the answer to your question is a regrettably subjective one; there are ardent Wimsey fanciers who resent the intrusion of one Harriet Vane as distraction from some rather fine (early) straight-up detective novels. They would undoubtedly recommend that you begin with "Whose Body?", the earliest (and really, honestly, the best) pre-Vane.
However, it is undeniably true that most of the best of Sayers' mysteries are post-Vane. If you want to read them in approximate chronological order for the romance, start with Strong Poison, then Have His Carcase, Murder Must Advertise, Gaudy Night, and Busman's Honeymoon. (I tend to skip Nine Tailors partly because Harriet's not involved, and partly because it's just an odd mystery, and not her best.)
Were I forced to choose a single favorite, it would probably be Murder Must Advertise. It's mostly Wimsey (Harriet makes brief appearances at best) and Sayers's rich and complex use of language is at her most amazing and witty.
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Date: 2009-02-20 08:56 pm (UTC)However, it is undeniably true that most of the best of Sayers' mysteries are post-Vane. If you want to read them in approximate chronological order for the romance, start with Strong Poison, then Have His Carcase, Murder Must Advertise, Gaudy Night, and Busman's Honeymoon. (I tend to skip Nine Tailors partly because Harriet's not involved, and partly because it's just an odd mystery, and not her best.)
Were I forced to choose a single favorite, it would probably be Murder Must Advertise. It's mostly Wimsey (Harriet makes brief appearances at best) and Sayers's rich and complex use of language is at her most amazing and witty.