THE NINE TAILORS

Ian Carmichael personified Lord Peter Wimsey for a generation of public television viewers. His affection for the brainy, finicky, aristocratic detective is clear in this reading. In addition to creating a well-drawn Wimsey, he imbues solid Bunter with the humor and patience that Sayers blended into his personality. All the other characters in this tale of countryside bell ringing gone wrong are so perfectly vivid that listeners may find themselves chortling with pleasure as they listen. The only quibble is that Carmichael's reading voice is the same as the one he gives to Lord Peter, leading to some confusion between the narrative and the dialogue spoken by Wimsey. But no matter, this is still a long evening's pleasure. A.C.S. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 02]