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In the little vestry of St. Matthew’s Church in London, two bodies lie side by side like butchered animals–one a government minister and the other a local derelict. Commander Adam Dalgliesh is head of a special squad at New Scotland Yard set up to investigate sensitive cases, and this gruesome double murder becomes one of the most complicated and demanding of his career, made more difficult by his familiarity with one of the victims.
“A first-rate detective novel, but it goes beyond that fine achievement to another realm. . . . An intricate, compassionate novel.” –The Boston Globe
“Her best and most ambitious tale to date. . . . The reigning mistress of murder. . . . A craftsman with a poet’s vision, she not only detects evil but attempts to uncover the more elusive–and enduring–enigmas of the human psyche that lead to it.”–Time
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Release date
March 3, 2009 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781415961612
- File size: 643309 KB
- Duration: 22:20:13
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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September 29, 1986
In her latest Commander Adam Dalgliesh detective novel, James subtly deepens the complexities of his personality, making him an ever more credible protagonist. When two bodies are discovered with their throats slashed in a London church, Dalgleish is called upon to solve the case. One victim is Sir Paul Berowne, former Minister of the Crown; the other is a tramp accustomed to sleeping in the church vestibule. It seems that these deaths may be tied to those of two young women who have recently been employed in the Berowne household. Dalgleish feels an unusual empathy in this case; he had known Berowne and sensed several parallels in their lives. This sense of compassion is one of the things that distinguishes James's novels. In delving into what she calls "the fascination of character,'' she makes each actor in the drama memorable. The characters here read Trollope and Philip Larkin; they are knowledgeable about architecture and art. Yet James's civilized digressions do not detract from the suspense of the plot. She does not employ horrific details for shock effect, but her step-by-step description of procedural details, particularly those of forensic medicine, totally immerse readers in the investigation. Literate readers who have not yet made Adam Dalgliesh's acquaintance should rush to the bookstores for this one. 100,000 first printing; BOMC main selection; author tour. (November 1
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