A Certain Justice
by P.D. James
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Read in January, 2008
Many years ago, I tried reading a P.D. James book and never finished it. At the time, I was probably too new to the mystery genre to know what to make of it. More importantly, perhaps, I was completely unfamiliar with the English culture and its esoteric language. (When I visited England for the first time in 2005, my son who lived there had to translate for me for the first several days.)
Thanks to my book club, I've finally finished a novel by this quintessentially English author, and I pro...more
Thanks to my book club, I've finally finished a novel by this quintessentially English author, and I pro...more
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Read in February, 2001
This rolling murder mystery takes you from the chambers of Venitia Aldridge to the squat where Ashe, a former client, runs away to with the Venitia's daughter Octavia. The pace is set in the novel from the first page when Aldridge is defending Ashe, and gets him off despite his obvious guilt.
The plot turns constantly, focusing the readers attention to almost everyone involved with her life. The intricate details of the novel bring you into their sitting rooms while they talk to the police, and...more
The plot turns constantly, focusing the readers attention to almost everyone involved with her life. The intricate details of the novel bring you into their sitting rooms while they talk to the police, and...more
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Read in July, 2008
I love everything by P.D. James. For me, P.D. James is like eating chocolate and smoking crack at the same time. I haven't finished this one yet but of course it rules so far.
For the unitiated, P.D. James is an incredible British mystery writer, like Agatha Christie, but with characters and imagery and stuff. Sometimes the prose is so beautiful I have to stop and reread it a few times. The main character in most of her books is Adam Dalgliesh, a British policeman and poet. As you can imagin...more
For the unitiated, P.D. James is an incredible British mystery writer, like Agatha Christie, but with characters and imagery and stuff. Sometimes the prose is so beautiful I have to stop and reread it a few times. The main character in most of her books is Adam Dalgliesh, a British policeman and poet. As you can imagin...more
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Read in April, 2008
I've become a big PD James fan since I arrived in the UK; her novels seem a good excuse to become better acquainted with my new home and to read engaging fluff. Even better, I've discovered her books are always well-written, engaging, and even a little thought provoking, many starring her well-known character Commander Dalgliesh, a police chief / poet.
But A Certain Justice eclipsed the four others I've read. The first chapter predicted the book's ending, of course in a way I never expecte...more
But A Certain Justice eclipsed the four others I've read. The first chapter predicted the book's ending, of course in a way I never expecte...more
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Read in August, 2008
Dalgliesh and his team solve three murders but justice is not always served even if the murder is solved. Three murder victims are eventually linked through personal mysteries each tries to hide. Who killed the successful criminal lawyer whose brilliant defenses often delayed justice for the criminals she defended? Who placed a judge’s wig on the victim’s head and dumped blood on her after her death? Who killed the law firm’s cleaning woman? And why does a young man, accused of murdering h...more
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Read in September, 2007
This book brings the reader into the mind of a psychopath AND those of several more "normal" people who are seriously, destructively obsessed. And it doesn't take us very far into the mind of Adam, Kate or their assistant (here it is Piers). Oh, & the presenting mystery is solved at the end but the murderer won't be brought to justice. Hence I'm not thrilled with this immense tome.
Its strength: beautiful descriptions of the city of London, a number of historic buildings (a sens...more
Its strength: beautiful descriptions of the city of London, a number of historic buildings (a sens...more
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Read in May, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in May, 2008
A mystery book about a lawyer who was killed in her office. Of course, the primary plot is discovering who killed her. It took me a little while to get to the end and it seemed there was a lot of filler...could have been a shorter book. Overall, just a typical 'who done it' book.
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recommends it for:
mystery fans
P.D. James writes great mysteries and I really enjoy most of works (The Lighthouse, Death in Holy Orders). However, this book had a horrific portrayal of a social worker in it which left me feeling quite negatively about it. Otherwise, I would highly recommend her books.
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I'll be honest, this book was okay. If I had to be in an airport, with no book, I would take it... However...
I have a friend who along with his books adds a recommended beverage to be enjoyed along side - this would have to be tea. Lots and lots of tea.
I have a friend who along with his books adds a recommended beverage to be enjoyed along side - this would have to be tea. Lots and lots of tea.
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I've been on a PD James kick for about a month now, with the assistance of the NYPL. Good, straightforward mystery novels, with a poet-detective main character. Edit to add: I think I'm growing sick of PD James now. But it was fun while it lasted.
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Read in January, 2008
She's a very good writer and writes an excellent mystery, but even though she doesn't make it obvious I can never forget that she's a thorough Tory (i.e member of Britan's Conservative party and pretty right wing).
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Read in May, 2008
I read Children of Men long ago and liked it. We were in Goteborg waiting for a flight home and I was out of books and found this in English. I'm loving it. Great writing, great suspense, ever so clever
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My first P. D. James... She's a great writer, and you know she won't let you down with a cheap murder/thriller. If you're looking for an intelligent mystery writer, you've found your woman.
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Read in December, 2007
I was a little disappointed by this- my first encounter with PD James. I need a little more mystery in my mysteries. I won't give up though, since I know this author rules the genre...
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
all
My first P.D. James book. A very good read. If they ad the ability to mark a book as 3-1/2 stars, I would. Try her books -- at least one. Ed
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Read in April, 2008
Not my favorite PD James book... was a bit slower than some of the others... but I can now say I've read all her Dagliesh mysteries.
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Really fun. I very much enjoy her writing, especially after I visited many of the law related sites mentioned in London!
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
mystery fans
This was the first P. D. James book I read, and it's still my favorite. A good mystery featuring Adam Dalgleish.
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you just cant beat one of her novels. i couldntttt stopppp until it was finished.
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