Two men have been savagely slain in St. Matthew's Church--one a Baronet and Minister of the Crown, the other an alcoholic derelict. Finding their k...
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reviews
Jun 16, 2008
Becca
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This had more twists than the average P.D. James novel. The action really picked up in the last hundred pages. James pays a lot of attention here to providing complete arcs for minor characters, which is a nice touch. The book doesn't just end when the detectives figure out who the murderer is. The characters continue to make choices, trying to make the best of their circumstances, and we get to explore the effects of all these actions. It's even poignant. Good stuff.
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Aug 21, 2010
Ryan
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This was my first P.D. James mystery, and it was a fine book. James' detective, Adam Dalgliesh, is apparently a poet (we are told this again and again) but we never see him writing or read any of his verse. Maybe these are present in other Dalgliesh books.
James is a fine writer, but she used one narrative tool in this book of which I'm not a huge fan. The reader doesn't have complete access to the thoughts of each character, but we do have access to some of their longings, musings More...
James is a fine writer, but she used one narrative tool in this book of which I'm not a huge fan. The reader doesn't have complete access to the thoughts of each character, but we do have access to some of their longings, musings More...
Jul 11, 2009
Jocelyn
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I think one of the things I like about these mysteries is that when the detective has to figure out which of the victim's close associates has done him or her in, you get to see all his or her secrets. It's a nice, tame kind of voyeurism. And the victim in this book certainly has his share of secrets. I suppose viewing the body is not all that tame (this book features a particularly bloody crime scene) but there's also a sort of vicarious thrill in reading about a murder without actually having
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Aug 30, 2007
Stephanie
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The best P.D. James I've read so far. The last line is perfect, and it brings together every theme in the story. This one isn't just about murder and death, folks. It's also about life and how we choose to live it.
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Dec 25, 2011
I have started this book twice this year, and both times, I've stalled out. Admittedly, the circumstances haven't been ideal--the first time, I was on a summer vacation with ten other people; the second, I was visiting home (and a ten year old) for Christmas--but something about this particular set-up isn't really holding my attention. The premise is interesting, and a few of the preliminary characters are well-drawn (the old woman who tends the church and the young boy who befriends her), but I
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Jul 27, 2011
Zach
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In the mystery A Taste for Death, the newly formed sensitive cases division of the New Scotland Yard must jump right in with the double murder of a minister Paul Berowne and a tramp Harry Mack. The team of Adam Dalgliesh, Kate Miskin and John Massingham must solve the case quickly as the public won’t wait long for a resolution before demanding action from the new division. In addition to time management Adam and John must learn how to mesh with Kate who has been hand selected by Adam to join t
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Dec 31, 2011
Mary
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This is #7 of the Adam Dalgliesh cop-poet mysteries series (and I think the first mystery that I have read by the very prolific PD James). While I think having the protagonist be both a cop and published poet is interesting (from a character development perspective), I found the two elements to be grating at times (e.g., when Adam goes off on wordy, literary tangents, or the author gives long descriptions of Victorian architecture, etc). However, I did find the plot itself to be pretty good, w
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Dec 29, 2011
Val
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I love PD James - she has an elegant command of language, very much the poet that her detective, Adam Dalgliesh, is supposed to be. I hadn't read this one (I'm reading them out of order) but this is very much what I enjoy about British murder mysteries - it's tangled, and yet, once the murderer is revealed, you can go back and see the correct clues shining among the web she's woven. I love seeing Inspector Miskin early in her career, and the end was simply shocking to me. No spoilers, but wow
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Feb 14, 2010
Dave
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I don't know how I missed PD James's books in my earlier mystery reading--a preference for amateur detectives, I guess. This is an excellent police procedural, if not perfect. The characters are much more real and well-rounded than Agatha Christie, say, and part of the interest is how their personalities and choices serve the same purpose as red herrings did in earlier mysteries. Still, more real doesn't mean completely real, and she sacrifices some of the reality--particularly of the minor or
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Dec 07, 2011
Lobstergirl
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A just-retired, blue-blooded government minister and a tramp have their throats cut in a church in James's well plotted, nicely paced mystery. I'm a big fan of James, and of her lovely Dalgliesh in particular. She allows Dalgliesh and his subordinate, Constable Kate Miskin, to be thoughtful, well-rounded characters, deserving of our admiration. Nearly everyone else in the book (along with nearly everyone else in every P.D. James book) comes in for very harsh treatment. James is a deeply misa
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Mar 25, 2011
Bettie
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 11, 2011
Elaine
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Author James masterfully paints scenes that I find myself making faces in revulsion when reading some of it. (‘a fly gummed to the rim’ of a jar of Vaseline, or blood gummed to the razor handle). It’s descriptions such as these which the author uses to bring to life many scenes in “A Taste for Death.” However, I quickly found the book to be overwhelmingly rambling in its descriptions of her characters’ clothing, places, rooms, etc. The writing style was at times confusing to me. It wasn’t so
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Jun 15, 2009
Frankie
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is it my imagination, or do PD James' books always seem a bit detached? i enjoyed this, but in the same way I'd enjoy doing a crossword puzzle... you don't really feel that involved. i'm sure she slightly despises herself for writing detective novels, even though they're very good... perhaps she should write something like a biography on Wordsworth's Great Aunt Flo. Nobody would read it and it would doubtless be very dull, but maybe she'd be a bit happier about churning that sort of thing out.
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Jan 08, 2012
Francis
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PD James writes good mysteries, yet for me, her writing lacks compassion. I get caught up in the mystery but then like her protagonist I find myself becoming detached, unemotional, just doing my job. Doing my job like a consummate professional, intellectually challenged, persevering, robotic, searching for clues, trying to solve puzzles.
But then people matter more than the puzzles. Which leaves me intellectually stimulated, yet empty ...like a heartless poet.
But then people matter more than the puzzles. Which leaves me intellectually stimulated, yet empty ...like a heartless poet.
Oct 18, 2009
Aleisha Z
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When you have a serial author like PD James that consistently puts out a good book it is difficult to say, "this may be one of her best", but I am going to say "this may be one of her best"! Adam Dalgleish--how really do you pronounce his name?--is a fabulous returning character that over time has acquired wisdom and subtle sensitivity that I appreciate. Kate is the new girl on the block and I enjoyed her fiestiness without denying her emotions. Lovely read.
Nov 07, 2009
Rob
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Not my favorite of the Dalgliesh series but wonderful description. Less focus on Adam and more on Kate, who has just been added to the special investigative team. The climatic scene with Kate and her grandmother is highly contrived, yet moving nonetheless. Kate is propping her grandmother (just mugged the day before)on the toilet while held hostage by the novel's murderer when Kate learns for the first time the story of her mother and father.
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Aug 02, 2011
L Greyfort
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Remains my favorite of PD James' Dalgliesh novels. Excellent balance between the mystery and the interpersonal relationships.
Dalgliesh is a fascinating character; James slowly develops him over the novels into a multi-dimensional figure. An outstanding policeman and detective, with a rich personal history. He's a poet, he's a widower.
This is a series which richly repays your persistence.
Dalgliesh is a fascinating character; James slowly develops him over the novels into a multi-dimensional figure. An outstanding policeman and detective, with a rich personal history. He's a poet, he's a widower.
This is a series which richly repays your persistence.
May 30, 2011
Cschuft
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Hadn't read PD James in years. This one written 1986. Features Adam Dalgliesh, poet and Scotland Yard detective, along with Kate Miskin, his new associate, a young policewoman, smart, brave, skilled, and with a real life; a character well drawn. At first, this seems a hard read, PD James is so literate. Doesn't take long tho, to get caught up in the mystery, and then the pages move along quickly.
Mar 08, 2009
Elizabeth
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Convoluted who-dun-it, but James' detailed British descriptions and references were trademark. Occasionally I wished for more brevity, but more often I could appreciate the richness of visual or sensual detail provided by the author and the intellectual complexity of the plot compared to many contemporary mystery novels. I see why P.D. James has the reputation she does and will read more by her.
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Nov 06, 2011
Spuddie
rated it:
I normally enjoy the Adam Dalgliesh series very much, but this one seemed to drag on and on as the mystery into the murder of Sir Paul Barrone, a Minister of Parliament, and a tramp in the vestry of a church went onwards. There just seemed to be too much extraneous detail, too much wandering off into the lives of minor characters which left me often thinking, "Get ON with the story already!" It's also one of the few where I knew the bad guy almost straight away. I guess every author is
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Aug 31, 2011
Scarlet
rated it:
The more PD James I read, the more I like her books. She has such an incredible way of capturing the essence of a character with just a few details.
I bought this at a small used bookstore in Nakusp, BC while I was on vacation. The owner is originally from MA and I was wearing a Red Sox T-shirt. It seemed like it had been a long, long time since he'd met another Sox fan. :)
I bought this at a small used bookstore in Nakusp, BC while I was on vacation. The owner is originally from MA and I was wearing a Red Sox T-shirt. It seemed like it had been a long, long time since he'd met another Sox fan. :)
Aug 02, 2011
Adam
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A major emphasis on procedure in this police procedural. No character is introduced and no room entered without an extremely detailed description. Plus over half the book is merely the police making their enquiries. Still an enjoyable read though not as good as other James I've read and not the leap in quality and depth that its length would suggest.
Sep 11, 2009
Marti
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at first i thought that i was going to get bogged down in this tale, but then it got interesting. it is a long book--nearly 500 pages in paperback and does at times slow down and plod, but it is one that you want to finish to find out not only who, but why. i was glad that i stuck with it, but can't imagine reading two long PD James books in a row.
Jul 09, 2011
Todd
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PD James is one of my favorite fiction authors. Her ability to craft a mystery is remarkable. Establishing setting and characters is fundamental to the genre of narrative and she does it intentionally and as well as anyone. I have even incorporated some of James's comments on writing into my hermeneutics lectures. Good novel, great novelist.
Jan 13, 2012
Jennifer
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This is the first murder mystery that I have read. There was one distinct cuss word in it, but it wasn't littered with them. I found it interesting and the story line was pretty good. I do wonder when I read a book like this if all the anti-religious views of all the characters is the way the author feels about religion.
Feb 22, 2011
Laurel
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This is the second time I read this book and I still loved it! I love the Adam Dalgliesh character. All of James' characters are well developed and her plots are edge of your seat suspensful. But her forte is her writing and insight into human beings and life. I would read these in order if you've never read her books before. She also has another series with the character Cordelia Gray.
Nov 09, 2010
Anita
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This was my first Adam Dalgliesh mystery. I liked it very much. Even tho there were obvious references to past happenings..it really didn't stray from the story. And I liked how the narrative was set up to keep putting suspects in your way. I thot I knew the villian...but I was surprised still at the end.
Dec 16, 2009
Teresa
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As always, PD James delivered with this book. I love all of her Adam Dalgleish books.
In this one, the Special team is formed to deal with high profile or sensitive murder cases. Miskin, the only woman on the team, is introduced to us also. The plot has many twists and turns and, as always, you have to pay close attention to the story as you go along: or you risk missing an important clue!
In this one, the Special team is formed to deal with high profile or sensitive murder cases. Miskin, the only woman on the team, is introduced to us also. The plot has many twists and turns and, as always, you have to pay close attention to the story as you go along: or you risk missing an important clue!
Feb 05, 2012
RJ
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It's been awhile since I've read this and I'd probably remember whodunit, but I would read this again. To me, this was the peak moment of her Dalgliesh novels. The dramatizations featuring Roy Marsden certainly helped me embrace Dalgleish's character, but this novel stands on its own quite nicely.
Apr 19, 2010
Dennis
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I didn't really enjoy this all that much in the beginning, mainly because I don't share the author's fascination for architecture and interior design, but I really began to get into it. And then, the end, and instead of a clever bit of British detecting, we had something much more American, moee violent, or at least something which didn't seem to fit the rest of the book. I could have enjoyed this more but it was still good.
