Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Wimsey, #12) in Reading the Detectives

Dec 14, 2015 Teri-K rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery-golden-age, mystery, old-favorites, audio-recommended, z-permanent-bookshelf

This has always been one of my favorite books of the series, even though it sometimes drives me crazy. Because there are so many levels in this story I can either be pulled happily along the philosophical and sociological rabbit trails, or just be frustrated because I want to get to the plot.

Every time I read this I wish Sayers had managed to not put quite so much of herself in here. Then I decide I'm glad she did, because the glimpses are fascinating - almost like a train wreck is fascinating. ...more

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Jul 30, 2017 Jan C rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: rtd-2016-sayers-challenge, 2017, mystery, england

This is probably the fourth I have read this. But I can't remember it taking me this long before. I still enjoyed it.

It must have been quite a while since I didn't remember who the suspect was. Love her rant! (All of the suspects are women.)

This one takes place at Oxford. Harriet is working on one of her books. Suddenly there are poison pen letters, mischievous goings on, etc. Finally she suggests that perhaps her friend Lord Peter can help resolve the problem. ...more

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May 06, 2024 Maine Colonial rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, british, favorite-authors, mystery

I don't re-read many books, but I like to re-read (or listen to) Gaudy Night and its successor, Busman's Honeymoon, every two or three years. Despite being written nearly a century ago, the books' treatment of women's roles isn't antiquated. There are a few unfortunate references to Jews--not hateful, but casually prejudiced--that always make me cringe.

I would love to see somebody do a new dramatization of the Wimsey/Vane novels. ...more

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May 17, 2019 Lekeshua added it

This is my first Lord Peter Wimsey novel and decided to pick up Gaudy Night based on The Literary
Life Podcast produced by Angelina Standford and Cindy Rollins new podcast. I am so pleased I picked this book up and will definitely start back at the beginning of series even though I didn't feel like I was terribly lost without knowing the back story of the characters. Clean British Mystery that handled matters of feminism nicely. It reminds me of Sherlock Homes which I am an huge fan. ...more

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