Il ritmo è altalenante, un inizio che cattura, poi una fase di stanca, si riprende nel finale. L'ho trovato un po' sottotono rispetto ai romanzi precedenti

Good mystery. Better character development. Just what P.D. James does best.

Listened to an audio version.

Having purchased this at an op shop and not having read any of the previous books (found this one easy enough to read without it) in the series I embarked on a classic P.D. James (after enjoying Skull Beneath the Skin). It had most of the things one would want out of a detective novel, it has suspense and some seemingly good detective work. I enjoyed how P.D. James allows us into the minds of some of the characters so easily through her writing. There are also some lines in the book which were quite enjoyable.
In saying this I struggled with how simple the murder plot was. There seemed to be no legitimate red herrings and I kept thinking it must be someone else as the murderer was quite obvious. I wasn't moved to care particularly for or by any of the characters and didn't feel emotionally invested enough to care what happened to the characters. Maybe if I had read from the beginning of the series Adam Dalgliesh would mean more to me but I'm not sure.
If you're just looking for a crime fiction book, then give this a read- otherwise I'm sure there are other P.D James books out there worth reading.

How odd to find Commander Dalgliesh with cell phones and laptops and what-not. I had no idea! I actually rather liked this one, as indeed there must be SOMETHING I liked about all of them -- I have kept coming back, after all, despite never being very satisfied.

Maybe I've just changed in my reading tastes, but I did not enjoy this book a whole lot. The murder mystery did not compel me as past books by PD James have done. I liked none of the characters, there was little suspense or engagement. The side story with Emma's friends Annie and Clare -- what was that for, other than to help Dalgliesh realize he might break the law for someone he loved? Any of the philosophical/theological discussions present in other James' novels only comes at the tail end of this story; it was the only mildly intriguing part. However, it seems like that was written first, and the rest of the novel was the background to help the reader understand the lawyer's story, or to give it a context. It would have been better as a short story on its own.

Anyone else notice that as all the more recent stories have been set outside of London, in the countryside? There's a short piece in this book where the character Lettie considers staying at the Manor or touring the world; her nostalgia for London seems to reflect James' own, if the change in novel setting is an indication.

I don't think there will be another Dalgliesh story; all the loose ends have been tied up. An era is over.

It's been a long while since I've read or listened to a book by P D James. The last one was a couple of years ago, THE LIGHTHOUSE. I do love her books, but I need a few years between each one. They are chewy, involved, well developed mysteries. Each one has highly detailed background on each character so that the reader doesn't really know who might be a suspect, because each person could be. The mystery can be solved (or is it?) and there is more story to be told. I love that P D James writes more than just the mystery. I will be a fan forever, especially of the Adam Dalgliesh series.
Five in-depth British mystery beans....

DNF at 71 pages. I understand why some people like this book, and I do concur that the writing was well done. The ambivalence surrounding the characters was mystifying. However, the story was so slow paced that it was almost a chore to read. There may come a time in which I’ll be able to finish this book. Unfortunately, right now I just don’t have enough patience.

P.D. James is always a cut above other crime writers, even in this last Dalgliesh book which has its flaws but is very enjoyable and demonstrates James's usual obsession with violent death and the darkness in people's souls (sounds like a back of the book blurb). I just had some issues with how the mystery was wrapped up, although I suppose it might have been a very purposeful choice for Dalgliesh's last case. Also, Dalgliesh is an interesting character and I would have liked more insight into his character in this last outing. Other novels delve much deeper into his psychology and motivations.