When the quiet Little Vestry of St. Matthew’s Church becomes the blood-soaked scene of a double murder, Scotland Yard Commander Adam Dalgliesh faces an intriguing conundrum: How did an upper-crust Minister come to lie, slit throat to slit throat, next to a neighborhood derelict of the lowest order? Challenged with the investigation of a crime that appears to have endless motives, Dalgliesh … explores the sinister web spun around a half-burnt diary and a violet-eyed widow who is pregnant and full of malice–all the while hoping to fill the gap of logic that joined these two disparate men in bright red death…
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I had never read a PD James mystery even though I had heard of them and knew that many of her books have been made into movies and mini series, so when I saw this on promotion I grabbed it. The quaintness of the British tone and expressions help to juxtapose the seeming reality with the reality in the story where there are so many twists and so …
I wish there were fewer characters.
A very good plot, setting, and characters. It’s hard to go wrong with PD. James.
My favourite murder stories.
It was written by PD James. Enough said!
I read all of P.D. James books.
No better author!
Always love her beginnings.
I will read anything PD James writes and she never disappoints. Just go ahead and leap in when you see one of her books. You will be glad you did. Her writing is just so excellent!!
Not my favorite by the author, but still enjoyed it.
Ponderous writing describing every room (even when the room is of no importance to the story) and the architecture of every building, but very little character building. The mystery narrative works up little suspense, and what suspense there is fades away with pointless conversations and (again) descriptions of tables and drapes and fireplaces and …
I’d never read PD James until this book. What a loss – he’s a wonderful writer.
P.D.James has a gift for the use of the English language. Excellent writing.
Long winded and boring
This is another of P. D. James’s books, full of twists and turns in a central mystery. She uses elegant, rich language and kept me guessing till nearly the end.
Well written
Excellent read..very atmospheric and character’s well developed
Wonderful writing, great plot.
Here’s an excellent intro. to Adam Dalgliesh, investigator extraordinaire. I fell for him decades ago in Ms.James’ mysteries, and the PBS series confirmed my younger appreciation (crush?). Yes, the writing is very British and very perfect. Whodunnit? Why? When? what a ride!
This is my first P.D.James book. The story was good and I found myself eager to continue reading. There were plenty of characters who could have been the culprit and I was kept guessing until close to the end.