From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

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

Sep 08, 2017 Ruth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: golden-age-and-vintage

For years I've been convinced that I much prefer the Lord Peter Wimsey books after Harriet Vane makes an appearance, but this book changed my mind. I always picture Lord Peter as an empty-headed fop in pre-Harriet days but I've had to revise my opinion as he came across as sensitive and conscientious rather than just a rich man of leisure with too much time on his hands

The character of Miss Climpson shines throughout the book for me and her situation made me think about the limited possibilities ...more

22 likes · Like · see review

Apr 02, 2020 Tania rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

I this this is the book where Lord Peter is becomes more defined as a character, and as a detective. I love the inclusion of Miss Climpson here.

10 likes · Like · see review

Dec 30, 2016 Roisin rated it liked it · review of another edition

This is a very interesting book and it will keep you engaged in most parts, despite some of the stereotypes used. You might even early on work out this mystery.

Lord Peter Wimsey becomes interested in the death of a wealthy, elderly patient, when a concerned doctor makes a fuss about the circumstances of the lady's death.

As someone who is not new to Sayers work, but have not read this book before, I was not that surprised by the number of strong, modern female characters. Ms Climpson, a mature go ...more

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Nov 15, 2020 Tony Fitzpatrick rated it liked it · review of another edition

This story, more than the previous two novels in this series, displays much of it's 1920's background and origin - some appalling racism, and many patronising attitudes to what is clearly a lesbian relationship. Occasionally that makes the plot difficult to read, but I stuck with it - noting that the past is clearly another country. Wimsey is taken into a confidence by a country doctor who has been hounded out of his job - one of his patients suffering from cancer died rather earlier than expect ...more

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