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sirq's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
bucherca49's review against another edition
3.0
Dalgleish and DI John Massingham are called out to the fens near Ely to investigate the murder of a Principle Science Officer at a forensic lab. The murder occurs inside the locked laboratory after hours, and because the victim was so disliked many people have motives for the murder. Little forensic evidence exists, and much of the center section of the book consists of Dalgleish's interviews of the various individuals associated with the forensic lab. At several points, Massingham comments (internally) on Dalgleish's expertise as an interviewer and investigator. Dalgleish similarly reflects on Massingham's ruthlessness. Many broken individuals, marriages, and children are caught up in the investigation.
the_discworldian's review against another edition
3.0
Now I think about it, I'm surprised it took me this long to get to PD James. Classic British mystery writer, yes? I had no desire to read "An Unsuitable Job for a Woman," because I saw a TV adaptation and found myself frustrated that Cordelia, out to prove that she COULD TOO be a PI, stumbled into all her answers rather than actually, you know, detecting. Voice of authority told me the book was the same in that respect. But I was at the library, the book was in paperback, and I said, what the hey. Let's try some P.D. James.
I think one star had to be deducted for my expectations of quality (oooh I know, Minority Opinion Girl out to smack-talk the classic writer again!). But I was, I really was, expecting something on a complexity level with Elizabeth George or Ian Rankin or even whatsherface who keeps introducing the supernatural elements and whose every crime has its roots in the past. Crombie. Anyway, that's really my fault. Based on the date of publication, it's pretty obvious that those guys wouldn't be writing the way they do without P.D. James. She's kind of an evolutionary intermediate step between Agatha Christie and Elizabeth George.
I also had to subtract a star because everyone was so gosh-darn unlikeable. No, seriously. Kill 'em all. There wasn't even a protagonist to root for because Dalgliesh and - no, seriously, Messingmas? Massingham? Mononucleosis? One of the two guys with the long M names, and I've already forgotten both completely. I finished the book ten minutes ago and I've already forgotten. Anywho, Dalgliesh and Metastasis weren't really front-and-center, their personalities and inner workings were very much in the background of the story. And that's okay, it really is: police who do a job (and, please note, a forensics lab with procedures where people have different tasks, gold star) is much more realistic than having every single detective be obsessed and on a mission. So that's fine, but it made the personality-flavored reactions weird when they DID happen (e.g. when Dalgliesh gets SO mad at Michaelangelo for jumping in and saying something towards the end of the book, or when Mittelschmerz wishes Brenda would talk to him instead of Dalgliesh).
All the complaints aside, obviously the book had its strengths: it was well-written, absorbing, and contained a few great moments (the INCREDIBLY British conversation in the lawyer's office had me giggling). Like I said, too, P.D. James is obviously a really important evolutionary step in mystery novels, this is from the 70s, and apparently it's book 6 in the series so I might be missing some character development from earlier books. But will I be rushing out to read more? No. The people were way too awful.
Also, does the UK view the fens the way most of the US views Tennessee and Kentucky? Is that why there was that icky incesty vibe going on? I really don't know. Please advise.
I think one star had to be deducted for my expectations of quality (oooh I know, Minority Opinion Girl out to smack-talk the classic writer again!). But I was, I really was, expecting something on a complexity level with Elizabeth George or Ian Rankin or even whatsherface who keeps introducing the supernatural elements and whose every crime has its roots in the past. Crombie. Anyway, that's really my fault. Based on the date of publication, it's pretty obvious that those guys wouldn't be writing the way they do without P.D. James. She's kind of an evolutionary intermediate step between Agatha Christie and Elizabeth George.
I also had to subtract a star because everyone was so gosh-darn unlikeable. No, seriously. Kill 'em all. There wasn't even a protagonist to root for because Dalgliesh and - no, seriously, Messingmas? Massingham? Mononucleosis? One of the two guys with the long M names, and I've already forgotten both completely. I finished the book ten minutes ago and I've already forgotten. Anywho, Dalgliesh and Metastasis weren't really front-and-center, their personalities and inner workings were very much in the background of the story. And that's okay, it really is: police who do a job (and, please note, a forensics lab with procedures where people have different tasks, gold star) is much more realistic than having every single detective be obsessed and on a mission. So that's fine, but it made the personality-flavored reactions weird when they DID happen (e.g. when Dalgliesh gets SO mad at Michaelangelo for jumping in and saying something towards the end of the book, or when Mittelschmerz wishes Brenda would talk to him instead of Dalgliesh).
All the complaints aside, obviously the book had its strengths: it was well-written, absorbing, and contained a few great moments (the INCREDIBLY British conversation in the lawyer's office had me giggling). Like I said, too, P.D. James is obviously a really important evolutionary step in mystery novels, this is from the 70s, and apparently it's book 6 in the series so I might be missing some character development from earlier books. But will I be rushing out to read more? No. The people were way too awful.
Also, does the UK view the fens the way most of the US views Tennessee and Kentucky? Is that why there was that icky incesty vibe going on? I really don't know. Please advise.
chfugal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
4.5
Audio library
I like the Dagligliesh novels that he is the investigator not a bystander like book 3 & 5 in the series. I like him portrayed more detached and not his impression and prejudices of the other characters.
I like the Dagligliesh novels that he is the investigator not a bystander like book 3 & 5 in the series. I like him portrayed more detached and not his impression and prejudices of the other characters.
nichola's review against another edition
4.0
I need to stop predicting things. This book is definitely in the top 2 for me of my favourite P.D. James novels. I am going to try finish the series this year and give a full review of all the Dalgliesh books and rate my top and bottom (Shroud for a Nightingale is still one favourite).
This book is just so unbelievably tragic. Everything is so painfully human and real and possible. I suppose the saddest bit for me was that, this was NOT the murderer I wanted. I had someone else pegged and I was just sad that it was them.
The character work that James gets right is just phenomenal. I know people think she is miserable, I think she is just real. *shurgs*
This book is just so unbelievably tragic. Everything is so painfully human and real and possible. I suppose the saddest bit for me was that, this was NOT the murderer I wanted. I had someone else pegged and I was just sad that it was them.
The character work that James gets right is just phenomenal. I know people think she is miserable, I think she is just real. *shurgs*
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
3.0
Death of An Expert Witness by P.D. James is the sixth Adam Dalgliesh novel. This one concerns the staff and security forces of a forensics lab. It has the appearances of a locked room mystery except in this case a “locked lab facility”. Dalgliesh has to sort through a plethora of suspects with varying motives for dispatching the unlikeable, but pitiable Dr. Lorrimer. I have been reading my way through the Adam Dalgliesh series and I would have to say of the ones I have read so far this was not may favorite. A decent mystery but somehow the characters fell flat for me, particularly the “whodunnit”. I do plan on continuing with the series, I just think this particular one was a miss for me.
tharina's review against another edition
3.0
Death Of An Expert Witness stands out for me, because the denouement is fairly stark and somewhat shocking. As usual, P.D. James delivers an interesting mystery with its fair share of twists, turns and red herrings. Definitely worth the read.