Compiled by the Espresso Addict

Espresso Recommendations

Innovative and stylish fanfiction, showcasing the very best across multiple sf, fantasy & literature fandoms. Good writing in all its forms can be found here, including gen, het, slash, OCs, AUs, crossovers, future fics, humour & pastiche

Contents: 1010 recs in 235 fandoms; 65 links

Lord Peter Wimsey

A Brief History of the Patronage of Beatie Wilson by AlexElizabeth

'Beatie found death interesting. Men and women and children across the country, across the world, were dead and burned, gassed and shelled, their towns and possessions and lives reduced to rubble along with their souls. Beatie felt a kind of vague, unfocused sympathy for humanity in the summer of 1945.' A refreshing absence of saccharine marks this thoughtful postscript to Gaudy Night, which details the fate of Annie Wilson's eldest daughter. Peter & Harriet's voices are perfect, and I particularly enjoyed the depiction of their relationship. (Crossover with Agatha Christie's Cat Among the Pigeons)

[Added 23/12/2017; Drama; 6000-20,000; Lord Peter Wimsey; Crossover]

Death in the Tuileries by Dafna Greer

'He was less clear on whether that meant they assumed he would find nothing, or that there was indeed nothing to find.' Crisp and spare account of Wimsey's first case, set during WW1

[Added 03/01/2007; Drama; 2500-6000; Lord Peter Wimsey]

The Frivolous Fable of a Spinster's Suspicions by Nineveh

'"May I enquire, Lord Peter," said Miss Climpson, proffering his refurbished tea-cup, "as to your opinions of White Slavery?"' Sparkling humour & excellent characterisations, including a gem of an OC, mark this gentle mystery for Miss Climpson & the Cattery. Nineveh also skilfully intertwines the rocky beginnings of Peter & Harriet's relationship into the tale

[Added 18/07/2009; Drama; 2500-6000; Lord Peter Wimsey]

The Healing Fountain, or, The English Aristocrat’s Gentleman’s Gentleman’s Gymslip Lover by Nineveh

'It was true that Wimsey’s preferred reading material did not usually feature young schoolgirls chafing under the restrictive guardianship of a cold, man-hunting mother and a socialite aunt, but it held to the promised standard of English and a surprising lightness of touch considering the title.' Wimsey's dry viewpoint provides the perfect counterpoint to the purple prose of Hilary Thorpe's first novel. Enormous fun!

[Added 05/09/2012; Romance/Erotica; 6000-20,000; Lord Peter Wimsey]

In The Beginning by Sonetka

'The back of the book displayed a more welcome sight; his own face, or rather, his own face as it had been eight years ago, when Philip Boyes was the handsome young author of the much-discussed if poorly-selling Abhasa. Dark curls artfully rumpled, the younger, optimistic Philip stared out at the current version, and looked distinctly unimpressed.' A thoughtful novella that attempts to elucidate why Harriet agreed to live with Boyes. Sonetka fleshes the man out, giving him believable motivations without whitewashing him

[Added 18/10/2017; Romance/Erotica; 20,000-50,000; Lord Peter Wimsey]

Kitty by Mrsredboots

'She also learnt – slowly and painfully, and not without some embarrassing mistakes – to notice other things; to know that if Mrs X was not in church, it was probably because her husband had come home drunk again and slapped her around, whereupon a tactful visit next day might be appreciated, but if Mrs Y was absent, it was probably because she herself had been in the pub all night.' An interesting possible backstory for Kitty Climpson, with the perfect vehicle for her coming to Peter's attention

[Added 30/10/2017; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord Peter Wimsey]

London, November 1917 by Atropos

'He listened as he sat for them, drank with them, fucked on rumbled beds and lumpy sofas, sucking up the words, and images scattered across their crumb-strewn floors, pinned to plaster walls, pasted onto fading wallpaper.' This unusual war-time story gives Bunter a completely non-fanonical background. Dark & atmospheric

[Added 15/07/2012; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Lord Peter Wimsey]

Scarce Any Man by Atalan

'Harriet privately thought that possession of a tea tray said less about one's bourgeois leanings than about the impracticality of juggling two mugs, a glass tumbler, and a bottle of not-terribly expensive champagne...' Delicate study of Harriet's life before Strong Poison, beautifully characterised & full of telling details

[Added 18/07/2009; Drama; 1000-2500; Lord Peter Wimsey]

Solitary as an Oyster by Flourish

'"Oh, let's sing Silent Night and eat our pudding and forget about men," Eiluned shouted. / "Let's!" Harriet agreed, "except the Baby Jesus is a man, isn't he?"' This delicate conversation piece features perfect character voices & meanders slowly towards a strong ending

[Added 30/10/2017; Character Piece; 1000-2500; Lord Peter Wimsey]

Tell Beauty How She Blasteth by Tree and Leaf

'There were white roses on the bench, and in the dim light of the Old Bailey they looked almost ashen.' This AU to Strong Poison relentlessly explores its grim premise. The persevering reader is rewarded with perfect characterisations throughout

[Added 15/07/2012; Drama; 2500-6000; Lord Peter Wimsey]

The Unlikely Story of a Nobleman's Daughter by Dafna Greer

An unusual case for the great detective. Beautifully written and hilarious from line 1

[Added 13/01/2005; Humour; 2500-6000; Lord Peter Wimsey]

Where All Past Years Are by Atalan

'Charles is not an imaginative man.' This tightly structured vignette offers abundant character insights as it poses an interesting question

[Added 11/11/2008; Character Piece; <1000; Lord Peter Wimsey]