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This is a thread for discussing the last three Lord Peter Wimsey short stories by Dorothy L. Sayers, which were published in 1972, some years after her death in 1957.

Please don't post spoilers in this thread - there is also a separate spoiler thread for discussing the solutions to the mysteries.

I finished this last night, although I haven't reviewed it yet. I think it was a good way to complete the challenge, so thanks for suggesting it. I am also looking forward to reading the Paton Walsh books.

Wow, that was quick, Susan! I've now finished In the Teeth of the Evidence, so will get on to this one next.

I enjoyed a couple of the Paton Walsh books, so will be interested to revisit them.

I read the three stories quite quickly and really enjoyed the last story that showed Peter and Harriet with their boys. That story also had the best mystery.

It is very short, Judy. I really need to finish several books I have hanging around unread :) It is good though and I agree with Sandy, I enjoyed the story with Peter and Harriet and their boys - Bredon, Roger and Paul, in case anyone was wondering about names.

Susan wrote: "It is very short, Judy. I really need to finish several books I have hanging around unread :) It is good though and I agree with Sandy, I enjoyed the story with Peter and Harriet and their boys - B..."

I was glad they chose Bredon over Death for the first born.

Ha ha! I am sure Harriet would have had something to say about that :)

I've now read the introduction by Janet Hitchman which I quite enjoyed but found a bit disappointing. There are some interesting comments, but it doesn't really say all that much that I didn't know already from reading all the books during our challenge... and there are too many comments about how dreadful the present day (i.e. the 1970s) is!

Hitchman also includes spoilers for many of the books and stories, so I was glad to have read them all first. If Striding Folly is being reprinted as part of the new set of Sayers books, I hope it's getting a new introduction.

It's a pity, because I remember loving Janet Hitchman's autobiography, The King of the Barbareens, sadly now out of print, which I read as a teenager - it's the story of her terrible childhood in and out of orphanages and foster homes after being orphaned in the First World War. She spent some years as the only child living in an old people's home. I remember she was from East Anglia, where I live, and her real name was Elsie - she changed it to Janet to get away from her unhappy childhood.

Judy wrote: "I've now read the introduction by Janet Hitchman which I quite enjoyed but found a bit disappointing. There are some interesting comments, but it doesn't really say all that much th..."

Yes I was a bit annoyed with that at the beginning of the book. I ,too, thought that it was a good job I had read the books.

Judy, I wasn't aware of the background of Janet HItchman. How awful for her to be the only child in an old people's home! My husband has quite severe asthma and he recalls being a child, in the Seventies, and often being put onto hospital wards with old men too. Once, when he was about seven, the two men on the beds either side of him died during the night! You do think the 'Good Old Days,' sometimes needed a bit of regulation...

Susan, how awful for your husband! And I agree about the 'Good Old Days '. I'd like to reread Hitchman's book now.

Finished this book today , and like Susan, glad I have read the whole series. I thought the first story was a bit strange and unexpected from DLS, the second I thought was very clever and the third was a "Happy ever after" ending to the whole Whimsey series

I also though the third story was a lovely way to end the series. I adored the way Peter and Bredon were in cahoots!

I agree with you, Jill and Susan - the third story is a nice glimpse of Peter and Harriet's family life, and I thought the second one was clever too.

I wasn't too keen on the first one, though (will say why over in the spoiler thread!), and in general I thought this is probably a book that doesn't seem so good on rereading as the others in the series.

On a complete sidetrack, what did everyone think of the illustrations? I don't feel they add much tbh, but it's a shame the illustrator doesn't seem to get a byline!

The picture of Mr Puffet at the start of the last story looks as if Sir Harry Secombe was used as a model, or is it just me?!

The illustrations were bizarre. I didn't think they added anything to be honest...

Could someone list what stories are included in this? I am not sure whether I have read it or not!

Leslie, I know the feeling - that happens to me with quite a few books!

The three stories in this one are Striding Folly, which is a strange tale involving a game of chess, The Haunted Policeman, where Peter and Harriet's first child is born, and Talboys, a story involving the couple, their three sons and a peach tree.

Thanks Judy - I have the first two stories on my Kindle so I may as well read them (or reread as the case may be!).