A review by booksinbedinthornhill
Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

3.5/5 - It was fun to read this piece of 'golden era' detective fiction. Even though the protagonist and key sleuth is an aristocratic male (Lord Peter Wimsey), he is helped greatly in his efforts not only by his highly-skilled valet and by the police, but also (and more importantly) by many women from the middle and working classes. Lord Peter claims that women make excellent sleuths because no one suspects them, but this is clearly Dorothy L. Sayers at work, including keenly intelligent and resourceful women amongst her characters. I know this book was published in 1930, but it's always an unhappy shock when confronted with antisemitic passages while reading.