Reviews

Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers

fastasashark's review against another edition

funny informative mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

4.25-4.5/5

abbierose_m's review

4.0

FYI characters use the n-word 

lelia_t's review against another edition

3.0

For some reason I’m reading Sayers’ mysteries from Gaudy Night backwards and each preceding book gets a little more typical of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction genre, with less of the thoughtfulness and depth of character that we get with Gaudy Night. That’s not a complaint - I enjoy both for different reasons - but it’s interesting to imagine Sayers trying to do more with each successive book as she got comfortable with the genre.

Hard to talk about the best parts of this mystery without giving away some of the surprises, but there’s plenty to enjoy here. There is also the off-putting use of racial slurs, not as a reflection of Sayers’ or Wimsey’s beliefs, but as a reflection of societal stereotypes.

geofisch's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

calfaile's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

laz_'s review against another edition

4.0

really thrilled one of dorothy l. sayers’ mysteries stuck the landing for me!! she seems so up my alley so i was a little let down by the first two. also …. THE LESBIAN SUBTEXT IN THIS? i could write a whole essay about it. so much to think about

imperfectcj's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoy how Lord Peter seems clever but also a little silly and impetuous, but there's a point in each of Sayers's novels when his serious side comes through, not in a heavy-handed way, but often just as a glimpse. In many ways I find this mask/true self characterization more realistic than the more either/or characters in many books, and it helps to explain why those around him are so devoted to him, even when he acts like an ass.

saranies's review against another edition

4.0

Boston marriages and statutory interpretation played a role in this piece of fluff. A nice distraction for the fear, sadness, and anger I've felt for the past few days.

cmx's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Audible free, waited too long to write the review don't actually remember the plot line anymore. I think I remember pieces and it was a decent book but I can't read it better than 3 for lack of memory

rosiecockshutt's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0