A review by sunhi
Thus Was Adonis Murdered by Sarah Caudwell

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This Was Adonis Murdered is an odd little murder mystery from the early 80s. It features several interesting young lawyers and a professor who does the actual detective/deductive work.   It also, oddly enough, features much discussion of gay and/or sapphic relationships, which is frankly amazing for the year it was written. 

The whole piece is a clever bit of writing and a fun murder mystery. The English language is peacocked about, but in a rather fun way. I did find that the mystery held and was good. I wish we had rather got to see Julia interact with her peers rather than being separated from them by a trip. The real thrill of this novel is not the murder but Julia, Ragwort, and Cantrip doing things. 

I heartily recommend this book to mystery lovers and to the lovers of "25 cent" words as my old English teacher would describe them.