Original Sin (1994)

I couldn't put this book down, in spite of several gaps in the plot, and the loose ends at the conclusion. P. D. James introduces the very charming Mandy Price, and it's a pity that her character and role is not developed further, which would have added to the interest of the story.

The pranks occurring in the early part of the book are not fully explained or justified. What purpose does Sonia Clement's suicide play in the overall movement forward of the story? Red herrings like these dilute the story.

Yet it is a very good read. The characters are delineated convincingly, except De Witts, about whom the reader gets the feeling that the author could not decide whether he would be portrayed as a wimp or a saint.The Thames acquires a personality of its own, and it is almost a character in the story.

"The stink rolled out to meet them like an evil wraith, the familiar human smell of vomit, not strong but so unexpected that Mandy instinctively recoiled. Over Miss Etienne's shoulder her eyes took in at once a small room with an uncarpeted wooden floor, a square table to the right of the door and a single high window. Under the window was a divan bed and on the bed sprawled a woman.

"It had needed no smell to tell Mandy she was looking at death. She didn't scream; she had never screamed from fear or shock; but a giant fist mailed in ice clutched and squeezed her heart and stomach and she began shivering as violently as a child lifted from an icy sea. Neither of them spoke but, with Mandy close behind Miss Etienne, they moved with quiet almost imperceptible steps closer to the bed.

"....

"Mandy whispered as reverently as if she were in church: 'Who is she?'

"Miss Etienne's voice was calm. 'Sonia Clements. One of our senior editors.'

"'Was I going to work for her?'

"Mandy knew the question was irrelevant as soon as she asked it, but Miss Etienne replied: 'For part of the time, yes, but not for long. She was leaving at the end of the month.'

"She picked up the envelope, seeming to weigh it in her hands. Mandy thought, She wants to open it but not in front of me. After a few seconds Miss Etienne said: 'Addressed to the coroner. It's obvious enough what's happened here even without this. I'm sorry you've had this shock, Miss Price. It was inconsiderate of her. If people wish to kill themselves they should do so in their own homes.'" pg. 12-13

A publishing house finds itself in the grips of fear after its director is murdered. The murder follows a series of odd pranks and suicides. It is clear that something is not right at the Peverell Press. Inspector Dalgliesh is called in along with two junior detectives. It seems clear that the murderer had to be one of the staff, but how and why remain a mystery.

As James always does, she manages to develop numerous complicated characters and a multi-faceted plot. On the side of law and order the two junior inspectors are more important than Dalgliesh to the plot and the investigation. As with the suspects, their own lives and histories will play pivotal roles in the investigation and its resolution. James does not disappoint in this mystery, and the book follows patterns seen in her other Dalgliesh novels. In the end the police discover that an alibi is not quite as unassailable as it seems. ( )

A great read as to be expected from P.D. James. I am not surprised that _Original Sin_ is not a accomplished as James's later books - but the moral dilemma for the detective off-sider is well drawn. ( )

I decided to read all of the Adam Daigliesh mysteries in one fell swoop and am glad I did. First, they are classic British mysteries all well-deserving of the respect P.D. James has earned for them and all are a good read. However, what is interesting is to watch the author develop her style from the early ones to the later ones. And, in fact, A Shroud for a Nightingale and The Black Tower (the fourth and fifth in the series) is where she crosses the divide. The later books have much more character development -- both for the players and the detectives -- make Dalgleish more rounded and are generally much more than a good mystery yarn -- they're fine novels that happen to be mysteries. The first three books (Cover Her Face, A Mind to Murder, Unnatural Causes) are just that much more simplistic. But read any or all -- she's a great writer and they are definitely worth the time. ( )