The Private Patient

P.D. James should be congratulated for turning them out despite the ravages of time. This book is as good as most of her previous works. It contains some in depth looks at her characters and a twist on the end which, although it has little to do with the murder, leaves the reader shaking his head about human nature. Dalgliesh's marriage may be made in heaven, but another one is not.

The Private Patient by P.D. James finds Adam Dalgleish, on the eve of his marriage, sent to a private hospital for patients needing plastic surgery. An investigative journalist, who has just successfully had a bad facial scar operated on is strangled just after surgery. Suspects abound from relatives, enemies, surgical staff, families and friends, all complicated with delicious red herrings, Ms James is at the top of her form as this plot twists and turns until Dalgliesh and his team arrive at the correct solution. This book is for readers who appreciate good writing and intricate plots.

The type of murder mystery one expects from PD James: characters fully drawn, victims one feels empathy for despite the fact that their own actions may have contributed to their untimely ends, a plot that continually stimulates interest, plenty of architectural and geographical descriptons, words that make me run for the dictionary, a phrase or two in Latin, the pleasant conclusion which shows how those who survived the ordeal moved on.

The only problem I had with this novel was the unanswered question concerning the first victim which I prefer not to reveal since this might spoil the suspense for other readers; then again. perhaps they could figure out the answer.

I found "The Private Patient" disappointing. It lacks stamina, in spite of the many interrelated conflicts between the characters. It is rather obvious and dull. I had just reread Agatha Christies' "The mystery of the Blue Train", her prose is more attractive and the plots more entertaining. James needs to make sure we know she is erudite, Christie is concerned with entertaining and intriguing her readers, which is what a mystery story is about.

The Private Patient. P.D. James (Adam Dalgliesh Mystery)
I was very pleased with this book. It arrived quickly and was like brand new.