A question of Wimsey

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Happy near year, Sounisians!

I was recommending Dorothy Sayers (as one does), this time to an_english_girl, when she posed a very reasonable but perplexing question: In what order should one read the Lord Peter Wimsey books?

Now, I recall asking this very question, and I was told to begin with the short stories. In hindsight, I think I would have understood and enjoyed those more had I read the novels first. The novels can be read sequentially, of course, but the difference in quality and tone varies significantly, with many people favoring her later books. (I suppose it depends on how one feels about the addition of Harriet Vane to the cast of characters.) So where should one begin, if one wants to dip one's toe into the waters to get a feel for the series overall?

I know there are Sayers fans hereabouts, and so I put the question to Sounis. Anyone have suggestions?