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The novel contains many possible suspects because many disliked the victim. As the reader, we gain deep insight into all characters involved and along with Commander Dalgliesh are kept guessing until the end who the murderer is. Very satisfying. This book is a true page turner. Lovers of English mystery novels will not be able to put the book down.
The story is set in a forensic lab in a traditional English village, but they don't even have computers, much less access to the DNA tests that would have solved the mystery within a couple pages of the murder. This one may not hold up as well as some of her other books due to advances in forensic science and widespread information about them from television shows like CSI. But then, where would the fun have been. As in all of P.D. James' books, the characters are at least as important as the mystery.
James. D. Excellent author.The Adam Dalgliesh mysteries are my favorite. What can I say. I have read everything by P.
Wonderful twists and turns along the way as you find things out with her detective Adam Danglish. This was the first P.D. James books to anyone who loves a good mystery. I would recommend this book and all P.D. James book I read and am now hooked. Her writing style is wonderful and the way she builds her characters are amazing.
Most will want to keep the book and set it aside to read again in the future. James tells a well balanced and a compelling tale in half the space. This is my third James novel. It is short and compact; and, it has a nicely balanced structure with good characters. The story is well underway and the reader is fully engaged by page 10. But it quickly switches to a second murder in a science laboratory.The novel has an interesting set of characters, and as in other James novels, there are half dozen suspects with various financial and emotional motivations to be involved with the killings. By the way, Dalgliesh does not play a dominant role in the book.Readers will not be disappointed, and the book demonstrates the fame and ability of James as a crime writer.
Thankfully, all of that type of writing is missing here. We wait as Dalgliesh does not enter the investigation until almost page 200.
In short, it is what one can describe as a masterpiece as are some of her other early novels.The book opens with the literary hook: a murder in a field in the countryside. In the elaborate 550 page slow moving story told in The Murder Room, the author has a 95 page introduction and no crime until around page 130.
The present work was written over 30 years ago by a James in her prime. Also, the book demonstrates again that more is not always better than less.
This is a masterpiece. It is written with straightforward and simple prose and it is a compelling read that is hard to put down.
The mystery unfolds slowly, and the reader is given a few clues just ahead of the Dalgliesh.
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