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l4zykitten's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
3.0
So, he's grown on me. Finally. This has been my favorite of the three I've read, even though it's the first in the series. I read the eleventh and second, in that order, before finally getting on with the first. Dalgliesh is introduced in this one, and he's mildly sympathetic--just enough so. I was reminded that his wife and son are dead, making me realize that most of his coldness is probably in defense of that loss. The mystery is solid--full of likely and interesting suspects, lots of lying, and a couple of great red herrings. I'll pick up number three in the series when I need something fun and quick.
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
4.0
This was probably the best PD James book I've read in a long time. I liked it was your simple Agatha Christie style whodunit, without too many digressions that make Dalgliesh (her lead detective) sound too twee and pretentious.
Put simply, this book is a simple "country house whodunit" where there's a limited number of people who might have killed the hired help. It was first written in the mid 60s, so feels a little dated now, but it's short, so it doesn't feel as dated as it might, were it longer.
If you've read a few mysteries, you'll guess who did it early on, but that doesn't really matter with this book, because its pacing will carry you along anyway.
So all in all, a good read.
Put simply, this book is a simple "country house whodunit" where there's a limited number of people who might have killed the hired help. It was first written in the mid 60s, so feels a little dated now, but it's short, so it doesn't feel as dated as it might, were it longer.
If you've read a few mysteries, you'll guess who did it early on, but that doesn't really matter with this book, because its pacing will carry you along anyway.
So all in all, a good read.
gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition
3.0
While it started slow, I think this was an improvement over the previous book. The characters were interesting, and I found the mystery surprising but not unbelievable
mslaura's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
wendy_bookworm's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
applegnreads's review against another edition
3.0
Good. Since one of her inspirations was D Sayers, I was hoping for a more Lord Peter-like character but this one is still good and after all, this was her first.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
I came late to the P.D.James party, but I'm glad I got here. The head of a local book shop spoke at a meeting with such enthusiasm and fondness for the character of Adam Dalgliesh that I just HAD to try the books. This is the first one - and it's a first-rate "locked room" murder mystery. Very fine writing, and keeps you guessing right to the end.
NOTE: In Sept 2008 I read this again because I didn't realize I had read it before until I was half-way through. Still kept me entertained!
NOTE: In Sept 2008 I read this again because I didn't realize I had read it before until I was half-way through. Still kept me entertained!