The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Just to let you know, I'm going to open a thread under General Chat, called Reading and Discussing PD James, kind of in honour of her life and writing career where you can post books you've read and enjoyed or plan to read, etc. I'll leave the thread open, you can use anytime.

Bill, this is a great idea.

This is a great idea. PD James is one of my all time favorite mystery authors.

My all time favorite-the pace, the plot, the atmosphere--unbeatable.

She is my favorite mystery author. I have tried to pattern my own detective, Mario Morales, on Adam Dalgliesh.

Hey Bill: PD James is the all-time best! Thanks for this tribute site for her work.

I'm wondering if we should start a Ruth Rendell one as well?

Just love P.D. James. Though I sometimes find them rather bleak ('Devices and Desires') I still enjoy her style of writing.

One of my favorites. I was saddened to learn of her death recently. I have read many of her books, two of my favorites being Devices and Desires and Innocent Blood. I am currently reading Shroud for a Nightingale.

She is and will be one of my top crime authors that I love so sad she's gone but at least she finished the Adam dalgliesh series

I tried to read P.D. James when I was a teenager. I was overwhelmed by her writing. I have read a lot of books since I last read a James novel. So it's about time I give James another try.

P.D James created some of the best characters in her intricate mysteries. I've enjoyed many of her books.

P.D. James was a great writer and her writing will be missed.

I have one planned for 2016, just to keep the series moving along.

Great idea! I read several of her books, in French and in English. I plan reading "Death Comes to Pemberley" as I re-read "Pride and Prejudice" last month!

Annie wrote: "Great idea! I read several of her books, in French and in English. I plan reading "Death Comes to Pemberley" as I re-read "Pride and Prejudice" last month!"

I haven't read Death Comes To Pemberley yet but it's been on my list for so long! Now that you've reminded me I may need to bump it to the top of my reading list.

Skye wrote: "Bill, this is a great idea."

I have never read PD James, which of her books should I start with?

I would start with the first Adam dalgliesh book cover her face that's a great taster of how she writes

OK so is that the name of the book "Adam Dalgliesh"??

No sorry it's Cover Her Face

OK thanks! :>)

If you want to start the Adam Dalgleish series, Zoe is quite right, Cover Her Face is the one. If you want a standalone, you might like to try The Children of Men or Death Comes to Pemberley.

I would recommend "Innocent Blood" (1980), often overlooked because it's not a Dalgleish and not really a mystery but a one-off suspense novel.

David, thank you for recommendation of Innocent Blood.

Hi,
I am now just getting out of the house and through the snow for the first time in four days!! Tommorrow I am going to the Library and plan to pick up more PD James books.
Thanks for the suggestions !

Paige

Thanks David, and I know Paige; it took me three days to dig out.

Bill wrote: "If you want to start the Adam Dalgleish series, Zoe is quite right, Cover Her Face is the one. If you want a standalone, you might like to try The Children of Men or "Death Comes To Pemberley"

Just finished Cover Her Face. Awesome suggestion! I've read Children of men and loved it but, being a closet Jane Austen fan, I have never been brave enough to potentially sully a classic with Death Comes to Pemberley. Do you think that it works best as a blind read by those who know the story of Elizabeth and Darcy but have never actually read Pride & Prejudice or does it blend well with the original story?

Ashley wrote: "Bill wrote: "If you want to start the Adam Dalgleish series, Zoe is quite right, Cover Her Face is the one. If you want a standalone, you might like to try The Children of Men or "Dea..."

That's a good question, Ashley, but not one I can answer. I've seen the TV movie of Death Comes to Pemberley and quite liked. I think it can probably be watched as a one of and not worry too much about trying to compare it to the classic.

OK thanks Ashley, I got "The Children of Men" on hold at the Library ...

Paige

Hi Ashley, As a long time fan of Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy to me but lets not go down that pathway) I was a little concerned about Death Comes to Pemberley both as book and TV version but I enjoyed both very much.

It really does depend, though, on how much you love Jane Austen's original. For some, nothing but the original will do but if you are willing to give it a try, Death Comes to Pemberley is pretty good.

Thank you Donna!

Humm.. I have watched the comments and compliments of PD James writing and I appreciate all the recommendations. I feel if this many people like her mysteries I must too! BUT... I just cannot get "into" her books. I think I am distracted more by the Characters and the surroundings. I see that the dialogue and the image I see in my mind are of the surroundings of the 1700's - 1800's but then all of a sudden the introduce a Television in one of the rooms! They talk of the disgrace of "Illigetimate children' yet they are talking of a time that TV's are a household item? I don't know I think that the "settings" of the stories are unsettling to me. Just what time period are they written in?
I am used to reading American common day "Thillers" like "Stephen King" or I just enjoyed "David Baldacci's". "The Forgotten".
I feel that I should also expand my reading to classics and I do enjoy Biographies and History. I do not enjoy Science Fiction. I guess my question is - Does anyone else find themselves not able to enjoy a book that is "not believable" in other words critique if the story is really not believable? I know some of Stephen Kings books are like that but I did enjoy them.
I guess I just feel guilty that I am not enjoying PD James. Thanks for listening and for your comments!
Paige

Paige wrote: "Humm.. I have watched the comments and compliments of PD James writing and I appreciate all the recommendations. I feel if this many people like her mysteries I must too! BUT... I just cannot get "..."
Hi Paige. You shouldn't feel guilty for not enjoying PD James. You like what you like and that's fine. As for the surroundings, it sounds like the setting in the books don't match your vision of what Britain looks like. If that is the case then there are two things to keep in mind. First, some parts of the country are more like country villages than big cities. Have you ever watched the mystery series Midsomer Murders? It is set in modern day (well it started in the late 90s so some episodes might seem dated) and is set in idyllic villages (as opposed to say London). Being set in country villages, lots of the scenery (like for the example, the buildings) looks old (because well, England is old) but it is still modern because people today still live in villages.

The second thing to keep in mind is that James started publishing in the early 1960s and her last book came out around 2011. Anyway, it is totally accurate (and believable) that in the 60s, 70s and even 80s TVs were a household item and having children outside of wedlock was considered a problem.

Maybe try reading some of her later books like The Private Patient (2008), The Murder Room (2003), or The Lighthouse (2005) and see what you think. Hope this helps.

Tiffani wrote: "Paige wrote: "Humm.. I have watched the comments and compliments of PD James writing and I appreciate all the recommendations. I feel if this many people like her mysteries I must too! BUT... I jus..."
Tiffani, thanks for your post. I do have one of her books here now "The Murder Room" I will try to get into that one before I return it to the Library.
Paige