Best Selling Books by Dorothy L. Sayers

Dorothy L. Sayers is the author of Unpopular Opinions (2022), Unnatural Death (2012), Whose Body? (2020), The Mind of the Maker (1987), Murder Must Advertise (2022).

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Unpopular Opinions

release date: Aug 16, 2022
Unpopular Opinions
DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Unpopular Opinions" by Dorothy L. Sayers. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

Unnatural Death

release date: Jul 31, 2012
Unnatural Death
When a terminally ill woman dies much earlier than expected, Lord Peter Wimsey suspects murder: “First-rate detection” (The Cincinnati Enquirer). Though never quick-witted, Agatha Dawson had an iron constitution and a will to fight that never abated in her old age. Even after three operations failed to rid her of her cancer, she refused to give in. But as her body began to weaken, she accused lawyers, nurses, and doctors of trying to kill her and snatch her fortune. The town physician, an expert in cancer, gives her six months to live. Only three days later, she is dead. Though the autopsy reveals nothing surprising, the doctor suspects that Agatha’s niece had some hand in the old woman’s death. When Lord Peter Wimsey, the dashing gentleman detective, looks into the matter, he finds that death stalks all those who might testify. How can he continue his investigation when every question marks another innocent for murder? Unnatural Death is the 3rd book in the Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries, but you may enjoy the series by reading the books in any order. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Dorothy L. Sayers including rare images from the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College.

Whose Body?

release date: Feb 04, 2020
Whose Body?
Praise for Dorothy Sayers: “Part of the Golden Age of mystery writers . . . Sayers is often credited as the most intelligent of them all”—The Guardian In this new edition of Dorothy Sayers’s Whose Body?, readers are introduced to the star of her mystery series, Lord Peter Wimsey. In this first book of Sayers’s series, Peter, an amateur sleuth, is intrigued and mystified by the sudden appearance of a naked body in the bathtub of an architect. Meanwhile, another man, a financier, is reported missing, last having been seen leaving his house stark naked! Though originally thought to be two separate occurrences, as Peter investigates, he discovers the death and the disappearance are indeed related. As clues amass and become stranger and stranger, will Lord Peter be able to solve the mystery? Follow along with Lord Peter Wimsey in this new and improved edition of Dorothy Sayers’s original debut novel Whose Body? With a beautiful new cover and enhanced text and footnotes, this novel will be sure to leave any mystery or historical fiction fan begging for more.

The Mind of the Maker

release date: Sep 23, 1987
The Mind of the Maker
This classic, with a new introduction by Madeleine L''Engle, is by turns an entrancing mediation on language; a piercing commentary on the nature of art and why so much of what we read, hear, and see falls short; and a brilliant examination of the fundamental tenets of Christianity. The Mind of the Maker will be relished by those already in love with Dorothy L. Sayers and those who have not yet met her. A mystery writer, a witty and perceptive theologian, culture critic, and playwright, Dorothy Sayers sheds new, unexpected light on a specific set of statements made in the Christian creeds. She examines anew such ideas as the image of God, the Trinity, free will, and evil, and in these pages a wholly revitalized understanding of them emerges. The author finds the key in the parallels between the creation of God and the human creative process. She continually refers to each in a way that illuminates both.

Murder Must Advertise

release date: Aug 16, 2022
Murder Must Advertise
DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Murder Must Advertise" by Dorothy L. Sayers. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

Dorothy L. Sayers

release date: Jul 23, 2002
Dorothy L. Sayers
Gathered here for the first time in one volume are all the short stories by the legendary mystery writer Dorothy L. Sayers. In this beguiling collection, Sayers conveys in her incomparable way the gruesome, the grotesque, and the bewitching. Here is the inimitable aristocrat, Lord Peter Wimsey, one of fiction''s most popular detectives of all time, up to his usual exploits as he solves tantalizing puzzles, as only he can. And then there''s the clever working-class salesman-sleuth, Montague Egg, who uses his everyday smarts to solve the cases that baffle the professionals. A sumptuous feast of criminal doings and undoings, Dorothy L. Sayers: The Complete Stories is a mystery lover''s treasure trove of the amusing and appalling things that happen on the way to the gallows.

Gaudy Night

release date: Aug 16, 2022
Gaudy Night
DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Gaudy Night" by Dorothy L. Sayers. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

Have His Carcase

release date: Aug 16, 2022
Have His Carcase
DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Have His Carcase" by Dorothy L. Sayers. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

Clouds of Witness

release date: Nov 13, 2023
Clouds of Witness
"Clouds of Witness" by Dorothy L. Sayers. Published by DigiCat. DigiCat publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each DigiCat edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

The Letters of Dorothy L. Sayers

release date: Oct 14, 2014
The Letters of Dorothy L. Sayers
C.S. Lewis said that Dorothy L. Sayers would be acclaimed as one of the great letter-writers of the twentieth century. His opinion is triumphantly confirmed in this collection of letters spanning Sayers''s childhood and career as a detective novelist.

Thrones, Dominations

release date: Mar 15, 1999
Thrones, Dominations
Gentleman sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey and his bride Harriet Vane have settled into thier life together in 1930s London when an extra complication arises suddenly.

Whose Body? Illustrated

release date: Oct 26, 2020
Whose Body? Illustrated
Whose Body? is a 1923 mystery novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, in which she introduced the character of Lord Peter Wimsey.

Strong Poison

release date: Aug 16, 2022
Strong Poison
DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Strong Poison" by Dorothy L. Sayers. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

The Five Red Herrings

release date: Aug 16, 2022
The Five Red Herrings
DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "The Five Red Herrings" by Dorothy L. Sayers. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

Busman's Honeymoon

release date: Jul 31, 2012
Busman's Honeymoon
In this installment of the “literate and delightful” Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries, Harriet Vane’s honeymoon with the dapper British detective is marred by murder (Chicago Tribune). It took several near-death experiences for Lord Peter Wimsey to convince Harriet Vane to be his wife, but she has finally relented. When the dapper detective marries Britain’s most popular mystery author—just a few short years after rescuing her from the hangman’s noose—the press could not be more excited. But Lord Peter and his bride have no interest in spending their wedding night surrounded by reporters. They sneak out of their own reception to begin their honeymoon early, out of sight of the world. Unfortunately, for some couples, calamity is inescapable. On their 1st morning together, the newlyweds discover the house’s caretaker bludgeoned to death in the manor’s basement. If they thought finding a few minutes alone was difficult, they’re up against even steeper odds. In a house full of suspects, identifying the killer won’t be easy. Busman’s Honeymoon is the 13th book in the Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries, but you may enjoy the series by reading the books in any order. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Dorothy L. Sayers including rare images from the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College.

Whose Body? Annotated

release date: Feb 05, 2021
Whose Body? Annotated
Whose Body? is a 1923 mystery novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, in which she introduced the character of Lord Peter Wimsey.

The Emperor Constantine

release date: Sep 09, 2011
The Emperor Constantine
A brief ''Prologue'' by the ''Church'' introduces the career of Constantine (from AD 305-337) with scenes from the empires of both west and east, concentrating on Constantine''s progress to imperial power and inevitably in religious belief. He discovers Christ to be the God who has made him his earthly vice-regent as single Emperor. Summoning the Council of Nicaea in 325, an invigorating debate results in the acceptance of Constantine''s formula that Christ is ''of one substance with God.'' The implications of the Creed of Nicaea are revealed in the last part of the play in which it is Constantine''s mother, Helena, who brings him to the realization that he needs redemption by Christ for his political and military life as well as for the domestic tragedy which has resulted in the death of his son.

The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery

release date: Aug 22, 2024
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery
"The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club" by Dorothy L. Sayers is a captivating and intricately plotted detective novel that showcases the brilliance of Lord Peter Wimsey as he navigates the complexities of a puzzling case. Set against the backdrop of post-World War I London, Sayers skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, suspense, and social commentary to create a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The novel introduces readers to the enigmatic Lord Peter Wimsey, a charming and witty aristocrat with a keen intellect and a passion for solving mysteries. When General Fentiman is found dead in his chair at the Bellona Club, Lord Peter is called upon to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. As Lord Peter delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of family secrets, financial intrigues, and long-held grudges that lead him down unexpected paths. One of the standout features of "The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club" is Sayers'' skillful character development, as she brings to life a diverse cast of characters, each with their own motivations and hidden agendas. From the stoic General Fentiman to the eccentric members of the Bellona Club, Sayers creates a rich tapestry of personalities that adds depth and complexity to the story. Furthermore, Sayers'' meticulous attention to detail and clever plotting make "The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club" a masterclass in detective fiction. The novel is filled with twists and turns, red herrings, and unexpected revelations that keep readers guessing until the very end. Sayers'' sharp wit and elegant prose style further enhance the reading experience, making this novel a true delight for fans of classic British mystery. "The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its engaging plot, memorable characters, and clever storytelling. Dorothy L. Sayers'' masterful blend of mystery, humor, and social commentary ensures that this novel remains a standout in the genre of detective fiction and a must-read for fans of the genre.

Unnatural Death: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery

release date: Aug 22, 2024
Unnatural Death: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery
Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers is a gripping murder mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Set in the early 20th century, the story follows the renowned detective Lord Peter Wimsey as he investigates a series of mysterious deaths that have been ruled as natural but seem to have suspicious circumstances surrounding them. When an elderly woman dies unexpectedly, her doctor is convinced it was due to natural causes. However, her close friend suspects foul play and enlists the help of Lord Peter to uncover the truth. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they discover a string of similar deaths that have occurred under similar circumstances. With the help of his trusty sidekick, Bunter, Lord Peter unearths a web of lies, deceit, and greed as he races against time to catch the elusive killer. With expertly crafted plot twists and a keen attention to detail, Sayers skillfully weaves together a complex and puzzling mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end. As the body count rises, Lord Peter must use all his deductive skills to unravel the truth and bring the murderer to justice. Unnatural Death is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of morality, justice, and the lengths people will go to for their own gain. Sayers'' masterful storytelling and vivid descriptions immerse readers in the world of 1920s England, making this a must-read for any fans of the mystery genre.

Striding Folly

release date: Jul 31, 2012
Striding Folly
In three stories, Lord Peter Wimsey confronts land barons, killers—and fatherhood: “One of the most skillful of mystery writers” (The New York Times). For decades, Lord Peter Wimsey has made life tough for England’s criminal class. In town and country he solved some of the most baffling mysteries of the Jazz Age, facing down killers armed only with wit, charm, and a keen nose for deception. His work brought him 1 great reward: the love of beautiful mystery novelist Harriet Vane. After years of pleading, he has finally convinced her to marry him. Now the real adventure begins. In the final 3 Wimsey stories, Lord Peter confronts land barons, killers, and the terror that comes from raising 3 young sons. Through it all, his clear thinking never fails him, and he solves these last puzzles as successfully as he did his 1st. He may be a family man now, but like good wine, a great detective only gets better with age. Striding Folly is the 15th book in the Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries, but you may enjoy the series by reading the books in any order. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Dorothy L. Sayers including rare images from the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College.

The Nine Tailors

release date: Jul 31, 2012
The Nine Tailors
While ringing in the New Year, Lord Peter Wimsey discovers some old crimes: “A rattling good mystery” (Kirkus Reviews). Lord Peter Wimsey and his manservant Bunter are halfway across the wild flatlands of East Anglia when they make a wrong turn, straight into a ditch. They scramble over the rough country to the nearest church, where they find hospitality, dinner, and an invitation to go bell-ringing. This ancient art is steeped in mathematical complexities, and tonight the rector and his friends plan to embark on a 9-hour marathon session to welcome the New Year. Lord Peter joins them, taking a step into a society whose cheerful exterior hides a dark, deadly past. During their stay in this unfamiliar countryside, Lord Peter and Bunter encounter murder, a mutilated corpse, and a decades-old jewel theft for which locals continue to die. In this land where bells toll for the dead, the ancient chimes never seem to stop. The Nine Tailors is the 11th book in the Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries, but you may enjoy the series by reading the books in any order. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Dorothy L. Sayers including rare images from the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College.

Lord Peter Views the Body

release date: Jul 31, 2012
Lord Peter Views the Body
A dozen whodunits to challenge the ingenious British aristocrat and sleuth—from “one of the greatest mystery story writers” (Los Angeles Times). Some aristocrats spend their lives shooting, but Lord Peter Wimsey is a hunter of a different kind: a bloodhound with a nose for murder. Before he became Britain’s most famous detective, Lord Peter contented himself with solving the crimes he came across by chance. In this volume of short stories, he confronts a stolen stomach, a man with copper fingers, and a deadly adventure at Ali Baba’s cave, among other conundrums. These mysteries tax not just his intellect, but his humor, knowledge of metallurgy, and taste for fine wines. It’s not easy being a gentleman sleuth, but Lord Peter is the man for the job. Lord Peter Views the Body is the 4th book in the Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries, but you may enjoy the series by reading the books in any order. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Dorothy L. Sayers including rare images from the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College.

Hangman's Holiday

release date: Aug 16, 2022
Hangman's Holiday
DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Hangman''s Holiday" by Dorothy L. Sayers. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

The Cases of Lord Peter Wimsey - Complete Series

release date: Nov 26, 2023
The Cases of Lord Peter Wimsey - Complete Series
Lord Peter Wimsey is an English aristocrat and amateur sleuth created by Dorothy L. Sayers, English crime writer from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. An archetype of the British gentleman detective, Lord Peter Wimsey solves mysteries for his own amusement with the assistance of his valet and former batman, Mervyn Bunter; police detective Charles Parker; and charming Harriet Vane. Table of Contents: Biographical Introduction Novels: Whose Body? Clouds of Witness Unnatural Death The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club Strong Poison The Five Red Herrings Have His Carcase Murder Must Advertise The Nine Tailors Gaudy Night Busman''s Honeymoon Lord Peter Views the Body: The Abominable History of the Man with Copper Fingers The Entertaining Episode of the Article in Question The Fascinating Problem of Uncle Meleager''s Will The Fantastic Horror of the Cat in the Bag The Unprincipled Affair of the Practical Joker The Undignified Melodrama of the Bone of Contention The Vindictive Story of the Footsteps That Ran The Bibulous Business of a Matter of Taste The Learned Adventure of the Dragon''s Head The Piscatorial Farce of the Stolen Stomach The Unsolved Puzzle of the Man with No Face The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba Other Stories: The Image in the Mirror The Incredible Elopement of Lord Peter Wimsey The Queen''s Square The Necklace of Pearls In the Teeth of the Evidence Absolutely Elsewhere Striding Folly The Haunted Policeman Talboys

Peter Wimsey i Oxford

release date: Feb 26, 2019
Peter Wimsey i Oxford
En sjofel tegning, der flagrer hen over gården i et ellers agtværdigt kvindekollegium, danner optakten til en både spændende og sindsoprivende sag. Hvem dænger kollegiet til med anonyme breve og smudsige kradserier? Hvem gemmer sit vanvid bag et stille ydre? Hvornår går kollegiets onde ånd til angreb, og hvem skal så myrdes? Harriet Vane besøger sit tidligere kollegium for første gang efter at være blevet en kendt krimiforfatterinde. Nu tager hun kollegiets sag op, selv om den skræmmer hende. Sammen med Lord Peter Wimsey, må Harriet afgøre, om hun er nødt til at føre en af disse højtagtede, lærde kvinder til sindssygehospitalet, til fængslet – eller til galgen? "Peter Wimsey i Oxford" udkom første gang på dansk i 1949. Denne udgave er sprogligt ajourført i 2013. Peter Wimsey Peter Wimseys i Oxford er tiende underfundige krimiperle i Dorothy L. Sayers’ serie om gentlemandetektiven Peter Wimsey. Den udkom i 1935 og foreligger nu på dansk i en sprogligt revideret oversættelse. Dorothy L. Sayers (1893 - 1957) var digter, skuespilforfatter, essayist og en af de første kvinder, der officielt fik tildelt en kandidatgrad fra det prestigefyldte Oxford University. Det er dog først og fremmest som krimiforfatter, hun er blevet husket af eftertiden.

The Floating Admiral

release date: Jul 09, 2019
The Floating Admiral
It’s “great fun” when a baker’s dozen of Golden Age authors collaborate on a whodunit—including Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and G. K. Chesterton (The Guardian). Originally published in 1931, The Floating Admiral is a classic literary collaboration by members of the Detection Club, in which each chapter is written by a different mystery author, with G. K. Chesterton adding a prologue after the novel was completed. Each writer was tasked with building on what the previous writer created, without ignoring or avoiding whatever plot points had come before. Although Anthony Berkeley wrote the definitive conclusion to the mystery in his final chapter, the writers all provided their own individual solutions, each in a sealed envelope, which appear in the appendix. In the words of Dorothy L. Sayers in her introduction, the spirit of the project was that of a “detection game,” for the amusement of the authors—and their readers. In the sleepy English seaside village of Whynmouth, an old sailor discovers a corpse floating serenely in a rowboat owned by the local vicar. The victim has been stabbed in the chest. It falls to Inspector Rudge to solve this most baffling mystery, in which not only the identity of the killer but the identity of the victim is called into question. The Floating Admiral includes contributions by Canon Victor L. Whitechurch, G. D. H. and Margaret Cole, Henry Wade, Agatha Christie, John Rhode, Milward Kennedy, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ronald A. Knox, Freeman Wills Crofts, Edgar Jepson, Clemence Dane, and Anthony Berkeley. “I was . . . hugely entertained by the virtuoso displays of mental gymnastics, which kept me guessing all the way.” —The Guardian

The Song of Roland

release date: Jan 01, 2004

Whose Body? (Illustrated Edition)

release date: Sep 16, 2021
Whose Body? (Illustrated Edition)
Whose Body? is a 1923 mystery novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, in which she introduced the character of Lord Peter Wimsey.

Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Mysteries)

release date: Dec 13, 2016
Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Mysteries)
Dorothy Leigh Sayers (/ˈsɛərz/ sairz[1] (13 June 1893 - 17 December 1957) was a renowned English crime writer, poet, playwright, essayist, translator, and Christian humanist. She was also a student of classical and modern languages.She is best known for her mysteries, a series of novels and short stories set between the First and Second World Wars that feature English aristocrat and amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey, which remain popular to this day. However, Sayers herself considered her translation of Dante''s Divine Comedy to be her best work. She is also known for her plays, literary criticism, and essays.Gaudy Night, by Dorothy L. Sayers, is an interesting mystery novel that begins when Harriet Vane decides to attend a reunion, known as a Gaudy, at Shrewsbury College, a fictitious woman''s college at Oxford University. Harriet has not returned to Shrewsbury since graduating. She becomes a famous mystery writer after being acquitted for a murder she did not commit. The man who saves her is Lord Peter Wimsey, who has been trying to get her to marry him for the past five years.Harriet is nervous about her return to Shrewsbury, wondering how she will be received by the faculty, students and staff. She is only attending because a classmate of hers is very ill and is attending the Gaudy before going overseas for surgery. In spite of her fears and nervousness, the reunion goes well. The only thing that mars the experience is the receipt of a prank letter that she finds just as she is leaving. She promises to attend future events at the school.The Gaudy begins a series of prank poison pen letters written with letters cut out from newspapers, burnings in effigy and obscenities scrawled on walls. When the New Library is to be opened, Harriet receives an invitation and the school asks her to help them with the problem. Harriet goes to the New Library opening and takes up residence in the Guest Room where she stays for the remainder of the term. The College officials want the matter handled discretely without publicity or the authorities.Harriet agrees to conduct the investigation for them. All evidence from any incident is directed to her and she documents the incidents as they occur, compiling a lengthy dossier.One term runs into another term as the incidents continue, becoming more serious as one student is driven to try suicide. At this point, Harriet tells the school officials that they need to bring in experts. She eventually brings in her friend, Lord Peter Wimsey who is also an Oxford alum.The attacks continue, becoming more serious as Harriet and the others try to trap the attacker. Peter does some research that takes him to York checking out clues. When he returns, after an attempt on Harriet''s life, he reveals his suspicions and how he arrived at them at a meeting. The culprit confesses, thus bringing an end to the poison pen letters and violence.Throughout the book, Peter keeps asking Harriet to marry him and she keeps saying no. She becomes more involved with his family and their problems when she meets his nephew, Viscount Gerald Saint-George who attends one of the Oxford colleges. The time spent working on the case has them all re-evaluating their feelings.Plot SummaryCharactersObjects/PlacesThemesStyle

Gaudy Night (a Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries)

release date: Jan 21, 2018
Gaudy Night (a Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries)
Dorothy Leigh Sayers 13 June 1893 - 17 December 1957 was a renowned English crime writer, poet, playwright, essayist, translator, and Christian humanist. She was also a student of classical and modern languages.She is best known for her mysteries, a series of novels and short stories set between the First and Second World Wars that feature English aristocrat and amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey, which remain popular to this day. However, Sayers herself considered her translation of Dante''s Divine Comedy to be her best work. She is also known for her plays, literary criticism, and essays.Sayers began working out the plot of her first novel some time in 1920-21. The seeds of the plot for Whose Body? can be seen in a letter that Sayers wrote on 22 January 1921:My detective story begins brightly, with a fat lady found dead in her bath with nothing on but her pince-nez. Now why did she wear pince-nez in her bath? If you can guess, you will be in a position to lay hands upon the murderer, but he''s a very cool and cunning fellow ... (p. 101, Reynolds)Lord Peter Wimsey burst upon the world of detective fiction with an explosive "Oh, damn!" and continued to engage readers in eleven novels and two sets of short stories, the final novel ending with a very different "Oh, damn!". Sayers once commented that Lord Peter was a mixture of Fred Astaire and Bertie Wooster, which is most evident in the first five novels. However, it is evident through Lord Peter''s development as a rounded character that he existed in Sayers''s mind as a living, breathing, fully human being.Sayers introduced the character of detective novelist Harriet Vane in Strong Poison. She remarked more than once that she had developed the "husky voiced, dark-eyed" Harriet to put an end to Lord Peter via matrimony. But in the course of writing Gaudy Night, Sayers imbued Lord Peter and Harriet with so much life that she was never able, as she put it, to "see Lord Peter exit the stage".Sayers did not content herself with writing pure detective stories; she explored the difficulties of First World War veterans in The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, discussed the ethics of advertising in Murder Must Advertise, and advocated women''s education (then a controversial subject) and role in society in Gaudy Night. In Gaudy Night, Miss Barton writes a book attacking the Nazi doctrine of Kinder, Kirche, Küche, which restricted women''s roles to family activities, and in many ways the whole of Gaudy Night can be read as an attack on Nazi social doctrine. The book has been described as "the first feminist mystery novel."Sayers''s Christian and academic interests are also apparent in her detective series. In The Nine Tailors, one of her most well-known detective novels, the plot unfolds largely in and around an old church dating back to the Middle Ages. Change ringing of bells also forms an important part of the novel. In Have His Carcase, the Playfair cipher and the principles of cryptanalysis are explained. Her short story Absolutely Elsewhere refers to the fact that (in the language of modern physics) the only perfect alibi for a crime is to be outside its light cone, while The Fascinating Problem of Uncle Meleager''s Will contains a literary crossword puzzle.Sayers also wrote a number of short stories about Montague Egg, a wine salesman who solves mysteries.
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