Whose Body?

The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries, Book 1

By: Dorothy L. Sayers

Narrated by: Geraldo Cortes

Dive into the intriguing world of Whose Body?, Dorothy Sayers' brilliant debut in the Lord Peter Wimsey series. When a mysterious body is discovered in a bathtub, wearing only a pair of spectacles, the case seems destined to remain unsolved. But Lord Peter Wimsey, a sophisticated amateur detective, takes on the challenge, unraveling clues and exposing hidden motives in a story filled with suspense and clever twists.

This captivating audiobook immerses listeners in a classic British mystery, showcasing Sayers' talent for intricate plotting and sharp dialogue. Perfect for fans of golden age detective fiction, Whose Body? promises a gripping experience from start to finish.

Public Domain (P)2024 La Jolla Classics Media

Not worth the exposure to anti-Semitism

It was a decent enough mystery story, though not up to the level of what I’d expect of the depiction of Dorothy Sayers as a top-notch mystery writer. There are plenty of murder mysteries out there that are at least as good, many much better, that I can enjoy without being subjected to depictions of Jews and “Hebrews” and “Semitic” types. I was so bothered by it that I read several essays about the anti-Semitism in her books (supposedly this first one in the series might be the worst). The essays discuss how common it is in British (and Russian) literature of the time - yes, I know it is. They discuss whether she herself was anti-Semitic or whether she is reflecting the characters of the time - perhaps she is merely reflecting the anti-Semitism of the British, but it is still not pleasant to read (or hear) it. That she had a relationship with a Jewish man of Russian background and the relationship soured and her depictions were a result of her emotions at the time. Whatever the reason, I’ll take the negative stereotypes and the anti-Semitic attitudes in a book that is otherwise truly superb literature, such as some of Dickens’ works. But this book is the type that I can find plenty of other mystery stories to entertain me without that aspect to mar the listening experience. The narrator did a fine job. And, as an added note the detailed “confession” by the murderer at the end was too lengthy - a mystery should be written so that we collect almost all of that information throughout the story (actually, we do), and only a few puzzling aspects might be filled in at the conclusion.