Antidote to Spring Showers

With the arrival of spring we can expect soggy weather. In many regions around the country the showers linger well into May. Perhaps the promise of a warm summer has failed to cheer your dampened spirits stuck inside on a Saturday, and if the constant dripping doesn't kill you, the pure boredom just might. More likely though one might suppose that you are tired of giving an online, minute by minute update of your personal day timer and you finally come to your senses; "Why should I care that Johnny is enjoying a latte'?"

Through a rain soaked weekend consider a Dororthy Sayers mystery novel as an antidote. All Ms. Sayers' mysteries starr her chief sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey. Lord Wimsey is an amateur detective but working independently always seems to be one step ahead of Scotland Yard. Mr. Wimsey is much more 'earthy' and relatable than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.

Dorothy Sayers wit knows no bounds in her novel "Murder Must Advertise". In the story his Lordship Wimsey takes on an alias and lands a job with a London advertising agency on the heels of a mysterious death. Peter Wimsey becomes taken with his new 'job' and is even at times reluctant to put it aside to crack the case; "He sought out the gentleman (Wimsey), who was, for once, in his own room , singing soup slogans to himself.

'A meal begun with Blagg's Tomato

Softens every body's heart-oh!

Hubbies Hold those wives most dear

Who offer them Blagg's Turtle Clear.

Fit for an Alderman-serve it up quick-

Rum-ti-dy, tum-ti-dy, Blagg's Turtle Thick.'

"Rum-ti-dy, Tum-ti-dy,' said Mr. Bredon (Wimsey). 'Hullo, Tallboy, what's the matter? Don't say Nutrax has developed any more innuendos.'

The story twists and turns through drug dens, company cricket matches, and a series of murders, but never loses it charming humor. "Murder Must Advertise" is not only recommended for those who are mystery buffs but to anyone who loves good literature.

Ms. Dorothy Sayers was born in 1893 and passed on in 1957. She was one of the first women to be awarded a degree from Oxford. She was a noted Christian author and theologian, but is most remembered for her mystery novels. She wrote her first mystery novel in 1923.

Another of Dorothy Sayers' great works is "Gaudy Night". In the novel we are introduced to Ms. Harriet Vane who is a mystery writer attending her college reunion. While attending Ms. Vane receives a threatening note. She is hesitant to reveal the note to anyone until many more are discovered. She begins an investigation but soon finds herself too overwhelmed and appeals to Lord Peter for assistance. At this point the nature of Wimsey's association with Ms. Vane is alluded to, but not until later is it revealed in full. A fun packed thriller, "Gaudy Night" shows a great battle of wits between Wimsey and Vane while revealing the darker parts of the human condition. Unlike many dime store mystery novels written today one really does grow to admire the characters.