Whose Body? with eBook

By: Dorothy L. Sayers

Narrated by: Roe Kendall

Meet Lord Peter Wimsey, stylish, eccentric, seeming a fool, but in fact one of the great English detectives. The discovery of a body in a bathtub wearing only a pair of spectacles launches a motley set of sleuths and suspects toward a ghastly conclusion.©1999 Joss Recordings (P)2005 Tantor Media, Inc.

Great story; not so great narrator

I have just discovered Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey series and I love the stories. (The radio dramatizations starring Ian Carmichael, 3 of which are available on Audible, are fantastic.)

This story is no exception: Other than a fairly long 'confession' at the end (which kind of drags), this story is great, and I love the Peter Wimsey character.

Unfortunately, this narrator was terrible, at least for this story. I think a woman was probably a bad choice to begin with (the Peter Wimsey stories seem more suited to a male voice), but it was compounded by her determination to keep all the humour out. I also felt that she didn't really understand the lingo of the period, so she kept putting the stresses on the wrong syllables or words in sentences or something.

It's not the worst narration of a book I've ever heard, but it was disappointing because it really didn't do justice to the material. Unless you're a big Sayers fan, I recommend sticking to the radio dramatizations.

(Note to Audible: Would love to see some more Sayers books on here, BTW!)

Odd having a female as narrator

What made the experience of listening to Whose Body? the most enjoyable?

The story

What was one of the most memorable moments of Whose Body??

Don't really have one

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I just couldn't get into it with a female narrator

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No not really

Any additional comments?

I know I will sound sexist, but I don't think a female should be narrating as a male main character

Tinny echo in recording ruins classic mystery

As a longtime Lord Peter Wimsey fan, I enjoyed this story, but there is a poor quality, tinny echo in the recording that is very grating on the ear.

Excellent story and narration

What did you love best about Whose Body??

The narration of this story realy comes to life with the way in which Roe Kendel handles the many characters in the tale

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lord Peter Wimsey. Almost nothing bothers him and he, in his exentric way, manages to solve what looks like a double mystery but turns out to be really one.

What about Roe Kendall???s performance did you like?

She handled the narration of the book in such a way that you quickly forget you're listening to a narration and get pulled in to the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The way in which Bunter responds to a sudden nervous attack which Lord Peter suffers while staying up too late; Just at the moment when he realizes who the murderor is.

Any additional comments?

Although the audio quality of this recording is perhaps a little fuzzy, this fact quickly fades in to the background when you really begin to loose yourself in the story. This happens quite quickly.

WHY Have A Female Narrator???

I love Dorothy L. Sayers and this is a good story, but having a woman read the part of Lord Peter is all wrong. My head spins as male after male character speaks and I'm trying to figure out when it's our Lord Peter. It's disconcerting and a shame. The reader is good--that isn't the problem. I was doing well overall until suddenly I wasn't, and I realized I was struggling to keep up at times. I have no idea how narrators are chosen, but more care should be taken with the stories of our beloved writers. I'll keep listening, but it simply could have been SO MUCH BETTER.