An Unsuitable Job for A Woman (original 1972; edition 2006)

Another wonderful P.D. James. Special mention to the excellent narrator, Penelope Dellaporta. ( )

A pretty good book. It was an interesting mystery with lots of twists and turns that were sometimes difficult to follow. It also seemed like the story took place in the late 1800s but in reality the story took place in the 1970s. It's worth reading more books in the series. ( )

Cordelia Gray has just become the sole proprietor of Pryde Detective Agency and has taken on her first client — Sir Ronald Callender.

Sir Ronald’s son, Mark, had been found dead by hanging. The verdict at the inquest was suicide. Sir Ronald wasn’t convinced. He had been recommended the Pryde Agency and is surprised to find the original owner has committed suicide himself, and the partner is a 22 year old woman.

Though Cordelia is young, she is determined to solve the case. She finds herself going back into the family’s history; the early death of the boy’s mother, the actions of the father and his relationship with the boy. There are other items that slowly add to the over all picture.

Along the way, she is told she has “an unsuitable job for a woman” and has a few near misses, but none of this stops her.

It isn’t a clear cut mystery, and can take a bit to follow, but it is a solid read in my book. ( )

Cordelia Grey inherits her partner's detective agency and takes on the investigation of a young man's suicide

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