Scan barcode
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
5.0
This is the 10th book in the Adam Dagliesh series. This was masterfully written. The development of the character of Venetia Aldridge allows the reader to feel as though they “know” her, as much as you could anyone. Dagliesh himself is not really the focus of this particular book. Venetia and her unfortunate situation with her daughter and the daughter’s fiance, other members of the Middle Temple, and D.I. Kate Miskin, who struggles with demons from her own past, are more front and center in this book and it works superbly. We hear from Dagliesh almost as a voice in the background questioning and guiding but allowing others to take center stage.
A Certain Justice starts by introducing us to Venetia Aldridge in criminal court as she successfully gets a suspected murderer a “Not Guilty” verdict. We then delve in to the interesting British legal system of courts and solicitors and barristers and the things that occur behind closed doors in Chambers. We know from the start that Venetia will die, we spend the rest of the exploring how, why and who. There are some very unlikable characters and some that are pitiable for various reasons.
This is one of my favorites of the Dagliesh series so far. So well written and engaging, not written as a thriller, but rather as a book for immersing yourself in the world that P.D. James created.
A Certain Justice starts by introducing us to Venetia Aldridge in criminal court as she successfully gets a suspected murderer a “Not Guilty” verdict. We then delve in to the interesting British legal system of courts and solicitors and barristers and the things that occur behind closed doors in Chambers. We know from the start that Venetia will die, we spend the rest of the exploring how, why and who. There are some very unlikable characters and some that are pitiable for various reasons.
This is one of my favorites of the Dagliesh series so far. So well written and engaging, not written as a thriller, but rather as a book for immersing yourself in the world that P.D. James created.
psalmcat's review
5.0
I have no idea how I missed this one when it came out ten years ago, but I'm glad I read it finally. It reminds me a bit of another of hers in that it ends in a non-solution, although we do find out "whodunnit." This one, however, involves the death of an attorney in her locked "room" (office) with a judge's wig and blood on her head.
And there are plenty of suspects; this was not a woman that anyone found anything much good to say about. She's actually one of those characters who rather 'deserved to die.' And so when one of the suspects turns out to have had a great deal to do with her death, it's a shame that the character turns out to be much more likable than the victim was.
Lots of twists and turns, as usual in all James' books.
And there are plenty of suspects; this was not a woman that anyone found anything much good to say about. She's actually one of those characters who rather 'deserved to die.' And so when one of the suspects turns out to have had a great deal to do with her death, it's a shame that the character turns out to be much more likable than the victim was.
Lots of twists and turns, as usual in all James' books.
cirosreads's review against another edition
tense
slow-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
2.0
nextboldmove's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't really expect to like this book as much as I did. Mysteries aren't really my thing, but I did enjoy this a great deal. There were some places where the author's biases against defense lawyers or working women leaked into the prose, but I forgave her since the book was such a good read.
lindamoore's review against another edition
P.D. James is a master storyteller and reading her is usually a delight. This particular story just contains too much ugliness and pettiness on the part of its characters for me to read right now.
ssminski's review
2.0
I was prepared to love this, given how much I love Agatha Christie books. However, the murder took forever to happen, the main detective character is barely featured, the ending is equal parts unrealistic and infuriating, and the murderer is exposed much to early to the reader, before the detective is even on the scent. Maybe this is not the right Adam Dagliesh book to start with, but I don't know if I have the appetite to pick up another any time soon.
ssminski's review against another edition
2.0
I was prepared to love this, given how much I love Agatha Christie books. However, the murder took forever to happen, the main detective character is barely featured, the ending is equal parts unrealistic and infuriating, and the murderer is exposed much to early to the reader, before the detective is even on the scent. Maybe this is not the right Adam Dagliesh book to start with, but I don't know if I have the appetite to pick up another any time soon.
aetataureate's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
ldv's review against another edition
3.0
I am sure I read this book before, but i remembered almost none of it. It has been a while since I last read a PD James, so I am more aware than previously. This book has a very subtle theme of women in the workplace and the shifting of gender roles. I wondered if James is lamenting the end of the stay-at-home mother or if she was happy about women taking their earned place in the work force. it was difficult to say. There is a also a theme of the importance of love in a child's life, because both Ashe and Octavia experience a lack of love.
And of course James sneaks in theology and religion in the most neutral of ways, seemingly indifferent. But the message is there, if you are searching.
And of course James sneaks in theology and religion in the most neutral of ways, seemingly indifferent. But the message is there, if you are searching.
lnatal's review against another edition
5.0
Venetia Aldridge QC is a distinguished barrister. When she agrees to defend Garry Ashe, accused of the brutal murder of his aunt, it is one more opportunity to triumph in her distinguished career as a criminal lawyer