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P.D. James

Yeah, I've read 4 or 5 of her books. She's a real professional who cranks out somewhat formulaic detective fiction. The bodies pile up in some English village or monastery or country house while good old Adam Dalgleish plods onwards. It depends whether you like that sort of thing.

They are good airplane reading. My father always passes his on to me and I read them when I run out of other stuff. The novels usually have some contrived 'exciting' ending and a convoluted reason why murders were committed (long lost son thought dead comes back and upsets inheritance, unbeknownst to the bishop who was his real father, that sort of thing).
 
P.D. James is excellent reading. I suggest you start with Death of an Expert Witness.
 
Wow, thanks for your feedback. I was oh so tempted with the PD James pack of three with The Murder Room's cover staring out at me through the plastic wrapping.

Put me in the mood for some detective stories.

Which ones are her better known ones, though?

ds
 
Death of an Expert Witness
Shroud for a Nightingale
An Unsuitable Job for a Woman
The Black Tower


I think James' early books were the best. I agree that her later works are formulaic, however, she has a respectable law enforcement background and her knowledge of psychology, criminal and otherwise, is solid.

Read for substance.
 
I think her middle period books are best. Murder Room, like Certain Justice certainly motor along. The earlier ones I found take a little more attention. I think she is a great writer. I saw her at a question and answer type event at a bookshop some years ago. Before she really hit the big time I think, as only a few people there. She was very nice.

But I wouldn't call the "airplane" reading. I prefer fast moving thrillers on holidays. Ludlum and Baldacci for instance.
 
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