Chapter 1-2 Summary

Gaudy Night, by Dorothy L. Sayers, is an interesting mystery novel that begins when Harriet Vane decides to attend a reunion, known as a Gaudy, at Shrewsbury College, a fictitious woman's college at Oxford University. Harriet has not returned to Shrewsbury since graduating. She becomes a famous mystery writer after being acquitted for a murder she did not commit. The man who saves her is Lord Peter Wimsey, who has been trying to get her to marry him for the past five years.

Harriet Vane is a mystery writer who makes First Class at Shrewsbury College. Her friend, Mary Stokes, makes Second Class, marries soon after school and frequently returns for various events and functions. Harriet, who has never returned, decides to attend an event. She has chosen appropriate clothing for the events that will not offend anyone, she thinks as...