A while back a Cozy Mystery reader posted a comment asking our help in identifying an author. Here is part of Sandy’s question:
I am desperate to find the title/author of a mystery I listened to 5+ years ago while packing one of our homes. (We have moved twice since then.) My brain wasn’t thinking straight enough to remember either the author or the name of the main character, but I am hoping someone here may know. I have searched the audio books in that library to no avail.
I remember the sleuth was a British young man who was sarcastic and lazy. He goes in the rich category, I think, but only because he had rich friends or relatives with whom he lived. I remember his name seemed ridiculous to me, and that is started with a W. I can’t even remember the plot, but I had that “cozy” feeling the whole way through and laughed and laughed.
I wonder if any of you can answer this identity question for Sandy. If you can, please post a comment. Thank you!
Penny says
By any chance, are you referring to the Jeeves and Wooster series by P.G. Wodehouse? Most of the stories are not mysteries, but there could have been one or two in the series. Wooster is British, rich, lazy, sarcastic, and quite stupid. Jeeves, his valet, ‘saves the day’ and ‘saves face’ for Wooster and some of his foolish friends consistently and with great aplomb. Even if this is not the guy you’re looking for, they’re well worth the time to read. The books are hilarious. I think these may have actually been the first books to inspire the abbreviation LOL. 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Penny, I’ve enjoyed a lot of P.G. Wodehouse‘s Jeeves and Wooster books, but I’m not sure I remember any of them being mystery books, either.
Laurel says
Sounds like Jeeves and Wooster by P.G. Wodehouse maybe? The books were made into a tv series starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Laurel, my husband and I are just starting to make our way through the Jeeves and Wooster television series again. We’ve decided to space them with other shows, though. Although we really enjoy them (obviously if we’re watching them again!) we think they might be best watched sporadically…
Suzanne M says
Could it be the Lord Peter Wimsey series?
Libby Dodd says
Doesn’t sound like Lord Peter to me
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Suzanne M, hmmm… I’m not sure about Peter Wimsey being that sarcastic, but it’s a good guess that Sandy should probably pursue.
Jackie J. Griffey says
The author’s name rings a bell but I can’t remember reading them (and I don’t have a Jeeves to help me out LOL) But they sound well worth hunting up since I like humor – there’s enough horror on the news without letting it into your reading! Happy reading and writing to all of us and this wonderful group in 2014!
Cyber hugs,
Jackie
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jackie, you should check and see if your library has the 1990s Jeeves and Wooster episodes. Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie are great in this British television show.
Jackie J. Griffey says
Forgot to say thanks – love sharing our enjoyment and favorite authors.
Carole R says
It kind of sounds like it could be Melrose Plant. He “helps” Richard Jury in Martha Grimes’ books.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carole R, I think you might have found the author Sandy is looking for. Thank you!
Linda says
Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie had another series called “A Bit of Fry and Laurie”. They are comedy bits. Hilarious!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, and they appeared on Black Adder quite a bit, too…