Book Review: The Murder Room

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Murder Room     Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
P. D. James
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural
Series: Inspector Adam Dalgliesh # 12
Knopf, Nov 2003, $25.95, 415 pp.

The Dupayne Museum in Hampstead Heath, England provides a deep look at the country’s culture during the two decades that separated the two world wars. However, the lease on the property is almost expired and renewal requires unanimous approval of the three trustees, the adult children of founder Max Dupayne. The museum’s manager Marcus Dupayne and his sister Caroline (a school principal) endorse the renewal, but the third sibling psychiatrist Neville wants to shut down the museum.

However, Neville’s nay saying comes to a quick end when someone kills him using the MO of a famous homicide depicted in the Dupayne Museum. His two siblings are not the only suspects because several people have the motive of keeping the Dupayne Museum open. A widower, Police Commander Adam Dalgliesh would prefer to investigate his growing fondness for Professor Emma Lavenham, but knows he and his Special Investigation Squad must conduct an official inquiry.

The latest Dalgliesh police procedural is a strong British investigative tale that readers of the series and fans of the sub-genre will take pleasure in due to a strong cast of suspects. The story line moves forward as the Commander and his team make inquiries into a host of potential culprits each with viable means, motives, and opportunities so that the audience never quite knows who the killer is until the climax. The romance subplot never takes off and consequently is not a distracter from the lead protagonist working the case and fans don’t get to see him move forward in his personal life. P.D. James shows once again why she is one of grandmasters of the mystery novel.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner