I have tried the reading fanfic ploy, but can't pull it off - they have an official status that makes me get out the scalpel!

I do think that parts of T,D are well done - specifically the mystery plot. But I'd so much rather the Estate had chosen to release the manuscript than have a continuation done. Also, I disagree with a lot of the choices JPW made with the MS (of which I have read most, but not every page in detail). Why miss out Gerald sizing up Harriet at dinner (and confirmation that she is indeed a bit flat-chested), Harriet's grilling on Peter on why he didn't just apply himself to getting her into bed, a more interesting Lady Severn and Thames, and so on. And I just dont' think she really 'gets' Peter and Harriet. Presumption just magnifies these flaws, and reads rather too like a historical novel. Also, in both cases there is a problem with the murder, in that whilst I don't quite agree with whoever it was who said of Sayers that "the murder is anciliary to the purpose", all the books have much bigger themes than catching the murderer, and in neither continuation does this happen.