Mystery Review: Unnatural Death is the third installment in the Lord Peter Wimsey franchise and the best of the first five books. Less of the melodramatic and more of the clever mystery, evil villain, and perfectly satisfying conclusion. In the midst of creating a thrilling conundrum, Sayers has time to lament the limited opportunities for women and extol the wasted talents of mature women: "I should have liked a good education, but my dear father didn't believe in it for women." In Unnatural Death she also indicts British racism of the era, though the novel can be of its time despite all Sayers' best intentions. Enlightened views on women's sexuality are also included. Here Lord Peter's twitishness (there's a direct link to Bertie Wooster) has declined and is mostly employed to disarm the unwary. He still hasn't won me over but his employment of an older woman to act as his proxy and ferret out the relevant gossip in a small town is brilliant. Sayers' writing is always enjoyable and the social critic lurks steadily between the lines. Unnatural Death is a well-plotted, wide-ranging novel presented with a gentle tongue in cheek that's always on point. My edition included a "Biographical Note" of the Lord written by Peter's uncle at Ms. Sayers' request and an Afterword that ably serves as an appreciation of the author's fascinating life and career. Both contain spoilers but are informative and entertaining. [5★]
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