Devices and Desires

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: 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: 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.