From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Busman's Honeymoon (Lord Peter Wimsey, #13)

Dorothy L. Sayers

Start date: December 1, 2016

Finish date: December 31, 2016

Discussion: Group Challenges

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What Members Thought

Aug 15, 2018 Jan C rated it really liked it

Shelves: england, mystery, 2018, rtd-2016-sayers-challenge

I've had multiple readings of this. Enjoyed it every time.

Had forgotten about the three short chapters at the end showing how Peter deals with the aftermath of his cases. ...more

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Mar 22, 2022 Tracey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

It's taken me a very long time to listen to this book. I'm not sure why; there are a bunch of partial reasons, which don't necessarily add up to a whole. It has been a very long time since I read the last LPDBW books, partly because they're harder to find in audio, so you'd think I would have galumphed happily through this, especially read as it is by Ian Carmichael.

The beginning is pure joy. The epistolary introduction to the story is perfect. The glimpses into the minds of the Dowager Duchess It's taken me a very long time to listen to this book. I'm not sure why; there are a bunch of partial reasons, which don't necessarily add up to a whole. It has been a very long time since I read the last LPDBW books, partly because they're harder to find in audio, so you'd think I would have galumphed happily through this, especially read as it is by Ian Carmichael.

The beginning is pure joy. The epistolary introduction to the story is perfect. The glimpses into the minds of the Dowager Duchess and our Bunter in particular are wonderful. (And, of course, it's masterful storytelling, but of course it is.) And the mystery is fun: it's a vivid and engaging cast of characters, and a fun solution.

I think the reason I balk at it slightly, and don't really expect to read or listen again for a while (unlike early books, which are my go-to for comfort reads), is that it's simply too intimate. I have no business listening in to Peter and Harriet's lovemaking. I think it has been long enough since I read this, that I was young enough last time, that I was mildly oblivious to a lot of the sheer blazing passion in the Peter-Harriet scenes. Maybe I didn't understand enough French ... And I kept feeling like I ought to be off in the kitchen with Bunter or something. It's beautiful and rapturous and utter fan-service - and it's uncomfortable. ("License my roving hands and let them go before, behind, between" ... I'd forgotten Donne was so ... um ... wow.)

Don't get me wrong - it's wonderful to see a much-beloved character (two, really) get their time of great joy. But ... the books are intelligent detective novels with, once Harriet comes in, an intellectual romance woven through. This, though - this is an intellectual romance with a murder cropping up. Again, I love reading about these two being deliriously happy and how they are struggling to adapt to that after never having had it before ... But seriously, it was a shame that bit about protecting Peter from the reporters was put in, because how much worse is having his most intimate moments (nearly) in black and white for anyone to read? Peter would loathe this book.

Also ... however richly deserved, it was unsettling to see Bunter completely and utterly lose his cool. (Mrs. Ruddle should count herself lucky to escape with her life.)

And finally, the saddest thing of all in this: no Parker. At all. *checks* No, seriously, not a mention, not even at the wedding. Wait, as "Charles" he gets two references in a Helen letter, of all things - Ms Sayers, why??? ...more

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Jun 17, 2019 Anna Adams rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Don't even know how many times I've read this. Always enjoy another visit with Harriet and Lord Peter. Still a 5!

Yet another read. I have a few qualms this time, but I'll always love the Wimseys because they've been like old friends you love even as you know they have quirks.

Every time I read (or re-read) a Peter Wimsey, I think it's my fave, but I really think this one is. A love story and a mystery. What could go wrong? ...more

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