Summary: Devises and Desires (Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries #8) by P.D. James
When
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh takes a well-deserved break, in his
newly inherited cottage on the Norfolk Coast, relaxation is the last thing he
can expect.
He becomes involved in the
hunt for a serial killer, known as the Whistler, who is terrorizing the small
community of Larksoken. In the course of 15 months the killer has claimed four
victims and created a climate of mounting fear, with each murder seeming that
much closer to home.
When Dalgliesh discovers
the body of a woman by the sea, it looks like the Whistler has claimed yet
another life. But how could this be, when the killer's own body was found
earlier that night along with a suicide note?
In the shadow of the massive nuclear power station which dominates the bleak landscape, passions and hatreds are surfacing under the strain of fear. And if the Whistler isn't responsible for the latest killing, there must be other enemies lurking within the community (copied from Amazon)
Book Review of Devises and Desires
Commander Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard goes to Larksoken, Norfolk to sort out the cottage he has inherited from his late aunt. On a walk, he finds the body of Hillary Robarth, Acting Administrative Officer of the local nuclear power plant. A serial killer known as “The Whistler” has committed several murders in the area and this one has the same m.o. Dalgliesh helps local police with the investigation.
I listened to the audio edition of Devises and Desires, published by BBC Worldwide Ltd. It is number 8 in the (Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries) series by P.D. James. We follow Commander Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard as he goes to Larksoken in Norfolk to clear out his late aunt’s cottage he has recently inherited. Acting Administrative Officer of the local nuclear power plant Hillary Robarth is found strangled on the beach close to Dalgliesh’s cottage. This is made to look like one of “The Whistler”’s works, but it’s a copycat. “The Whistler” was already dead at the time of the murder.
Devises and Desires was first published in 1989, 3 years after the Tsjernobyl nuclear disaster. The exciting and relevant plot includes nuclear and environmental issues which was very real and present in people’s minds at the time and is engagingly dealt with in the plot.
Main character is Scotland Yard Commander Adam Dalgliesh is the analytical character who manages to help tie up all lose ends in this story. As a hero he comes across as slightly quiet, but seems very dependable and stable. One I could put my trust in. He is my favorite of the story.
Secondary character Dr Alex Mare is Director at the
nuclear plant. He had an affair with the victim 3-4 months ago, which seems to
have not quite ended. He strung the victim along ever since, while having a new
affair with the wife of a local environmental activist. I find him really unsympathetic
and my least favorite in this story.
My favorite part of this story was the entertaining
and enjoyable way the dialogue was acted out by British actors. It felt reminiscent
of a radio play where I could make out the visuals myself.
P.D. James managed to include a mix of issues
like environmental extremism, blackmail, adultery, gay-lesbian and suicide
among others.
There were quite a few twists along the way so my suspicions went in a different
direction. The ending was a complete surprise to me.
The audio
edition of Devises and Desires, is the exciting #8 installment in
the (Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries) series by P.D. James. The plot has a nuclear and
environmental theme highly relevant today and the audio edition was expertly
acted out by British actors. I enjoy P.D. James’ work so much; I am on a quest to
pick up on the remaining ones I have not yet read.
Fans
of P.D. James will enjoy this work, as will
readers of crime fiction. Similar authors to explore might be Elizabeth George or Colin Dexter.
Thank
you to Kristiansand
Folkebibliotek for lending me the audio edition which gave me the opportunity
to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.
Rating:
4 stars / 5
Main
reasons: Relevant plot, Interesting characters, Great dialogue
Get your copy here
Book Details: (from Amazon)
Series: Inspector Adam Dalgliesh (Book 8)
Hardcover: 433 pages
Publisher: Alred A. Knopf; 1st edition (January 14, 1990)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0394580702
ISBN-13: 978-0394580708
About The Author
P. D. James is the author of twenty previous books, most of which have been filmed and broadcast on television in the United States and other countries. She spent thirty years in various departments of the British Civil Service, including the Police and Criminal Law Departments of Great Britain's Home Office. She has served as a magistrate and as a governor of the BBC. In 2000 she celebrated her eightieth birthday and published her autobiography, Time to Be in Earnest. The recipient of many prizes and honors, she was created Baroness James of Holland Park in 1991 and was inducted into the International Crime Writing Hall of Fame in 2008. She lives in London and Oxford.(copied from Amazon)
