Book Review: The Nine Tailors

Dorothy L Sayers is regarded as one of the finest crime writers, and she came with high recommendations from several colleagues. Despite those recommendations, I had never found any of her books until recently, in another of my charity shop finds. It seems I'm getting into my murder mysteries, but don't worry, I'm not trying to plan the perfect murder or anything!

The Nine Tailors, perhaps surprisingly, is neither about a murderous gang of gentlemen's outfitters, nor about a series of unfortunate victims all connected to the cloth trade. Rather, the setting for this Lord Peter Wimsey murder hunt is a parish church in the fens of East Anglia with a strong tradition of bellringing. Under a campanological canopy, Lord Wimsey discovers an unappealing murder and the hunt is on to unravel the knotted ropes with his clear as a bell and very sound reasoning.

The portrait of the Rector and his wife is brilliantly portrayed, in their lives given in service of God and the parish, dealing with the various batty parishioners and caring for their needs. Yet in small communities, where everyone knows everyone's business, there are still secrets which slowly emerge as the story is told with plenty of twists in the tail.

There is also lots of humour, despite the grave circumstances, with some memorable one-liners from a variety of characters. And there's one thing - if you read this book, you'll never forget how the main victim lost his life.

Having read this book, I'll certainly be returning again to Dorothy Sayers' adventures with Lord Peter Wimsey in the years between the two world wars. That is, if I can find any more in my bookshop hunting!