Golden Age of Detective Fiction

Hello readers! Today, we will be discussing Dorothy L. Sayers’s final Lord Peter Wimsey mystery, Busman’s Honeymoon, which is a play on the phrase “busman’s holiday,” which is used to describe a period of leisure or vacation during which one engages in activities akin to their usual occupation. Its earliest recorded usage dates back to 1893.

In this final mystery, the reader is put in situ as the family and friends gossip about the upcoming nuptials of Lord Peter Wimsey to Harriet Vane, who was introduced to the series in Strong Poison and has, after five long years of courtship, accepted Lord Peter’s proposal. However, murder follows these two lovebirds, even on their honeymoon.

The Plot

Following their engagement, which occurred several months after the events of Gaudy Night, Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane exchanged vows. Opting for a honeymoon at Talboys, an old-fashioned farmhouse in Harriet’s hometown of Hertfordshire, a thoughtful gift from Wimsey, the newlyweds made a stealthy departure from the wedding festivities, dodging the press.

Their arrival at Talboys, though, was met with an unexpected twist: the house was locked and unprepared for their stay. Undeterred, they managed to gain entry, spending their wedding night there. However, the tranquility of their honeymoon was shattered the following day when the former owner, Noakes, was discovered deceased in the cellar, his demise the result of head injuries.

Noakes, it emerged, was a figure of disdain, known for his miserly ways and clandestine blackmailing activities. Despite his wealth assumption, Noakes was bankrupt, intending to flee creditors with the proceeds from selling Talboys. With the house securely locked upon the couple’s arrival and medical evidence ruling out the accident, it was evident that foul play was at hand. Suspects emerged, including Noakes’ niece Aggie, his neighbor Mrs. Ruddle, local mechanic Frank Crutchley, and even the constable, who was a victim of Noakes’ blackmail.

Spoilers Ahead….

Amidst the investigation to apprehend the murderer, Peter and Harriet navigated the intricacies of their relationship. In a climactic scene at Talboys, the murderer was revealed to be Crutchley, who schemed to inherit Noakes’ wealth by marrying his niece. His method, a rigged plant pot triggered by opening a radio cabinet, sealed his fate.

Peter’s internal struggle with the case, his anguish over the possibility of Crutchley facing the gallows, and his resurfacing trauma from shell-shock overshadowed the book’s conclusion. His deep remorse for his role in Crutchley’s fate left lingering uncertainty about his future involvement in murder investigations.

The Review

Having enjoyed but not been a massive fan of Dorothy L. Sayers’ previous works featuring Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane, I felt neutral about them as a couple. I found Lord Peter a character with much depth that was never truly explored as I delved into their latest adventure in Busman’s Honeymoon. I assumed it would be a lighthearted mystery with a heavy dose of romance, with the storybook happy ending. What awaited me within the pages of this novel was a captivating blend of romance, intrigue, and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

Set against a quaint English village backdrop, Busman’s Honeymoon picks up where its predecessors left off, with Lord Peter and Harriet finally tying the knot. As they embark on their honeymoon at Talboys, a picturesque farmhouse in Harriet’s native Hertfordshire, I anticipated a peaceful retreat for the newlyweds. However, their idyllic getaway takes a dark turn when they stumble upon a murder that threatens to shatter their marital bliss. A good portion of the book discusses their love for each other and how they will navigate their marriage. There are lots of tender and beautifully rendered scenes where the newlyweds affirm their commitment to each other and themselves, with plenty of compelling discourse about what they owe each other, how they can better support each other when they are faced with investigating a lot of their new neighbors and then condemning one to death.

Several of the passages reminded me of how my husband and I navigate work and personal commitments, try to leave room for each other to have personal time and space, and how we “fight” now, which is basically two people against a problem, not two people against each other. Lord Peter and Harriet are fighting against a world where they seem to be called to root out evil and kill it—at great personal cost to Lord Peter.

If I had considered the title and contemplated its implications, I wouldn’t have had such a laissez-faire attitude when picking it up. Also, I kept thinking the book was called “Busman’s Holiday,” which conjured a more relaxed and fun atmosphere. However, if I had bothered to READ IT CORRECTLY, the title is the book’s thesis. The newlyweds will be on their honeymoon, and the book will explore themes that have been woven in through the series: a complex murder mystery, the moral weight Lord Peter has towards sending people (even murderers) to their deaths after his wartime service, his recurrent episodes of PTSD and it debilitating affect on his life, Harriet’s new mantle as Lady Peter, her identity as a wife and a partner to Peter, and his demanding profession, her own identity as a person and to a lesser degree, her work as a writer.

This book is chockablock full of themes!

One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its richly drawn characters. Lord Peter and Harriet are portrayed with depth and complexity, their relationship evolving as they navigate the challenges of married life while unraveling the mystery. Sayers skillfully explores love, loyalty, and sacrifice themes, infusing the story with emotional depth and resonance, making the audience feel deeply connected to their journey.

The plot of Busman’s Honeymoon is intricately woven; Sayers deftly combines elements of traditional detective fiction with a nuanced exploration of human nature, resulting in a narrative that is both suspenseful and thought-provoking. As the investigation unfolds, secrets are revealed, bonds are tested, and the characters’ true motives are laid bare.

In addition to its compelling plot and well-developed characters, Busman’s Honeymoon boasts Sayers’ signature wit and humor. From Lord Peter’s witty repartee to Harriet’s dry observations, the banter between the characters adds a delightful touch of fun to the story, making it a joy to read, if not overindulged. Many love songs in French allude to lovemaking and nervous energy as two lovers tackle their first few days of cohabitation. They are tender, sweet, and occasionally hilarious as they are almost continuously assaulted by their neighbors and workers coming into the house to clean and fix it. We even see Bunter hit his breaking point when the charwoman shakes all of Lord Peter’s expensive Port, and he throws her out on her ear.

At the start of the book, Harriet frets over her new role as Peter’s emotional support and worries if her mantle somehow takes away from Peter’s deep connection with his “Batman” Bunter. The three of them step into their roles by the end of the book- with Bunter showing his love for Peter by looking out for him and being with him to do complex tasks- such as going to the jail to talk to the murderer in his final days and sitting with him in his agitation, it is now Harriet, who is his emotional core and support, it is here that Lord Peter goes to and finds comfort as the dawn breaks and the murderer is executed.

It’s a heartbreaking final scene, where Lord Peter’s pain and soul are bare. However, I took some comfort in knowing all the characters are finally where they should be. Lord Peter and Harriet are true partners, having overcome the problematic aspects of themselves so they could come together and wholly support one another.

While I am sad that no more mysteries were written with these two as leads, it makes sense from a characterization standpoint. What else do we need to learn about Lord Peter, Harriet, or Bunter that wasn’t given to us in Busman’s Honeymoon?

While Busman’s Honeymoon is undeniably a captivating read, it has flaws. The pacing felt slow, particularly in the novel’s middle sections. I did not particularly enjoy the lead policeman, who spent most of his time trying to weave as many quotes as possible into every sentence so he and Lord Peter could banter about everything under the sun except the murder. It also seemed pretty obvious who the killer was because the motives given to other characters to try and muddy the waters felt flimsy. Additionally, I just really can’t; the more I think about the book, I don’t see the murderer killing Noakes in such a rube-Goldberg-type manner. I wish more groundwork were laid before recreating the exact mechanism to trap the killer.

Nevertheless, these minor criticisms did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. Busman’s Honeymoon is a worthy addition to Dorothy L. Sayers’s oeuvre, offering readers a compelling mystery wrapped in a tender love story. As I reached the final pages, I was both satisfied with the mystery’s resolution and saddened to bid farewell to Lord Peter and Harriet Vane.

Dorothy L. Sayers Biography

Dorothy L. Sayers, born on June 13, 1893, in Oxford, England, was a multifaceted writer best known for her contributions to detective fiction. Raised in a scholarly household, she attended Somerville College, Oxford, where she developed her intellectual prowess and earned one of the university’s first degrees awarded to women.

Sayers’ literary career soared with the creation of her beloved detective character, Lord Peter Wimsey. Through a series of novels and short stories, she crafted intricate mysteries that captivated readers with their clever plots, witty dialogue, and memorable characters. Her works, set in the interwar period, epitomized the Golden Age of Detective Fiction and established her as one of its leading figures.

Beyond her detective fiction, Sayers demonstrated her versatility as a writer, penning essays, plays, and poetry. Notably, her translation of Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy” into English garnered acclaim for its scholarly rigor and poetic flair.

Sayers’ personal life was as intriguing as her literary achievements. A member of the Inklings, a literary group that included luminaries such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, she engaged in lively discussions on theology, literature, and the arts. Her views on feminism, social issues, and religion found expression in her writings, challenging prevailing norms and conventions.

Throughout her life, Sayers navigated the complexities of relationships and societal expectations with resilience and independence. Her character Harriet Vane, a fiercely independent woman and writer, reflected Sayers’ own experiences and beliefs about gender roles and autonomy.