From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Black Tower

P.D. James

Start date: May 1, 2020

Finish date: May 31, 2020

Discussion: Group Challenges

Why we're reading this: The 5th book in our PD James/ Adam Dalgliesh challenge.
[close] The 5th book in our PD James/ Adam Dalgliesh challenge.

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Group Challenges

* Sept 25: The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) by Agatha Christie
By Susan · 14 posts · 18 views

last updated Sep 02, 2025 12:08AM

* Sept 25: The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928) - SPOILER Thread
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What Members Thought

Apr 28, 2020 Susan rated it liked it · review of another edition

This is the fifth in the Adam Dalgliesh series and sees him needing to recuperate, after a stay in hospital, which has led him to question his career in the police. Having received a message from the old curate, of his father’s, asking him to visit, he decides to take him up on his offer and heads off to Toyton Grange, a home for the disabled. He is not sure why Father Baddeley wanted to see him, but, by the time he arrives, the old family friend is already dead.

Before long, and despite his att This is the fifth in the Adam Dalgliesh series and sees him needing to recuperate, after a stay in hospital, which has led him to question his career in the police. Having received a message from the old curate, of his father’s, asking him to visit, he decides to take him up on his offer and heads off to Toyton Grange, a home for the disabled. He is not sure why Father Baddeley wanted to see him, but, by the time he arrives, the old family friend is already dead.

Before long, and despite his attempts not to get involved, Dalgliesh is questioning events at the Grange. Who wrote the poison pen letter that Dalgliesh finds among Father Baddeley’s papers? Was the recent death of one of the patients an accident, or is there something to investigate? Obviously, the detective in Dalgliesh still lurks and, before long, he is asking questions and uncovering more strange events, among the assorted group of people who live, and work, at the home. Meanwhile, the Black Tower, on the grounds, looms over the countryside; used mainly by the warden, and owner, Wilfred, who opened Toyton Grange after experiencing a personal cure, which he sees as a miracle.

Author P.D. James spent much of her life working in the health service and many of her books have a setting revolving around doctors, nurses, hospitals or clinics. Dalgliesh, disenchanted by his career, also finds himself vaguely uncomfortable around the inhabitants of the home. This is a personal trait which has occurred in previous books and, although it may be realistic, it is quite uncomfortable for the reader. It makes the dour detective seem both cold and judgemental. His distaste of the odours, his discomfort around the patients, his analytical nature, all tend to make you aware of the faults of the man. The fact he is also aware of them, is cold comfort at times.

Overall, this is not my favourite of the Dalgliesh mysteries so far. I do not mind when such books are slow, and winding. However, these are not, frankly, a cast of characters which excite much interest, despite the schemes and plotting beneath the surface, and the plot takes too long to conclude. It has something of the feeling of a waiting room, where you always have the sense that something might happen, but that, probably, you are in for the long haul… I look forward to reading on, despite my difficulties with this novel. I loved the previous book in the series – I hope I will love the next as much. Rated 3.5.

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Aug 16, 2020 Julie Durnell rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, pd-james, england-uk

3.5 stars for the wonderful writing and intricate plotting, but oh my there are so many characters!

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Dec 29, 2019 Shabbeer Hassan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: brit-lit, 2019, whodunit

As the year comes to an end, I returned to one of my favourite gentleman detectives, Adam Dalgliesh. PD James paints a vivid picture of a remote coastal town where Adam finds himself one foggy morning in search of meeting an old friend, who he finds to be dead. What follows then is a cat and mouse game between Adam the sleuth, his convalescing self hell-bent on leaving the Yard and the crafty villain who preys more on people's psyche than their wallets.

The plot is made more memorable by James' ...more

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May 03, 2020 Jill rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: p-d-james

This is the fifth book in the series, but I did not find it as good as the preceding books. It does give more of an insight of Dalgliesh, but I found it just made me like him less than I already did. After recovering from an illness that had put him in hospital, he is doubting his returning back to his career in the police. Having received a letter from an old friend a(a Father Baddley, his father's old curate) asking him for some help, he decides to pay the Father a visit as part of his convale ...more

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