Reading and Discussing P.D. James

[Bill]

As was announced in this group and many other groups' threads, P.D. James, a great, prolific mystery writer passed away i27 Nov 2014 at the grand old age of 94, when she was still actively writing. was published in 1962 and introduced the world to her famous police inspector, Adam Dalgliesh. During her writing career she wrote 14 Dalgliesh novels, plus many others, as well as being involved in various TV and film adaptations. I've opened this thread to allow you to comment or discuss books you might read or have read of hers. I figured this might be a good month, or months do so. Enjoy discussing her work.

[Jan C]

In 2010, I started reading/re-reading James. I've now worked my way up to #6 - Death of an Expert Witness.

[Bill]

I've read a couple of her Dalgliesh stories, not in any order. I also enjoyed Childen of Men very much.

[Jan C]

I've been reading the Dalgliesh in order this time. And I read both the Cordelia Gray books. Haven't read any of her other books though.

[Carolien]

Bill wrote: "I've read a couple of her Dalgliesh stories, not in any order. I also enjoyed Childen of Men very much."

I'm not great on post-apocalyptic literature, but The Children of Men was excellent. It always helps if a book is extremely well-written and she does give a very British approach to the whole matter.

I'm planning on rereading all her books over the next few years in publication order.

[Julie]

I'm so pleased to have seen this thread and I too am going to revisit PD James in the next year or so. It's quite some time since I read anything by her, but the writing struck me as eloquent and the plot lines were always brilliantly constructed. A master of her craft and she sets the bar for contemporary novelists.
I'm looking forward to discussions!

[Skye]

I need to start reading her; I have some of her novels, too, but I read her under her other pseudonym.

[Nell]

Skye wrote: "I need to start reading her; I have some of her novels, too, but I read her under her other pseudonym."

?? I don't think P.D. James wrote under a pseudonym.

You may be thinking of Miranda James/Dean James who writes under several pseudonyms.

[Skye]

No, I have never heard of Miranda James; unless I have read PD James.

[Bill]

I read , the 9th Dalgliesh, this past year and it was definitely one of my favourite mysteries of the year. I did like her thoughtful writing style and how she developed all of the characters. I bought the first book yesterday, hope to read it this year.

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

I've enjoyed many of her Dalgliesh mysteries in print and in the BBC adaptations but what really amazed me was when she took on, at about age 90, Jane Austen. Whether or not you liked Death Comes to Pemberley you've got to admit that took spunk. I hope I have that kind of confidence at 90+

[Bill]

It is pretty darn impressive how active she remained. It was an entertaining take on the Jane Austen stories.

[Skye]

Yes, it's amazing, isn't it? Dorothy Eden, I believe, was still writing in her 90's. The grandmother of one of my old friends was buddies with her.

[M.L.]

Bill wrote: "I read , the 9th Dalgliesh, this past year and it was definitely one of my favourite mysteries of the year. I did like her thoughtful writing style and how she develope..."

I did a look inside and I like that it starts with a secretarial service. I'll read this one first. I'm looking for recommendations and this is a great helpful topic, thanks!

[Jan C]

I like to start at the beginning and read in order. That way your view of the main character advances as the author's does.

[Skye]

Yes, I agree with you. I read Michael Connelly out of order, and I wish I had known before. Sue Grafton, Lisa Gardner, Patricia Cornwell---I read in order.

[Jan C]

It makes sense. When you jump into the middle you don't know who anybody is. If I hadn't read the first book in the Dalgliesh series I wouldn't have known he was a sailor. Because I haven't seen that referred to any other books (so far). But I noted it in my review of the first book.

[Skye]

This is true, and I have discovered that other writers---Jonathan Kellerman, Faye Kellerman, and Carol O'Connell MUST be read order.

[Jan C]

Martha Grimes is another that really has to be read in order.

[Virginia]

Which title is first in the Dalgliesh series?

[Jan C]

Cover Her Face.

[Virginia]

Jan C wrote: "Cover Her Face."

Thanks, Jan.

[Daniela]

Didn't know she died. Remember reading murder room, and thinking how clear and bright a mind she had, especially compared to many people half her age. Will miss her.

[Skye]

Yes, she died. Brilliant mind, too.

[IShita]

I never read PD James before but I did buy one of her books in November. I think it's the 11th in series- Death in Holy Orders. It was so weird because a day or two after I bought the book, she died. I'd heard so much about her!
I like reading in order too but this one, it intrigued me. I'll start the first book sometime this year though and then go in order. For me, I think character development is actually the only real reason a series need be read in order, SS Van Dine, Patricia Highsmith, Karin Slaughterhouse and Ian Rankin are some of the authors who should be read in order too.

[Skye]

That is strange~

[Marti]

Yes PD James died...she was one of my favorites....and if you arent familiar with her life, check out her bio...she led quite an interesting life, starting in WWII. Quite a bight mind, absolutely! :) And as for authors who might be read in order...Peter Robinsons Inspector Banks might be better read in order....

[M.L.]

I started #9, Original Sin. Enjoying it. I like James's wit, there's a seriousness about it that makes it almost wittier.

[Marti]

I love P D James...and you are right,...there is a wit to her writing but I also love the fact that she really knows a lot about what she writes about....and her characters are very interesting, fully developed people....
...love the PBS movies of her work as well....

[M.L.]

Further along now in Original Sin, and I agree, full-bodied prose, the characters, place, situation, everything is there. She describes the Cadaver Club, a men's club dedicated to crime, limited membership of course, and you know the place inside out, who belongs (and their donations, contributions, all of which are kept and displayed no matter how odd), their collective attitudes, everything; and the unique architecture of the publishing house. Pretty cool. Very rich.

[Marti]

Yes I think you have put your finger on it. RICH. When she writes, you feel you are in the middle of the world she is writing about. She was unique in her ability to create a sense of a complete world and to know the personalities within it, for bad or good. I have enjoyed the Masterpiece/PBS films of her work precisely because they went to great pains to bring them to life as closely as possible to what she had written. I have wanted to go through those again, and may, but the ones made with Roy Marsden are looking a bit older film-wise. The ones made with Martin Shaw, one of my favorite actors , have been made more recently and I wish that they would remake all of P D James works with him! :) At any rate, glad you are enjoying Original Sin as much, it seems, as I did!

[Jan C]

Roy Marsden IS Adam Dalgliesh to me.

[Marti]

Yes Jan he is! I just found that , for me, Martin Shaw was able to capture his essence as well.... the films with Roy Marsden are looking decidedly out of date now....there is just something for me about films from the 70's that I dont like. If they could remake the P D James stories with Roy Marsden, that would be lovely too! But I dont see either happening.

[Ananth]

Just finished reading A Taste for murder. my second book. First one was Death of an important witness.
unlike Christie or Carr, hers is not a locked room mystery. plots are simpler but sound real. Dalgleish is more life like unlike eccentric Dr.Fell or Poirot, brilliant brains unravelling complicated murders.
She however
is beyond a mystery writer. She gets deep into her characters. One always

understands human mind a little better each time you complete her novel.
May be her having worked in Forensic department has influenced her in making murders and investigation more realistic .The plot is there..There is suspense but all rooted to the real world.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading her. Aim to try and read all her works.

[Marti]

Yes Ananth....and I am in NO WAY comparing these two authors EXCEPT in this one thing.... Patricia Cornwell brings actual experience to her work too.... I dont read her any more because I got a bit tired of her character, which I never have with P D James' character Dalgliesh ,OR her other characters...she was just the best! I thought picking Roy Marsden was a wonderful choice for Dalgleish in the series.... but, when I saw the two episodes or so with Martin Shaw,.... he did a very good job as well. I think. however, the role became Marsdens over time...:)

[IShita]

I completed the book a few days ago and I agree to everything that's mentioned regarding her! She was eccentric, witty, masterful and definitely knew what she was writing about! RICH- that defines her perfectly! Not only the settings but the language as well.

Although I find significant difference between her and Christie. Yes, the protagonists are hard to guess in both but as was mention- christie is a locked room mystery. She's not very difficult or heavy, and you can complete one of her books in a go, easily. Whereas, James makes you wanna take a break. Her plots might not be twisted but they're a little more complicated then Christie's. Christie's are more mysterious- if you will- but James' are definitely more complicated. That's precisely what I love about them both, and what gives them their individuality.

[Ananth]

I agree. Both Christie and James have their space and both are brilliant. I usually read mystery novels between reading non fiction. Christie fits in nicely. However as Ishita rightly mentions James is more heavy.

[Tiffani]

Daglgliesh gets all the attention, and I see why, but I always really liked PD James's other detective, Cordelia Gray. An Unsuitable Job for a Woman was the first of PD James's book that I read and it is still one of my favorites.

[Bill]

Tiffani wrote: "Daglgliesh gets all the attention, and I see why, but I always really liked PD James's other detective, Cordelia Gray. An Unsuitable Job for a Woman was the first of PD James's book ..."

I'll have to check that out, Tiffani.

[Marti]

I like Cordelia Gray... but Im such a Dalgliesh fan I suppose... I prefer James to Christie...I like P D James and Ruth Rendell and ian Rankin and Peter Robinson... Christie is good... but for the most part I prefer more modern day mysteries... :)

[Tiffani]

I used to say that PD James was my favorite living mystery author. Not sure who will be my favorite now.

[Marti]

I really like Ian Rankin and Peter Robinson... and Peter James... I like Ruth Rendell but have to be in the mood as things CAN get a bit weird in her stories and characters....I like Val McDermid too

[Bill]

Tiffani wrote: "I used to say that PD James was my favorite living mystery author. Not sure who will be my favorite now."

Have you tried Minette Walters?

[Marti]

Yes I have read Minette Walters too... shes not too bad.There are others I know Im forgetting to mention. too lol Elizabeth George(Inspector Lynley) is good...and Ive discovered Tana French as well. Her stories are set around Dublin, Rankin(John Rebus) is set in Edinburgh and Robinson(Inspector Banks(, I believe is a Yorkshire policeman.

[Bill]

Marti wrote: "Yes I have read Minette Walters too... shes not too bad.There are others I know Im forgetting to mention. too lol Elizabeth George(Inspector Lynley) is good...and Ive discovered Tana French as wel..."

Rebus is an excellent series. You might also like to try Ann Cleeves, either her Shetland or her Vera series..

[Tiffani]

Bill wrote: "Tiffani wrote: "I used to say that PD James was my favorite living mystery author. Not sure who will be my favorite now."

Have you tried Minette Walters?" I had not heard of her before. I just looked up her bibliography. Very interesting. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Bill]

I've read a couple of Inspector Dalgleish's mysteries before but am finally starting Book 1, Cover Her Face.

[Noorilhuda]

Starting this weekend.

[Clare]

P.D. James is (was) one of those rare genre authors in that her books, I believe, will stand the test of time and be considered not only classic "must-read" detective novels but also great literature. She was such a great *writer.* Her compositional and artistic skills, her command of language and story were really impressive.

Last year I binge-read a whole bunch of genre fiction in preparation for a class I was teaching, and one of the books I read was Death Comes to Pemberley. I marveled not only at the good plot but at her ability to mimic Austen!

I envy many of you your first P.D. James novel!

[Zoe]

I agree with you Clare