“The Whistler’s fourth victim was his youngest, Valerie Mitchell, aged fifteen years, eight months and four day, and she died because she missed the nine-forty bus from Easthaven to Cobb’s Marsh. As always she had left it until the last minute to leave the disco and the floor was still a packed, gyrating mass of bodies under the makeshift strobe light when she broke free of Wayne’s clutching hands, shouted instructions to Shirl about their plans for next week above the raucous beat of the music and left the dance floor. Her last glimpse of Wayne was of his serious, bobbing face, bizarrely striped with red, yellow and blue under the turning lights. Without waiting to change her shoes, she snatched up her jacket from the cloakroom peg and raced up the road past the darkened shops towards the bus station, her cumbersome shoulder bag flapping against her ribs. But when she turned the corner into the station she saw with horror that the lights on their high poles shone down on a bleached and silent emptiness and dashing to the corner was in time to see the bus already half-way up the hill. There was still a chance if the lights were against it and she began desperately chasing after it, hampered by her fragile, high-heeled shoes. But the lights were still green and she watched helplessly, gasping and bent double with a sudden cramp, as it lumbered over the brow of a hill and like a brightly lit ship dank out of sight. ‘Oh no!’ she screamed after it, ‘Oh God! Oh no!’ and felt the tears of anger and dismay smarting her eyes.”
Thus P.D. James immediately engages our attention as she announces that we are reading a murder mystery involving a serial killer. There will be many more examples of her ability to build tension; to describe action scenes; to engage all the senses – sight, hearing, and touch in this passage, while smell features in many more, including, later in the first chapter that of “drink and sweat and a terror matching her own”. We also have here glimpses of her taste for alliteration and simile, and her ability to convey varying emotions.
This story is much more than a detective novel. It is also about the politics of publishing, protest, nuclear power and a remote rural location; of the people who live there and their interrelationships, of their back stories, of secrets, of deception; of grief, guilt, sexual faithfulness and promiscuity, physical and emotional pain.
The power station, perched above the “sea-scoured coast” of the headland, viewed from everywhere in the village, and lit by the skies according to the time of day or night and the weather becomes a brooding presence reflected in the character of its manager.
Particularly in the interview sections, much of the narrative involves conversation, of which James is a master. She understands the complexity of human emotions, the importance of tone, of silence, and of non-verbal communication. Careful questioning and listening will give an investigator more truth than any amount of force and bluster.
The tale is full of surprises, some of which change the focus of the reader. Given the number of characters in the story and their different recollections and presentations, true and false, the precision of the author’s prose is exemplary, enabling her to tie up all the threads in her concluding chapters, the details of which we were not expecting.
Irene von Treskow’s illustration to the book jacket of my Faber and Faber first edition of 1989 conveys the sight of the power station seen through the ruined abbey against a moonlit night sky as the silent protagonist of the book.
Whilst I was drafting this review, Nathan of Norman’s Heating was servicing our oil fuelled boiler which, despite various visits in the last two years had not received a full service.
This evening we dined on cod and parsley fish cakes; boiled new potatoes; crunchy carrots; firm broccoli and cauliflower with chopped leaves; tender mange-touts; and moist ratatouille, with which I drank Reserva Privado Chilean Malbec 2023.
Here’s hoping the “device” in your home makes a full recovery and no more very chilled days.
Thank you very much, Catherine
An excellent review, Derrick. I hope the heater is working well and you are feeling better.
It is and I am. Thanks very much, Merril
You’re welcome, Derrick.
As I am sitting downstairs in very chilly temperatures because of our two day polar vortex, you have distinct sympathies. At least our upstairs is comfortable. Dramatic intro to your book review. Makes me want to read the book, Derrick. Dinner sounds great too.
Thank you very much, Pat
That opening passage from the book has my attention!
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
That is some opening. Wonderful writing and Wonderful cover. A book to add to my TBR list.
Thank you very much, Laurie
Definitely an ominous beginning to grab one’s attention. Thanks for the review. It’s the kind of escapist reading I enjoy.
Thank you so much, Rosaliene
Best wishes with the boiler! May it work well for as long as you need it.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
Sounds intriguing.
I hope you are feeling better by now, Derrick.
Yes. Thanks very much, Dolly
The beginning of that story definitely caught my attention…and had my heart racing! Wonderful introduction!
Thank you so much, Donna
We ended up moving house because it was simpler than replacing the ancient, and badly installed, heating system. Well, that and the stairs . . . 🙂 Beware heating systems, I say, beware . . .
Thanks a lot, Quercus
🙂
It is good to hear the boiler is being fully serviced. I hope this will take care of the problem. Best to you and Jackie.
Thank you very much from ea of us, Lavinia
Thank you for sharing this fabulous review! Such an intriguing book/story! The artwork on the book jacket, and that first paragraph, definitely draw me in. 🙂
So glad to hear your boiler has been serviced. May it provide much warmth and heat on cold days and cold nights.
(((HUGS))) and Hope you are feeling some better by today. Continued ❤️❤️ and prayers and healing wishes!
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
A great review that makes me want to read the book. Murder Mystery/Who dun it, my favourite genre. I had a few Amazon gift vouchers waiting to be used so I ordered a set of Harlan Coben books which have just arrived. I’m still thinking of ideas of how to spend the remaining vouchers.
I’m glad you’ve had the service, let’s hope the boiler runs smoothly from now on.
Thank you very much, Sue
PD James remains one of my favourite authors. Your excellent review of her writing style is exactly why 🙂
I hope that the service does the trick and you have uninterrupted heat at your fingertips from now on.
I was in need of a new read. I’ll get this book. I’ve read other books by this author. Thanks Derrick.
That is a great review. And you are so right about immediately engaging my attention. I envy the skill of writers who can do this, but I am glad they keep challenging and impressing me. 🙂