The Private Patient (Adam Dalgliesh Mystery)

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Given the astonishing length of the writing career of PD James (her first novel was published in 1962), it is perhaps not surprising that her work often consciously refers back to an earlier era of British crime writing -- but it's none-the worse for that. In fact, James' clever and affectionate reinventions of the devices and conventions of that era afford a particular pleasure -- as is the case with her latest, The Private Patient.

Uncompromising investigative journalist Rhoda Gradwyn has booked herself into the Chandler Powell private clinic in Dorset. She has decided to remove a disfiguring facial scar, and is looking forward to what she hopes will be a new life after the surgery. But Rhoda will not leave the clinical alive – she is killed. After her murder, Commander Adam Dalgliesh is summoned to investigate. As he begins to examine suspects, scene and motives, a second death occurs, and Dalgliesh finds himself faced with one of the most complex and challenging mysteries of his career.

In many ways, The Private Patient has the structure of a novel from the golden age of crime fiction, and James is well aware of the very best writing from that era (including Cyril Hare, who James succeeded as premier crime writer for her publisher, Faber). Needless to say, she freights in a very modern level of psychological investigation, more penetrating than that of her great predecessors. If the novel seems less initially engaging than other recent work by the author, there is perhaps a subtle agenda here: James is avoiding the more obvious reader-grabbing tactics to present a low-key investigation of character than she has chosen to deal with in recent books. If a little more patience is required than usual, the result of this understated approach pays dividends. And admirers of James (and her doughty detective Dalgliesh) will be prepared to be flexible for the pleasures of the cogently handled narrative here. --Barry Forshaw

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Customer reviews

review by: heliogabal date: 2008-11-20 rating:
The perfect thriller for cold winter evenings
There couldn't be a more atmospheric read for when you're safely and warmly curled up on the sofa! The novel maybe full of gruesome murders, windy Dorset December nights, strange characters assembled in a private nursing home - but the reader can cherish all that gruesomeness with just a shiver of horror, safely in the know that P.D. James will bring it to satisfying, psychologically credible end. I really enjoyed this latest novel by a great author, and am sure it will find a great many admirers. I think, it's definitely one of her best.

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review by: Ex Patricia Cornwell Fan date: 2008-11-19 rating:
If this is her best..............
This is the first P.D. James I have read. But if this is supposed to be her best, I dread her worst. I am ploughing through it, having reserved it for my convalescence post op. Very boring,reminiscent of Agatha Christie albeit beautifully written. Certainly my last book written by her, shame , I was looking forward to it.

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review by: date: 2008-11-18 rating:
Atmospheric mystery
Investigative journalist Rhoda Gradwyn is booked into a private clinic in Dorset to have a scar removed from her face. The scar was inflicted over 30 years before, and when Mr Chandler-Powell, the plastic surgeon, asks Rhoda why she's having the scar removed now, she says "Because I no longer have need of it." This is the intriguing opening of the new mystery by P D James. We know on the first page that Rhoda is the murder victim, but why is she murdered? Is it because of who she is, or is it what she knows? James always uses wonderfully isolated locations for her books, & the Dorset clinic is just the kind of remote place with a small group of suspects which she enjoys. The staff of the clinic are the main suspects & most of them have something to hide. The book has an air of finality about it, as Commander Adam Dalgliesh contemplates marriage & a new job when his investigative team is disbanded. Recommended for lovers of the classic English detective story.

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review by: date: 2008-11-14 rating:
pretentious rubbish
Why aren't people braver and say what is more than obvious: the novel is unbelievably tiresome? As a tale of crime and detection, it fails on all counts and no amount of 'fine' writing can save it.


review by: RubySue date: 2008-11-14 rating:
Dated and disappointing
Like MD Smart I found 'The Private Patient' disappointing. The characters felt stuffy and stuck in a time warp and I found myself wondering how old Dalgliesh must be by now. He first appeared in 1962! Don't policemen tend to retire at around 55?! Parts of the plot were quite contrived and the ending most unsatisfactory - the final scene focussing on the lesbian couple and the conclusion of that rather odd sub-plot, rather than Dalgliesh and Emma. I have so enjoyed PD James previous AD novels - perhaps as is suggested throughout the book, this should be the last.

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