Here's to You P.D. James

July 14, 2010

I have always been a fan of British writers. There is something about reading books that take you to a different time and place. I am a bit of an Anglophile anyway, so anything involving the tiny island across the pond calls to me. I love Val McDermid, Peter Robinson, and especially P.D. James. Currently in her eighties, James has published over 20 books. Since 1962, she has been charming us with the Inspector Dalgliesh mysteries.

It was this series that first brought her to my attention. I happened to check out an audio book of The Murder Room (12 in the series). With amazing clarity, she portrays her main character, Inspector Adam Dalgiesh as a sensitive and highly astute policeman. While the crimes may not be as gory and grotesque as current writers (don’t feel bad, I love these too), they are full of death and buried secrets. The crimes take a clever creative mind to solve, and the storyline and crime solving follow a natural pace with the occasional comedic moment to lighten the mood. James’ characters are never cut and dry which make them deep and unforgettable.

From number 12, I returned to number one, Cover Her Face, and I am now slowly moving my way through the series. While the books stand alone as good reads, if you are an audio book person, then these novels also make excellent listens as well. I do suggest reading them in order, but all stand alone as enjoyable works. Give her a try and see what you think.

Enjoy,

Sarah E