Folio Archives 365: Cover Her Face by P.D.James 2008
Original topic subject: Folio Archives 365: Cover Here Face by P.D.James 2008
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1wcarter
Cover Here Face by P.D.James 2008
This was Phyllis Dorothy James’ (who became Baroness James of Holland Park) first novel. She went on to write 19 novels, many of which became best sellers, and numerous short stories. Born in 1920, she died aged 94. She had to leave school at 16 to look after her siblings when her mother was sent to a mental institution, but she went on to become a tax officer, stage manager and eventually a hospital administrator before writing this book when she was 42.
The novel features mild mannered but thorough Inspector Adam Dalgliesh, who also appeared in another 13 of her novels. It is a cleverly contrived murder mystery with multiple possible suspects, and multiple unexpected twists and turns. Generally a good, easy reading and entertaining novel.
This is the only novel by James published by the Folio Society, but one of her short stories featured in the Folio Book of Christmas Crime Stories and she wrote the introduction to the FS edition of Strong Poison by Dorothy L.Sayers. It is a pity more of her novels were not done by the FS as they would have made a great set.
There is no introduction to the 222 page book, which is a pity, as an introducer could have told the reader more about James’ interesting life. There are seven bound-in full page colour illustrations by Jonathan Burton. The book has plain blue endleaves, a red slipcase (23.9x15cm.) and is bound in red cloth, cover blocked with a blue, white and black image.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
This was Phyllis Dorothy James’ (who became Baroness James of Holland Park) first novel. She went on to write 19 novels, many of which became best sellers, and numerous short stories. Born in 1920, she died aged 94. She had to leave school at 16 to look after her siblings when her mother was sent to a mental institution, but she went on to become a tax officer, stage manager and eventually a hospital administrator before writing this book when she was 42.
The novel features mild mannered but thorough Inspector Adam Dalgliesh, who also appeared in another 13 of her novels. It is a cleverly contrived murder mystery with multiple possible suspects, and multiple unexpected twists and turns. Generally a good, easy reading and entertaining novel.
This is the only novel by James published by the Folio Society, but one of her short stories featured in the Folio Book of Christmas Crime Stories and she wrote the introduction to the FS edition of Strong Poison by Dorothy L.Sayers. It is a pity more of her novels were not done by the FS as they would have made a great set.
There is no introduction to the 222 page book, which is a pity, as an introducer could have told the reader more about James’ interesting life. There are seven bound-in full page colour illustrations by Jonathan Burton. The book has plain blue endleaves, a red slipcase (23.9x15cm.) and is bound in red cloth, cover blocked with a blue, white and black image.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2PartTimeBookAddict
Great illustrations. Was this the first FS volume Jonathan Burton illustrated? Since then he did the Hitchhiker's and GoT series.
I read this book four years ago and am due for a refresher. I don't remember a lick of it except that a body was found in a fairground.
I read this book four years ago and am due for a refresher. I don't remember a lick of it except that a body was found in a fairground.
3podaniel
>2 PartTimeBookAddict:
You remember more than me--I remember thinking it was a great read and wishing there were more FS editions of hers. Hopefully, they'll keep churning out the Mankell books now that they just published the second one.
You remember more than me--I remember thinking it was a great read and wishing there were more FS editions of hers. Hopefully, they'll keep churning out the Mankell books now that they just published the second one.
