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gemrox's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
From the Book Jacket - When the administrative head of the Steen Psychiatric Clinic is found dead with a chisel in her heart, Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate. Dalgliesh must analyze the deep-seated anxieties and thwarted desires of patients and staff alike to determine which of their unresolved conflicts resulted in murder.
My Reactions
This is an engaging, interesting and complex murder mystery. I love Dalgliesh and his quiet, deliberate manner. I also really appreciate how James gives us background detail on the characters, revealing a little at a time, much as we’d learn about someone in real life.
James crafts a plot that seems straightforward, but which includes numerous red herrings to keep the reader off balance. She certainly had me guessing, and even when Dalgliesh was closing in on the suspect, the author had another surprise in store. Well done!
My Reactions
This is an engaging, interesting and complex murder mystery. I love Dalgliesh and his quiet, deliberate manner. I also really appreciate how James gives us background detail on the characters, revealing a little at a time, much as we’d learn about someone in real life.
James crafts a plot that seems straightforward, but which includes numerous red herrings to keep the reader off balance. She certainly had me guessing, and even when Dalgliesh was closing in on the suspect, the author had another surprise in store. Well done!
esp1923's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
alex_watkins's review against another edition
3.0
This book in the series was definitely not as good as Shroud for a Nightingale, which apparently comes after this one, maybe I should have began the series at the beginning. I thought the end of this one didn't make all that much sense, and the motives to me didn't come together after the reveal. But I still enjoyed it and thought it was well done. I have added a mystery shelf which is sorta cool. I think I will try to read the rest of the series. However, reading these books makes me never want to work in the medical field, all full of murderers it seems.
laila4343's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good, but not great. Dalgliesh is harder to warm up to than some other British detectives I enjoy reading. I keep comparing him to Richard Jury in Martha Grimes's books, and he comes up short - so far. This is only the second of the series that I've read, so I'll give it at least one more shot.
missbryden's review against another edition
3.0
Keeping track of the connections between people was confusing.
After a second book, what seems particular to them is the detail and amount of time spent with the setting, questioning of witnesses/subjects, of hearing all their experiences after the murder and initial questioning - it does not stick with just the detective’s point of view.
After a second book, what seems particular to them is the detail and amount of time spent with the setting, questioning of witnesses/subjects, of hearing all their experiences after the murder and initial questioning - it does not stick with just the detective’s point of view.
rgbesqq'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
3.75
j_s_savage's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Solidly written, though a few too many unnecessary characters. The last ten pages or so are also a little confusing.
I enjoyed Cover Her Face and will carry on the series.
Solidly written, though a few too many unnecessary characters. The last ten pages or so are also a little confusing.
I enjoyed Cover Her Face and will carry on the series.
carolines's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
na0mi8's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0