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cimorene1558's review against another edition
3.0
The early Dalgliesh mysteries are so interesting when they include now extremely outdated medicine, especially this one, set in a mental health clinic. Yeah, let's all head down to the clinic for our LSD treatment!
violinknitter's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, PD James, you win. I started this book thinking, "Meh. Another PD James novel set in a medical setting. Whatever." But I needed a book to listen to in the car. Now, after finishing the book? I take back my criticism. Excellent plot twists. Loved the end.
adamrshields's review against another edition
3.0
Short review: It is fine. Nothing special. Slow start, the end is a bit rushed. If I have not been assured that the series as a whole is really good I would probably quit. But I have been assured the series is really good. So I will slowly work through them.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
And speaking of reading more in the series, I was able to polish off this one (left half done when Oyster tanked) since my library has been expanding its ebook selection on Overdrive. I feel like this has a much tighter plot and even Dalgliesh missed a crucial clue to put him in the same place as the reader. Doesn't help solve the age issue since this one comes only 3 years after the first.
arnith87's review against another edition
3.0
I've read the PD James books very much out of order, and am noticing her plot milestones more and more in each book, but I always enjoy reading the Adam Dalgliesh stories. I recommend for a fast, engaging read.
mainebookworm22's review against another edition
3.0
I am glad that I stuck with this book. I almost gave up 100 pages in -- This one did not grab me at first like Cover Her Face. Long chapters - no good breaking points to stop reading for the day. Had to keep going back and forth to remember who some of the characters were. This is definitely a puzzler on par with the Queen herself -- Mrs. Christie. Thought I had figured it out, some new plot points came to light and doubted myself, only to realize at the end that my first inclination was correct. Brilliant use of red herrings. Am excited to continue on with the series.
jackie_l's review against another edition
4.0
I started reading this book, the second in P.D. James' Adam Dalgliesh series, before the first book, Cover Her Face, and since I preferred this story, it resulted in a higher rating. Both stories were a typical English mystery, but I found the characters in this book more interesting as they were all flawed (albeit some more than others), even Detective Dalgliesh. The murder took place in a pyschiatric clinic where the rule-following Administrative Officer, Miss Bolam, is found with an art chisel in her heart within the basement records room. Miss Bolam has not made friends during her tenure at the clinic, so there are quite a few suspects to sort through as Dalgliesh investigates.
One of the best things about this book is the reader starts to get a glimpse into the personal life of Dalgliesh, which was my primary complaint in the first book. I hope the series continues to build on his life, since I believe a great mystery series requires a reader's personal connection with the detective.
One of the best things about this book is the reader starts to get a glimpse into the personal life of Dalgliesh, which was my primary complaint in the first book. I hope the series continues to build on his life, since I believe a great mystery series requires a reader's personal connection with the detective.
lauren708's review against another edition
3.0
Satisfied my crime fix, but not my favorite. I felt that outside of Dalgliesh, many of the characters were one-dimensional.
alida_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rebeccacider's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite the beginning of the series, but I am surely one of the only people in the universe who reads mystery novels in publication order. Cheesy title and only moderately interesting characters, but this book excelled in plotting. It had a GREAT, creepy, plot-twisty third act, which is exactly what you want in a mystery novel (and so rare in other fiction).