A Book Set by the Sea

I don’t think I’ve hidden the fact that I love the sea, and many of my favourite times have been spent on it or by it. I suppose I’m naturally drawn to books that feature it too. Have His Carcase by Dorothy L Sayers might not be everyone’s first thought for this category but the sea, the sand and the tides are crucial to the plot.

It’s one of the Lord Peter Wimsey novels featuring Harriet Vane. The last time we saw her she had just been cleared of the murder of her former lover thanks to the intervention of Lord Peter. Battered and bruised emotionally, and overwhelmed by resentful gratitude, she reacts badly when Peter proposes. But there is an attraction there and she is not quite able to cut him out of her life. On a walking tour, Harriet finds a body on the rocks near Wilvercombe. With no-one there to help her, it is some time before she is able to contact the police, placing her in a tricky position thanks to her notoriety. But, in spite of this, she is NOT happy when Lord Peter just happens to get involved…

This is one of my favourite Wimsey books. Obviously it’s set by the sea; it has codes to be deciphered, stories to be unearthed and disentangled, and people who might not be what they seem. And it has Peter and Harriet. Their story is always a joy to me; there’s so much depth, and so many layers, to their relationship that I never tire of it. It’s early days in this novel and Harriet is spiky and confused, while Peter still can’t quite bring himself to show the depths he keeps hidden from almost everyone.

The illustrations are by Natacha Ledwidge from my much-prized Folio Society edition of 1998.

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