Harriet and Peter! And Bunter!

[mrv3000]

I really enjoyed this book! I think this is my favorite of the ones Walsh has written. Surprising since about a third of it was written in storyteller flashback dialog -- stuff like:

"'Do you like the emerald?' I asked," said Peter.

Somehow this didn't bug me and I didn't find it very difficult to read. Shock! Also, I was surprised how much I enjoyed it even though it's older Peter and Harriet and set in the 1950s instead of my preferred 20s-30s reading kink.

However, I thought the plot was cohesive, and she's gotten better at inserting Sayers-like dialog. Things like Harriet approaching the case from a novelist standpoint (and hanging some lanterns on bits of cliched plot), as well as increased quotes and references by Peter and Harriet.

I was spoiled about Peter becoming a duke (and Harriet a duchess), but I wound up liking that turn of events. Not because I thought it was so awesome that they were now way up there in the ranks of nobility, but because of something Harriet said at the end. Before they lived a very carefree life, but now they had obligations and responsibilities. In Harriet's mind, it was a greater purpose. It wasn't a "people must smooch my butt now" but "the things I do will matter."

I'm hoping Walsh will write another book. While I think that Harriet will adapt fairly well, it would be interesting to see how Peter does. I want to see him getting up to shenanigans in the House of Lords. :D

Other things to note: Peter and Bunter still have the most epic bromance ever. XD Several times I started singing Guy Love. And it cracks me up that their sons are BFFs - otherwise known as Peter and Bunter v.2.

It was also nice to see the Dowager alive and kicking. Bless. :)

Comments

[shinyopals.livejournal.com]

NEEDS MOAR BUNTER.

... yes, that's all I have to say. XD

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I would LOVE to see Bunter shoving Peter into his House of Lords outfit. Bunter would be gleeing (on the inside) while Peter would be all D:

[shinyopals.livejournal.com]

LOL YES I DID NOT REALISE HOW MUCH I WANTED TO SEE THAT BEFORE NOW.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Followed by:

Bredon: LOL DAD.

Peter: LOL BREDON YOU'LL HAVE TO DO THIS SOMEDAY.

Bredon: D:

Bunter: *shoves Peter in the general direction of Parlement*

Peter: Bunter, how would you like vast sums of my remaining wealth to pretend to be me?

Bunter: *SHOVES HARDER*

[shinyopals.livejournal.com]

Meanwhile Harriet sits at the side of the room and laughs and laughs.

And then puts it in a book.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Exactly. XD

[ginamak.livejournal.com]

OMG YES. THIS.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

And then there would be a MURDER IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. Peter to the rescue!

[ginamak.livejournal.com]

Oooh, if the Wimseyfic did not require that Harriet and Peter not be married yet... ;)

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

*demands Wimseyfic*

[ginamak.livejournal.com]

PLOTTING A MURDER IS HARD. ASK OPAL. I AM SUFFERING.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

THE BEAR DID IT.

[ginamak.livejournal.com]

WAIT, YOU KNOW HOW IT ENDS? D: *starts over*

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

It's always the bears.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Oooh. And what do you want to bet they'd quickly appoint him as Lord Chancellor?

Peter: DAMN YOU ALL.

House of Lords: Sucks to be you.

Harriet: *makes 50,000 Thomas More jokes*

[ginamak.livejournal.com]

LOLOL YES.

[spikewriter]

::note to self:: Need Harriet and Peter icon.

I got about a quarter of the way through it on Friday while stuck in the back of the car and gave it up only because i was being bugged, so could not concentrate on it properly. Hope to pick it back upon again tonight and do love what I've read so far.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

How frustrating.

I'll admit I didn't race through it though, just because I wanted it to last as long as possible. :D