Busman's Honeymoon

The Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane Mysteries

By: Dorothy L. Sayers

Narrated by: Ian Carmichael

Society's eligible women are in mourning. Lord Peter Wimsey has married at last, having finally succeeded in his ardent pursuit of the lovely mystery novelist Harriet Vane. The two depart for a tranquil honeymoon in a country farmhouse but find, instead of a well-prepared love nest, the place left in a shambles by the previous owner. His sudden appearance, dead from a broken skull in the cellar, only prompts more questions.

Why would anyone have wanted to kill old Mr. Noakes? What dark secrets had he to hide?

The honeymoon is over, as Lord Peter and Harriet Vane start their investigations. Suspicion is rife, and everyone seems to have something to hide, from the local constable to the housekeeper. Wimsey and his wife can think of plenty of theories, but it's not until they discover a vital fact that the identity of the murderer becomes clear.

©2012 Dorothy L. Sayers (P)2012 AudioGO

How have I missed out on this gem my whole life?

Never a fan of Agatha Christie, I've long assumed that all the "golden age of detective fiction" authors would also be not to my taste -- but I was so wrong. Dorothy L. Sayers (along with Margery Allingham, who I discovered first) well deserves her reputation as one of the queens of the golden age.

a fun wrap-up for Harriet &Lord Peter

I loved the prologue and all the personalities. the doweger Dutchess is the best.

Just what I needed to get me out of myself.

A fine, absorbing story in all its details, remarkable, moving quotes to lead off each chapter, moving poetry, too, of Lord Peter in love with the perfect woman and she in love with him. Some really transcendent moments! And to top it all off, extraordinary narration by a real master.

Love & healing vs hate and death

Finally Harriett marries Peter, escape paparazzi to a country house honeymoon and find a corpse in the cellar. Sayers gives us a delicious payoff for years of waiting to see this compelling couple come together! They discover deep, true love and healing, and also uncover greedy hatred and death. Funny, wise, eccentric as Sayers is in all her novels, this, in my mind, is second only to Gaudy Night in brilliance and delight!

Great

I love the Peter Wimsy series and wish Audible would hurry up and get the rest. This one is the one that explains Lord Peter and Bunter’s beginning.

Dorothy L. Sayers at Her Best

I watched the BBC drama many years ago on PBS tv staring Mr. Carmichael who ably does the narration here. However, I missed a female actress doing the voice of Harriet Vane. It was confusing sometimes to know which voice was Lord Peter's and which was his wife's. Good mystery, well written by Dorothy L. Sayers who is right up there, in my opinion, with the Great Agatha Christie. This is a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Romantic Mystery

This was my first book by this author. It's a good book. I found myself going back to certain parts to be sure of the plot twists!

The Joy of Good Writing and Superb Narration

Sayers writes a deeply satisfying novel. Characters are memorable. The intricacies of passionate intelligent love revealed. The mystery is ingenious. Not writing to skim but to savor.

Corny and profound at the same time

I never thought I would enjoy the Wimsey books so much, they seemed so dated and silly! But I’ve grown to love the characters and admire Peter and Harriet and Bunter. Who knew!

A magnificent book beautifully performed

I read this book many years ago, but listening to Ian Carmichael’s performance brought home to me its power and beauty. Above all, we see the real Lord Peter Wimsey — the piffle, the urbanity, the cleverness, the suffering, and the deep love he has for Harriet Vane. It is all just about perfect. Thank you, DLS.