feelings (except mostly he just gets his employees or persuades people in lower social classes to do his work for him) is not a very appealing one. It may be because I started with Strong Poison, but I was unimpressed by how unprofessional and casual the Wimsey is as detective, and how he gets to flounce about and do as he likes just because he is a rich noble and not because of (at least in this book) any demonstrated merit of his own. Like I said, kind of irritating. Whoops.
zbmorgan's review against another edition
4.0
Still delightful, Sayers is one of the queens of Golden age mystery, and her characters are fantastic, but a bit more backstory helps. So much time is spent on the investigation in this one, it won’t really fly as a stand alone. Read them in order!
lastbraincell's review against another edition
4.0
My first Sayers. What fun! The language is a delight. Really thrust me into the time and place of the novel. Lord Peter is such a character, and the ladies of his Cattery are no slouches either. They had me cheering for them as they went about their missions. And Bunter! I fell into like at first sight for most of the cast. I look forward to seeing more of Harriet Vane. If she's turned him goopy, she must really be something else.
andreacpowers's review against another edition
I read all of these a long time ago.