Book Review - "Devices and Desires by PD James
P. D. James crime novel… This one I found at the Lions Club Book Bazaar in Mainz, and even though I still have more than an overcrowded bookshelf of books waiting to be read I just couldn’t resist. It was worth it!
“Devices and Desires” is one of P. D. James’ earlier novels. It was published in 1989. Sometimes I had the feeling that this fact is noticeable while reading the book, her style developed since then, I guess.
“Devices and Desires” is set on the Norfolk coast, on a fictitious headland called Larksoken. Here Commander Adam Dalgliesh retreats to the old mill of his deceased aunt, just after having published his second volume of poetry. At that time Norfolk is haunted by the Norfolk Whistler, a serial killer who murders young women at night. It is during a stroll at the beach that Adam Dalgliesh finds the body of yet another strangled woman with an L cut into her forehead. Hilary Robarts, Acting Administrative Officer of Larksoken Nuclear Power Station, seems to be the Whistler’s latest and last victim. But is she?
In this novel Adam Dalgliesh is not the investigating officer but a witness, therefore the point of view is constantly changing between various persons, almost all of them possible suspects with a variety of potential motives for murdering the unpopular Hilary Robarts.
As always I loved the way P. D. James manages to throw light on aspects of social interaction between men as well as on current socio-political topics. "Devices and Desires" is a good reading matter, not extremely thrilling but entertaining enough. I'll offer it
as a book ring. If you'd like to participate, please tell me or via PM in the German BookCrossing Forum
PD James Devices and Desires
Warner Books ISBN: 0-446-35975-0
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