A Mind to Murder (Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries Book 2)
Description
Price: $13.99 (as of Aug 12, 2024 11:03:13 UTC – Details)
By: P.D. James (Author)
The second book to feature Scotland Yard…
Reviews
J. Brian Watkins –
A Very Unique Twist
Having recently read “A Certain Justice” I have set myself to reading all of P.D. James’ works. “A Mind to Murder” firmly validated my decision to do so. In only her second mystery, Ms. James has the strength to pull a whopper of a twist. In so doing she provides some very strong character development for her Inspector Dalgliesh. He learns something very valuable in this work and will become a stronger detective for it.A murder mystery set in a mental health facility provides a wealth of opportunities, none of which are wasted in this volume. In reviewing mysteries, one must be cautious not to throw out any spoilers–but what the reviewer can and did note was that Ms. James’ writing is exceptional. The characters come to life and the story has something meaningful to say. In a day and age where entertainment is its own reward, it is nice to find an author who is willing to allow the benefits and burdens of moral choice to take center stage.
MJ –
Pretty good PD James
I have read a few of the Adam Dalgliesh mystery series and I always find them enjoyable. I love PD James’s signature style and I always learn a few new words when reading her novels. Her characters are always well-drawn and interesting. They also seem I recently decided to slowly make my way through all the PD James canon, including all the A.D. mysteries in order. If you like PD James, you will like this book. It is a good mystery written in her typical style. I didn’t give it 5 stars because it is not totally perfect and I don’t often give 5 stars to books. Baroness James has her weaknesses that I have found sort of stick out more when you read a lot of her books in a row. Every character has such a great vocabulary that it sort of defies belief. There are, as usual, quite a few characters to remember but they are introduced and explained very well in this book and I did not have much trouble remembering who was who. As usual with her books, I would have liked a little more epilogue on what happened to a few of the characters. Also, I always sort of raise an eyebrow regarding how people’s memories often seem too good (or at least, much better than mine at remembering trivial details such as whether or not doors were open or lights were on!). However, it is a good and enjoyable read. Has a sort of ironical ending that I liked. I am looking forward to continuing reading through the rest of the books.
Born to Read –
A little tiresome
I enjoy PD James and her Adam Dalgliesh mysteries, but this one was tiresome. I finished, but didn’t care when I got to the end. Even a tiresome PD James is better than most authors great books. The characters are a bit flat and there are too many of them. The first part was acceptably interesting, but then it seemed to rush towards an end that was of little impact. It’s an early book, maybe that’s why.
Margaret C. –
A Mind to Murder by PD. James
This early work by P.D. James is a bright star which indicated the splendid future of this British author who has noew joined the rankslofty status of Sayers, Marsh, Allingham Tey and Christi as the greatest writers of British detective stories. The murder takes place in a psychiatric hospital. The suspects are many. The twists and turns through which detective Adam Dalgliesh has to find his way are mant, but in the end, he prevails and the surprises revealed. P.D. James is recommended reading for all those who love a good mystery impeccably written.
Montana Mackay –
Good But Not Her Best
I have just begun my journey through the Dalgleish novels, and this is my third. The story involves a stabbing at a psychiatric clinic, where there are a great number of possible perps. The victim, Enid Bolam, administrative officer at the Steen Clinic, was not much beloved by anyone there. The setting is not as realistic as the other two Dalgleish books I’ve read, and the layout of potential suspects is a little more muddy than I like. It IS possible to write a mystery that does not require a flow chart — and PD James does indeed write such succinct and page-turning books. This one was not my favorite so far, but I will certainly waste no time in moving on to the next Dalgleish novel. PD James’ literary background, her way of turning a phrase, and her ability to develop characters, are just delightful.
ct3inmd –
A nice marriage of form and content
In a story of murder in a psychiatric clinic, it seems appropriate that James devotes a great deal of narrative space to some quite skillful character development. At times this leads to a distracting number of shifts in point of view, but even those further the cause of making it harder for the reader to figure whodunit. James’s mastery of atmosphere is just about complete here, and she is more than usually restrained in her depictions of carnage. And speaking as a psychiatrist, I will add that her depiction of the tensions and odd intimacies that can arise in such a milieu is just about right.
C. Bayne –
Another good Dalgliesh mystery
PD James once again makes you think you know whodunnit, changes your mind several times, and then tidies it all up with the answer in the last few pages.This murder takes place in a psychiatric clinic when the “Administrative Officer” (Administrative Assistant in the US) is murdered. Adam Dalgliesh from Scotland Yard is called in to solve the case, which you know he is going to do, though even he has worries about whether or not he can.Almost the entire staff is suspect, and many of them have obvious reasons for wanting the victim dead. Some of them have alibis, many of them do not. Several of them seem to be hiding something. (Of course – this is a murder mystery – everyone is hiding something!)This is the 3rd Adam Dalgliesh myster I’ve read, and the only reason I’m giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I liked “Cover Her Face” and “Original Sin” a lot more. This is a worthy entry in the series, though. My one real complaint is that there are so many acronyms used that the story comes to a screeching halt whenever I read one as I try to remember what it stands for. (“A.O.” means administrative officer, for example.) The characters speak to each other like they would normally without all that unecessary explaining that some authors put in when they use jargon unfamiliar to some people. That’s great, but sometimes I wanted a glossary. :)I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Amazon Customer –
This was a good old fashioned mystery, absolutely loved it
Aathira Ajitkumar –
Lovely, as are all the Dalgliesh series.
jazziegran –
Better than book one. The characters are more interesting and the story line better. There was more to keep me reading without struggling to get to the end.
bon livre, qui tient en haleine jusqu’a la fin. Facile a lire pour une novice en anglais comme moi !
Amazon Customer –
Well crafted crime thriller with great command over atmospherics and detailing of characters. Vividly descriptive and psychologically convincing. Early signs of more good storytelling
J. Brian Watkins –
A Very Unique Twist
Having recently read “A Certain Justice” I have set myself to reading all of P.D. James’ works. “A Mind to Murder” firmly validated my decision to do so. In only her second mystery, Ms. James has the strength to pull a whopper of a twist. In so doing she provides some very strong character development for her Inspector Dalgliesh. He learns something very valuable in this work and will become a stronger detective for it.A murder mystery set in a mental health facility provides a wealth of opportunities, none of which are wasted in this volume. In reviewing mysteries, one must be cautious not to throw out any spoilers–but what the reviewer can and did note was that Ms. James’ writing is exceptional. The characters come to life and the story has something meaningful to say. In a day and age where entertainment is its own reward, it is nice to find an author who is willing to allow the benefits and burdens of moral choice to take center stage.
MJ –
Pretty good PD James
I have read a few of the Adam Dalgliesh mystery series and I always find them enjoyable. I love PD James’s signature style and I always learn a few new words when reading her novels. Her characters are always well-drawn and interesting. They also seem I recently decided to slowly make my way through all the PD James canon, including all the A.D. mysteries in order. If you like PD James, you will like this book. It is a good mystery written in her typical style. I didn’t give it 5 stars because it is not totally perfect and I don’t often give 5 stars to books. Baroness James has her weaknesses that I have found sort of stick out more when you read a lot of her books in a row. Every character has such a great vocabulary that it sort of defies belief. There are, as usual, quite a few characters to remember but they are introduced and explained very well in this book and I did not have much trouble remembering who was who. As usual with her books, I would have liked a little more epilogue on what happened to a few of the characters. Also, I always sort of raise an eyebrow regarding how people’s memories often seem too good (or at least, much better than mine at remembering trivial details such as whether or not doors were open or lights were on!). However, it is a good and enjoyable read. Has a sort of ironical ending that I liked. I am looking forward to continuing reading through the rest of the books.
Born to Read –
A little tiresome
I enjoy PD James and her Adam Dalgliesh mysteries, but this one was tiresome. I finished, but didn’t care when I got to the end. Even a tiresome PD James is better than most authors great books. The characters are a bit flat and there are too many of them. The first part was acceptably interesting, but then it seemed to rush towards an end that was of little impact. It’s an early book, maybe that’s why.
Margaret C. –
A Mind to Murder by PD. James
This early work by P.D. James is a bright star which indicated the splendid future of this British author who has noew joined the rankslofty status of Sayers, Marsh, Allingham Tey and Christi as the greatest writers of British detective stories. The murder takes place in a psychiatric hospital. The suspects are many. The twists and turns through which detective Adam Dalgliesh has to find his way are mant, but in the end, he prevails and the surprises revealed. P.D. James is recommended reading for all those who love a good mystery impeccably written.
Montana Mackay –
Good But Not Her Best
I have just begun my journey through the Dalgleish novels, and this is my third. The story involves a stabbing at a psychiatric clinic, where there are a great number of possible perps. The victim, Enid Bolam, administrative officer at the Steen Clinic, was not much beloved by anyone there. The setting is not as realistic as the other two Dalgleish books I’ve read, and the layout of potential suspects is a little more muddy than I like. It IS possible to write a mystery that does not require a flow chart — and PD James does indeed write such succinct and page-turning books. This one was not my favorite so far, but I will certainly waste no time in moving on to the next Dalgleish novel. PD James’ literary background, her way of turning a phrase, and her ability to develop characters, are just delightful.
ct3inmd –
A nice marriage of form and content
In a story of murder in a psychiatric clinic, it seems appropriate that James devotes a great deal of narrative space to some quite skillful character development. At times this leads to a distracting number of shifts in point of view, but even those further the cause of making it harder for the reader to figure whodunit. James’s mastery of atmosphere is just about complete here, and she is more than usually restrained in her depictions of carnage. And speaking as a psychiatrist, I will add that her depiction of the tensions and odd intimacies that can arise in such a milieu is just about right.
C. Bayne –
Another good Dalgliesh mystery
PD James once again makes you think you know whodunnit, changes your mind several times, and then tidies it all up with the answer in the last few pages.This murder takes place in a psychiatric clinic when the “Administrative Officer” (Administrative Assistant in the US) is murdered. Adam Dalgliesh from Scotland Yard is called in to solve the case, which you know he is going to do, though even he has worries about whether or not he can.Almost the entire staff is suspect, and many of them have obvious reasons for wanting the victim dead. Some of them have alibis, many of them do not. Several of them seem to be hiding something. (Of course – this is a murder mystery – everyone is hiding something!)This is the 3rd Adam Dalgliesh myster I’ve read, and the only reason I’m giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I liked “Cover Her Face” and “Original Sin” a lot more. This is a worthy entry in the series, though. My one real complaint is that there are so many acronyms used that the story comes to a screeching halt whenever I read one as I try to remember what it stands for. (“A.O.” means administrative officer, for example.) The characters speak to each other like they would normally without all that unecessary explaining that some authors put in when they use jargon unfamiliar to some people. That’s great, but sometimes I wanted a glossary. :)I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Amazon Customer –
This was a good old fashioned mystery, absolutely loved it
Aathira Ajitkumar –
Lovely, as are all the Dalgliesh series.
jazziegran –
Better than book one. The characters are more interesting and the story line better. There was more to keep me reading without struggling to get to the end.
Ferreira Céline –
bon livre, qui tient en haleine jusqu’a la fin. Facile a lire pour une novice en anglais comme moi !
Amazon Customer –
Well crafted crime thriller with great command over atmospherics and detailing of characters. Vividly descriptive and psychologically convincing. Early signs of more good storytelling