When a terminally ill woman dies much earlier than expected, Lord Peter Wimsey suspects murder: “First-rate detection” (The Cincinnati Enquirer). Though never quick-witted, Agatha Dawson had an iron constitution and a will to fight that never abated in her old age. Even after three operations failed to rid her of her cancer, she refused to give in. But as her body began to weaken, she accused … began to weaken, she accused lawyers, nurses, and doctors of trying to kill her and snatch her fortune. The town physician, an expert in cancer, gives her six months to live. Only three days later, she is dead.
Though the autopsy reveals nothing surprising, the doctor suspects that Agatha’s niece had some hand in the old woman’s death. When Lord Peter Wimsey, the dashing gentleman detective, looks into the matter, he finds that death stalks all those who might testify. How can he continue his investigation when every question marks another innocent for murder?
Unnatural Death is the 3rd 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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Really enjoy reading about that time era and her characters are interesting. You can’t help like Lord Peter. I am sure all accolades have already been given and it is a shame there are no more.
Another fun read from Dorothy Sayers. This one was less “mysterious” than the other two I’ve read in this serious, since I was nearly certain who the murderer was from early on. So it was more about figuring out the “How” and “Why” rather than the “Who.” But still a great read, full of Sayers delightful humor and excellent writing skill.
Unnatural Death is the 3rd in the Lord Peter Wimsey series. I enjoy novels set during the 1920s and 30s because they are a good measure of social restrictions held in that time. The characters are a mixed bag, the plot is surprising in that it discusses same sex relationships during a time they were swept under the rug. I enjoyed this classic mystery on audiobook.
Always intriguing. It’s difficult to predict where the plot will twist and what the outcome will be. Lord Peter is a thoroughly likeable character leading a cast of others, equally likable and believable.
Love all of Dorthy Sayers mystery books. Excellent story lines.
Would have given a 5star rating but for the racist description of a possible suspect. I love old British mysteries. Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers among the best. This book was the first I can remember being racist. Thought I had read all of
Sayers’ novels 20 to 30 years ago. After rereading this book, I do not want to continue. I am also hoping that this was a “one off” but not ready try to prove it.
I’m a Dorothy Sayers fan – I’ve loved all her books.
First, to be totally fair, I love Dorothy Sayers and I love Lord Peter Wimsey – I read every one of those books I can get my hands on. Second, I get that these books were written a long time ago and the world has moved on since then. Maybe not quite far enough yet, but it Has moved on. All that is prefatory to warning that in this one book (NONE of the others thus far) I ran smack into a really ugly racial slur and it felt like a hard slap in the face. I persevered and kept reading for the reasons listed above, but seeing the N word on the page really detracted from this story for me. But for that, I would have really loved it. If you’re new to Lord Peter Wimsey, I’d suggest starting with another of Sayers’ books. ANY other one would do.
Classic Sayers
Love the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. The relationship he has with Harriet Vane is fun to follow. Though a product of her time, Dorothy Sayers was uniquely forward thinking and pioneer feminist. Love her.
I liked the characters and the mystery. I read the whole series.
Dorothy Sayers is a one of my favorite authors. The Peter Wimsey mysteries are her best.
Racist characters, including Wimsey’s policeman sidekick and Sayers as narrator herself using racist language.
This was a fun read. It took lots of twists and turns, but Lord Peter Whimsey solved the crime with help from his dear friend, Mr. Parker from Scotland Yard. A death makes Whimsey uneasy and believes it to be murder. He and Parker place a bet, Parker taking the side of natural cesation. But, in time, they’re working together as they discover more and more “unnerving” facts. It’s written in the 20’s, and there is vocabulary of that period, but the story’s worth it.
I have adored the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries for over 40 years. They are masterpieces.
I’ll read anything by Dorothy Sayers
I read this year’s ago and must have all the Peter Whimsys. I can see why they became movies and BBC series.
I love anything Dorothy Sayers wrote. Lord Peter Whimsy is just too too himself. I delight in his thumbing his nose at his peers. Sayers continues to seriously mock the British upper crust, to my delight!
This book was probably my introduction to Dorothy Sayers work several years ago. I am in the process of reading it a third time and find the stories just as riveting as I did back when. I think every serious reader has a list of favorite treasures which he/she keeps coming back to from time to time. Anything Sayers wrote usually makes its way onto my list.
The Lord Peter Whimsy books are always wonderful!
Love Lord Peter!!