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applegnreads's review against another edition
3.0
Good. Since one of her inspirations was D Sayers, I was hoping for a more Lord Peter-like character but this one is still good and after all, this was her first.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
I came late to the P.D.James party, but I'm glad I got here. The head of a local book shop spoke at a meeting with such enthusiasm and fondness for the character of Adam Dalgliesh that I just HAD to try the books. This is the first one - and it's a first-rate "locked room" murder mystery. Very fine writing, and keeps you guessing right to the end.
NOTE: In Sept 2008 I read this again because I didn't realize I had read it before until I was half-way through. Still kept me entertained!
NOTE: In Sept 2008 I read this again because I didn't realize I had read it before until I was half-way through. Still kept me entertained!
davidkelly0324's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
markeefe's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alex_watkins's review against another edition
4.0
What I expected from P.D. James, but I think even more P.D. Jamesy. Or at least the suspense to procedure ratio was slightly off. I love the whole try to follow along and solve the case (next to impossible), and I love the surprise solution. The other ones I've read have thrown in a bit more suspense that heightened the excitement. Still I couldn't put it down once i got towards the reveal. The beginning was a bit hard to get into because she just mad throws characters at you, I had to write them down.
briesespieces's review against another edition
2.0
this book deceived me. i thought i was in for a quick murder mystery read because final exams and i don’t have time but no. it was a laborious task to finish this and i regretted my choice a quarter of the way through but i didn’t wanna back down so i had to slog through. the mystery was intriguing but the execution was somewhat lacking. i also had a love/hate relationship with the writing because why would you feel the need to forget about paragraphs and why is a character talking a whole page without any breaks repeatedly? i’m just glad i’m done but i have to say, i just loved the reveal of the murderer.
i’m not sure if i’ll be picking up the rest of the books in the series though.
i’m not sure if i’ll be picking up the rest of the books in the series though.
jnelsontwo's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
twocatstailoring's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75