From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Unnatural Causes (Adam Dalgliesh, #3)

P.D. James

Start date: March 1, 2020

Finish date: March 31, 2020

Discussion: Group Challenges

Why we're reading this: Next in our PD James/Inspector Dalgliesh challenge for 2020
[close] Next in our PD James/Inspector Dalgliesh challenge for 2020

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Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 168 topics — 7,797 comments total

Group Challenges

* Sept 25: The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) by Agatha Christie
By Susan · 16 posts · 18 views

last updated Sep 12, 2025 08:12PM

* Sept 25: The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) - SPOILER Thread
By Susan · 13 posts · 22 views

last updated Sep 16, 2025 12:58PM

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What Members Thought

May 01, 2016 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Published in 1967, this is the third Adam Dalgliesh mystery; following on from “Cover Her Face” and “A Mind to Murder.” Dalgliesh is still involved with Deborah Riscoe, who appeared in the first novel, and is considering whether or not to propose to her. Does he love her enough to change his life and perhaps put his work second? While considering this change, he goes to stay with his aunt, Jane Dalgliesh. An avid bird watcher, she lives in a small community near Monksmere bird reserve, which see ...more

48 likes · Like · see review

Dec 31, 2019 Christine PNW rated it really liked it

This is the third Adam Dalgleish book, and was a library check out for me. I decided to revisit P.D. James this year as part of my "Century of Women" project. Unnatural Causes is the third in the series, and was published in 1967.

This is my favorite book so far because it was so cleverly plotted. The victim is a mystery writer, and is found in circumstances that feel like something out of his next planned book. Well after his death, an envelope containing the typed opening of his next book is re ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Oct 10, 2023 Amy rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2023, brit-trip, read-as-an-audiobook, 2023-crime-spree

Wow. Where to start criticizing?

The self-centered, arrogant detective?
The bizarre, unlikely, and overly grotesque murder?
The strangely poetic descriptions and metaphors so out of place that they stopped the flow of story?

I would have considered myself a PD James fan before this book as I remember reading and enjoying her books when I was in my twenties but after reading this one, I would say I wouldn't have wanted to be her friend. I can excuse our villains being egotistical asses but not ou ...more

4 likes · Like · see review