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bookwoman1967's review against another edition
3.0
There are a lot of flaws with this book, but I enjoyed it anyway. The biggest problems are the incredible amount of time spent on the back-story and the far too convoluted nature of the mystery. Yes, mysteries are supposed to be mysterious, but given the cold-case nature of the story it all seems over the top. Then, there will always be the fact that the author isn't Dorothy Sayers -- if you are going to enjoy this book you must take it for what it is, which is basically fan fiction.
What made it enjoyable for me was the continuation of the characters' lives (though even as fan fiction some of it strained credulity) and the very, very Britishness and phrasing of the language. It's not Dorothy Sayers, but it's like comfortable old slippers.
What made it enjoyable for me was the continuation of the characters' lives (though even as fan fiction some of it strained credulity) and the very, very Britishness and phrasing of the language. It's not Dorothy Sayers, but it's like comfortable old slippers.
applegnreads's review against another edition
2.0
Sad. The previous two were fun and this one... left a bit to be desired. My least favorite part - the part where Peter and Harriet chase from one character to another and back learning bits here and there. They both seem like such amateurs. Bummer.
I couldn't decide if the state of London after the war, the social changes, Denver situation, etc were interesting or the only part of the book that Walsh could write well and therefore a detraction from the interest of the story line itself.
I couldn't decide if the state of London after the war, the social changes, Denver situation, etc were interesting or the only part of the book that Walsh could write well and therefore a detraction from the interest of the story line itself.
lessard8424's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fun read! It was refreshing to be back in the world of Harriet and Peter. It felt as if it were a natural continuation of the series.
cimorene1558's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly good! I don’t really think of the characters as being the same as Sayers, but I enjoy them very much!
bkdrgn303's review against another edition
4.0
It has been years since I've read any of the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries by Dorothy L. Sayers but they remain a favorite of mine. I was reluctant to pick up this book by Jill Paton Walsh for fear that it would be sub-par but...I was pleasantly surprised. This book takes place several years after WWII and Lord Peter and his beloved wife Harriet Vane are living comfortably in London when Peter tells the story of his very first case, that of the Attenbury jewels. Shortly thereafter, another case involving the same jewels is presented and the story begins in earnest. Walsh does a fine job at capturing the humor of Lord Peter and Harriet, all while weaving an intricate plot that has unfolded over nearly 30 years. I was happily surprised at how much I enjoyed this one!
eastofthesunwestofthemoon's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars - This novel felt more like a few short stories cobbled together with a series framework around them. Yes, throughout the book, the author is dealing with the emeralds, but it's very choppy with a lot of back and forth (short story feel). The places where we visit the Wimsey family plot line that's carrying on through the series seem to have a disconnect from the emerald stories. Sometimes, the bits of the emerald story that trickle into this backdrop seem forced. I also get the impression that the author likes writing about the Wimsey family, particularly Harriet, more than she does about the mysteries, which is somewhat disconcerting, as what I want to read from a mystery is the other way around. She does write well, however, and captures the feel of the times, both wartime and '50s. Edward Petherbridge does an admirable job as narrator on the audio book.
ajitate's review against another edition
5.0
I am loving Paton Walsh's books. The stories are involved with multiple threads all beautifully woven together. She's also done a fabulous job of continuing the lives of the characters so creditably. Is it sacrilegious to say I think her books might even be better than Sayers' own??
pkadams's review against another edition
2.0
After two promising Lord Peter novels, I truly expected Walsh to deliver a third. The motive of the murder was flimsy and made the author seem like she was grasping. Secondly the movement back and forth through time was handled poorly. Thirdly and most importantly the tragedies to the characters were so not what Sayers would have done. To write more on that point would spoil it for others. Honestly I have to say that I'm tired of authors aging their characters. Rex Stout had it right - Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe were timeless as NYC aged around them; much more enjoyable!
rebeccacider's review against another edition
3.0
The strongest praise I can give this novel is that I found it a pleasurable page-turner. Walsh gets the period details just right and does a good job capturing some of the nuance of Sayers' characters, as well as the cultural shifts taking place in post-war Britain.
AND YET THE PLOT. The Attenbury Emeralds is lively and dramatic, but plotted more like an episode of Sherlock than a Golden Age detective story, with a mystery held together by coincidence and fuzzy thinking. While Sayers was not above the odd coincidence (Peter Wimsey is, after all, a Mystery Magnet), she is known for intellectual rigor. We just don't get that complexity in these fan sequels.
Don't get me wrong, the next time I'm in need of a cozy read I will certainly consider picking up another of these books, but the weak plotting means I find them simultaneously enjoyable and frustrating.
ETA: While I'm referencing TV Tropes, I forgot to complain about Walsh's hat tip to the Celebrity Paradox - it's silly, but it really bothered me! A world where Dorothy L. Sayers existed and wrote detective novels that aren't about Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane is a world I'd rather not contemplate.
AND YET THE PLOT. The Attenbury Emeralds is lively and dramatic, but plotted more like an episode of Sherlock than a Golden Age detective story, with a mystery held together by coincidence and fuzzy thinking. While Sayers was not above the odd coincidence (Peter Wimsey is, after all, a Mystery Magnet), she is known for intellectual rigor. We just don't get that complexity in these fan sequels.
Don't get me wrong, the next time I'm in need of a cozy read I will certainly consider picking up another of these books, but the weak plotting means I find them simultaneously enjoyable and frustrating.
ETA: While I'm referencing TV Tropes, I forgot to complain about Walsh's hat tip to the Celebrity Paradox - it's silly, but it really bothered me! A world where Dorothy L. Sayers existed and wrote detective novels that aren't about Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane is a world I'd rather not contemplate.