Unnatural Causes, published in 1967 is the third installment in the Adam Dalgliesh series by P. D. James. The author, P. D. James acclaimed as the “Reigning Mistress of Murder” by Time magazine, uses the basic structure of a classic British mystery, and turns it into something more. Her writing style is not only civilized, but very perceptive. She has 15 crime novels and an autobiography – “Time to be in Earnest” to her name. In 1999, she received the Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster Award for long-term achievements.
The story in this book, opens with Detective Adam Dalgliesh, enjoying a quiet retreat of sorts at his Aunt Jane’s cottage, at Monksmere Head, somewhere of the Suffolk coast. P. D. James does a wonderful job describing the stormy seas that surround England. With long walks on wind swept shores and tea by crackling wood fires, James’ description of Dalgliesh’s well-earned break leaves the reader wishing they were in his place. However, when the grotesque murder of a famous crime writer - Maurice Seaton takes place, the reader is immediately transfixed, wanting to know what happens next.
With all the crime novels written by Maurice Seaton, he as the victim would never have imagined what his death could be like. His body is found mutilated, chopped at the wrists and floating ashore in a dinghy. Ironically, the scene of his murder seems to be described by him in his latest manuscripts, for his new novel. Seaton’s death causes widespread horror among his friends and neighbors, which include a cynical drama critic, a celebrated recluse, a rakish young heir and a terrified woman waiting for the killer to turn up at her house. Local Inspector Reckless has been assigned the task of finding Seaton’s killer.
Contrary to his name, Inspector Reckless is described as a very methodical and cautious man. He requests the help of Dalgliesh, who now feels that his vacation has sadly been cut short thanks to this murder. He involves himself in the case but only as and when the Inspector consults him. What follows is a thrilling mystery with unusual suspects and a fact made clear by James, that evil is lurking everywhere, especially in small towns and villages amongst a closed group of people.
Through Detective Dalgliesh, James uses the premise that the motive behind any murder is usually one of the 4 L’s, namely Loathing, Lucre, Love or Lust. And in this story, with P. D. James’ typical fashion of writing, it takes the reader a very long time to figure out which one is the motivating factor.
Like her earlier books, Unnatural Causes is also a very quick read. It is direct and to the point. This means that the reader can enjoy a good murder mystery without having to keep track of sub-plots and sub sub-plots, which very often prove to be nothing but frustrating and irrelevant.
Overall, Unnatural Causes is yet another interesting and entertaining book by P. D. James, but at the same time it teaches the reader a lot about human nature and provides psychological insight into the human mind.
%2B-%2BAuthored%2Bby%2BPD%2BJames%2B-%2BKilled%2Bby%2Bhis%2Bown%2Bmanuscript.jpg "Unnatural Causes (Published in 1967) - Authored by PD James - Killed by his own manuscript")
The story in this book, opens with Detective Adam Dalgliesh, enjoying a quiet retreat of sorts at his Aunt Jane’s cottage, at Monksmere Head, somewhere of the Suffolk coast. P. D. James does a wonderful job describing the stormy seas that surround England. With long walks on wind swept shores and tea by crackling wood fires, James’ description of Dalgliesh’s well-earned break leaves the reader wishing they were in his place. However, when the grotesque murder of a famous crime writer - Maurice Seaton takes place, the reader is immediately transfixed, wanting to know what happens next.
With all the crime novels written by Maurice Seaton, he as the victim would never have imagined what his death could be like. His body is found mutilated, chopped at the wrists and floating ashore in a dinghy. Ironically, the scene of his murder seems to be described by him in his latest manuscripts, for his new novel. Seaton’s death causes widespread horror among his friends and neighbors, which include a cynical drama critic, a celebrated recluse, a rakish young heir and a terrified woman waiting for the killer to turn up at her house. Local Inspector Reckless has been assigned the task of finding Seaton’s killer.
Contrary to his name, Inspector Reckless is described as a very methodical and cautious man. He requests the help of Dalgliesh, who now feels that his vacation has sadly been cut short thanks to this murder. He involves himself in the case but only as and when the Inspector consults him. What follows is a thrilling mystery with unusual suspects and a fact made clear by James, that evil is lurking everywhere, especially in small towns and villages amongst a closed group of people.
Through Detective Dalgliesh, James uses the premise that the motive behind any murder is usually one of the 4 L’s, namely Loathing, Lucre, Love or Lust. And in this story, with P. D. James’ typical fashion of writing, it takes the reader a very long time to figure out which one is the motivating factor.
Like her earlier books, Unnatural Causes is also a very quick read. It is direct and to the point. This means that the reader can enjoy a good murder mystery without having to keep track of sub-plots and sub sub-plots, which very often prove to be nothing but frustrating and irrelevant.
Overall, Unnatural Causes is yet another interesting and entertaining book by P. D. James, but at the same time it teaches the reader a lot about human nature and provides psychological insight into the human mind.
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