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ldv's review against another edition
3.0
I am sure I read this book before, but i remembered almost none of it. It has been a while since I last read a PD James, so I am more aware than previously. This book has a very subtle theme of women in the workplace and the shifting of gender roles. I wondered if James is lamenting the end of the stay-at-home mother or if she was happy about women taking their earned place in the work force. it was difficult to say. There is a also a theme of the importance of love in a child's life, because both Ashe and Octavia experience a lack of love.
And of course James sneaks in theology and religion in the most neutral of ways, seemingly indifferent. But the message is there, if you are searching.
And of course James sneaks in theology and religion in the most neutral of ways, seemingly indifferent. But the message is there, if you are searching.
jennylimmy's review against another edition
3.0
This book starts out strong, with James making the fun decision to spend a very long time with the soon-to-be victim. She’s a great character, and the book loses a lot of momentum when she leaves the scene. Although the regular protagonists remain (Commander Dalgliesh, D.I. Miskin), the book eventually shifts its concern to the victim’s unpleasant child. As a heroine — or more accurately, a damsel in distress — she is deeply unsympathetic, and her plight mostly frustrating.
There are other elements in here that reduce the fun: a “sluttish” (her word, not mine) mother figure/rapist, a character of color (one of the very, very few) who dies unnecessarily, seemingly disposed of as a mechanic to enlighten a very dumb White person.
It is nonetheless interesting to see James branch out in various ways in this book. I imagine it will pay off later in the series.
There are other elements in here that reduce the fun: a “sluttish” (her word, not mine) mother figure/rapist, a character of color (one of the very, very few) who dies unnecessarily, seemingly disposed of as a mechanic to enlighten a very dumb White person.
It is nonetheless interesting to see James branch out in various ways in this book. I imagine it will pay off later in the series.
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
4.0
A good and fast read as usual with Dalgliesh though the end seems like a bit of a cop out though cleverly done if not done too often.
dannb's review against another edition
3.0
3+.... interesting twists...loses a little steam about 3/4 through, which it regains as the end draws near
random_37's review against another edition
3.5
En general me gustó la historia, se me hizo interesante la manera en la que la autora contruye el pasado de sus personajes de una manera muy natural. Sin embargo considero que muchas de sus páginas no aportaron tanto a la historia y que ciertos aspectos en la investigación resultaban muy convenientes para la trama. Aún así disfrute mi tiempo de lectura :)
oanh_1's review against another edition
3.0
PD James writes wonderfully and I really enjoyed her drawing of chambers and of feminists. The plot was not so credible or perhaps a bit too predictable? Anyway, it was a bit unsatisfying, but overall, enjoyable.
alice_horoshev's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
eldigan's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-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
2.0
inger70's review against another edition
3.0
Good old Adam Dalgliesh, read by Simon Prebble. What's not to love? It was a bit slow at times though.