Golden Age Mystery Group Read for June - Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers

[C.J.]

Yes! Isn't it dazzling & fun to see Sayers put so much erudition (a pejorative for women) into her stories -- & to tour the canon of her day, so different from ours. Thanks for this lovely footnote, Elizabeth.

[Keri]

I have gone on and am reading the rest of the series. I was waiting for the introduction of Harriet Vane since I felt after reading the 1st that although I love Lord Peter’s mother the series needed a strong female character. Just finished Stron Poison.

[Bionic Jean]

Dorothy L. Sayers was a remarkable writer! I too love to find the tiny references, especially to Charles Dickens :)

His characters are so larger than life, that if we recognise one, any mention of them with relation to a new one in a Dorothy L. Sayers's novel, will give us a head start in knowing what their mannerisms or personalities are going to be like!

We have another week on this one. Anyone else able to squeeze it in?

[Infosifter]

I just finish this now, so I thought I'd make a few belated comments. First of all, I enjoyed this very much and will definitely continue reading the series, preferably in order. :-) I had an idea – mostly mistaken – that there would be a lot of French in this series, and that kept me from reading the books when I was in my late teens because I was afraid I would miss important details. I'm kind of glad I waited because I understand these books far better as a 40-something accidental emigrant to Britain then I would have as an American teenager without much grounding in world history. I enjoyed the mystery here, but I think I liked the wit and style of the writing even more. I don't get all the references, but the ones I do pick up add to the interest of the reading experience and make me think and draw comparisons. I know cozyy and classic mysteries aren't considered great literature, but I love when a book that is written entirely for entertainment still manages to subtly expand my horizons a little bit.

[Bionic Jean]

That's great Kellie! Isn't it lovely when we find a new-to-me author :) I know exactly what you mean too, about Dorothy L. Sayers being a bit more than the average author of cosy mysteries. Thank for sharing this.

I hope you enjoy more books by her. We have an author thread for Dorothy L. Sayers LINK HERE, which would be a good place to put comments :)

[Zain]

I agree with you, Kellie, that Sayers is a good mystery writer. I have already purchased some other books from her, and I hope to add them to my reading list very soon.


Zain 😎