Whose Body?

This is an excellent entry in the Sayers line of work with Lord Peter Wimsey, and the reading works well.
However, part of the text was left out. For one not already familiar with the story, the missing piece may cause a little confusion coming into the conclusion. On the other hand, maybe it wouldn't be noticeable to someone who hasn't reread most of Sayers' novels several times!

. . . this is perhaps not one of Sayers's most memorable mysteries, but one of the few that is available. I wish that Audible carried more of her titles.

I've always loved Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Whimsey novels. I particularly looked forward to this purchase since only a few of her works are available as audiobooks. It was a disappointment. Nadia May makes the suave Lord Peter come across as a grating fishwife and a horse's patoot. I don't remember him being so idiotic and silly. She also reads WAY too fast, obliterating every dramatic pause and letting one character's dialogue run into the next. I doubt I'll get through it. I wouldn't recommend it.

First of all, why a woman narrator? Considering the story, a man would have made more sense. This particular woman was shrill, over-exuberant, and talked way too fast. I tried slowing the narration down, but still couldn't listen to it. I was looking forward to becoming reacquainted with Lord Peter, but ended up hugely disappointed instead.

A story with a preponderance of male characters being read by a female voice? That's what I wondered about when I took this from our public library years ago on audio cassette. But I was surprised and delighted then and remain surprised and delighted now. May conveys Wimsey, Bunter, Parker, the dowager duchess--everyone--to perfection.

Of all the Wimsey stories, this first in the series stands out as the one with the most comedy. Yes, it's a dark tale chillingly told. But there are fine moments of levity that relieve the gloom; sometimes this early edition of Lord Peter can almost sound as if he were about to drop in at the Drones Club for a quick spot before lunch.

And the story is good. In fact it's superb. But I'm not gong to say any more for fear of spoiling it for you.

This book was an okay mystery, but I'd heard so much about the author that I expected more. I found it a little dull. I've loved Agatha Christie and thought this might be similar. However, there were some amusing moments in the story.

I'll try another one to see if maybe this was just one I couldn't connect with.

Gentlemen of Lord Peter Wimsey's class aren't expected to take up employment, and some view his involvement with crime to be in very poor taste. But he can't help getting wrapped up in a good case of murder, and this one is a doozy: a man is found laying in the bath at an architect's home completely naked, save for the presence of a pince-nez perched on his nose. The architect can't have committed the murder and the body strangely resembles Sir Reuben Levy, a powerful banker who has disappeared overnight. I liked the ongoing construction of the Lord Wimsey character and the many incongruous elements of the story that Sayers weaved in were very entertaining. Definitely a series worth pursuing, which I hope Audible will make available in the unabridged editions sooner than later.