From AudioFile
GAUDY NIGHT is one of Sayers's most famous mysteries, and narrator Ian Carmichael does a splendid job personifying each of its well-drawn characters. The plot offers a lot of activity and even more dialogue, which Carmichael enhances with his gorgeous delivery. When Harriet Vane returns to her alma mater, Oxford, she finds herself in the middle of an escalating campaign of hatred. She calls Lord Peter Wimsey to assist as the attacks become physical, putting everyone in danger. Carmichael beautifully handles the eminently quotable Wimsey, along with a great deal of emotion, a suicidal young student, and the scouts (servants) who are vital to the story. He even treats listeners to a moving duet performed by Peter and Harriet in a lighter moment. A wonderful choice, even for those who are already familiar with the great Dorothy L. Sayers. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

AudioFile 2004
"One of Sayers's most famous mysteries, and narrator Ian Carmichael does a splendid job personifying each of its well-drawn characters."

Frank Behrens, August 2004
"We have Ian Carmichael... lending both his personal charm and a great Wimsey characterization to all of the readings."

Jon. L. Breen, The Jury Box, Ellery Queen Magazine, June 2005
"… masterfully read by Ian Carmichael."

Book Description
Malicious mischief is the order of the day in Gaudy Night. Lord Peter Wimsey continues to ply Harriet Vane with marriage proposals, but she has other things in mind - a reunion at her alma mater, Oxford. The normally staid academic setting suffers a rash of bizarre pranks: scrawled obscenities, burnt effigies, and poison-pen letters - including one that says, "Ask your boyfriend with the title if he likes arsenic in his soup." Some of the notes threaten murder, all are perfectly ghastly, and all are impeccably worded. Harriet finds herself ensnared in a nightmare of romance and terror, with few clues to challenge her powers of detection and those of her sometime boyfriend, Lord Peter. Reader Ian Carmichael expertly renders not only the male characters but a slew of females as well in this superb audio edition of the book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Malicious mischief is the order of the day in Gaudy Night. Lord Peter Wimsey continues to ply Harriet Vane with marriage proposals, but she has other things in mind — a reunion at her alma mater, Oxford. The normally staid academic setting suffers a rash of bizarre pranks: scrawled obscenities, burnt effigies, and poison-pen letters - including one that says, "Ask your boyfriend with the title if he likes arsenic in his soup." Some of the notes threaten murder, all are perfectly ghastly, and all are impeccably worded. Harriet finds herself ensnared in a nightmare of romance and terror, with few clues to challenge her powers of detection and those of her sometime boyfriend, Lord Peter. Reader Ian Carmichael expertly renders not only the male characters but a slew of females as well in this audio edition of a book the Saturday Review called "a real tour de force."

SYNOPSIS

When Harriet Vane attends her Oxford reunion, known as the "Gaudy," the prim academic setting is haunted by a rash of bizarre pranks: scrawled obsentities, burnt effigies and poison-pen letters -- including one that says, "Ask your boyfriend with the title if he likes arsenic in his soup." Some of the notes threaten murder; all are perfectly ghastly; yet in spite of their scurrilous nature, all are perfectly worded. And Harriet finds herself ensnared in a nightmare of romance and terror, with only the tiniest shreds of clues to challenge her powers of detection, and those of her paramour, Lord Peter Wimsey.

FROM THE CRITICS

AudioFile