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Unnatural Death (Lord Peter Wimsey, #3)

Dorothy L. Sayers

Start date: April 15, 2025

Finish date: May 7, 2016

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: For all our Wimsey fans
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What Members Thought

Dec 28, 2013 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the third Lord Peter Wimsey novel. Wimsey and Charles Parker are interrupted, while in a teashop, by a doctor who overhears them talking about crime. He relates a tale of how he was treating an elderly lady for cancer, whose niece insisted was much nearer than death than he felt she was. When she died suddenly, without leaving a will, the doctor insisted on an autopsy, leading to bad feeling with both the niece, Miss Whittaker, and the local community. Indeed, his actions led to him havi This is the third Lord Peter Wimsey novel. Wimsey and Charles Parker are interrupted, while in a teashop, by a doctor who overhears them talking about crime. He relates a tale of how he was treating an elderly lady for cancer, whose niece insisted was much nearer than death than he felt she was. When she died suddenly, without leaving a will, the doctor insisted on an autopsy, leading to bad feeling with both the niece, Miss Whittaker, and the local community. Indeed, his actions led to him having to leave the area and begin work elsewhere. Of course, Lord Peter is immediately intrigued - how many people do 'get away with murder'? However, Parker is not conviced there is a case to answer. Presumably, as an officer of the law he had enough real work to be getting on with, but Wimsey is determined to investigate.

In this entertaining novel, Lord Peter uses the indefatigable Miss Climpson as his "ears and tongue and especially nose." A spinsterish lady, much in the style of a slightly younger Miss Marple, she is an enquiry agent for Lord Peter; settling herself into a boarding house near where the elderly lady died and sending letters (which you feel the author had great fun writing) reporting on the people and places involved. Before long there is a further murder and even Parker is convinced that something is amiss. Did Miss Whittaker hurry her aunt along to make sure she inherited? Who is the mysterious Mrs Forrest? Is Lord Peter Wimsey himself going to become a victim?

This is a real puzzle of a mystery, with endless clues and suspects and sometimes you do feel a little bogged down in information. However, the real fun and sense of righting a wrong does shine through and you happily embark on the journey with Lord Peter, Parker, Miss Climpson and, of course, Bunter. Very enjoyable, brilliantly plotted (if a little confusingly at times) and, of course, much of the pleasure is in the character of Lord Peter Wimsey himself. If you enjoy Golden Age detective fiction then you will love this. ...more

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Oct 31, 2013 Lady Wesley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: listened

I picked up this audiobook at audible.com's BOGO sale, which ends tonight. I've read all of the Lord Peter Wimsey books many, many times, and I adored Ian Carmichael's portrayal of him in the 1970s BBC series. I know already that this one will be a five-star listen! ...more

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Aug 06, 2020 Jazzy Lemon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, english-authors

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Apr 16, 2014 Damaskcat rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: dls-challenge

I first read this book about forty years ago and at the time I didn't think it very good for some reason. Re-reading it now it strikes me as very clever. I loved the way the evidence builds up in tiny snippets to make the case. Lord Peter Wimsey and Detective Inspector Parker are having dinner together and talking about crimes and whether a lot of crime - especially murder - is never noticed. A young man sitting at the next table overhears them and offers to tell them about his own experience.

H ...more

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Jul 13, 2013 Lynnie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-1970s, golden-age-detective-story, london, mystery, read-in-2023

Last time I read this was in the 70's so have completely forgotten the plot but remembered the method but I still enjoyed rereading. Lord Peter is not as silly as in the earlier books and I like his relationship with Parker. Miss Climpson is a great character too. A very intriguing case. ...more

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