The British aristocrat and sleuth takes on four more puzzling whodunits in this beloved series from “one of the greatest mystery story writers” (Los Angeles Times). A gentleman needs hobbies. For Lord Peter Wimsey—a Great War veteran with a touch of shell shock—collecting rare books, sampling fine wines, and catching criminals are all most pleasant diversions. In these Golden Age whodunits, … Golden Age whodunits, “Lord Peter can hardly be spared from the ranks of the great detectives of the printed page” (The New York Times).
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club: On Armistice Day, a wealthy general dies in his club, surrounded by fellow veterans—while across town his sister also dies suspiciously, throwing a half-million-pound inheritance into turmoil. Now club member Lord Peter Wimsey must fight an uphill battle to solve the case.
Strong Poison: Lord Peter Wimsey comes to the trial of Harriet Vane for a glimpse at one of the most engaging murder cases London has seen in years. There is little doubt the woman will face the hangman. A mildly popular mystery novelist, she stands accused of poisoning her fiancé, a literary author and well-known advocate of free love. But as Lord Peter watches Harriet in the dock, he begins to doubt her guilt—and to fall in love.
The Five Red Herrings: In the idyllic village of Kirkcudbright on the Scottish coast, every resident and visitor has two things in common: They either fish or paint (or both), and they all hate Sandy Campbell. So when the painter’s body is found at the bottom of a steep hill, Wimsey suspects someone’s taken a creative approach to the art of murder.
Have His Carcase: Harriet Vane has gone on vacation to forget her recent murder trial and, more importantly, to forget the man who cleared her name—the dapper, handsome, and maddening Lord Peter Wimsey. But when she finds a dead body on the beach, only the gentleman sleuth can help her solve a murder after all the evidence has washed out to sea.
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All of the LPW are excellent plotted mysteries. Vol. 1 is horrible to read construction wise and the further you go in the series the longer it takes to get to the end, still pretty entertaining plots and personable characters.
Great series wish there could be more
Wimsey is the best.
I’ve read all the Wimsey books multiple times over the last 40+ years. And will continue to read them. And I continue the Wimsey saga with new ones by Jill Paton Walsh.
I first met Lord Peter Wimsey on PBS Mystery many years ago and started reading the books shortly thereafter. I have started re-reading the books and am pleased that they are now being offered as collections. Lord Peter is observant, whimsical, witty, and willingly accepts help from any one regardless of their class. These are British mysteries at their best and if you’ve never read any of the Lord Peter Wimsey books, I highly recommend this collection.
You really need good background knowledge of the 1920’s to read and understand the slang and allusions in the Lord Peter Wimsey novels. You also need patience, as Dorothy Sayers sometimes gets carried away with lengthy sections of witty repartee. Your careful reading will allow you to absorb, process, and enjoy the humor. The characters are likable enough, and the plots are engaging in a typical “British novel” kind of way. The Lord Peter Wimsey books are not for everyone and are best read in small doses.
Classic mystery. Loved them when I read them years ago and they are still enjoyable.
The Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries are some of my favorite from the golden age.
A four volume set of Dorothy Sayer’s Lord Peter mysteries. I love all her books.
I LOVE Lord Peter Wimsey! And I loved these books! Classic English Who-done-it stories.
Beautifully articulated by a English woman dean who writes of the period between the two great wars with witty observation.
Lord Peter, Bunter, and of course Harriet Vane are genuinely remarkable creations of Dorothy Sayers, on of the most literary of mystery writers. These are books I treasure and read again and again.
Classy British detective solving complex crimes.
Dorothy Sayers is the queen of British mystery, and Lord Peter Wimsey reflects her sparkling wit. Her mysteries well reflect Britain in the in the first quarter of the 1900’s. If you haven’t discovered the Lord Peter Wimsey stories yet, you are in for a treat.
LOVE Lord Peter and Harriet! If you haven’t read Sayers you don’t know what you’re missing. Find out today!
These inspired the genre of early sophisticated mysteries both convincingly and as satire. the plotting is clever and the two main characters are a delight to include in people one reads about, and never to forget.
I began reading Dorothy Sayers as a teenager. For me, her wit and superb use of the language never fade.
I have read all of these (and all of DLS) in paperbacks and still have them. DLS is at her best far better than anyone else.