Back at Oxford for her reunion, Harriet Vane, Lord Peter’s beloved, finds herself in mortal danger
Since she graduated from Oxford’s Shrewsbury College, Harriet Vane has found fame by writing novels about ingenious murders. She also won infamy when she was accused of committing a murder herself. It took a timely intervention from the debonair Lord Peter Wimsey to save her from the gallows, and … from the gallows, and since then she has devoted her spare time to resisting his attempts to marry her. Putting aside her lingering shame from the trial, Harriet returns to Oxford for her college reunion with her head held high–only to find that her life is in danger once again.
The first poison-pen letter calls her a “dirty murderess,” and those that follow are no kinder. As the threats become more frightening, she calls on Lord Peter for help. Among the dons of Oxford lurks a killer, but it will take more than a superior education to match Lord Peter and the daring Harriet.
Gaudy Night is the 12th book in the Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries, but you may enjoy the series by reading the books in any order.
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Dorothy L. Sayers including rare images from the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College.
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Pure Sayers from start to finish! A long-time favorite that I’m delighted to have in ebook form.
I will read anything by Dorothy Sayers.
A classic
I like the Sayers’ Peter Wimsey series, but this is more Harriet Vane than Wimsey and I didn’t find the dialog as sparkling as it is when Wimsey is about.
Rather slow start and though I didn’t care about the plot so much I was curious about the main character and lord whimsey. A very British read-/old fashioned—but that’s why I liked it.
I love Peter Wimsey books.
This has a vivid presentation of Oxford life in the 1930s. It is also a romance, but I love the style and characters. Also, this is an early discussion of the right of women to have their own intellectual life.
Good plot, great characters, one of the best of the classic mysteries.
Too donnish and tedious though not a bad mystery. You wanted to tell Harriet to shut up and get on with it.
The impeccable Dorothy Sayers wrote beautifully. She’s one not to be misse on a list.
This is one of my all-time favorite books.
I love Dorothy L Sayers books. Always a great read, great characters.
Love all of Lord Peter Wimsey. This one esp I wish they would provide translations for all of the Latin, French etc phrases.
This is one of my favorite Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries along with Busman’s Honeymoon. Satisfying read!
I read this book for the first time in the 1980s – it’s one of Sayers’s best, and that’s saying a lot, because all of her mysteries are terrific. She’s an intelligent, complex writer, to be savored by intelligent readers.
4 of 5 stars to Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers, a strong and talented writer of detective mysteries in their Golden Age of publication. This was truly an excellent book. Upon finishing my third year at college, I’d taken all the required courses and a variety of electives to complete my double majors. My advisors and professors, knowing I had an …
Dorothy Sayers best mystery.
Great classic mystery taking place at Oxford in the 1930s. Amazing sense of place and character.
All of Doroty Sayers’ mysteries are the best. I like this one the most because of the ending! No spoiler alert here…
Lord Peter Wimsey again called to solve a dilemma tainting & possibly threatening the life of his true – yet reluctant – love, Harriet Vane & her fellow female scholars of Oxford. Some eerie atmosphere at Oxford – ooooh – Good Read!!!