THE PERFECT INTORDUCTION TO THE MULTIMILLION-COPY BESTSELLING ADAM DALGLEISH SERIES FROM THE 'QUEEN OF ENGLISH CRIME' ( GUARDIAN)

'A legend.' VAL MCDERMID
'P. D. James took the classic crime novel and turned up the dial.' MICK HERRON
'One of those books you want to keep forever.' 5* reader review


Adam Dalgliesh has never failed to solve a case - yet.

When the body of a woman is discovered at the Steen Psychiatric Clinic with a chisel through her heart, it seems to Dalgliesh a straightforward enough case: the building was locked, and no-one has been able to enter or leave since the murder. Logically, the killer must be one of the shocked group waiting to meet him.

But Dalgliesh quickly discovers an intricate web of lies and grudges among both patients and staff which threatens to derail the investigation. And as he works to uncover the truth, the murderer is preparing to strike again . . .
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'The writing is as sharp as a hypodermic.' HERALD

'A great whodunnit and I also love the social history as this was written/published circa 1963. Defo recommend.' 5* reader review

'Another belter from P. D. James. With stunning prose and the brilliant character of Dalgliesh at the helm, it's another winner.' 5* reader review

**Now a major Channel 5 series**
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READERS LOVE THE ADAM DALGLEISH SERIES:

'Adam Dalgleish is one of the best characters in modern detective fiction.' 5* reader review

'If you are not already an Adam Dalgliesh fan, I urge you to become one . . . James can describe a scene or delineate a character with precision and depth, like no other writer I have read . . . I usually stay up all night to read a P. D. James novel once I start one.' 5* reader review

'I would never give less than 5 stars to any P. D. James book. She is one of a kind, always constant, always wonderful writing, always great characters, and always a good mystery that you cannot put down.' 5* reader review

'P.D. James writes mysteries for ordinary people. Her characters are relatable and her hero is dynamic. But don't expect cell phones or computers. Her stories are strictly old school, which is what I love about them.' 5* reader review

'Crime writing at its very best!' 5* reader review

PRAISE FOR P. D. JAMES:

'P. D. James is the crème de la crème of crime writers. Her books are shrewd puzzles, full of wit and depth.' IAN RANKIN

'Nobody can put the reader in the eye of the storm quite like P. D. James.' SUNDAY EXPRESS

'One of the literary greats. Her sense of place was exquisite, characterisation and plotting unrivalled.' MARI HANNAH

'James manages a depth and intelligence that few in her trade can match.' THE TIMES

'There are very few thriller writers who can compete with P. D. James at her best.' SPECTATOR

'The queen of English crime.' GUARDIAN