Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane Investigate (Lord Peter Wimsey/Harriet Vane)

I was quite skeptical when I started the Wimsey books written by Jill Paton Walsh, because I am an ardent Dorothy Sayers fan. It was a pleasant surprise then, when I found them quite good. I have looked forward to this newest episode for some time, and am so very disappointed I doubt I will read any more of this series at all.
Lord Peter, as belonging to Sayers, is a complex man of high honor and human frailness. Sayers never delves into Lord Peter's faith and beliefs, but one has the conviction that he is a devout though unobtrusive Christian. Paton Walsh, in my opinion, spends time trying to impress the reader with Peter and Harriot's lack of belief but rather puts forth the idea that they are humanists instead. Dorothy Sayers was a Christian apologist of the highest order, and, I believe would be appalled at the presentation of the Wimsey's as non-believers.
Putting aside all impressions of a belief system in this book, The Late Scholar is poorly written for such a highly regarded English mystery series. The sentences are often short and choppy..."Harriet was surprised. She was upset.'....They climbed into the Daimler. Bunter sat in the back seat......Good writing for a High-school report, poor for Lord Peter's conversation.
Let me close this review by saying I was disappointed in the quality of the writing, annoyed at the dilution of the hero's character, and sad that I had read it at all, to the dissolution of such a lovely series.

Ms. Walsh's novels based on the characters originated by Dorothy L. Sayers have gone steadily downwards in quality: Rambling, unrealistic plots, poor characterization, lackluster dialogue have increasingly marred these books. Reintroducing Harriet's Oxford friends without regard to how old they would actually be--many more should have retired--and imagining that these women would not know of Lord St. George's passing? Not likely. But in the end, can anything worse be said of such a book than that it reveals a critical clue and discusses plot points from one of Miss Sayer's own novels? Don't waste your money on this one. And if you haven't read Miss Sayer's novels, you have many hours of far superior enjoyment to experience.

Sleuthing again with Lord Peter was great fun. I thought the story could have been pared a little. Like Peter and Harriet, I grew a little weary of the chase, but overall enjoyed seeing them in action again. Thanks to Jill Paton Walsh for undertaking the challenge.

I really enjoy Ms. Paton's continuing series on Lord Peter and Harriet. Yes, I'm sure Dorothy Sayers would have done it differently, but Ms. Sayers is dead and dust, and Time moves on. Ms. Paton's work ensures that Peter and Harriet, too, are moving on with their lives and, we are happy to note, still as much in love with one another as ever. The kids are growing up and going in alarmingly different directions, as befits a new age and era.

As a paean to Oxford it's not the equal of Sayers' "Gaudy Night", but it's lyrical and gently loving in a low-key way, and satisfactory. Lord Peter is still a better detective than Harriet, but she's quick to catch a clue in her own way. Paton's mysteries are not the very best plotting, but her characterizations are so charming and ring so true to Sayers' originals, the books totally work for me. I'm just delighted to have the Wimseys back in action, and look forward to the future with them!

Jill Paton Walsh has done a wonderful job of continuing Dorothy Sayers' characters, and she has definitely captured the spirit of Oxford (one of my favorite cities) in this story. Long live Lord Peter!

After reading all the Dorothy Sayers Peter Wimsey books and enjoying them it has been a pleasure to read the Wimsey books written by Jill Walsh. The story line is good and the characters evolve a bit more with each new book.

Always happy to revisit the world of Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. While the style is different from Sayers' original stories, Walsh is faithful to the characters themselves, and the direction in which she takes the story does credit to the original stories.

I have loved all of Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter novels and short stories, and Jill Patton Walsh's novels carrying on the tradition have all been worthy successors. Walsh has captured the essence of the characters, and you feel as if you are learning more about old friends. I won't discuss the plot -- others will, and in any case the plot here is secondary to the characters -- Lord and Lady Wimsey, their son, Bunter and his son. This is a loving furtherance of their story and if you've read any of the other Wimsey books, Sayers or Walsh, you'll like this just as much.

Like many readers, I suppose, I wish that Dorothy L. Sayers had written many more Lord Peter stories, so it's delightful that Jill Paton Walsh has decided to take up the challenge. This is a good mystery, with lovely details of Oxford, and the characters of Peter and Harriet ring true.

Jill Paton Walsh has done a fantastic job of continuing the classic Lord Peter Wimsey series. Part of what sets Dorothy Sayers' novels apart is that the characters grow, evolving with the times and their own life experiences. Walsh hits exactly the right tone, allowing that growth to continue while still featuring the essential characteristics that make them wonderful. In this book, Peter & Harriet return to Oxford, and we get another peek at the next generation. I hope the next book comes soon - the last wait was too long.