It was a pretty average book to be honest, nothing outstanding. The descriptions became rather tedious and I had to force myself to keep reading the book. When I finally got to the end I felt disappointed, maybe I was expecting too much?

Rhoda goes to a private medical clinic for plastic surgery, the removal of a scar which she has had since childhood. During the night, she dies. Dalgliesh and team arrive to solve the mystery, which involves a number of convoluted connections between the residents of the clinic and Rhoda herself. The usual intricate and involved mystery you expect from PD James.

A really satisfying end to the Dalgliesh series. P.D. James - in all her mastery - has been my constant companion for the last few years. Her books are unrivalled in their character descriptions and spotlighting of the human psyche. Cannot recommend her books enough.

This one wasn’t my favourite of the series but was a thought-provoking read with some uncomfortable moments. But it follows the same thrilling murder-mystery format for which James was renowned.

The two commonest types of crime writer write either "gritty urban life" style whodunnits (like Dennis Lehane and Ian Rankin) or "country house" murders (like Agatha Christie). P.D. James (and this book, which is about an investigative journalist who is getting plastic surgery) falls very much into the second category.

Like many of James's recent books the characters could be out of central casting at the "Stiff Upper Lip Character Agency." They focus on form, position and show and act in the way they're expected to act throughout the book.

I'm getting to the point where reading a book in which the characters "do what one is expected to do" grates horribly, and there's a lot of that in this book. Consequently I won't be reading any more of James's books for a while.

If you can put up with a boat load of "Stiff Upper Lip," you might like this book (which is about a woman who dies at a private clinic after some plastic surgery). If get your head round "Stiff Upper Lip" attitudes, with "terribly correct upstairs types" and "cor blimey wait staff," you might like this book. Otherwise I wouldn't bother reading it.

Closing in on the ending. Have enjoyed her writing very much. Not thrilled that she introduces dramatic new character and plot developments without any basis. We'll see how she ends it. Still it's a good summer getaway read. Very disappointing. Draggy and sloppy. Too bad.

Ate it up with a spoon. The Baronness is in fine form. The denouement was a little less than gripping, and the end was a little too wrappy-uppy--I was waiting for some final twist that never came. But, I'm not really complaining because the enjoyment was there. I went straight on to the new Elizabeth George, the poor woman's P.D. James.

her best, especially the jane austen quote at the end.

I'd really give this 3 1/2 stars but am rounding to 4 because of all the enjoyment I've gotten from this series. The mystery was rather light and had a hurried finish but it's always a pleasure to revisit the characters. While not as good as others in the series, that P.D. James wrote this in her late 80s is amazing.