A Certain Justice

Rating:
Summary: Should have been two books.
Review: I greatly enjoy P.D. James's literate and exciting style, and I certainly recommend "A Certain Justice" to her fans. BUT.... This book couldn't decide who it was about. By the time Ash took center stage, I felt that his story would have made a much more compelling novel. By the same token, Ms. James might have spared Venetia Aldridge for a starring role in her own novel. Also, as others have noted, there wasn't enough of Dalgliesh to satisfy his fans. I was also displeased at the book's presumption, via the Ash character, that those who suffer abuse as children are destined to become psychopathic criminals. Surely the author knows better than that. This is a calumny on everyone who is struggling to overcome the legacy of abuse.

Rating:
Summary: For P.D. James fans only!
Review: I have read all of P.D. James' books and was somewhat disappointed. The characters are there and it keeps you reading, but the depth is missing.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable... but not up to par
Review: P.D. James has provided me with many entertaining hours and this book was no exception. I find she is one of the few authors that can effortlessly slip between characters without throwing off the pace of the book.It wasn't as difficult to figure out the who done it part of the book but I really didn't mind. I enjoyed the fact that she featured Kate more prominently it made it very interesting. Although I was somewhat expecting to have some of Kate's questions answered in this book it didn't happen. But knowing PD James we will all have to wait for subsequent books. So if you like PD James you will like this book but be forewarned it's not as intricate (clever) as some of her plots in the past and she doesn't dwell on the inner workings of AD that much.

Rating:
Summary: An wonderful read. As always P.D. James delivers.
Review: Once again The characters are realistic and could be the next door neighbor. We reap what we sow is made clear, here. All of Venetia's roles were left wanting. Yes, she did achieve for a short time to elevate herself to outworldly status, only to fall early and in an ugly fashion before her natural time. P. D. Jame's primary character like shakespeare's Lady Macbeth finds herself "unsatisfied" with merely being a woman. Venetia and Lady M take off the feminine psyche and become un-natural creatures...out of place in both worlds, space and time. A wonderful read. I highly recommned this novel for lovers of the British mystery novel at its best.

Rating:
Summary: P.D.James best to date,Resented time away from this.
Review: Well developed characters. Few Red herrings, Paints excellent picture both of Scotland Yard's methods and English legal system. If film rights purchased Glenn Close would find dream role as Venetia.

Rating:
Summary: Mixed Feelings...
Review: I am a big fan of PD James, however, I found A CERTAIN JUSTICE to be a disappointment. There wasn't any clever sleuthing in this novel, just a common deduction. Not much of Dalgliesh either. A believable story, but there wasn't enough going on to keep me intrigued. A good start but midway I couldn't wait for it to be over.

Rating:
Summary: Classic PD James, Very Good
Review: A very involved story with lots of characters, very typical PD James writing. Those who are true Adam Dagliesh fans (which I am) may be slightly disappointed. PD James doesn't develop his character in this mystery as she had in the past. I enjoyed it nonetheless because as usual, Adam is at his best.

Rating:
Summary: A well written disappointment.
Review: PD James' books are so engaging due to a combination of a clever who-dunnit mixed with literary observations about the human condition. She elevates the genre head and shoulders above anyone else writing in the same vein. However in A CERTAIN JUSTICE, the mystery side of it is not rewarded by clever deduction but rather by an ordinary chain of events. The solution is not arrived at via sleuthing but by a chain of events that would have occured had anyone been assigned to the case. The opening book is the most intriguing. Downhill from there. Real disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: Not Enough P.D. James...
Review: Another gripping read by the best mystery writer (in MYopinion). While I agree with another reader- more Adam D.!- I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Only P.D. James can make her characters so real and vivid, you feel as though you're back with some old friends. It's such a LONG wait between books....

Rating:
Summary: P.D. James is a riveting author.
Review: James' prose and descriptive powers are a pleasure to experience. Her style is distinctive, and each new book is a celebration of the art of good fiction.