The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Hi, All. I'm a new Goodreads member; this is my first post. (Yay!) I'm interested in reading P.D. James -- can you recommend which book I should start with? Thanks!

Hello Michael...Im new also...and I love PD James...personally, if I hadnt read (or listened to, as I love audio books)her work, Id start at the beginning of Dalgliesh and work my work through...Im thinking about doing that again anyway! I dont know that I can pick favorites..I loved A Taste for Death and The Murder Room...but really enjoyed all of her work! Enjoy!

Hi Michael and Marti: welcome to a fabulous group.

Thanks, Marti -- and thanks to Skye for your kind welcome. Marti, forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by "the beginning of Dalgliesh"? I expect that Dalgliesh is the protagonist in a series of books -- if so, which is the first book in the series (that you're recommending I start with)?

I am Nora and like Michael I am new to goodreads. I am a Calgarian.

I apologize Michael...Inspector Adam Dalgliesh is the lead character, the protagonist in a series..She wrote many books featuring him...When I think of P D James, I think of Adam Dalgliesh immediately. There is a whole series of films starring Roy Marsden in the role and later, Martin Shaw played him. At any rate...if you start at the beginning...I believe its "COVER HER FACE" ..you will see his character develop. If you google her name and his character, you can find the order of the books. I hope this helps :)

Got it, Marti; thanks. I look forward to my treasure hunt! Maybe I'll hire Dalgliesh to help me solve this mystery (grin)...

He would be a great one to solve your mystery Michael! Ill be interested to know how your treasure hunt progresses! :)

NPR's Fresh Air ran a remembrance of PDJ this week, replaying previous interviews from late 90s and 80s. She sounded delightful and brilliant. Made me want to read more of work. The Skull Beneath the Skin is only one I've read so far. And it's not a Dalgliesh story.

I listen to NPR when I drive. I really need to settle into PD James; however, I am currently inundated with books waiting to be read.

Here's a link to PD James' page listing her publications in order.

http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/J_A...

I've read both Cordelia Grays and several Dalgliesh. I still have a few in that series to read. I think I saw one of the Dalgliesh mysteries on PBS several years ago. They're probably available on line.

I have some hard backs in my trunk; in fact, I have books in my car that I grabbed at work a few years ago and they never made it inside.

Hi Tom...I mentioned the DAlGLIESH series because she is so well known for those books and his character but all of her stories are wonderful I think....well, I never really could get into the CHILDREN OF MEN....but may try it again sometime. I also have found, with audio books, that the reader/narrator makes a huge difference....a couple I dont care for....theres a lot of Doneda Peters with some of these British mysteries and Im not crazy about her voice...but that is STRICTLY a personal reaction....theres a gentleman whom I prefer when I can find him, Michael Jayston. At any rate, yes Cordelia Gray is very good as well! Nell thank you for the link!

Nell wrote: "Here's a link to PD James' page listing her publications in order.

http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/J_A...

I've read both Cordelia Grays and several Dalgliesh. I still have a ..."

Marti wrote: "Hi Tom...I mentioned the DAlGLIESH series because she is so well known for those books and his character but all of her stories are wonderful I think....well, I never really could get into the CHIL..."

Marti wrote: "Hi Tom...I mentioned the DAlGLIESH series because she is so well known for those books and his character but all of her stories are wonderful I think....well, I never really could get into the CHIL..." ps I am speaking about audio books ..not because I dont enjoy reading..its more about eyes getting tired and my ears dont! :)


Nell wrote: "Here's a link to PD James' page listing her publications in order.

http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/J_A...

I've read both Cordelia Grays and several Dalgliesh. I still have a ..."

Nell wrote: "Here's a link to PD James' page listing her publications in order.

http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/J_A...

I've read both Cordelia Grays and several Dalgliesh. I still have a ..."

One of interviews discussed A Certain Justiceat length; about murder of prosecutor Venetia Aldridge (great name);it sounded quite intriguing. Any thoughts on that one? Thanks for all the tips!

Yes Tom, I thought the same thing when I heard that name!It was quite an interesting story... I think you might enjoy it.. In this day of so much talk about prosecutors on the news, its even timely. Its a view into the London law courts and ambition in life perhaps....anyway, generally considered one of her strongest I believe....

Sounds like a worthy heir to Dickens's Bleak House. Thanks, Marti.

LOL I hadnt thought of that! Yes, may well be! :)

Hello new people and welcome. I was always rather sad she didn't do more with Cordelia Gray.

Agreed. She seemed to be just scratching surface of her character, and the possibilities were rich.

OK, then -- it must be asked: For a new P.D. James reader, should I/we start with the Dalgliesh series (presumably starting at the beginning, with "Cover Her Face"), or should I/we jump right into the Cordelia Gray series, and if so, which book? Hah -- you didn't expect that this would turn into a game of 20 Questions, did you?

Start at the beginning of either series, whichever you decide.

I have Death Comes to Pemberley but havent read it yet. hear mixed reviews

I only saw the movie and it was good but frankly I tend to like it when an author stays more with what they do the best...know that isnt right for an "artist"....just a personal feeling.... She wrote such great modern day stories...Death Comes to Pemberley is good...just prefer her other books and stories. Again, only my opinion!

I'm just not a Jane Austen fan in general, so Death Comes to Pemberley is one I chose not to read. I saw the BBC version, and that was quite enough, thank you.

I loved Pride and Prejudice, read it on a plane on my cell phone! Thats the only one I read. I am not exactly sure where Death Comes.. came from but its in my house so it must be attempted!!

Try Northanger Abbey. I loved it because it pokes fun at gothic novels.

Oh yeah that sounds good. Added.

Im such an Anglophyle and I love the films of many of these as much for the scenery, the stories, the accents, all of it....so if I love a book and it comes out in a PBS series, for instance, IM THERE! lol Im ok with Jane Austen and have watched or read most of her stories but Death Comes to Pemberly just didnt interest me as much, as I said before, as P D James more well known series. Somestimes MASTERPIECE THEATER will send me to a book...or author....:) Or, more rarely, BBC AMERICA...

An excellent article on P.D. James from July 2020. Be aware that there are some character and story developments in the article.

https://crimereads.com/p-d-james-a-cr...