The Murder Room

Rating:
Summary: Her best yet
Review: I had grown tired of PD James because she seemed to peter out about three quarters of the way through her novels. So many of her novels just ended with a pop! rather than a bang!
This novel is different however. Not that her endings aren't still a bit weak (once again she provided a reason behind the crime that is never explained) but this book is so well written, most of the characters so well described, that I felt a sense of contentment when I finally turned the last page. AND she had kept my attention through a 4-hour plane ride! Unusual for me.
I do get the sense however that she had to leave out a chapter because her editor said it was too long and then she forgot to go back and rewrite the bit that introduced that chapter.

Rating:
Summary: MORE THAN A MYSTERY NOVEL
Review: The writing of P.D. James is very fine and has a depth & maturity that few other mystery writers have. It is thoughtful and measured but highly suspenseful at the same time. It has that " interiorness" that sense of place that has always been a hallmark of good English writing. There are also subtle criticisms of modern English society ( and Western society as a whole) and its increasing lack of morality. This is novel that comes from the pen of a believer (refreshing in itself). The quality and depth of this latest James offering is in sharp contrast to the action oriented American mystery - even the very best American mystery writers don't hold a candle to the great English ladies of mystery - James. Rendell, Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Marjorie Allingham, Dorothy Sayers....

I loved this book and couln't put it down. I hope she has another one in the works.


Rating:
Summary: Baroness P.D. James has done it again
Review: P.D. James wrote her latest book, The Murder Room, like pure literature using atmospheric settings and literary writing to come up with this clever mystery. The book is about a family who own a little museum called the "Dupayne Museum" located in a mansion away from local tourism. Murder Room contains photos and exhibits from some of the most notorious crimes committed from 1919 to 1938. The Dupayne family patriarch created this exclusive museum; however, shortly after his death, his children have an impending deadline where they must decide "collectively" whether to keep the museum open or close it. Shortly after they discuss this, murders start to happen.

I liked this book because of the intricate writing and the historical information about murders displayed in the Murder Room. Moreover, it lets you reach into the dark recess of the mind of the numerous characters. Though this is a dark, long and deep mystery book, it was an astonishing read. This mystery presents various themes (i.e., family, trust, survival, revenge) that are prevalent throughout the storyline.

Some of the reasons I didn't enjoy the book was the plethora of characters that all had ample reasons to commit the murders. Moreover, because of the length of the book (492 pages), it took considerable time to read, but I was committed to enjoy and finish the book no matter how long it took. Furthermore, and this may just have been in my copy, the unnecessary word hyphenations in the middle of sentences drove me crazy! Publishing editor, where were you?

Overall, Baroness James has done it again. Therefore, if you loved her prior books, you will love this one. I recommend that you set aside some exclusive reading time for this book so you can truly enjoy the plot. Take time to listen to the outstanding narrative and suspenseful plot and let the story do its job. I eagerly await the next Adam Dalgliesh mystery, which I hope will bring this series to a suspenseful but happy ending.


Rating:
Summary: Ahhhhhh P.D.James
Review: James is one of the few mystery authors where the mystery aspect of the story becomes secondary. I love her character development and her descriptions of places and events are so superb that I am willing to forgive what the story lacks in suspense. This book is a comfortable read that allows the reader to become part of the cast of characters.

Rating:
Summary: Ready for More
Review: As usual, P.D. James is in top form with her latest Adam Dalgliesh mystery, "The Murder Room". James' mysteries are always well-laid out and intricately woven with a wide cast of characters. She likes to begin her novels introducing all the characters in the novel, giving motives and means to each one, making the puzzle of who's guilty and who's innocent ever harder to figure out.

The title room is set in the fictional DuPayne Museum - a museum dedicated to the interwar years and doomed to close if all three trustees, the DuPayne children, don't agree to keep it open. And when Neville DuPayne, the one trustee who wants to close the museum, is brutally murdered on the premises, Adam Dalgliesh and his special investigation team is called in to solve the case. As they interact with the lives of those who are a part of the museum, Dalgliesh and his team find themselves investigating what appears to be a series of (...)murders, mimicking the cases that are incorporated as exhibits in the Murder Room at the museum. All this while, Dalgliesh is distracted from the task at hand due to Emma Lavenham (whom readers met in "Death in Holy Orders"). Their developing relationship has constantly been interrupted due to Dalgliesh's job commitments, and he fears that she won't love him enough to stick around.

As always, James' narrative shifts focus between her numerous, vivid characters, and is peppered with literary and philosophical references. For those who are wary enough to pay attention, she even gives us the keys to figuring out the puzzle as to who the murderer is. If there's one downfall to "The Murder Room" I believe it's that enough time isn't given to Adam and Emma's relationship. She appears at the beginning and end, and intermittenly in Adams' thoughts: since she is an important development in Adam's life, readers want to get to know her better - especially by the end of the book. I can't wait for the further developments that this entails...