A review by smedette
Death in Holy Orders by P.D. James

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I only recently learned of PD James because her Adam Dalgliesh series has been adapted for television.

This mystery is full of atmosphere (tiny theological college near a desolate stretch of coastline) and plenty of suspicious characters (priests, students, property caretakers, and other laypeople). It kept me guessing until the end. 

While Adam is investigating a suspected suicide of a student, more deaths occur on campus. They seem natural or accidental, but one wonders. 

This is the 11th Dalgliesh book, but I didn’t feel lost about the character. A previous case was mentioned very briefly, however, it gave nothing away and was used to establish an existing relationship with colleagues. 

If you enjoy slow-burning murder mysteries, I recommend giving this series a try. 

One VERY IMPORTANT complaint: there is a priest who has been convicted of sexual abuse and is portrayed in sympathetic light which did not sit well with me.