Rating: 
Summary: P.D. James always comes through: Fascinating Mystery!
Review: * * * * * P.D James does it again! Elaborate plot, subtle clues, rich fascinating characters make this a great mystery.
You don't have to be a P.D. James fan; all mystery lovers will enjoy this book!
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The book starts out with a nicely chilling episode: - a murder about to happen. James manages to sustain the mysterious and tense atmosphere throughout the book. Investigator Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh (a poet with a tragic past) is wonderful as always.
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James' strength is creating complex and believable characters that fill the book. We are given glimpses into the life of the suspects and their motives throughout the book. As always James manages to surprise us all with the solution. I've never been able to outguess Dalgliesh- her plots are too imaginative and subtly hidden in the story. This book is a little longer than most, but it is worth the time to read and delve deeper into the characters minds and motives. . This book is definitely addictive.
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~ This isn't my favorite PD James- I prefer "A Taste for Death"
But even second best for P D James is far above the usual mystery. I definitely recommend this book with 5 stars * * * * * for an absorbing read
Rating: 
Summary: Sub-plots a little distracting, but more Jamesian excellence
Review: A different sort of mystery (and how often one can write that for a James!) in that the murderer one thinks is going to be the main problem suddenly isn't, and the real solution to the major crime is hidden in layers that are opened only by the omniscient author to the reader; none of her characters, not even Dalgliesh, knows all that we do by the end of the book. Dalgliesh is not actually the investigating officer in any of the mysteries here; truth be told he's more of a suspect ~ certainly a witness ~ in the major crime. Visiting his aunt's cottage, his since her death, in Norfolk, he becomes imbroiled in a mystery that could be part of the repetoire of a serial killer he has a slight interest in. The characters range around the headland which contains his cottage and mill, a nuclear power station, and several other habitations. Everyone has something to hide, including Dalgliesh and the investigating officer Rickards; some are more successful at concealment. The only thing i disliked about the plot was the sudden intrusion of MI5 in the last pages. Its appearance has something of the nature of a deus ex machina, and i am not too sure that the precense of the two men adds anything other than a mild explanation; nothing necessary, in other words. It reminds me of another James where the end comes only in the written confession of the murderer; there, as i recall, i did not object so strongly. The flurry of "fake" endings leads one to wonder if perhaps James doesn't write herself into a corner, concetrating so hard on the characters and their actions, that she loses track of the plot and cannot find a way out? The blessing is that those characters really do carry her books; i am not overly upset over a minor plot flaw.
Rating:
Summary: Bloated, over-ambitious, but still compelling novel
Review: DEVICES AND DESIRES is one of P.D. James' longer novels, and probably the most shameless example of the fine author's tendency to ramble unnecessarily. Though one wishes that James had exercised a bit more restraint, the fact that this is still head-and-shoulders above most detective fiction, and still an incredibly absorbing story, is a testament to her undeniable skill.Scotland Yard Commander Adam Dalgliesh takes some time off and moves into the windmill cottage of his deceased aunt. And of course, there's something rotten in Norfolk; in addition to the usual Jamesian network of convoluted relationships, tense rivalries, and dangerous liasons (this book isn't titled DEVICES AND DESIRES for nothing), there's a mysterious strangler known as the Whistler murdering young women in the area. A serial killer may seem more appropriate for a thriller than a formal detective story, but the ingenious way in which the author uses the Whistler as a mere catalyst for a very English murder is possibly one of the most original and clever twists ever conceived in the genre. James may waste words, but she still knows how to plot a good mystery. Unfortunately, the execution (so to speak) doesn't work nearly as well; the main plot gets buried in a multitude of meandering subplots. James throws in an overcomplicated story thread dealing with espionage and political intrigue that might make a fine novel on its own, but feels out of place in this one. James has always made her setting as important to her novels as the characters, but the nuclear power station isn't one of her best (certainly not as effective as the publishing firm in ORIGINAL SIN, or the legal chambers in A CERTAIN JUSTICE). Rather than adding a subtle layer of meaning or metaphor to the narrative, the setting basically allows the characters to deliver heavy, ham-handed commentary on the virtues or evils of nuclear power that have almost no relevance to the story at hand. Ultimately, too much of DEVICES AND DESIRES is extraneous and contrived; too much of it is stagey and hokey to be convincing. Three-quarters of the way through, you may feel like taking a pair of scissors and cutting out all the unnecessary parts (it'd probably end up half as long and a much improved effort). What saves DEVICES AND DESIRES, ultimately, are the gifts that the author has always brought to her work--a brilliantly realized sense of time and place, wonderfully vivid characters, and prose so well-written it comes close to poetry. P.D. James is one of those authors with such a natural flair for the English language, her writing is always a pleasure to read. Even when she rambles.
Rating:
Summary: Good but the pace seems slow
Review: I read "Devices and Desires" based on the recommendation of a friend. My friend said that the writing of P.D. James reminded her of my book ("The Other Part Of Me"). At first, I thought my friend was nuts - I didn't see any similarity at all. However, after getting further into the book I did begin to notice at times a certain rhythm to the narrative and dialog that did in fact remind me of my book. While I did enjoy "Devices and Desires" and it did hold my interest throughout, the pace of the plot was much too slow for my tastes.
Rating:
Summary: Good but the pace seems slow
Review: I read "Devices and Desires" based on the recommendation of a friend. My friend said that the writing of P.D. James reminded her of my book ("The Other Part Of Me"). At first, I thought my friend was nuts - I didn't see any similarity at all. However, after getting further into the book I did begin to notice at times a certain rhythm to the narrative and dialog that did in fact remind me of my book. While I did enjoy "Devices and Desires" and it did hold my interest throughout, the pace of the plot was much too slow for my tastes.
Rating:
Summary: Lace and Iron - A Wordsmith Treats Man and Crime
Review: Okay. So I'm in love with Ms. James. Read this book if for no other reason that the brief contact with Jonah the tramp. I'm not even going to bother with a review of the story (which is complex, described in language evoking colors, warmth on skin, odors pungent and delightful). An outing with Ms. James and Adam Dalgliesh is more than just a neat mystery story: It's a trip through the flavors, delights and pains of humanity. One can pick up the title of the book from time to time with various modifiers as the characters explore and experience the effects and power of our very human devices and desires.
Rating:
Summary: Absorbing
Review: One of P.D. James' best mysteries, DEVICES AND DESIRES features Commander Adam Dalgliesh in an unofficial role, although his character still plays a significant role in the story. The novel has a chilling beginning involving the Whistler, a notorious strangler who has been ravaging the Norfolk countryside; however, since James writes classical English mysteries, the identity of the serial killer is the least interesting question. When the Whistler's latest victim surfaces, evidence shows that Hilary Robarts, who had plenty of enemies, was killed by not by the serial killer but by a person who tried to make circumstances appear that way. This is a clever twist that automatically places suspicion on a closed circle of suspects, whom James probes with her remarkable gift for character development. As the novel progresses, the plot twists are even more ingenious. DEVICES AND DESIRES is not totally faultless. James' characters can at times be extremely wordy, using vocabulary so advanced that it seems improbable to realistic conversation. There is one scene with a beggar who practically utilizes every word in the dictionary in one sentence. Also, the complex solution, which is a great throwback to the days of such Golden Age writers as Agatha Christie, is slightly contrived. The novel's final climax, which I will scrupulously refrain from disclosing, seems at times melodramatic and stagy. But the novel's flaws do not detract from its overall enjoyability. As usual, James' characterizations are first-rate. Her literary style of writing is a bonus in itself. Her plotting is skillful, and her setting, the lonely coast of England, provides a moody atmosphere that is the perfect backdrop for her story. The social and humane issues she presents, including the morality of using nuclear power, are thought- provoking. DEVICES AND DESIRES is a beautifully tailored novel and an enjoyable read, proving once more P.D. James' skill at crafting both an intriguing mystery and a fine novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Overwrought and tiring novel
Review: P.D. James is not simply a "whodunit?" type of writer, she adds so much cynicism and insight that her books have so much depth as a result. Adam Dalgleish is visiting his late aunt's windmill and cottage and is drawn into a murder spree revolving around the East Anglian seaside. The nuclear power plant dominates the scene, and casts a gloomy shadow over the setting of the novel. James is as incisive as ever, studying the motivations of all the suspects involved, but also peering disturbingly into their personal lives and all the inner demons which haunt many of them. Certainly there are many red herrings in this book, it adds to the enjoyment, and the ending was unexpected (which is something I always expect from P.D. James!) James is unsentimental in her portrayals; the misguided Hilary Robarts, the secret between the Mair siblings, Meg's escaping from the political correctness of her previous life, Blaney's wretched existence with four children, the somewhat pathetic anti-nuclear pamphleteer, and so on. The minor characters, from some of the early victims of the Whistler, to the Sgt. Oliphant of the local police who would be a scary fellow to be interrogated by, come to life in these pages and again add much depth to this novel. If one is starting out with P.D. James, this book is a great place to start. It's where I did, and I've read them all since I was captivated this first time.
Rating:
Summary: Won't read another one...
Review: There's no one quite like P.D. James writing police procedurals today. With her Superintendent Adam Dalgleish, the poetry-writing, very sensitive, and brilliant policeman, James is able to get right to the heart of the matter in "Devices and Desires," as she not only lets Dalgleish solve the murders, but addresses some critical social issues as well (the environment being one of them!). Her story is long, but is paced with lots of action and in no time the final scenes appear, with the usual James manner of tying up all the loose ends. This is an exciting book!
Rating:
Summary: Deadly Desires
Review: This is only the second P.D. James book that I have read. In my first read, I completely fell for Commander Adam Dalgliesh of the New Scotland Yard, a sensitive detective with a poetic soul and a tragic past. 'Devices and Desires', however, does not focus on Dalgliesh. While he is settling his late aunt's estate in Norfolk, he must sit on the sidelines as Inspector Rickards tries to solve the murders that keep occuring in the small, closeknit community of Larksoken.
The story begins with a brilliant introduction of a killing in the making. We get to see the serial killer, The Whistler, at work as he tracks his latest victim and kills her. Upon arriving at Larksoken, which has as its backyard the controversial atomic power station, Dalgliesh finds himself a sounding board for Inspector Rickards and is slowly drawn into the mystery surrounding the inhabitants of the town. Throughout the course of the novel numerous characters are introduced. They are well-rounded and vividly drawn, and when a copy-cat murder strikes too close to home, they are even further developed through their alibis and lies.
Since this is not Dalgliesh's case, he does not play a large role in the novel. We are told the story through every characters' eyes and must try to piece together a mystery so tightly woven with tasteful clues spread throughout; the reader will almost feel like one of the inspectors trying to crack the case. In the end, however, Dalgliesh cannot remain on the sidelines and involves himself with solving the case. P.D. James has a brilliant knack for creating characters who seem to come alive and her skills at spinning webs of suspense are to be admired. She keeps her readers guessing until the end; and even if the end may seem a little contrived at times, Ms. James recognizes this and has a little laugh at our/her expense.
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