Lord Peter Views the Body. Have His Carcase. Illustrated

Dorothy L. Sayers

• Publisher: Asimis Books
• Year: 2026
• Topic: Literature
• eBook ISBN:
  9786178781682
• Subtopic: Crime & Mystery Literature
• Index: Literature

This illustrated edition brings together Lord Peter Views the Body and Have His Carcase, two works that illuminate Dorothy L. Sayers' evolving vision of detective fiction and her most famous creation, Lord Peter Wimsey. Lord Peter Views the Body, a collection of short stories, demonstrates Sayers' command of the concise mystery form. Within limited space, she constructs logically rigorous plots that range from murder to fraud and moral deception, often emphasizing psychological insight over sensational action. The stories display a wide tonal spectrum, blending irony, social satire, and moments of genuine menace. Lord Peter appears here as an urbane and intellectually playful observer, whose wit and apparent detachment conceal a disciplined mind and a deep concern with justice. The illustrations enhance the period atmosphere of interwar Britain, underscoring the social textures and everyday settings in which Sayers situates her crimes. Have His Carcase marks a significant development in both narrative complexity and emotional depth. The novel opens with a striking image: a corpse discovered on a remote coastal rock, apparently unreachable at the estimated time of death. The mystery hinges on questions of time, physical possibility, and conflicting testimony, requiring meticulous reconstruction of events. Lord Peter's investigation is closely intertwined with that of Harriet Vane, whose presence introduces an unusually strong element of intellectual equality and emotional tension. The novel is notable for its sustained focus on forensic detail, particularly the analysis of injuries, tides, and timelines, while simultaneously exploring themes of truth, trust, and moral responsibility. Sayers balances technical precision with character-driven drama, elevating the detective plot beyond a purely abstract puzzle. Taken together, these works reveal Sayers' ability to unite intellectual rigor with literary ambition. The contrast between the compact ingenuity of the short stories and the structural and emotional complexity of Have His Carcase highlights her versatility as a writer. In this illustrated volume, Lord Peter Wimsey emerges not only as a brilliant problem-solver but as a figure through whom Sayers examines the ethical and human dimensions of crime. The edition offers both accessibility and depth, confirming Sayers' lasting importance within twentieth-century detective literature.

Table of contents

• Chapter I. The Evidence Of The Corpse
• Chapter II. The Evidence Of The Road
• Chapter III. The Evidence Of The Hotel
• Chapter IV. The Evidence Of The Razor
• Chapter V. The Evidence Of The Betrothed
• Chapter VI. The Evidence Of The First Barber
• Chapter VII. The Evidence Of The Gigolos
• Chapter VIII. The Evidence Of The Second Barber
• Chapter IX. The Evidence Of The Flat-Iron
• Chapter X. The Evidence Of The Police-Inspector
• Chapter XI. The Evidence Of The Fisherman
• Chapter XII. The Evidence Of The Bride's Son
• Chapter XIII. Evidence Of Trouble Somewhere
• Chapter XIV. The Evidence Of The Third Barber
• Chapter XV. The Evidence Of The Ladylove And The Landlady
• Chapter XVI. The Evidence Of The Sands
• Chapter XVII. The Evidence Of The Money
• Chapter XVIII. The Evidence Of The Snake
• Chapter XIX. The Evidence Of The Disguised Motorist
• Chapter XX. The Evidence Of The Lady In The Car
• Chapter XXI. The Evidence At The Inquest
• Chapter XXII. The Evidence Of The Mannequin
• Chapter XXIII. The Evidence Of The Theatrical Agent
• Chapter XXIV. The Evidence Of The L.C.C. Teacher
• Chapter XXV. The Evidence Of The Dictionary
• Chapter XXVI. The Evidence Of The Bay Mare
• Chapter XXVII. The Evidence Of The Fisherman's Grandson
• Chapter XXVIII. The Evidence Of The Cipher
• Chapter XXIX. The Evidence Of The Letter
• Chapter XXX. The Evidence Of The Gentleman's Gentleman
• Chapter XXXI. The Evidence Of The Haberdasher's Assistant
• Chapter XXXII. The Evidence Of The Family Tree
• Chapter XXXIII. Evidence Of What Should Have Happened
• Chapter XXXIV. Evidence Of What Did Happen