Whose Body? is an amusing but simple mystery set in the upper-crust of English society of the 1920s—the first entry in Dorothy L. Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey series.
High Point: Lord Peter’s questioning the morality of his sleuthing hobby
Low Point: The mystery is rather easy to solve, and the reveal lacks suspense.
Author: Dorothy L Sayers
Publication Date: 1923
Genre: Mystery
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Whose Body? is an amusing but simple mystery set in the upper-crust of English society of the 1920s—the first entry in Dorothy L. Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey series.
Sayers introduces a number of strong likeable players. Lord Peter initially comes across as a ne’er-do-well aristocrat—shallow and bored with his easy life. But as you become more acquainted, he reveals a substance of character that gradually draws you in.
His manservant, Bunter, helps keep his employer in line, and is likely the most intelligent of the cast. His conversations with Lord Peter may be the highlight of the book. Lord Peter’s mother, the Dowager Duchess, is feisty and shares her son’s taste for sleuthing. And then there is Mr. Parker, a Scotland Yard detective who works closely with Lord Peter. Finally, Inspector Sugg provides the foil for Lord Peter with a considerable level of incompetence.
The problem with this story is that, with the exception of a few details, it’s rather easy to figure out. The eventual disclosure lacks suspense, and is actually told with a detailed letter written by the guilty culprit. It lacks the panache of the big reveals of Christie’s Poirot or Hammett’s Nick Charles.
But one unique and appealing aspect of the story is Lord Peter’s questioning the morality of his sleuthing hobby. Is it appropriate that something he does for amusement has such significant impact on others’ lives? His thoughtful exchange with Mr. Parker is the moment that won me over.
Whose Body? is sufficiently entertaining to warrant a look at Sayer’s next mystery someday. But first, I think I’ll enjoy a couple Christie classics, and maybe another look at The Thin Man.
Quotes
| [Conversation between Lord Peter Wimsey and his manservant] “Bunter!” “Yes, my lord.” “Her Grace tells me that a respectable Battersea architect has discovered a dead man in his bath.” “Indeed, my lord? That’s very gratifying.” “Very, Bunter. Your choice of words is unerring. I wish Eton and Balliol had done as much for me.” |
| There’s nothing you can’t prove if your outlook is only sufficiently limited. |
Sources For This Book
Free eBook (Project Gutenberg): Whose Body?
Free Audiobook (LibriVox): Whose Body?
Available to Purchase: AbeBooks, Biblio, Thriftbooks
