My first P.D. James, but certainly not my last. Thoroughly enjoyable mystery, and good fiction. Reading it at a monastery also added something to the atmosphere.

In this mystery, Dalgliesh is called to reopen a case that concerns a small religious college that is known to him from his youth. He is surprised to find the warden of the school still on the premises and he even gets his old room back for the duration of his stay. The case involves the death of a student that originally had been thought to have been an accident, but was it suicide or murder? and why? Someone thinks so. Enough so they sent a letter to the young man’s family telling them to investigate. The college is in danger of being closed and the death being investigated may be connected or not.

The story unravels at a steady pace. Dalgliesh investigates thoroughly uncovering clues and inconsistencies as he goes. There are interwoven plotlines about expensive art, unknown family connections, religious artifacts, guests and staff with their own secrets and agendas, and power struggles within the church hierarchy. These all come together to make for a compelling mystery read. Another great book in this series!

OMG. This book is exteeeeeemely long. Like it doesn't want to finish at all. How much can a reader endure? 20 days for a book of 429 pages? I was frustrated with myself more for keeping on reading this book.

At some theology college, a student is murdered, and then an old woman dies, followed by the death of Archdeacon, and then, one more death? What is the author trying to do? People are simply dying and Adam is able to do nothing. He keeps talking to priests who are good for nothing oldies. This is an unnecessarily twisted drama. The author is very fond of people dying, and lengthy descriptions it seems because all he does is describes people, places, things, situations, lights, fans, doors, pencil, rubber, and what not. OMG this was one very frustrating book. The only ray of hope was visible after the Archdeacon died, but that too didn't work for long.

Adam seems to be a very slow detective. I had to take this decision to end the book just before a few chapters were left in ending. I was brave enough to finish 3/4th of the book but not anymore.

It had so much scope of being a good mystery but it fell flat.

Set in a theological college near the coast, this begins with the apparent suicide of one of the students and is soon followed by more and more deaths. Dalgliesh is asked to investigate pseudo-privately and of course turns up with the murderer's identity, but he can't stop the changes of the world & how they affect this peaceful place. Very good--and perhaps he's going to have a romance in his next book!

LOVED this book! PD James - I have been avoiding you (unintentionally) for too long. Finished it in four days - which is saying a lot, with my schedule. So glad I've got another one at easy disposal, will pick it up soon. Everything you've heard about the Adam Dalgliesh books is true. Not overrated in the least.

Well-constructed whodunit. My first Dalgliesh; I came away not really knowing who this guy is or why there have been books about him for half a century. Many of the other characters are more interesting, including some of the (I presume) recurring ones.

I always enjoy P.D. James murder mysteries but this one was an especially good story. The mystery itself was about as good as they always are, but the prose was especially descriptive and beautiful.

My first P.D. James novel. I do like her writing style and use of setting.