Shows
As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 26: THE NINE TAILORS, part 1
In which Charis and Sharon are back to begin discussing THE NINE TAILORS. We cover the first section of the book, the strong sense of place and atmosphere, and puzzle over where this book fits into the Wimsey chronology.
2024-08-2548 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 25: MURDER MUST ADVERTISE, part 4In which Charis and Sharon wrap up our discussion of MURDER MUST ADVERTISE with an early reveal of the whodunnit and then our longest conversation yet on the howdunnit, various side quests offered up by the double identity plot, cricket, the novel's sympathy for the murderer, and more!
Visit our website at asmywimseytakesme.com for shownotes. You can also find us on X, Instagram, and Tumblr as @wimseypod, and support us on Patreon.
2024-06-221h 25As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 24: MURDER MUST ADVERTISE, part 3In which Charis and Sharon recap the-mystery-thus-far as it appears at approximately the halfway point of the book. We also get (pretty much immediately) sidetracked by a discussion of blackmail in Victorian and Golden Age detective fiction, discuss the character of Dian de Momerie, spend time teasing out the importance of sincerity and honesty in Lord Peter's romantic life and in Sayers' own writing, and more!
This episode touches on the howdunnit of the Victor Dean murder but does not give away the whodunnit or the rest of the mystery plot.
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2024-04-1657 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 23: MURDER MUST ADVERTISE, part 2
In which Charis and Sharon continue our conversation on MURDER MUST ADVERTISE, beginning with a discussion of literary Modernism and why Sharon views this as the most Modernist of the Wimsey novels. We also run through the copy department staff and their merits as coworkers, summarize the Great Nutrax Row, get a welcome dose of domestic bliss through a visit to the Parkers, and touch briefly on Peter's moonlighting as a masked harlequin.
This episode touches on events and revelations through the eleventh chapter, and does not give away the whodunnit.
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2024-03-041h 02As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 22: MURDER MUST ADVERTISE, part1In which Charis and Sharon begin our conversation on MURDER MUST ADVERTISE and introduce the mysterious goings-on at Pym's Publicity that summon one Death Bredon to investigate. We cover the difference between the "mystery of the mystery" and the "mystery of the text," Dorothy L. Sayers' own work at an advertising agency, her views on mass consumption and the tricky ethics of the advertising trade, and more.
This episode touches on events and revelations from the beginning of the book to approximately halfway through the fourth chapter, and does not give away the whodunnit.
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2024-02-0652 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 21: HAVE HIS CARCASE, part 4In which Charis and Sharon wrap up our discussion (finally!) of HAVE HIS CARCASE. We pick up about halfway through the book with an emotional watershed moment for Peter and Harriet, cover the discovery of the corpse, and give away the whodunnit and howdunnit. Also in this episode: some fond ribbing of Theater People, Mrs. Weldon as the series' Final Girl when it comes to elderly women murdered for their fortunes, our impatience with ciphers, and more!
You can find us on X, Instagram, and Tumblr as @wimseypod and support our work on Patreon.
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2024-01-071h 01As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 20: HAVE HIS CARCASE, Part 3Surprise! Charis and Sharon return at long last to the shores of Wilvercombe to continue our discussion on HAVE HIS CARCASE. We share life updates for both of us, discuss why this book's plot is so impossible to talk about, bring up Raymond Chandler's thoughts on Golden Age detectives, and cover an important emotional watershed for Harriet and Peter. Also: we run through changes in our posting schedule going forward and introduce our Patreon!
This episode tips its hat at the whodunnit of the murder but does not give detailed spoilers about the howdunnit.
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2023-12-0354 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 19: HAVE HIS CARCASE, Part 2In which Charis and Sharon return (at last!) to Wilvercombe, where Harriet Vane is joined by a familiar monocled face. Their discussion takes them through Chapter 8, including a summation of the evidence gathered so far, mild raptures over witty dialogue and the detective partnership of Peter and Harriet, and the question of taste, style, and class--when the distinction matters, and to whom.
This episode covers the fourth through eighth chapters of HAVE HIS CARCASE and does not give away the whodunnit.
2021-01-131h 01As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 18: 'The Professor's Manuscript'In which Charis and Sharon take a detour through a Sayers' short story that features a different detective than our eponymous Wimsey: Mr. Montague Egg, traveling salesman representing Messrs. Plummet and Rose. We follow Monty as he notices something amiss about a potential customer he is visiting in 'The Professor's Manuscript.' We also talk about the underlying class anxiety that the story betrays, as well as the personality traits Monty shares with Lord Peter. And we take some winding detours through theology, anti-capitalism, and more!
Our next episode will return us to the shores of Wilvercombe...
2020-12-2154 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 17: The Piscatorial Farce of the Stolen StomachSurprise! We took an unplanned and unannounced long hiatus from the podcast because [waves hands vaguely at 2020]. Charis and Sharon are now back in the saddle and ready to tackle the rest of HAVE HIS CARCASE. But before we do that, we have a couple special episodes featuring two short stories from the Sayers canon. In this episode, we discuss the story "The Piscatorial Farce of the Stolen Stomach," which sees Lord Peter back in Scotland for a gutsy adventure.
Content note: In this episode, we discuss anti-Semitic views and writings contemporary to Sayers' time.
2020-12-0752 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 16: HAVE HIS CARCASE, part 1In which Charis and Sharon attempt to begin discussing HAVE HIS CARCASE, the seventh Lord Peter Wimsey mystery. Spoiler alert: they don't get very far. They cover their mutual love of the book's opening paragraph, the practice of the British walking tour, and Harriet Vane's discovery of a corpse. They then go on a very long tangent about the depiction of policing in detective fiction. Also: Harriet's relationship with the press, how various characters in the novel attempt to construct narratives for themselves, and Sayers' increasing attentiveness to place in the latter half of the Wimsey series.
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2020-06-2254 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 15: FIVE RED HERRINGS, Part 2In which Charis and Sharon discuss the second half of FIVE RED HERRINGS. We’re joined once again by our friend Angela Hines, who represents the pro-timetables point of view.
We reveal the Thing That Was Missing, briefly round up all the suspects, and re-visit our discussion of the Farren marriage as part of Sayers’ continuing theme of equality and inequality in relationships. We also discuss why Peter seems to get along well with artists, what Charis and Sharon find lacking (fraught emotions!), and what Angela finds in abundance (complex puzzle solving!) before revealing the whodunnit and outl...
2020-06-0946 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 14: FIVE RED HERRINGS, Part 1
In which Charis and Sharon return from their short hiatus to talk about traaaaaiiiiinnnnssss. That's right, this is the first of two episodes on THE FIVE RED HERRINGS! Our friend Angela Hines joins us to represent the pro-timetables point of view.
We discuss Sayers' correspondence about the novel with her publisher, as well as how the book differs from the previous Lord Peter mysteries. We also cover the scene of the murder, discuss a depiction of marriage in THE FIVE RED HERRINGS, and get ourselves tangled up trying to distinguish which Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood...
2020-05-261h 09As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 13.5: Neuroscience with Gavrielle FarmerIn this special episode, Sharon spoke with listener Gavrielle Farmer about breakthroughs in neuroscience in the early 20th century, contemporary conversations about brain chemistry and behavior in Sayers' day, the evolving conversation around shellshock between the world wars, and more.
Charis and Sharon also catch up on each other's lives during Covid-19 shelter-in-place.
The podcast is taking a short hiatus, returning in four weeks with our first episode on FIVE RED HERRINGS.
For shownotes, please visit our website.
2020-04-271h 06As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 13: STRONG POISON, part 4In which Charis and Sharon conclude their discussion of STRONG POISON. We follow Miss Climpson as she has an encounter with Spiritualism, Miss Murchison as she snoops, and give away the whodunnit and howdunnit. We also talk about narrative echoes to previous Wimsey mysteries, such as Mrs. Wrayburn in relation to the other elderly women in the plots of UNNATURAL DEATH and THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB. And we consider the callbacks to the scene in WHOSE BODY? where Peter solves the case.
For shownotes and the episode transcript, please visit our website.
2020-04-1457 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 12: STRONG POISON, part 3In this third of four episodes on STRONG POISON, we start discussing the second half of the book. We talk about the very uncomfortable Christmas Peter spends at Dukes Denver. We also consider detective fiction as "the purest literature we have" and how STRONG POISON marks a turn in Sayers' style. Sharon finally learns how to pronounce Norman Urquhart's name, the book catches us up on several characters' love lives, and we see how a Cattery operative works. Also: more plot!
For shownotes and episode transcripts, please visit our website.
2020-03-3051 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 11: STRONG POISON, part 2In this episode, Charis and Sharon talk about the real-life inspiration for Philip Boyes and what was happening in Sayers' life around the time she wrote STRONG POISON. We also see more of Marjorie Phelps, learn about Harriet's circle of friends, and reflect on Peter's gender performance and privilege in a world of double standards.
This is the second of our episodes on the first half of STRONG POISON. We talk about events up through chapter 11 and do not give away the whodunnit. Here's our previous episode with part one of our discussion.
*Audio note: T...
2020-03-1752 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 10: STRONG POISON, part 1
In which Charis and Sharon finally (finally!) start discussing STRONG POISON, the fifth Lord Peter Wimsey mystery. We talk about the dramatic introduction of Harriet Vane, our love for the novel's first few chapters, and the theme of the detective's intuition. We also cover Parker's promotion, Sayers' desire to "Reichenbach" Peter, and the many callbacks this book has to previous mysteries in the series.
This will be the first of two episodes on the first half of STRONG POISON. We do not give away the whodunnit.
For episode shownotes and transcripts...
2020-02-2456 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 9: THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, part 3
In which Charis and Sharon wrap up the discussion of THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB. We finally meet a key suspect and reveal the culprit. We also talk about whether or not art always reflects something about the artist's psyche. And we cover the unequal care given to traumatized members of different economic classes, Peter "starting to see women as people," Parker as sidekick vs. policeman, and why Peter turns certain criminals in to the law and offers others a different ending. We also talk about all our many favorite lines from THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE...
2020-02-101h 03As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 8: THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, part 2
In this second of three episodes on THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, Charis and Sharon run through the events of chapters 8 through 16. We continue to explore the similarities between this book and the themes we talked about in our two earlier episodes on UNNATURAL DEATH. We also discuss our glimpse into Parker at work, alternative sidekicks for Peter, and the introduction of Marjorie Phelps.
This episode does not give away the whodunnit. For our first episode on THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, listen here.
For shownotes and the episode...
2020-01-2843 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 7: THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, part 1
In which Charis and Sharon dive in to the first third of THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT THE BELLONA CLUB, the fourth Lord Peter Wimsey mystery! Join us as we talk about the book's portrayal of generational reactions to World War I, the effect of the war on different temperaments, and unhappy marriages in the wake of the war. We also cover the many similarities between this book and UNNATURAL DEATH, insights into how Peter organizes his cases, and how Chris Evans wears really excellent sweaters in Rian Johnson's KNIVES OUT.
This episode covers up...
2020-01-1349 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 6.5: "The Locked Room" and Listener Q+AIn this holiday episode, Charis and Sharon discuss "The Locked Room," a Lord Peter short story that was just published for the first time in 2019. It appeared in BODIES FROM THE LIBRARY 2, edited by Tony Medawar. Special thanks to Tony Medawar and to Laura Schmidt, archivist at the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College, for speaking with us about the background for anthology collection and the story manuscript respectively!
We also wrap up loose ends from our conversations about UNNATURAL DEATH by revisiting our talk about the racism in the book, quoting our favorite lines, and...
2019-12-311h 17As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 6: UNNATURAL DEATH part 2In which Charis and Sharon discuss the second half of UNNATURAL DEATH. We reveal the whoddunnit right away and chat about how difficult it is to talk around the culprit when it comes to this book. This episode revisits our conversations on spinsters, lesbianism, and the detective's moral responsibility in light of later revelations in the book. We also boggle at the over-abundance of murders in this novel and have a lengthy discussion on how to deal with casual racism in the literature we love.
*Content note: UNNATURAL DEATH contains several instances of a racial slur. We...
2019-12-161h 11As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 5: UNNATURAL DEATH, part 1In which Charis and Sharon discuss UNNATURAL DEATH, the third Lord Peter Wimsey mystery. We talk about how Lord Peter learns of this "crime of crimes," where a murder doesn't seem to have been committed at all. We also cover the issue of "surplus women" in the early 20th century, the prominence of spinsters in the book, the introduction of a favorite character, the novel's portrayal of lesbians, and what happens when the detective's actions lead to an innocent's death.
This episode covers up through chapter 10 of UNNATURAL DEATH and does not spoil the whodunnit.
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2019-12-021h 01As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 4: CLOUDS OF WITNESS, part 2
In which Charis and Sharon catch up after several life disruptions to discuss the second half of CLOUDS OF WITNESS. We cover the idea of mysteries as "convalescent literature," the novel's treatment of national stereotypes, power imbalances in romantic relationships, and the detective's family life. We also talk about why you should never go out onto the moors without your hat.
This episode reveals the whodunnit of CLOUDS OF WITNESS.
(An alert for our listeners: this episode contains the sound effect of a rifle firing. If you wish to avoid hearing...
2019-11-191h 26As My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 3.5: THE MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETYWelcome to a very special episode of As My Wimsey Takes Me! In this episode, historian Mo Moulton joins us to talk about their new book THE MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY: HOW DOROTHY L. SAYERS AND HER OXFORD CIRCLE REMADE THE WORLD FOR WOMEN. Mo tells us about the amazing individuals who made up the Mutual Admiration Society, their lives and accomplishments, and how this friendship influenced Sayers as a thinker and an author.
THE MUTUAL ADMIRATION SOCIETY is now available for purchase in the US and UK. Additionally, Mo will be on tour promoting the book. You...
2019-11-0855 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 3: CLOUDS OF WITNESS, part 1In which Charis and Sharon discuss the first half of CLOUDS OF WITNESS, wherein Peter must defend his brother, the Duke of Denver, after the latter is accused of murdering their sister's fiancé.
We cover British vs. American detective fiction traditions and what CLOUDS OF WITNESS owes to the Victorian country house mystery. We also talk about Sharon's theory of epigraphs, depictions of marriage in the novel, options (or lack thereof) for independent women in the 1920s, and what a mystery with Charles Parker as the protagonist might look like.
An alert for our listeners: t...
2019-11-0454 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 2: WHOSE BODY?, part 2In which Charis and Sharon discuss the second half of WHOSE BODY? We cover shellshock, literary Modernism, the novel's experimentation with narrative form, and Sayers' interest in theology, vocation, and social responsibility. Additionally, we reveal the culprit, our favorite lines, and what else we were reading at the time we recorded this episode!
For shownotes and the episode transcript, please visit our website.
2019-10-2153 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 1: WHOSE BODY?, part 1In which Charis and Sharon discuss WHOSE BODY? as an introduction to the Lord Peter series, the uncomfortable anti-Semitism contained in the book, some biographical details about Sayers' life, and how hideously underpaid Bunter is. (This episode covers up to chapter 7 of the book and does not spoil the whoddunit.)
For shownotes and the episode transcript, please visit our website.
2019-10-0746 minAs My Wimsey Takes MeEpisode 0: IntroductionIn which Charis and Sharon discuss why we're doing this project, how we were each introduced to Sayers and Lord Peter Wimsey, and how Sharon accidentally ended up with multiple copies of THE FIVE RED HERRINGS. (For shownotes and episode transcripts, please visit asmywimseytakesme.com)
2019-09-1710 min