Status
Available
Call number
Library's review
England, ca 1967.
Adam Dalgliesh er på ferie i Monksmere ved sin tante Jane Dalgliesh. Han spekulerer over om han skal fri til sin kæreste Deborah Riscoe eller om det vil få det hele til at blive til støv. En båd driver imens i land. Ombord er liget af krimiforfatteren Maurice Seton. Liget har
Halvbroderen Digby Seton arver 200.000 pund, men kun hvis han gifter sig. Der er lidt bøsseforskrækkelse blandet ind i historien, som i det hele taget er lidt underlig.
Maurice havde en invalid kvinde Sylvia Kedge til at komme og renskrive hans manuskripter og hun er blevet træt af at han stort set behandler hende som et stykke inventar. Hun er ret udspekuleret, så hun står bag hans kones - Dorothy Setons - død, hans egen død og Digby's død.
Mordet på Maurice var snedigt udtænkt, for han døde tilsyneladende en naturlig død af et svagt hjerte, men det var udløst af klaustrofobi fordi Digby og Sylvia havde lukket ham inde i en slags ligkiste. Hænderne blev hugget af for at skjule at han havde banket dem til blods mod låget.
Til sidst forsøger Sylvia at slå Dorothys elsker Oliver Latham ihjel, mens der raser en kraftig storm omkring huset. Adam Dalgliesh kommer til undsætning og Sylvia er lige ved at slippe afsted med at slå både Latham og Dalgliesh ihjel, men hun ender med selv at drukne.
Til alt held har hun efterladt en tilståelse på bånd, så alle tråde kan blive redt ud til sidst.
Sjovt nok skræmmer Jane Dalgliesh og hendes koldblodede reaktion på det hele Adam mere end hvad der ellers er sket.
Lige så megen held som Dalgliesh har med at opklare sagen, lige så lidt held har han med sit kærlighedsliv, for Deborah Riscoe sender ham et brev, hvor der står at hun tager til New York og at de sikkert ikke ses mere. Hun er træt af bare at være i udkanten af hans liv og i modsætning til ham, så tager hun tyren ved hornene.
Ret mærkelig historie.
Adam Dalgliesh er på ferie i Monksmere ved sin tante Jane Dalgliesh. Han spekulerer over om han skal fri til sin kæreste Deborah Riscoe eller om det vil få det hele til at blive til støv. En båd driver imens i land. Ombord er liget af krimiforfatteren Maurice Seton. Liget har
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fået hugget hænderne af, men hvorfor dog det? Den lokale Reckless undersøger sagen, mens Dalgliesh forsøger at undgå at blive blandet ind i opklaringen.Halvbroderen Digby Seton arver 200.000 pund, men kun hvis han gifter sig. Der er lidt bøsseforskrækkelse blandet ind i historien, som i det hele taget er lidt underlig.
Maurice havde en invalid kvinde Sylvia Kedge til at komme og renskrive hans manuskripter og hun er blevet træt af at han stort set behandler hende som et stykke inventar. Hun er ret udspekuleret, så hun står bag hans kones - Dorothy Setons - død, hans egen død og Digby's død.
Mordet på Maurice var snedigt udtænkt, for han døde tilsyneladende en naturlig død af et svagt hjerte, men det var udløst af klaustrofobi fordi Digby og Sylvia havde lukket ham inde i en slags ligkiste. Hænderne blev hugget af for at skjule at han havde banket dem til blods mod låget.
Til sidst forsøger Sylvia at slå Dorothys elsker Oliver Latham ihjel, mens der raser en kraftig storm omkring huset. Adam Dalgliesh kommer til undsætning og Sylvia er lige ved at slippe afsted med at slå både Latham og Dalgliesh ihjel, men hun ender med selv at drukne.
Til alt held har hun efterladt en tilståelse på bånd, så alle tråde kan blive redt ud til sidst.
Sjovt nok skræmmer Jane Dalgliesh og hendes koldblodede reaktion på det hele Adam mere end hvad der ellers er sket.
Lige så megen held som Dalgliesh har med at opklare sagen, lige så lidt held har han med sit kærlighedsliv, for Deborah Riscoe sender ham et brev, hvor der står at hun tager til New York og at de sikkert ikke ses mere. Hun er træt af bare at være i udkanten af hans liv og i modsætning til ham, så tager hun tyren ved hornene.
Ret mærkelig historie.
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Genres
Publication
Kbh. : Rosenkilde og Bagger, 1978.
Description
Inspector Dalgliesh and his extraordinary aunt set out to discover the shocking truth about the past of a famous mystery writer--whose ghastly murder left a circle of bizarre friends terrified that they are next on the killer's list.
User reviews
LibraryThing member reading_fox
Short and sharp.
Inspecter Dalgliesh is on his own in this one. On holiday in his aut's retreat of Monksmere by the Suffolk coast he is contemplating his relationship with Debora (the only issue that makes this even slightly not readable as a standalone). Monksmere is an isolated village community
Written in 1967 and set around about then, it would be improbable nowadays, but just about holds together. The literery characters are all a bit contrived, expecially the cripple who seems an unlikely occupant of such a remote village, but the petty rivalries are all well described. The prose drags a bit in the beginning where all the characters are painstakingly pictured, and Dalglieh's inspired guesswork from zero revealed clues is also annoying.
Aided by it's brevity, it's a cleverly constructed case worth reading if you've enjoyed others in the series.
Inspecter Dalgliesh is on his own in this one. On holiday in his aut's retreat of Monksmere by the Suffolk coast he is contemplating his relationship with Debora (the only issue that makes this even slightly not readable as a standalone). Monksmere is an isolated village community
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mostly of writers and others of literery ilk. When Maurice Seldon the almost distinguished dectective writer goes missing, most at first think it is an ill concieved prank to boost flagging sales. When his body is turned up in manner remarkably similar to one of his proposed plots, Dalgliesh knows even if he isn't officially on the case he won't be having a peaceful rest. Written in 1967 and set around about then, it would be improbable nowadays, but just about holds together. The literery characters are all a bit contrived, expecially the cripple who seems an unlikely occupant of such a remote village, but the petty rivalries are all well described. The prose drags a bit in the beginning where all the characters are painstakingly pictured, and Dalglieh's inspired guesswork from zero revealed clues is also annoying.
Aided by it's brevity, it's a cleverly constructed case worth reading if you've enjoyed others in the series.
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LibraryThing member JBreedlove
A book on someone else's shelf. An English gentleman detective solves a crime while on vacation in the early 60's in southern England. I've seen Dagliesh on PBS but my first such novel. A little over written but w some good words and phrases. Great description of coastal England. Maybe one of her
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earlier works. The Children of Men was so much bette Show Less
LibraryThing member dsc73277
My enjoyment of this book was not helped by the rather small font and tightly packed lines in the 1980s paperback version I read. I've enjoyed other, more recent, books in the Dalgleish series far more. I didn't really warm to any of the characters in this one, even the detective himself.
LibraryThing member Bookmarque
Judging by the descriptions you’d be set for a book with lots of death and secrets. Not so. Maurice was famous only in his own mind. His secret life was that he wanted to be taken a lot more seriously than he was, so do achieve this he wanted to take his fortune and upon his death bequeath it to
Sheila worked for Maurice as a secretary-cum-housemaid and she really hated him because he never saw her as a person much less as a woman. Because she could only get around by crutches and her legs were in braces, Maurice sometimes treated her like a machine. So she decided to kill him with the assistance of his brother. They married secretly so that the younger Seton would be able to fully inherit. But, she decided to poison him in the end. She had a good plan to make it appear a suicide but there was a flood caused by a huge storm and during her rescue she tried to kill Dalgliesh and another guy. The other guy knew she killed the Seton brothers and getting rid of him and Dalgliesh during the storm could look like they died because of the flood. Nope. Didn’t happen.
In this one, Ms. James really starts to get the barbs out when describing her various suspects and bit players. She does not pull any punches in revealing her character’s flaws. The only thing that I don’t like is how Adam’s aunt is portrayed as a thoroughly perfect and reasonable woman. She’s a spinster because the man she was engaged to was killed in a war. She never recovered and spent the rest of her life alone. That doesn’t seem to stable or reasonable to me. A bit of the Miss Havisham syndrome if you ask me. And she doesn’t help solve the case really. I don’t know why that was in the synopsis at all. Adam solves the crime despite it not being his case. And Adam is perfect too of course but I find him to be so detached that he seems hardly human sometimes.
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a trust so that a writers prize could be paid out of it. The voluptuous strip-tease artist is in the book for about 5 minutes while she tells Dalgliesh about her few minutes spent w/Seton on the night of his death. The dissolute heir isn’t really so dissolute. He’s not nearly intelligent enough for that. He’s inherited from Maurice but can’t take hold of the money until he marries. And the terrified woman waiting alone in her house turns out to be the author of the Seton brother’s deaths.Sheila worked for Maurice as a secretary-cum-housemaid and she really hated him because he never saw her as a person much less as a woman. Because she could only get around by crutches and her legs were in braces, Maurice sometimes treated her like a machine. So she decided to kill him with the assistance of his brother. They married secretly so that the younger Seton would be able to fully inherit. But, she decided to poison him in the end. She had a good plan to make it appear a suicide but there was a flood caused by a huge storm and during her rescue she tried to kill Dalgliesh and another guy. The other guy knew she killed the Seton brothers and getting rid of him and Dalgliesh during the storm could look like they died because of the flood. Nope. Didn’t happen.
In this one, Ms. James really starts to get the barbs out when describing her various suspects and bit players. She does not pull any punches in revealing her character’s flaws. The only thing that I don’t like is how Adam’s aunt is portrayed as a thoroughly perfect and reasonable woman. She’s a spinster because the man she was engaged to was killed in a war. She never recovered and spent the rest of her life alone. That doesn’t seem to stable or reasonable to me. A bit of the Miss Havisham syndrome if you ask me. And she doesn’t help solve the case really. I don’t know why that was in the synopsis at all. Adam solves the crime despite it not being his case. And Adam is perfect too of course but I find him to be so detached that he seems hardly human sometimes.
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LibraryThing member cyderry
The Adam Dalgliesh series continues in this book about the murder of a high profile mystery writer who is found dead in a dinghy. Closer examination shows that the victim's hands have been chopped off. Superintendent Dalgliesh wouldn't even have be involved in this murder if he hadn't been visiting
The open lands, the steep cliffs, and the raging tides bring the setting off the Suffolk coast to life. Dalgliesh, who is not part of the investigation, must sit back and while the regional inspector handles the process of trying to discover what happens. The autopsy shows that the writer died of natural causes, but then what happened to his hands?
Dalgliesh does some of his own investigating and it leads to some interesting developments.
This is the third P.D. James book that I have read, and I'm not sure that I am going to continue the series. It may be the style or the out-of-date situations since they are written nearly 50 years ago. It was enjoyable, but maybe not memorable.
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his Aunt in Monksmere on the Suffolk coast.The open lands, the steep cliffs, and the raging tides bring the setting off the Suffolk coast to life. Dalgliesh, who is not part of the investigation, must sit back and while the regional inspector handles the process of trying to discover what happens. The autopsy shows that the writer died of natural causes, but then what happened to his hands?
Dalgliesh does some of his own investigating and it leads to some interesting developments.
This is the third P.D. James book that I have read, and I'm not sure that I am going to continue the series. It may be the style or the out-of-date situations since they are written nearly 50 years ago. It was enjoyable, but maybe not memorable.
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LibraryThing member kherrington
The third in James's long-running series featuring Adam Dalgliesh. I have read several books from this series, but I have not read them in order. I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of the more recent books in the series, and I'm not sure why. I do like James's writing. There's more going on
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than just the mystery plot, and I think that's what draws me to her works. Also, she is especially good at providing clues without giving too much away or being too frustrating with the use of obvious red herrings. Show Less
LibraryThing member mstrust
This is the third of the Adam Dalgliesh series. I've read the first but not the second, but that hasn't lessened the story here at all.
Dalgliesh is looking forward to a few weeks of relaxation during his holiday at the seashore with his aunt at her cottage. She lives in a small village that seems
A good one. Dalgliesh's moods swing between irritated and depressed, yet he always is cool. The suspects are well-written and unlikeable.
Dalgliesh is looking forward to a few weeks of relaxation during his holiday at the seashore with his aunt at her cottage. She lives in a small village that seems
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to house nothing but writers, a place where everyone enjoys their solitude. But as soon as he arrives a writer is murdered,the corpse mutilated and Dalgliesh finds himself at odds with the local Inspector, who seems to resent Dalgliesh's presence.A good one. Dalgliesh's moods swing between irritated and depressed, yet he always is cool. The suspects are well-written and unlikeable.
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LibraryThing member Cecilturtle
The novel starts beautifully - as a matter of fact, it starts as a mystery novel should start as we find out that fiction and reality have collided. This wonderful symmetry creates a fantastic ambiance in a world where authors and their works coexist in a small village. Unfortunately, whereas there
Nonetheless, James's writing saves the day - her ability to recreate scenes and atmospheres is unparalleled, and it's always a joy to read her stories. Not her best plot, but definitely a gripping story.
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are wonderful moments, such as Dalgliesh's jealousy of Reckless who's in charge of the case or Maurice's careful research for his novels, most of the book seems too complicated and dreadfully contrived - I'm all for some suspended disbelief, but James expects us to believe that fiction will take over reality at all expense. This is particularly true for the ending which is revealed to the reader in the most ludicrous fashion - it was all I could do from rolling my eyes.Nonetheless, James's writing saves the day - her ability to recreate scenes and atmospheres is unparalleled, and it's always a joy to read her stories. Not her best plot, but definitely a gripping story.
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LibraryThing member NellieMc
I decided to read all of the Adam Daigliesh mysteries in one fell swoop and am glad I did. First, they are classic British mysteries all well-deserving of the respect P.D. James has earned for them and all are a good read. However, what is interesting is to watch the author develop her style from
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the early ones to the later ones. And, in fact, A Shroud for a Nightingale and The Black Tower (the fourth and fifth in the series) is where she crosses the divide. The later books have much more character development -- both for the players and the detectives -- make Dalgleish more rounded and are generally much more than a good mystery yarn -- they're fine novels that happen to be mysteries. The first three books (Cover Her Face, A Mind to Murder, Unnatural Causes) are just that much more simplistic. But read any or all -- she's a great writer and they are definitely worth the time. Show Less
LibraryThing member Britt84
Nice detective story. I sometimes find Dalgliesh a bit annoying, and these stories are slightly old-fashioned, but still, they're a nice read and usually keep you guessing...
LibraryThing member thorold
Very early P.D. James, when she was still young enough to feel the urge to put in a bit of gentle teasing of the older generation of British crime writers. Apart from the Suffolk coastal atmosphere and the the in-jokes of the various writers who are lined up as suspects, this one doesn't have a
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great deal to recommend it: the characters are still largely caricatures, without much depth to them, and the interaction within the little community where the action takes place is more formulaic than natural. But quite ingenious, all the same. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Daigleish is on holidays and is sucked into a murder.
The ending was a bit of a let-down.
The ending was a bit of a let-down.
LibraryThing member breadhat
I continue to enjoy this series. I'm not well-read enough in mysteries to evaluate it as a piece of the genre, but it is pleasurable fiction with a light and somewhat literary style. Since I feel invested in the series as a whole, I don't mind how slowly Adam Dalgliesh's personality is being drawn
I will say that I enjoyed this novel marginally less than its predecessors. The suspects are sketched somewhat more as grotesques than as nuanced personalities; the final-chapter reveal, while satisfying in its details, is lame in its mode of presentation. On the whole, however, this is an excellent chapter in what has so far been a consistently well-written and surprising series.
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out for the reader from one book to another. The setting for this novel is quite a bit different from that in either of the two preceding books, so it avoids feeling repetitive.I will say that I enjoyed this novel marginally less than its predecessors. The suspects are sketched somewhat more as grotesques than as nuanced personalities; the final-chapter reveal, while satisfying in its details, is lame in its mode of presentation. On the whole, however, this is an excellent chapter in what has so far been a consistently well-written and surprising series.
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LibraryThing member ScottKalas
Somewhat of a disappointment, barely making three stars. Dragged on especially the murder's confession and detailing how the motive and how to in the end.
LibraryThing member AliceAnna
James' British cozy about writers who barely tolerate each other. Dalgleish solves the case. One of James' weaker efforts.
LibraryThing member moonshineandrosefire
Maurice Seton was a distinguished mystery writer living in the tiny town of Suffolk, England. He may have come to prominence through his books, but no murder that he had ever devised for one of his stories could possibly have been as grisly as his own. When his gruesomely mutilated corpse is found
Scotland Yard Inspector Adam Dalgliesh was supposed to be on vacation, visiting his eccentric Aunt Jane. To be perfectly honest, he is actually looking for some time off; some time away from crime and death. However, it would seem that crime and death never got the message, and Inspector Dalgliesh soon finds himself investigating the murder of Maurice Seton. His primary list of suspects seems to come from the close-knit circle of Maurice's self-described friends; certainly an unusually odd bunch of people, if truth be told.
There is a cynical and cruel drama critic, a voluptuous burlesque showgirl, a dissolute young heir, and a young woman who is absolutely terrified that she may become the killer's next victim. Inspector Dalgliesh and his extraordinary aunt Jane are following a tantalizing trail of sin and scandal. And they must make sure that they are on the right track to discovering a dead man's secrets, because if the sleuths are wrong, this perilous plot is bound to take another twisted and murderous turn...
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The mystery itself wasn't too taxing and I found it easy to follow. I also appreciated that there weren't that many characters in the story; I usually find myself getting confused if there are too many characters to remember.
Anyway, I know that I have several other books by P. D. James on my bookshelf, but I haven't found them yet; they are so well hidden. I will say that this was the first book by Ms. James that I've actually read, although I have started to read one or two in the past. For whatever reason, I was unable to really get into either book and had to set them aside for a while. Although I would happily give this book an A+! Guess I'll be looking out those other two P. D. James books next!
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in the bottom of a dinghy, drifting just within sight of the lakeshore, ripples of shock and horror spread among the tightly-knit circle of Maurice's bizarre friends.Scotland Yard Inspector Adam Dalgliesh was supposed to be on vacation, visiting his eccentric Aunt Jane. To be perfectly honest, he is actually looking for some time off; some time away from crime and death. However, it would seem that crime and death never got the message, and Inspector Dalgliesh soon finds himself investigating the murder of Maurice Seton. His primary list of suspects seems to come from the close-knit circle of Maurice's self-described friends; certainly an unusually odd bunch of people, if truth be told.
There is a cynical and cruel drama critic, a voluptuous burlesque showgirl, a dissolute young heir, and a young woman who is absolutely terrified that she may become the killer's next victim. Inspector Dalgliesh and his extraordinary aunt Jane are following a tantalizing trail of sin and scandal. And they must make sure that they are on the right track to discovering a dead man's secrets, because if the sleuths are wrong, this perilous plot is bound to take another twisted and murderous turn...
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The mystery itself wasn't too taxing and I found it easy to follow. I also appreciated that there weren't that many characters in the story; I usually find myself getting confused if there are too many characters to remember.
Anyway, I know that I have several other books by P. D. James on my bookshelf, but I haven't found them yet; they are so well hidden. I will say that this was the first book by Ms. James that I've actually read, although I have started to read one or two in the past. For whatever reason, I was unable to really get into either book and had to set them aside for a while. Although I would happily give this book an A+! Guess I'll be looking out those other two P. D. James books next!
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LibraryThing member BooksForDinner
This is the third James book I've read so far. I enjoyed the story but I was a little put off by the 10 page long explanation at the end... really really far fetched. The climactic scene was great however, well written... James is a fine write, the whole book is well written, of course... also,
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this is only her third book and was written 42 years ago, so I'd imagine that her later books have more plausible solutions... Show Less
LibraryThing member christinejoseph
good mystery @ murder —
Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh had been looking forward to a quiet holiday at his aunt's cottage on Monksmere Head, one of the furthest-flung spots on the remote Suffolk coast. With nothing to do other than enjoy long wind-swept walks, tea in front of the crackling wood fire
However, all hope of peace is soon shattered by murder. The mutilated body of a local crime writer, Maurice Seaton, floats ashore in a drifting dinghy to drag Adam Dalgliesh into a new and macabre investigation.
Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh had been looking forward to a quiet holiday at his aunt's cottage on Monksmere Head, one of the furthest-flung spots on the remote Suffolk coast. With nothing to do other than enjoy long wind-swept walks, tea in front of the crackling wood fire
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and hot buttered toast, Dalgliesh was relishing the thought of a well-earned break.However, all hope of peace is soon shattered by murder. The mutilated body of a local crime writer, Maurice Seaton, floats ashore in a drifting dinghy to drag Adam Dalgliesh into a new and macabre investigation.
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LibraryThing member weird_O
Unnatural Causes by P. D. James
A dingy bearing a corpse is discovered, adrift off the coast of England. The vessel has neither oars nor oarlocks nor a mast. Also absent are the corpse's hands. Hmm. The deceased is identified as Maurice Seton, a middling sort of crime novelist, who lives in a
Dalgliesh wants to stay out of the investigation, but the local police investigator named, of all things, Reckless keeps drawing him in.
An interesting mix of characters, many of them writers: A drama critic for a London newspaper; a past-her-prime author of romance novels who is sheltering a glum niece; a remote literary giant, author of three excellent novels, who's published nothing in more than a decade. The victim was predeceased by his wife, a suicide, and he has a ne'er-do-well half brother. He leaves behind a crotchety, handicapped assistant who has done typing and clerical work for many people in the neighborhood. Affairs come out and grudges are revealed.
But who would cut off Maurice's hands? Where were the hands?
Not a bad mystery, though I thought the crime, as revealed, was awfully complicated and unlikely to come off without a screw-up.
A dingy bearing a corpse is discovered, adrift off the coast of England. The vessel has neither oars nor oarlocks nor a mast. Also absent are the corpse's hands. Hmm. The deceased is identified as Maurice Seton, a middling sort of crime novelist, who lives in a
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cottage by the sea. It is in a remote area and the residents are few. But almost all congregate to share what they know (or most of it, or very little of it) and to test their alibis. This dress rehearsal—carried out before the inevitable police interviews—takes place at the home of Jane Dalgliesh, the spinster aunt of Adam Dalgliesh, a well-known investigator with New Scotland Yard's Metropolitan Police. And, gosh, Adam just happens to be spending his holiday with his aunt.Dalgliesh wants to stay out of the investigation, but the local police investigator named, of all things, Reckless keeps drawing him in.
An interesting mix of characters, many of them writers: A drama critic for a London newspaper; a past-her-prime author of romance novels who is sheltering a glum niece; a remote literary giant, author of three excellent novels, who's published nothing in more than a decade. The victim was predeceased by his wife, a suicide, and he has a ne'er-do-well half brother. He leaves behind a crotchety, handicapped assistant who has done typing and clerical work for many people in the neighborhood. Affairs come out and grudges are revealed.
But who would cut off Maurice's hands? Where were the hands?
Not a bad mystery, though I thought the crime, as revealed, was awfully complicated and unlikely to come off without a screw-up.
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LibraryThing member eilonwy_anne
The problem with P.D. James is that she's so good that one ends up cutting her little slack. This novel, one of her first, suffers from the occasional cliche and misstep; having begun with her later work, it's hard to allow her the same latitude as I would another mystery writer! The cliches are
The setting here is beautiful, and she does make some of her delicious moments of tension. The mystery is interesting, and the climax gripping.
The narration by John Franklyn-Robbins was fine, and he produces a serviceable Scottish accent for our hero.
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largely in characterization -- the sulky unattractive girl, the vapid greedy wastrel, et cetera.The setting here is beautiful, and she does make some of her delicious moments of tension. The mystery is interesting, and the climax gripping.
The narration by John Franklyn-Robbins was fine, and he produces a serviceable Scottish accent for our hero.
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LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Digital Audiobook read by Penelope Dellaporte
In book three of the mystery series, Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh has a holiday planned. He’ll spend ten blissfully uneventful days with his spinster aunt at her seaside cottage on the Suffolk coast. It’s a well-earned break, and his plans include
I came late to the PD James party, but here I am and I’m ready to enjoy myself. Dalgliesh is a marvelous character – a supremely competent detective, astute, observant, and intelligent, but also sensitive to nuance and willing to reflect on numerous possibilities.
James gives us several possible suspects and enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing. There’s also a thrilling scene involving a major storm that puts everyone in danger. I hadn’t identified the culprit before the reveal. A totally satisfying mystery. I’ll continue with this series.
Penelope Dellaporte does a fine job of narrating the audiobook.
In book three of the mystery series, Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh has a holiday planned. He’ll spend ten blissfully uneventful days with his spinster aunt at her seaside cottage on the Suffolk coast. It’s a well-earned break, and his plans include
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nothing more taxing that long walks, tea by the fire, and some personal reflection. And then a headless, handless body washes ashore.I came late to the PD James party, but here I am and I’m ready to enjoy myself. Dalgliesh is a marvelous character – a supremely competent detective, astute, observant, and intelligent, but also sensitive to nuance and willing to reflect on numerous possibilities.
James gives us several possible suspects and enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing. There’s also a thrilling scene involving a major storm that puts everyone in danger. I hadn’t identified the culprit before the reveal. A totally satisfying mystery. I’ll continue with this series.
Penelope Dellaporte does a fine job of narrating the audiobook.
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LibraryThing member thornton37814
Adam Dalgliesh looks forward to ten days relaxation at his Aunt Jane's coastal home in Monksmere, Suffolk. When neighbor Maurice Seton's body turns up in a boat with his hands chopped off, many residents become suspects, including his aunt. Her chopper, stolen months earlier, probably severed the
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hands. Although the case belongs to Inspector Reckless, it ruins Adam's vacation, and Reckless keeps him somewhat in the loop. The book seemed repetitive in places, and the long drawn-out taped confession rehashed too much of the story. While not James' finest effort, it still rates as an enjoyable one. I listened to the audiobook read by Penelope Dellaporta whose accent gave it the classic British cozy feel. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1967
Physical description
205 p.; 19.5 cm
ISBN
8742302757 / 9788742302750
Local notes
Omslag: Anette Rasmussen
Omslaget viser en åben papkasse med to afskårne hænder i. Ved siden af ses låget og en stump snor.
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Adam Dalgliesh, bind 3
Oversat fra engelsk "Unnatural causes" af Poul Ib Liebe, K. Vestergaard
Side 75: Motiv er ikke det, man først leder efter
Side 136: Lidt om præster
Omslaget viser en åben papkasse med to afskårne hænder i. Ved siden af ses låget og en stump snor.
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Adam Dalgliesh, bind 3
Oversat fra engelsk "Unnatural causes" af Poul Ib Liebe, K. Vestergaard
Side 75: Motiv er ikke det, man først leder efter
Side 136: Lidt om præster
Similar in this library
Fyret by P. D. James
Series
Pages
205
DDC/MDS
| 823 |