A Mind to Murder

De: P. D. James

Narrado por: Penelope Dellaporta

Award-winning author P.D. James' second mystery in her bestselling series featuring Scotland Yard investigator Adam Dalgliesh is now available on CD!

When the administrative head of the Steen Psychiatric Clinic is found dead with a chisel in her heart, Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate. Dalgliesh must analyze the deep-seated anxieties and thwarted desires of patients and staff alike to determine which of their unresolved conflicts resulted in murder. Widely acknowledged as "the greatest contemporary writer of classic crime" (The London Sunday Times), P. D. James received the Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster Award for long-term achievement in 1999.

“…a superbly satisfying mystery."–Chicago Daily News
©2008 P.D. James; (P)2008 Books on Tape

Narrator not a Good Fit

This is not a critique of the narrator but a personal reaction. I found the narrator’s voice a distraction from the story. I felt it would have been a better match with a Miss Marple or a similar character’s novel.

Smart and witty

PD James crafts her mysteries so thoroughly. The detail of evidence, characters and psychology are so engaging. Each character is so well written and the reading in this audio edition is so well done. I'd write more but I have to get the next one right away.

very good

very good it kept me turning pages non stop, I couldn't figure out who the killer was until the very end.

Okay, but still worth a listen

This is not one of James' best designed or set mysteries, and none of the characters are particularly compelling or sympathetic. The solution was too clever by half, and Dalgliesh was only half-touched as a character, though he's still a gem of a detective. The best thing about this audio book is actually Penelope Della Porta, whose narration was masterful, gripping when events required, yet calming and soft through the background of the story. I'm a big PD James fan, so I enjoyed it, even though it's not her best work.

A Mind to Murder

Good narrator and excellent story. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

Disappointedly Underwhelmed

I truly wanted to like PD James. This is my second attempt to become engaged with the writing style and characters. I didn't enjoy either of her two books. Am I missing something?

Another great book from P.D. James

I've listened to about five of the P.D. James books and this one may be the best so far for character development. Penelope Dellaporta does a masterful job reading/performing the book. The plot is a mind-bender for sure. Even Dalgliesh gets confused in this one.

Early days ...

You can see the development of PD James as a writer in this second novel. She is always a good read! Regrettably, the same cannot be said for the reader. She avoids trying to distinguish (poorly IMO) the different characters as she did in Cover Her Face. However, the reading remains flat and unimpressive.

LOVE THE BRITS!

This was a rich mystery full of the complications of human behavior. Character development is phenomenally complete, and the narration of Dellaporta amplifies the richness of the tale. I will look for more P.D. James the next time I search audible.com.

Not one of James' best

What did you love best about A Mind to Murder?

I am a big P.D. James fan and would listen to Penelope Dellaporta read the phone book.

If you’ve listened to books by P. D. James before, how does this one compare?

This is not one of James' best--the characters are less developed than in most of her other books, and a good chunk of the book early on is spent describing the suspect interviews--not a usual tactic for her.

Any additional comments?

I wouldn't want to miss out on any of these P. D, James' read by Penelope Dellaporta, but this is one I'm less likely to revisit than others.