With all the qualities that P. D. James’s readers have come to expect: a masterly psychological and emotional richness of characterization, a vivid evocation of place and a credible and exciting mystery.
When the notorious investigative journalist, Rhoda Gradwyn, books into Mr. Chandler-Powell’s private clinic in Dorset for the removal of a disfiguring, long-standing facial scar, she has every prospect of a successful operation by a distinguished surgeon, a week’s peaceful convalescence in one of Dorset’s most beautiful manor houses and the beginning of a new life. She will never leave Cheverell Manor alive. When Adam Dalgliesh and his team are called in to investigate the murder – and a second death occurs – even more complicated problems than the question of innocence or guilt arise.
From the Hardcover edition.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Review of book The Private Patient Comment: This is standard fare for P. D. James. I've been a fan of hers for 20 years. By comparison, this one moves a little slower and has a bit more character and setting detail. Most of her work never gets to the "page-turner" stage. Still, a nice relaxed read that I didn't want to stop until I had finished. Well written and well edited, something not so common these days. Customer Rating: Summary: Not her best Comment: Not P. D. James at her best. The ending was predictable from early on but the story has some interesting twists that make it enjoyable. Customer Rating: Summary: Never a disappointment! Comment: P.D. James is never a disappointment. I was thrilled to see that she had created yet another case for us to share with Adam. Ms. James's writing is such a pleasure to enjoy. So many newer writers simply cannot put a sentence together; they make you feel like you're reading something by a struggling high school student. Not so with P.D. James -- ever! She is one of the best, and I enjoyed every bit of "The Private Patient." I do wish she had explained why Rhoda "had no further use" for her scar. I don't feel that this was ever explained. Other than that, it was terrific. Customer Rating: Summary: Absolute Psychological Mystery Comment: It's hard for me to believe that P.D. James can continue to write her sophisticated mysteries with the same depth and nuance as she has for years. She is in her 80's and her descriptions of the landscape, the murder locations and the characters retain a solid introspection and clarity. I have read many of her novels and Private Patient did not disappoint me.
Her main character grabbed my interest from the very beginning. Rhoda Gradwyn, an investigative journalist, decides to finally undergo plastic surgery for a very visible facial scar which was given to her by her father when she was a young girl. Rather than allow the scar to ruin her life, she became a successful journalist uncovering weaknesses and foibles in business and creative society. Why she exactly decided to have plastic surgery performed was not really crystal clear which seemed to be the only great weakness in the novel.
Two murders were enacted in Cheverell Manor, which is a private clinic owned by a prominent plastic surgeon. Among the cast of characters is the staff of the Manor, Commander Adam Dalgliesh and his team and peripheral family and friends who are important to the plot. While mixing history of a 350 year old lynching and present day mental challenges, James weaves her tale with depth and intimacy.
We do get inside of some of the characters - not quite enough to know all about them, but quite enough to believe their motives.
I found the denouement was obvious but the character study and illusions sustained my interest from the first page. Customer Rating: Summary: Latest P.D. James Comment: I was anticipating reading this book, but was disappointed. While the plot and writing were good as always, the characters seemed not to come to life, to be uninteresting and unexciting, even when showing emotion (which was rare).
