Rating: 
Summary: The second Cordelia Gray mystery
Review: Reading the preceding novel, "An Unsuitable Job for a Woman," will give an introduction to the main character. Cordelia is now settled in, and taking cases as an independent private investigator in London. She is hired to investigate threatening letters being received by an actress. The initial chapters in the novel introduce the various characters involved in the story. They are brought together at a restored Victorian castle on an island, the main purpose being the appearance of the actress in a theatrical production.The case becomes complex as different subplots wind together. Someone is guilty of murder, but who. All is not what it seems, as details of different relationships are revealed. The case does not actually come to an end. Cordelia learns the details of crimes, but can anything be proved in court? A guilty party has privately admitted guilt, tries to murder Cordelia, and challenges her to prove it. There the story ends. This novel, published in 1982, would seem to lead into a sequel, but I have found no other novels by the author that deal with Cordelia.
Rating: 
Summary: Why does Baroness James hate women?
Review: Sad to say, "Skull Beneath the Skin" is another misogynistic scar on P.D. James's body of work, with a soulless, career-obsessed sex fiend who meets her well-deserved end. What is James's problem? She's a career woman, whether she likes it or not, but she seems to have a pathological hatred for career women who put out, unlike the saintly Emma. Perhaps she's just getting old. "Skull" has some of James's trademark character development and plotting skill, but even her gift for landscape falls short in this outing -- the island and its inhabitants never seem remotely believable. Try "Death in Holy Orders" for James without the nasty streak.
Rating: 
Summary: Dreadful and Boring
Review: There is little about this work that recommends itself to mystery fans. The pace is lethargic, the characters are not particularly interesting, and once the murder occurs, there is little about the victim that evokes any sympathy. In all, James has managed to be, on the one hand, boring while, on the other, pretentious. Certainly not her best and one should not judge her work by this effort. For those wanting much more engaging work, check out Peter Robinson or, even better, Ian Rankin.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant, absorbing mystery, both old-fashioned and modern
Review: This is the first P.D.James mystery I have read and it will prompt me to read more. I was struck most by the fact that even though this book was written in the 80's, James seems to avoid too many stark references to modern times so the readers can imagine that this story takes place decades earlier if they wish and is probably a comfort for those whose love Agatha Christie novels which this book somewhat resembles. The character of fluttery, faded, self-absorbed Clarissa is somewhat cliche but enjoyable and it's always fun to read about the classic isolated island estate. James describes very well the "it must be one of us" fishbowl atmosphere of such a setting. I guess I have just two small complaints. Despite the fact that it is quite obvious who will be killed, the murder does not occur until the book is half over and the wait is rather frustrating. Also, James's young detective Cordelia Gray seems a bit colorless (beyond the usual requisite prettiness! ! )and appears to stand about doing nothing for most of the story. Still, it's a nice introduction to this author's work, is compactly written and has an unusual, bittersweet ending that makes me curious to read more of James's work.
Rating: 
Summary: Corking, thoughtful, beautifully characterised
Review: This was my second P. D. James novel (the first was A CertainJustice).. P. D. James is a remarkable writer who uses her greattalents to great effect in this novel which is on the one hand gripping, intricate and colorful and on the other hand sensible, thoughtful and feminine. Cordelia Grey (I have not read "An unsuitable job for a woman") is of great interest as a woman detective created by a woman author. She is a mature young woman, confident and sensible, who shares with many of Muriel Spark, or of Penelope Fitzgerald's female characters, a refreshing ability to be a woman without apology or undue reference to men (other than obliquely to Dagleish, hinted at as a potential lover, and her late patner who had killed himself). Cordelia is thrown into a turbulent situation filled with men and women who see themselves through the eyes of men (women who are not mothers - or thwarted mothers, or step-mothers - who have unhealthy sex lives). It is not my intention to say that this is a feminist tract. It is not. It is a ripping good novel which is also highly intelligent. But it achieves a power and a level of insight through its author's sophisticated understanding of gender roles and relations that puts it in a very high class among novels of manners...Given an odd situation there was a very great deal of realism and it is unjust to forbear from extending to a crime novelist - or indeed any novelist - the grace to set up an odd situation.
Rating:
Summary: Corking, thoughtful, beautifully characterised
Review: This was my second P. D. James novel (the first was A CertainJustice).. P. D. James is a remarkable writer who uses her greattalents to great effect in this novel which is on the one hand gripping, intricate and colorful and on the other hand sensible, thoughtful and feminine. Cordelia Grey (I have not read "An unsuitable job for a woman") is of great interest as a woman detective created by a woman author. She is a mature young woman, confident and sensible, who shares with many of Muriel Spark, or of Penelope Fitzgerald's female characters, a refreshing ability to be a woman without apology or undue reference to men (other than obliquely to Dagleish, hinted at as a potential lover, and her late patner who had killed himself). Cordelia is thrown into a turbulent situation filled with men and women who see themselves through the eyes of men (women who are not mothers - or thwarted mothers, or step-mothers - who have unhealthy sex lives). It is not my intention to say that this is a feminist tract. It is not. It is a ripping good novel which is also highly intelligent. But it achieves a power and a level of insight through its author's sophisticated understanding of gender roles and relations that puts it in a very high class among novels of manners...Given an odd situation there was a very great deal of realism and it is unjust to forbear from extending to a crime novelist - or indeed any novelist - the grace to set up an odd situation.
Rating:
Summary: Again, Cordelia Gray
Review: To the best of my knowledge, P.D. James only wrote two books about her young female detective Cordelia Gray. That's unfortunate, because I enjoyed both of them very much, especially this one. It has all of the "classic" elements of the British murder mystery: the castle, an island, an oddly assorted company, a butler, an interesting wealthy man, assorted relatives, and a grisly murder. Cordelia must sort out everything in the end, and even though the ultiumate outcome is somewhat in doubt, there's rarely a dull moment throughout this book. You follow Ms. Gray's progress avidly, and try to keep up with what's going on around her to gather your own clues about the murder. I'll admit that I was shocked at the resolution of the mystery, and that's one of the reasons I enjoyed the book so much. If you haven't read Ms. James, start with "An Unsuitable Job For A Woman", the first Cordelia Gray mystery, and then progress to this work. You won't be disappointed!
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