Rating: 
Summary: not anywhere near the original, but a decent try
Review: As a long time Dorothy L. Sayers fan who has read her books again and again over the years, I found this attempt by Jill Walsh to carry on the life and times and Lord and Lady Peter Wimsey somewhat disappointing. It is fun to see the re-appearance of almost every major and minor character from the canon, but the tone and character depiction is but a pale copy of Miss Sayers' penetrating and witty prose. The plot is moderately interesting and the mystery is not terribly difficult to solve, but Sayers fans are usually more interested in the writing and characterizations. Ms Walsh has brought 90s attitudes to the 30s and has wisely elminated some of Sayers' less attractive views. However, to bring in for a cameo appearance Lord Peter's former mistress, the Viennese opera singer and have her turn out to be a Jewish refugee would give Miss Sayers a heart attack. In spite of these complaints, all Lord Peter readers still will have a lovely time with this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but not ecstasy-producing
Review: It is quite a thrill to read a new Lord Peter book; I only wish he could have been there instead of the pale imitation who wears his shoes. Jill Paton Walsh has written a fine book, but has missed out on what I love Lord Peter and Harriet for: the wit and quotations. This book feels awfully serious compared to the flights of fancy in Busman's Honeymoon. I agree with the reviewer who objects to the "feel" of the book; it's too politically correct for the '30s or Dorothy Sayers. I felt that Walsh captured the Dowager Duchess and Uncle Paul quite well, but many of the characters are too obvious, too direct, too clear in their dialogue. Sayers's dialogue usually reveals more levels upon rereading; I doubt that Walsh's will. However, I am extremely grateful that someone finished this novel and gave us a chance to meet the characters again.
Rating: 
Summary: A dream come true!
Review: I have a recurring dream in which I am reading a new book by one of my favorite authors, now unfortunately deceased. Not only do I have the complete text, but there are also several hundred new books that I have not yet read. Naturally when I wake up I can no longer remember the stories involved. Jill Paton Walsh has made my dream come true! I notice that at the end of Thrones, Dominations there is a rounding off of the characters later lives. I hope that doesn't mean that she will not make an effort to come up with her own Wimsey novels in the future? If anyone could do it Walsh could. Now if only someone could do a true Georgette Heyer my teenage dreams would come true! Linda Shoare, Head Librarian Salem Free Public Library
Rating:
Summary: It's not quite the real thing, but you should still read it.
Review: Just as a forged painting is ultimately recognized as a product of its own time, every completion or pastiche of a dead author's work reveals itself as of our time. "Thrones, Dominations" is no exception. A few examples: There are too many mentions of genuine 1930's historical figures, something Dorothy Sayers rarely did. The language slips occasionally; would Lord Peter really say that London is not someone's "scene"? Jill Paton Walsh also doesn't take the class system of prewar England seriously enough; I doubt if Lord Peter would ask any young actor to call him "Peter" on the strength of a few minutes' acquaintance. Nonetheless, for a fan who has read Dorothy Sayers again and again over the last 30 years, this book is far better than nothing - certainly closer to the real thing than I had imagined anyone getting. And it does have some wonderful things. Best new idea: That Bunter is a high Anglican. Best new character: Mango. Best capturing of the "real voice": The Dowager Duchess. If you are a Dorothy Sayers fan, you should read it. If you are not yet a fan, don't start with this. Try "Whose Body" or "Murder Must Advertise". But get around to this one.
Rating:
Summary: A welcome addition to the Wimsey canon
Review: Jill Paton Walsh has done an excellent job of completing the fragment left by Dorothy Sayres. It is very difficult to "see the join" and having read the novel, I would enjoy seeing what was original Sayres and what was created by the talented Ms. Walsh. The tone is very good and the crime and its solution very much in keeping with previous Lord Peter plots. Well done!
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable and, if anything, too short!
Review: Seamlessly constructed and true to Sayers' touch, this novel is a welcome addition.
Rating:
Summary: Two good old friends back for a visit
Review: Jill Paton Walsh is to be congradulated. She has resurrected Harriet and Lord Peter and done an excellent job of it. The quotes are a little off and she makes Harriet just a shade too helpful and warm/fuzzy, (also I don't care AT ALL for the sideline about Bunter) but on the whole they live again and readers are in for a wonderful time. The plot has the authentic touch of Sayers grue, and hinges on a well seasoned red herring. THUMBS UP!
Rating:
Summary: LORD PETER IS BACK
Review: After decades of having to re-read the Lord Peter canon, it was a real treat to come upon this new tiltle, a continuation of the Peter Wimsey saga. This book takes place following Busman's Honeymoon. It is GREAT! I highly recommend it not only to fans of Dorothy Sayers, but to all mystery fans. I hope Ms. Walsh will continue the series.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, the drama!
Review: Frankly, I am disturbed by the snobbery that has come from Sayer's fanbase with the publication of this book. Reviews plastered all around the internet start off with "I have been reading Lord Peter Wimsey since I was years old," only to go on and thrash the attempts of Walsh to further elaborate on the adventures of our lovely sleuthing couple.
One of the most often lodged complaints is the mystery itself, more specifically, its complication. Yes, Walsh does not create a huge, rolling, convoluted mystery, but not all mysteries are necessarily such. Sayer's earliest works, such as Unnatural Death, are not the most complicated mysteries, nor are they the most superbly written mysteries. Walsh is not solely a mystery writer, and she needs some time to adjust to the new role. While not up to the standards of Gaudy Night, Walsh executes a passable mystery, not anywhere near deserving the lashing feedback it has received.
The characterization of the protagonists comes under fire, as well. Walsh continues with the basics of the characters. That is, Harriet's strong will and intelligence, Peter's touch of the fey, etc. She also does a remarkable job of keeping with Sayer's evolution of the all involved. She shows the difficulties of adjusting to a new way of life, and Harriet's struggles to find inspiration now that the expresss need for her writing was no longer present in a manner quite impressive when dealing with character who are not the products of her own muse. Some claim there is far too much finality in the "wrapping-up" tone of the novel. The couple just works through one aspect of their lives, not as if they have found how to become perfect spouses, and human beings, in general. Though there are minor slip-ups, Mrs. Walsh will most likely adjust more to the characters as she writes more.
Thirdly, the supposedly "modern" topics of conversation within the novel seem to rile up Sayer's enthusiasts. Allow for the definition of "modern": Peter and Harriet allude to sex. Let me point out the fact that they do not bring it up in polite company, nor as a topic of conversation at the dinner table. They make suggestive comments _in the privacy of their rooms_. Despite an apparently common belief among Sayer's fanatics, people during the pre-WWII era did have sex, and talked about it. It was "The Age of Innocence" not the "Age of Prudery".
The general alarm towards the inclusion of "real history" in Walsh's rendition also moved the general Wimsey populous to battlecries. However, such insertions of events make the setting, and time period more lucid and the characters more identifiable. It also adds to the tone of the story, the death of the king and the imminent danger of war add to the dark atmosphere.
To summarize, Dorothy Sayers did what many writers did by putting aside a work while completing others. She had numerous other projects, including her translation of The Divine Comedy, and a large number of plays. In one interview she claimed, "Lord Peter is constantly in my mind" and that she meant to finish her novels regarding Lord and Lady Wimsey. However, her unexpected death prevented any continuation. Had she wished for this story never to be, she would have thrown it away from the get-go. Even if she did not wish for its publication, Dorothy L. Sayer was a good-natured woman, and most likely would have been flattered by Walsh's attempts to honor her with the continuation. All in all, while not living up entirely to the original, Jill Patton Walsh made a valiant, if in no way exact, attempt to live up to DLS's legacy, and she did it well.
Rating: 
Summary: You're better off with Sayers alone
Review: Speaking as a person who began reading Sayers' Wimsey books at the age of nine, I found the contributions of Ms. Walsh to be crudely apparent. It does not seem that she understands the characters very well. Regarded on its own, this is a moderately successful book, hence the two stars, but if you are seeking Lord (and Lady) Peter, it is much more rewarding to read any of Sayers' unaided works.
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