Whether she’s the reigning “Queen of Crime” or not (and she probably doesn’t care!),P.D. James is unbeatable with the police procedural. And her latest, “Death in Holy Orders” is, once again, James par excellence. What scope, what depth, what sheer writing talent when it comes to a gripping, mesmerizing, no-holds-barred whodunit! James brushes aside her critics and continues writing in the way she knows best, unassuming and
literate, psychological and breath-taking!
And her main man, Adam Dalgleish is back, along with his trusted assistants, Kate Miskin and Piers Tarrant, as the superintendent enters ecclesiastical waters in this episode. A theological student has been found dead on the East Anglian shore, a tragedy ruled “accidental.” However, pressed by the student’s father, Dalgleish re-examines the ruling and James is off to the races in typical (read that “exciting”) style.
Known as the “dark poet of Scotland Yard,” Dalgleish finds himself, once again, in familiar territory, as he recalls having visited the College of St. Anselm in his youth; however, momentary nostalgia aside, he finds more than he could possibly have anticipated. Of course, there is soon another death and Dalgleish’s own “little gray cells” begin working overtime! Indeed, this may be the more horrifying case he’s encountered, as James explores evil as she’s never done before.
Once again, James takes some time to present Dalgleish, the man, as well. Each of the books in his series provides more and more insight into this incredibly complex policeman. Dalgleish fans will welcome this, of course. “Death in Holy Orders” is yet another of those books that find themselves almost impossible to put down. James and Dalgleish--what a combination, what a read!
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