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Murder Must Advertise: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery
Murder Must Advertise: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery | Dorothy L Sayers
28 posts | 34 read | 23 to read
When ad man Victor Dean falls down the stairs in the offices of Pym's Publicity, a respectable London advertising agency, it looks like an accident. Then Lord Peter Wimsey is called in, and he soon discovers there's more to copywriting than meets the eye. A bit of cocaine, a hint of blackmail, and some wanton women can be read between the lines. And then there is the brutal succession of murders -- 5 of them -- each one a fixed fee for advertising a deadly secret.
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BarbaraJean
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This was funny, clever, and full of Lord Peter‘s “piffle”—this time put to useful purpose as he goes undercover at an ad agency to investigate a suspicious death. I loved the spot-on caricatures of office personalities, as well as Lord Peter‘s various small “tells”! The mystery was also satisfying—other than one trope at the end that I hate. (Another belated review for a December read!) #CloakandDaggerChristmas - classic mystery #SeriesLove2023

Ruthiella Awesome 🎅🏻🔪💀🎄I‘ve read this before but honestly, other than the ad job, remember nothing about the plot. 11mo
willaful One of my favorites. 11mo
batsy I enjoyed this a lot, too. 11mo
TheSpineView Fantastic! 11mo
BarbaraJean @Ruthiella I find that to be the case for me with so many murder mysteries! I guess that adds to the re-read value when I can‘t remember who the murderer was😏 11mo
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Jaimelire
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Ok…I am really struggling with this one. Am putting it aside for now, might go back to it later.

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Verity
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Murder must advertise is 99p this month so I have added the kindle version to the paperback, the audiobook and the radio play version! Now if only they could update the cover of gaudy night so it matches - it does on the Amazon site…

And yes, this is one of my favourites- Peter is undercover at an advertising agency, solving a murder and cracking a drugs ring.

shanaqui Murder Must Advertise is just sooo fun. Makes the best of Peter's piffle. 2y
CogsOfEncouragement I read this five years ago and adored the minimalist cover with a monocle as part of the design. I can‘t add a photo here, but if you click on the book and scroll just a bit you‘ll see my post from back then with it. I ended up reading all the books that had Harriet Vane in them because I liked her so much. 2y
Verity @CogsOfEncouragement I love the Peter and Harriet books. And I love the little reference to Harriet that‘s in this one which was written between Have His Carcase and Gaudy Night. I have them all on audiobook and I listen to them fairly regularly 2y
Verity @shanaqui it really does doesn‘t it. “Anything you want if you whiffle” 2y
33 likes4 comments
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PickwickPlockPlock
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Pickpick

Lord Peter goes undercover in an advertising firm. He can handle the work, but nearly ruins it because he has to wear his expensive shoes. Just typical 😄. Sayers worked in advertising herself, so she describes the work and people in such great detail, that it's really obvious she doesn't know as much about the topic in the subplot. Peter seems a bit callous at times, but overall, I liked it.

thegirlwiththelibrarybag This one was my favourite of the Peter Wimsey books I read when I was a teen ☺️ 4y
PickwickPlockPlock @thegirlwiththelibrarybag I can't decide which my favourite is, but I like the ones with Harriet. She is a good sparring partner for Peter. 4y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag @PickwickPlockPlock, I‘m not sure it would still be my favourite, if I reread them now. Harriet was great ☺️ 4y
49 likes3 comments
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SonyaV
Pickpick

Finished #10 in the series. Was a bit more complex than some of the previous books. Was going off in several directions, then she brought it all together,

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xicanti
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For the most part, this is really fun. Sayers concerns herself with office politics at a large London ad agency in the 1930s, and each set piece delivers on the entertainment front while either adding to the mystery or planting a red herring.

The book does feel long, though, and I do wonder if it needed quite so MUCH. You could probably slice 100 pages out without disrupting the core plot. I liked it, but I was also glad to finish it.

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xicanti
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Outdoor reading with iced coffee. It feels like I‘m at the climax but there‘re still 50 pages left.

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xicanti
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Just loungin‘ around, reading crime fiction with my buddy. He started off in his own bed, as pictured, then hopped up and snuggled in close to me like a teddy bear, then decided to migrate to the end of the bed. It‘s easier to hold my book with him down there, but it‘s a bit less satisfying.

I‘m on track to finish this today! Hurray! It‘s been fun, but it‘s also taken longer than I expected and I‘m itching for the next thing.

cathysaid Right? I‘m reading Lethal White right now and while it‘s good, it‘s a chunkster...so I, too, am itching a bit 😬 5y
xicanti @cathysaid ugh, yes. I always feel like I‘m stagnating when I spend too long with one book. 5y
46 likes2 comments
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xicanti
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Gonna read a bit and drink some Miss Havisham Regrets best bitter while I wait for my stew to finish itself off. The first couple gulps of the beer were mighty promising.

rretzler I love Dorothy Sayers and that‘s my absolute favorite book of the series! Happy reading - I‘m envious! 5y
shanaqui Ahhh, one of the most fun of the whole series. 😍 I had fun recently tracking down some of Sayers' own advertising campaigns! 5y
xicanti @rretzler @shanaqui I should manage to finish it today. It‘s been a lot of fun so far! 5y
53 likes3 comments
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xicanti
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Crime + my favourite warm Brussels sprout salad with tomato and bacon. This book‘s fun so far, aside from the usual dodgy bits you get in all 1930s British mysteries. I forgot how verbose Sayers is, too. She does love her set pieces.

Catsandbooks That looks so tasty! 5y
xicanti @Catsandbooks it‘s delicious. The sprouts caramelize and the bacon gets all melty. 5y
Catsandbooks @xicanti oh wow that sounds amazing! 🤤 would you mind sharing the recipe? 5y
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xicanti @Catsandbooks of course! You halve 1lb of sprouts, chop 8 slices of bacon, add 1T melted coconut oil, and roast the lot at 400°F for 30-40 mins. When it‘s done, you toss it with a dressing made of 2T olive oil, 1T balsamic vinegar, and 1/2tsp each hot mustard, lime juice, and minced garlic, plus salt & pepper to taste. Pop in 10-12 halved cherry tomatoes and you‘re golden. 5y
Catsandbooks Thank you!!! 5y
JaclynW That salad looks amazing! 5y
50 likes6 comments
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Sarah83
Murder Must Advertise | Dorothy L Sayers, Dorothy L Sayer
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I don't participate at many reading challenges this year, but I came up with the idea, that I want to try to read as many Lord Peter Wimsey books as possible this year. 💓☺️💪

Lizpixie Me too! I‘ve just ordered the first four books in the series & plan on buying & reading them all this year.🙌 6y
Sarah83 @Lizpixie great minds read alike 😁😊 6y
Lizpixie 😆😘 6y
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quirkyreader You can make 2019 the year of Dorothy Sayers. 6y
Sarah83 @quirkyreader I will have a look how many I will read... I don't want any reading pressure this year 6y
jenreads7 I read my first Dorothy Sayers mystery in the fall and loved it! Great plan! 6y
batsy Fun 😍 6y
Vbrrgirl Great choice - love these books! 6y
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shanaqui
Pickpick

I wouldn't call this my favourite of the series as such, but it is always fun. It helps that Sayers knew advertising well -- the whole thing just rolled off her tongue, so to speak. The ending, though, is rather dark and rather sad.

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Leniverse
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Jolly good fun, this book! And as I have reached the end of the book, I'm also calling it an end to day 1 of the #25inFive. Clocking in at 07h 25min.

Andrew65 Wow! Very impressive start. 🙌 7y
Leniverse @Andrew65 I surprised myself! 😂 Shouldn't count on being able to keep it up, but it's nice to have a bit of a buffer. 7y
Andrew65 @Leniverse It definitely helps to have that buffer. 7y
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batsy I like this cover! 7y
Leniverse @batsy Yes! It's from 1989. I prefer it to the newer covers. Keeping my eye out for the rest of the series in the old Hodder and Stoughton edition. I have Gaudy Night, my favourite, in their new covers, and it's a dreary picture of a woman's legs. 🙁 So disappointing. 7y
batsy I've seen those covers! Dreary is right. Even Strong Poison has a picture of a woman's legs 🤨 7y
jillrhudy My favorite detective. 7y
Leniverse @jillrhudy Mine too. 😊 7y
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Leniverse
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There's been about 12 pages of cricket here now. I don't understand a word of what's going on but I'm still getting carried away. 😂 😅

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Leniverse
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How on earth (or, as the case is, how in London) do you manage to pronounce "Mountjoy" so that it could possibly be misheard as "punch away"? ???

speljamr ❓❔❓❔ 7y
AshleyHoss820 That‘s a good question... 7y
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Moray_Reads
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Pickpick

Without a doubt my favourite so far. Lord Peter Wimsey impersonates his own cousin while investigating a death at an advertising agency. Sayers had some brilliant and hilarious insights into the world of advertising and Wimsey's habitual wit and verbosity (not to mention being a dab hand at cricket and theatrics) lead to some very funny headlines and hijinks.

thegirlwiththelibrarybag Also my favourite! 7y
batsy Loved this one. 7y
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CogsOfEncouragement
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Pickpick

My first of the series. I enjoyed getting to know the detective and plan to read more. I adore the minimalist covers.

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BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

A classic detective. I never read Sayers before, never even knew her. It reminded me of Agatha Christie, of whom I read a lot, long ago. This one is nice, though! #1001books

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Verity
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These aren't entirely #blackandwhitecovers for today's #maybookflowers but they're as close as my keeper shelves go!

Tinker, Tailor etc needs no introduction, but Murder Must Advertise is my favourite non-Peter and Harriet Wimsey mystery. I love Sayers' portrayal of life at an advertising agency (she really did work at one) and the cricket scene towards the end may be my favourite sporting scene in a book.

SaraRosett I loved Murder Must Advertise too. I thought it was an interesting look at work during the early 1930s. Especially women at work. Also enjoyed the mystery. :) 8y
Verity @SaraRosett I love all the office-y stuff too. It's so well observed. And the mystery as you say is good too, even if the De Mommery crowd are a bit out there! 8y
SaraRosett @Verity: True on both counts! 8y
batsy Loved Murder Must Advertise for the office-y bits too. That's a great cover. 8y
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HannaPolkadots
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Libby1
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Pickpick

A series of murders set in an advertising agency in London in the 1930s?

Yes, please.

And isn't this advertisement hideous? Thanks, Google.

😬

BookishMarginalia 😱😱😱 8y
Oftencantdecide I read somewhere that 'feminine hygiene' was a euphemism for contraception. Not sure if that makes that ad any less disturbing though. 8y
RowReads1 😷🙄 8y
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AmandaL 😨😡😤 8y
Libby1 Creepy, @Oftencantdecide , but that sounds about right. Another way to shame women. 8y
Libby1 I completely agree, @BookishMarginalia , @RowReads1 , and @AmandaL . 8y
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BkClubCare
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Pickpick

A rollicking good time in London between the wars, chasing drug smugglers and murderers. What strikes me most was how MODERN the situations even if 80+ years in the past. It was a pleasure to meet you Dorothy AND Lord Wimsey.
Also, the photo here is a shoutout & welcome to my friend @Katie_in_MA who loves hedgehogs.

AvidReader25 These are such fun books! 8y
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BkClubCare
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"A middle-aged, hysterical spinster..."
"yes"
"THIS FEMALE, ... 52, unmarried..."

Grrrrrrr.

florinda3rs Grrr, indeed! 8y
BkClubCare @florinda3rs @BethFishReads - yea, well. IKR? 😜. On the other hand, I think I know who dunnit and it might be the least expected! (Doh) all fun. 8y
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BethFishReads I will keep my mouth shut. I've read these once or twice. 😊 8y
BkClubCare @BethFishReads - am in cricket play-by-play pages and just need to finish already!! 😊 8y
BethFishReads Ha!!! 8y
teresareads I found the cricket section oddly enjoyable. I almost sorta kinda could follow it. But Lord Peters 8y
teresareads But Lord Peter isn't the same without Harriet. 8y
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BkClubCare
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"- I suppose you've got a Christian name, by the way?"
"I have. It's spelt death. Pronounce it anyway you like."
Is there really anyone nonfictional with a firstname DEATH? This one thing bothers me for some reason... Oh Dot Sayers - are you trying to be clever?

BethFishReads LORD PETER!!!!!!! 8y
ValerieAndBooks Have you read the Wimseys before this one? Love this series! 8y
BkClubCare No @ValerieAndBooks , this is my first Sayers. It's amusing but not my favorite genre. Much of the Briticisms go over my head, too, sad to say. But I am enjoying. 8y
ValerieAndBooks Aha...if it's the first for you, then the "Death" name will make more sense as you go on. ? 8y
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BkClubCare
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This book is set in an advertising agency, this it will work for #workplacebooks for #somethingforsept. Reading classics reminds us that the more things change, the more they stay the same - tho the technologies are different, the processes I assume are much the same: "Of course, there's *some* truth in advertising."
"... Chatting with the copy department, or ...in the studio, clamoring for a layout, or in the printing, complaining about a folder,

BkClubCare Also, two pie mentions so far. 😊 8y
22 likes1 comment
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BkClubCare
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You got me at "...uproariously funny..." Hope so! Reading this while also readalong-ing Zola's Germinal.

ValerieAndBooks I was a big fan many years ago...I keep telling myself I need to read again. I did re-read a Wimsey short story collection a while back though. 8y
BkClubCare This is my first by this author. 8y
BkClubCare Can you Believe this copy? Published in 1933 by Harper & Brothers, New York. I wonder how many people have read this particular copy... 8y
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag I used to be addicted to these! This was my favourite! (I tried to reread a few years later and I found them hard work - but I flew through them first time round) 8y
BkClubCare Yeah, I've already looked up a ton of words. Not hard words exactly but who talks like that?! 8y
BethFishReads I luv her 8y
BkClubCare @BethFishReads - Dorothy has been on my "seriously-must-read-this-author-already" list! ? 8y
BkClubCare I already suspect Miss Rossiter the efficient secretary. 8y
BethFishReads I want to be you and get to meet Lord Peter and Harriet for first time 8y
BkClubCare I know nothing! Looking forward to this as antidote to suffering I expect in Germinal. I am already thrilled by the Right Ho!s and Cheerio's 8y
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