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| First Written | 1931 |
| Genre | Mystery |
| Origin | UK |
| Publisher | Victor Gallancz Limited |
| My Copy | red cloth-bound hardcover; bought at a flea market in Bath, 2005 |
| First Read | August 22, 2005 |
The Five Red Herrings
This is not a good detective novel. But I have a weird fondness for it just due to the circumstances where I picked it up, and a sort of perma-endearment for Sayers. But it's a tough read, between the long faux-Scottish brogue that everybody speaks, and the focus of the crimes proven or not based on train time-tables.
Still, you can see why Peter Wimsey is a fun detective; he's the best part. I should probably look the character up in... a better novel.
Noted on March 27, 2020
"I call that a thoroughly Campbellish piece of work. A poor Campbell, if you like, but full of Campbellisms."
"I know," said Graham. "It reminds me of what the good lady said about Hamlet-- that it was all quotations."
"G.K. Chesterton says," put in Wimsey, "that most people with a very well-defined style write at times what look like bad parodies of themselves."
Quoted on March 27, 2020
I think the most joyous thing in life is to loaf around and watch another bloke do a job of work. Look how popular are the men who dig up London with electric drills. Duke's son, cook's son, son of a hundred kings, people will stand there for hours on end, ear drums splitting. Why? Simply for the pleasure of being idle while watching other people work.
Quoted on March 27, 2020
It would be dangerous, because he might be recognised, but people who commit murders must take a few risks.
Quoted on July 20, 2010