Lord Peter Wimsey Novels - pick one for me to read please!

[HollyGoHeavily]

My book group meets pretty soon and this month's choice is to read a Lord Peter Wimsey novel. I have never heard of him not yet had the pleasure so need some pointers. Which of the novels should I read? The first one? Or is there a stand-out one in the middle of the series?

ANd what next? Have already read 5 red herrings, gaudy night, strong poison, busmans honeymoon. Have on the shelves: documents in the case, hangmans holiday, trouble at bellona club. Anything else I'd need to get on kindle.

Trouble at Bellona Club, Bella. It's earliest of the ones you have available.

Percy, on re-reading some short stories, I think LPW is a lot more human once Harriet is on the scene.

Whimsey fans might like Boris Akunin's Erast Fandorin series, similar hero but late Victorian I think.

BellaBear, I thought it was Strong Poison when Parker and Mary got engaged?

You definitely need to read the Harriet Vane ones in order (Strong Poison, Have His Carcass, Gaudy Night, Busman's Honeymoon) as they're about the developing relationship as much as the individual cases... Of the non Harriet books, I agree that Murder Must Advertise is one of the best. Also like Unnatural Death.

I've only read I once and ages ago so I can't remember! I suspect you are right!

Bit of a zombie thread but remembering it, I Googled Harriet Walter & found a load of clips on Youtube.

That's me sorted for the next month. Thank you

Am re-reading one of the ersatz JPW ones - 'presumption of death'. A bit like cava instead of champagne, but at least it gives me a fix. I think she does Harriet quite well. Wish she would write some more..

oooh, just googled it on teh off-chance and dicovered she has written another - the attenbury emeralds (nice touch as that case is mentioned to in the biogs at the start of each novel), so have just ordered used from amazon with one click

Wonder what you will think of The AE, Mrs G? Let us know!

I'm halfway through watching Gaudy Night. Edward Petherbridge and Harriet Walter are perfect.
I'm sorry they took St George out of the plot though, I liked him.

Yes, they are perfect! (Had autumn evening last year, all lined up to watch again, stormy night, everyone out, me by blazing fire, bottle glass of wine - and discovered DVD missing [shocked] borrowed by my parents...)

Just finished watching Gaudy Night. The proposal scene was going so well until he actually proposed
"Will you marry me?" "You dear idiot."
It just doesn't even come close to Placet

On the whole though, bloody good. Going to go back & watch Strong Poison & Have His Carcase now. I haven't read those for years so I won't be comparing so much.