The bodies of Sir Paul Berowne, a retired Minister of the Crown who was an acquaintance of Dalgliesh, and Harry Mack, a tramp, are found in the vestry of St Matthews Church with their throats cut. Berowne holds the weapon that caused the death of both men. Is it murder and suicide? Daiglesh is assigned to investigate.
The family of the minister sees little reason to cooperate with Dalgliesh so he, DCI John Massingham and DI Kate Miskin must wade throught the details to discover what happened. Berowne's mother, his wife and her lover, daughter, his mistress and others are interviewed looking for motive and opportunity. Eventually, the trio discovers that the motive is actually two - money and jealousy. It takes awhile to sort through the statements and determine what and why the two men were killed.
I totally enjoy the author's writing and pick up a nover by her periodically because, in fact, she writes a darn good mystery. This one is no exception.
In her latest Commander Adam Dalgliesh detective novel, James subtly deepens the complexities of his personality, making him an ever more credible protagonist. When two bodies are discovered with their throats slashed in a London church, Dalgleish is called upon to solve the case. One victim is Sir Paul Berowne, former Minister of the Crown; the other is a tramp accustomed to sleeping in the church vestibule. It seems that these deaths may be tied to those of two young women who have recently been employed in the Berowne household. Dalgleish feels an unusual empathy in this case; he had known Berowne and sensed several parallels in their lives. This sense of compassion is one of the things that distinguishes James's novels. In delving into what she calls "the fascination of character," she makes each actor in the drama memorable. The characters here read Trollope and Philip Larkin; they are knowledgeable about architecture and art. Yet James's civilized digressions do not detract from the suspense of the plot. She does not employ horrific details for shock effect, but her step-by-step description of procedural details, particularly those of forensic medicine, totally immerse readers in the investigation. Literate readers who have not yet made Adam Dalgliesh's acquaintance should rush to the bookstores for this one.
In her latest Commander Adam Dalgliesh detective novel, James subtly deepens the complexities of his personality, making him an ever more credible protagonist. When two bodies are discovered with their throats slashed in a London church, Dalgleish is called upon to solve the case. One victim is Sir Paul Berowne, former Minister of the Crown; the other is a tramp accustomed to sleeping in the church vestibule. It seems that these deaths may be tied to those of two young women who have recently been employed in the Berowne household. Dalgleish feels an unusual empathy in this case; he had known Berowne and sensed several parallels in their lives. Yet James's civilized digressions do not detract from the suspense of the plot. She does not employ horrific details for shock effect, but her step-by-step description of procedural details, particularly those of forensic medicine, totally immerse readers in the investigation. Literate readers who have not yet made Adam Dalgliesh's acquaintance should rush to the bookstores for this one.
I couldn't get through this book because i found it highly boring. I quit reading it before the first chapter ended.
This may be the longest P.D. James book I've read. It's a long story with a lot of subplots, characters and numerous red herrings.
This could never be a movie, but would have to be a long running mini-series. Still, I enjoyed it.
Two men are killed in a church - what links them is a mystery. P.D. James is one of my favorite crime authors and this book does not disappoint! It stands on its own as a novel, not just a whodunit.
A little long,. but still a great read. THis is the first book in which Inspector Dalgliesh works with his newly formed Sensitvie Case squad.
Excellent, beautifully written mystery from a Master. The characters are particularly well-nuanced, and the liturgical background adds another layer of depth to the plot. Her writing is so vivid that the book takes on a life of its own in which I am totally engrossed until the ending. With P.D.James, I have been known to read the last chapter and immediately turn to the beginning to start again so the enjoyment does not disappear. It is a rare writer who provoked that response. Highly recommend!!
