Dorothy L Sayers Fans?

[JackieandJudy]

Is there a particular order in which you should read the Lord Peter Wimsey novels? If not, can anyone recommend their favourites please? Don't know where to start!

It depends on whether you want Harriet Vane as a speaking character or not.

The Vane books in order are:

• Strong Poison
• Have his Carcase
• Gaudy Night
• Busman's Honeymoon

Murder Must Advertise makes brief reference to the presence of Harriet Vane in Peter Wimsey's life and should probably sit between the first two Vane books chronologically

For a full listing look here.

The Vane books should definitely be read in order, with the others it does not matter as much.

Thank you pointy, that's really helpful. Have you read them all and do you have any particular favourites?

I have read them all, including the short story collections - these often only have two or three Wimsey stories though, and will then have others too. Sayers has a recurring character called Montague Egg who also solves crimes, and has written a few non-detective shorts too. They are all worth reading though!

My absolute favourites are the books featuring Harriet Vane, and of those I like Strong Poison and Busman's Honeymoon best. I also really like Murder Must Advertise, which gives you a really good snapshot of the advertising industry in the 1920s - most of what goes on would not be allowed today, it's fascinating stuff and very well written.

If you're interested in dramatisations you can do no better than the series with Edward Petherbridge as Wimsey, filmed in the 80s. They did the first three Vane books but unfortunately not the last .

I envy you for having all this still to look forward to...

Aw thanks pointy, I'm going to head straight on over to Amazon