Whose Body? - Book 1

This is my first completed book in 2016.  I abandoned the other three books I was bogged down in and decided I was only going to read for pleasure and not out of a sense of duty!

This is a reread from many years ago.  Whose Body?  is the first Lord Peter Wimsey mystery written by Dorothy L. Sayers.  In it we are introduced to charming Lord Peter and his perfect manservant, Bunter.  Lord Peter is a learned and rich aristocrat who loves to collect expensive old books and quote Latin.  He comes off as a bit quirky, but underneath his chatter is a mind like a steel trap.  He also, though, still suffers from shell shock from his time in World War 1.  It is also hinted at that he was jilted after the war and that further exacerbated his breakdown.

He has a friend police detective, Parker, who can be Lord Peter's intellectual companion but also steadies his more whimsical characteristics.  Since this is a British novel written in the 20s there are quite a few references to 'semites' and "Hebrews' even though the man in question is a nice guy.  The British certainly did have their issues there.

This was a very enjoyable, intelligent and satisfying mystery story, even if a bit grisly in terms of the cold way in which human dissection is discussed.  It has got a couple of really creepy moments.

Two thumbs up!  I am really happy to be revisiting Lord Peter.

For more book reviews go to Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.