dorothy-l-sayers

Dorothy L. Sayers

dorothy-sayers

Dorothy Leigh Sayers was a prolific writer who created the popular Lord Peter Wimsey series of mysteries. She was one of the first women to graduate from Oxford University and it is not surprising that her novels are brimming with quotations from fine literature including Greek, Latin, German and French classics. Her most unforgettable character, Lord Peter Wimsey, might seem stuffy and pretentious when compared to many contemporary sleuths but when it comes to unraveling a mystery, Lord Peter, proves to be among the most competent of amateur detectives.

Dorothy Leigh Sayers was born on June 13,1893 in Oxford, England. She attended Somerville College at Oxford, graduating in 1915, and then worked as a copywriter at a London advertising firm. Married to Arthur Fleming in 1926, Sayers moved to Essex in 1929 and worked there until her death in 1957.

In 1923, Sayers introduced the world to her character, Lord Peter Wimsey, in her first novel, Whose Body?. Wimsey would appear in 14 novels, numerous short stories, and on the stage in "Busman's Honeymoon". In addition to her mysteries, Sayers wrote four other novels, works of poetry, and translations of the work of Dante and medieval literature.

The only daughter of an Anglican clergyman, Dorothy Sayers remained a highly devout woman in her personal life and in her mystery novels certainly believed in the triumph of good over evil. In those novels, Lord Peter Wimsey was a wealthy intellectual who loved to read fine books and indulge in fine food and wine. He solved mysteries because it stimulated his mind and because it was simply the right and noble thing to do.

Read our review of Murder Must Advertise.