Story Review: "The Necklace of Pearls" is saved only by the wonderful writing. As a mystery it's something of a dud. Lord Peter Wimsey is invited, the hostess needing an eligible bachelor, to a wealthy family's traditional Christmas party during which, of course, a necklace is stolen. The mystery is soon solved in uninspiring fashion. The writing, however, is sparkling, giving a sense of the time, the spirit of the party, and of those who frequented such affairs. My thought is that the talented Sayers really just wanted to write a Christmas story and tacked on the mystery to fit into the Wimsey oeuvre and make it salable. An enjoyable read that fizzles rather than flares. [3★]
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