Cover Her Face (Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries, No. 1)

This is P.D. James' first published book and our first introduction to Inspector Dalgleish. It is easy to see why this book was considered a bold entry into a tough field of really terrific British crime fiction. One of the hallmarks of the writing of P.D. James is her insistence on describing every scene in excruciating detail, but then again, those details enable her to build the story to a conclusion that surprises, but we should have seen all along. This is a fairly unusual story about the murder of an enigmatic housemaid and about the depths of people we assume we know ...and it plays out nicely. Although it was written in 1962, it has a definite timeless quality to it, like so many of the books by P.D. James and Ruth Rendell. For all of their detailed narrative, they never seem to mire you in a period of time unless it is intentional and noteworthy.

There could be no better introduction to Adam Dalgliesh, P.D. James' enormously loved and admired detective. "Cover Her Face" is the novel that first introduced this hero to the literary world and showcases some of James' best handiwork at writing and creating mysteries. A quick and enticing read for any James' fan. "Cover Her Face" begins in Jame's trademark style. The reader is introduced to a wide cast of characters, all with a motive (and perhaps a means) to commit the crime that will unfold shortly. In this case, it is the murder of Sally Jupp, a young unwed mother who stirs up the quiet and conservative Maxie household. When she is found murdered the morning after the annual church fete, Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate. He is certain that this was an inside job and that the murderer remains in the Maxie hosuehold. James' allows the mystery to unfold slowly. Just as the reader met every character with a motive, the reader is in the same room with them as they testify to their innocence to Dalgliesh. Several characters even perform their own sleuthing, which causes the reader not to entirely know just how much of that information Dalgliesh himself as heard, or (as is more likely) if he knows more than what's been told to these amateur sleuths. "Cover Her Face" is a landmark and must-read work in the Dalgliesh series.

This story takes place in the 1960's. It is about a British family who has two maids. The main characters in the story are Sally Jupp, Mrs. Lidell, Dr. Epps, Catherine Bowers, Deborah Riscoe, Felix Hearne, Dr. Stephen Maxie, Mrs. Maxie and Martha Bultitaft.Dr. Maxie has just proposed to his housemaid, Sally Jupp. The engagement was very surprising and disapointing to all of his family and friends. Many people are even mad enough to kill Sally. Sure enough Sally is found dead the next day behind the bolted door leading to her room. Among a houseful of suspects Detective Adam Dagliesh must find her killer. Using only interviews and two minor clues see how Dagleish solves the mystery.I liked this book because of how all the characters had a huge part in how Dagliesh figured out who the killer was. And another reason why I liked this story was because I liked to see how Dagliesh uses what he already has to track down who the killer is.I really like this book and recommend it. But i do think it was more of an adult book because of the language and the vocabulary.I think this book would be appropriate for people over the age of 14. This was one of the best books I have ever read so if you see it somewhere go ahead and start reading!

Somehow, I missed reading any of James' books, but I hope to rectify that soon! This book was well written - an intriguing mystery with a satisfying ending that didn't disappoint the reader. A young, lovely maid with an unsavory past is found dead in her bed - after making a startling announcement to her employers and their friends. Enter Adam Dalgliesh, detective extrordinaire, to sift through the evidence and come up with the solution. A good read - I recommend it to mystery lovers!

For fans of P.D. James' equisite mystery novels, Cover Her Face is a must read. I read this immediately after I finished James' Devices and Desires -- the first James' novel I picked up on a whim and which forever changed my impression of mystery novels. For James is not only a mystery writer but a novelist. Her characters and scenes have all the vividness and complexity of a fine novel. So while Cover Her Face may seem rigid and unoriginal to the non-James fan, for fans they will instantly recognize a great mystery novelist in the making. Plus, this mystery -- which unravels in an English manor home -- has witty characters wrapped into a mesmerizing plot. A must read! Enjoy.