From AudioFile
In UNNATURAL DEATH, one of the early books in the Lord Peter Whimsey mystery series, Lord Peter investigates what he fears may be the perfect murder. The narrator, Ian Carmichael, gives a superb performance in general, but it takes a few minutes in the beginning to adjust to his accent and fast pace. It's also a puzzle that Carmichael does not differentiate between two main characters, Lord Peter Whimsey and his friend, Inspector Parker from Scotland Yard, when he is quite capable of doing so as he demonstrates with "lower-class" and minor characters of the story, whom he renders in a lively and satisfying manner. P.G. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine



"One of the greatest mystery story writers of this century."



"Suspense, wonderful plotting, first-rate detection."


Book Description
The wealthy old woman was dead -- a trifle sooner than expected. The intricate trail of horror and senseless murder led from a beautiful hampshire village to a fashionable London flat and a deliberate test of amour  -- staged by the debonair sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey."Here the modern detective story begins to come to its own; and all the historical importance aside, it remains an absorbing and charming story today."


About the Author
Dorothy L. Sayers is the author of novels, short stories, poetry collections, essays, reviews and translations. Although she was a noted Christian scholar, she is most known for her detective fiction. Born in 1893, she was one of the first women to be awarded a degree from Oxford University. Her first book featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, Whose Body?, was published in 1923 and over the next 20 years more novels and short stories about the aristocratic amateur sleuth appeared. Dorothy L. Sayers is recognized as one of the greatest mystery writers of the 20th century. Letter from the Editor: Dorothy L. Sayers is recognized as one of the greatest mystery writers of the 20th century. In 1923, Whose Body?, her first book, featuring the aristocratic amateur sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey, was published, and over the next 20 years more novels and short stories appeared. All 15 of Sayers' mysteries are available from HarperPaperbacks.Now there is a new Dorothy L. Sayers novel. A long-lost partial manuscript titled Thrones, Dominions was discovered last year, and acclaimed mystery writer Jill Paton Walsh has completed it. St. Martin's Press will publish this book in February. This is a signal publishing event, and HarperCollins congratulates St. Martin's Press. We are sure that Thrones, Dominions will delight Sayers' fans and find new ones for her, and in the process whet appetites for Sayers' other mysteries. A list of these books is attached. In the words of Dorothy L. Sayers herself, "Murder must advertise." So, in addition to an announcement about Thrones, Dominions in a recent issue of Publisher's Weekly, the next edition of the HarperCollins mystery newsletter, Deadline, will include a piece on the Sayers books, as will St. Martin's Press' newsletter, Murder at the Flatiron Building. HarperCollins will also feature information about the Sayers' backlist on its web page.Dorothy L. Sayers died in 1957, but her books continue to enthrall readers today. Please help us celebrate the doyenne of the Golden Age of the Mystery, Dorothy L. Sayers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The wealthy old woman was dead — a trifle sooner than expected. The intricate trail of horror and senseless murder led from a beautiful hampshire village to a fashionable London flat and a deliberate test of amour￯﾿ﾽ — staged by the debonair sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey.

"Here the modern detective story begins to come to its own; and all the historical importance aside, it remains an absorbing and charming story today."

SYNOPSIS