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ngalbani's review against another edition
4.0
Nice short story. I am picky with short stories, short stories often leave me unsatisfied, but this one is a good one. P.D. James writing is good, and the story is complete (good description, nice development and final surprise!).
rosekk's review
4.0
I can't fault the story, and the short essay at the end was an interesting look at the mystery genre.
ronanmcd's review
5.0
The part-time job is not a book. It is a short story. It is a very enjoyable, sinister and at times gruesome story. Wonderful.
But part 2 in this book is even better. Murder Most Foul is PD James' essay on the how, why and what of murder mysteries. Why we love them, how they endure
But part 2 in this book is even better. Murder Most Foul is PD James' essay on the how, why and what of murder mysteries. Why we love them, how they endure
bryonymreads's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
polly423's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
ojr's review
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship
martinbainbridge's review
3.0
'The part-time job' dropped through our letterbox this afternoon somewhat earlier than expected as it was only published today according to Faber & Faber's website (https://www.faber.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/7669/s/9780571361786-the-part-time-job/).
It's an enjoyable story, sparingly told, with some tension towards the end as the reader discovers whether the protagonist's murderous intentions come to fruition (alongside a surprising adjunct to the plan). There's also a pleasing but unlikely twist, of sorts, at the conclusion of the story. However, it's not as engaging a tale as 'The victim', say, and nowhere near as thrilling as 'The girl who loved graveyards'.
This story has been paired with a fascinating article James wrote for The Observer in 1982 entitled 'Murder most foul'. Sadly, they make uneasy bedfellows as the latter expounds the virtues of the mystery novel; its companion piece is more of a thriller, a howdunnit rather than the anagrammatic genre that James explores in her article.
It's an enjoyable story, sparingly told, with some tension towards the end as the reader discovers whether the protagonist's murderous intentions come to fruition (alongside a surprising adjunct to the plan). There's also a pleasing but unlikely twist, of sorts, at the conclusion of the story. However, it's not as engaging a tale as 'The victim', say, and nowhere near as thrilling as 'The girl who loved graveyards'.
This story has been paired with a fascinating article James wrote for The Observer in 1982 entitled 'Murder most foul'. Sadly, they make uneasy bedfellows as the latter expounds the virtues of the mystery novel; its companion piece is more of a thriller, a howdunnit rather than the anagrammatic genre that James explores in her article.
fourfootedbeasts's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0