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The Murder Room

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The Murder Room

By: P. D. James
Narrated by: Daniel Weyman
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About this listen

Commander Adam Dalgliesh is already acquainted with the Dupayne Museum in Hampstead, and with its sinister murder room celebrating notorious crimes committed in the interwar years, when he is called to investigate the killing of one of the trustees. He soon discovers that the victim was seeking to close the museum against the wishes of both staff and fellow trustees. Everyone, it seems, has something to gain from the crime.

When it becomes clear that the killer is prepared to kill again, inspired by the real-life crimes from the murder room, Dalgliesh knows that to solve this case he has to get into the mind of a ruthless killer.

The investigation is complicated for Dalgliesh by his love for Emma Lavenham, but their relationship, at a sensitive stage for them both, is continually frustrated by the demands of his job. As step by step he moves closer to the murderer, is the investigation taking him further away from commitment to the woman he loves?

Award-winning P.D. James (author of Death Comes to Pemberley, The Murder Room and A Certain Justice) plots a thrilling work of crime fiction packed with intrigue and suspense. In 2004, this novel was adapted for BBC television and starred Martin Shaw as Adam Dalgliesh and Janie Dee as Emma Lavenham.

©2014 Faber & Faber (P)2014 Faber & Faber Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Detective Museum

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Critic reviews

"Classic, guaranteed to delight all crime addicts." ( Literary Review)
"Genuinely chilling, a delight." ( Observer)
"A totally absorbing read, a detective thriller of superb quality." ( Daily Express)
All stars
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loved the narration. characters so well drawn in this suspenseful classic PDJames. very highly recommended

excellent

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This book gets off to a very slow and somewhat tedious start. OK, we learn to expect PDJ’s novels to begin with a back story of most of her major characters, which usually proves useful in understanding their relationships, shared histories and motivations. But here the first few chapters are so long drawn out as to test one’s patience sorely!

Perseverance is eventually rewarded, though, and the action hots up in the remaining two-thirds of the book, with a final denouement that is genuinely nail-biting, suspenseful and creepy.

Often in PDJ’s books the first murder victim is someone pretty loathsome, hated by most of the other characters who would have a justification to do away with him/her, and it is just a case of figuring out whose hatred is to prove the most murderous. Here the victim, tho’ complex, conflicted and awkward, presents as actually quite likeable, to most other characters, and to the reader. His decisions cause several others to wish him out of the way or to persuade him otherwise, but not to inflict an extremely grisly death. So you’re left wondering, right up to the end: what on earth prompted this utter savagery; what is the killer trying to say, or prove? The “reveal”, seemingly banal and unexpected, actually coheres with other little hints, allegiances and idiosyncrasies we’ve been shown throughout but not necessarily paid much heed to: as such, classic PD James.

As ever PDJ’s cultural background shines through with detailed & knowledgeable descriptions of art, architecture, landscapes, riverscapes, books, history, facial characteristics - and clearly a plausible knowledge of police procedures and forensics. This gives all her books authenticity and, in some instances, sheer beauty. But, oh, why did the woman never listen to real people talking, how come she didn’t even notice what people were wearing post around 1970? Perhaps she captures the speech of the more upper-class, erudite characters plausibly, but NOBODY talks in whole long paragraphs, one after the other! Moving down the social scale the speech patterns become ever more laughable. Who, since about 1940, says “Miss Caroline” or “Mister Neville” & so forth; who wears “slacks” and puts their hair up in plaits, who had gas fires in the early 2000s?

However, these jarring notes are germane to all James’ books and we learn to expect and put up with them: in compensation we get a great, well plotted story, loads of atmosphere, and (usually) an unexpected but plausible reveal - as one would wish for in the best crime fiction! Grousers like me over the archaicisms and anachronisms can put their quibbles aside and enjoy!

Full praise to Daniel Weyman for his narration of these books. Faultless!

Classic PD James

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The reading of this book is excellent. It is very clear which character is speaking. The storyline kept me guessing, even though Inspectors Dalgleish knew before the denouement who the killer was! I did not and was somewhat surprised to find out. I enjoyed this book very much.

Enjoyable P D James

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I'd read this book sometime ago but was tempted to download as a daily deal and revisit. Exceptionally well read by Daniel Weyman was thoroughly enjoyable. Have gone on to listen to some other Dalgleish gems.

Lovely to revisit

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Very slightly dated but a good listen and beautifully read. In the true tradition of British whodunnits.

Good page turner

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PD James never fails to deliver. Great storyline, interesting characters, twists and turns.. What more could you want from a murder mystery?

Never fails

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Great story, though a little middle class, in the same way Agatha Christie could only write a certain class of character, James was the same way. Still a good whodoneit, would highly recommend. Weyman's reading was fine.

Good read

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Although the book was enjoyable I felt at times the author used 15 words where perhaps only 3 or 4 would have sufficed. Some of his words were unknown to me and I was reaching for the dictionary to confirm what I thought the word meant was correct, it is almost like the author was showing off his knowledge of the English language!

I was constantly reaching for the dictionary

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this was my first pd James book and I can't wait to read others. Every bit kept me intrigued and never guessed the ending. Well narrated aswell

excellent page Turner didn't want it to end

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For readers looking for fast paced action, this is not it. But for beautifully written text, fine characterisation and conversation which is also nicely narrated by Daniel Weyman, this is superb. A classic whodunit style detective story, with the clues there for those who wish to solve it before the reveal, well worth the time invested

"A necessary relief."

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