A Mind to Murder Audiobook, by P. D. James Play Audiobook Sample

A Mind to Murder Audiobook

A Mind to Murder Audiobook, by P. D. James Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Penelope Dellaporta Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries Release Date: December 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781415959459

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

83

Longest Chapter Length:

08:02 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

12 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

06:40 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

29

Other Audiobooks Written by P. D. James: > View All...

Publisher Description

Award-winning author P.D. James' second mystery in her bestselling series featuring Scotland Yard investigator Adam Dalgliesh is now available on CD! When the administrative head of the Steen Psychiatric Clinic is found dead with a chisel in her heart, Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate. Dalgliesh must analyze the deep-seated anxieties and thwarted desires of patients and staff alike to determine which of their unresolved conflicts resulted in murder. Widely acknowledged as "the greatest contemporary writer of classic crime" (The London Sunday Times), P. D. James received the Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster Award for long-term achievement in 1999. “…a superbly satisfying mystery."–Chicago Daily News

Download and start listening now!

"Why, oh why did I wait so late in life to begin reading P D James? Even when she makes us think the killer has been revealed, she switches things on us! The character of the detective inspector Dalgliesh is a multi-leveled human who keeps getting more and more interesting."

— Teresa (4 out of 5 stars)

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller

A Mind to Murder Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.31818181818182 out of 53.31818181818182 out of 53.31818181818182 out of 53.31818181818182 out of 53.31818181818182 out of 5 (3.32)
5 Stars: 8
4 Stars: 14
3 Stars: 38
2 Stars: 3
1 Stars: 3
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I had never read this early book of James'. She is awesome. "

    — Kellyann, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The third Adam Dalgliesh mystery, with the murder set in a luxe psychiatric clinic in London. Didn't enjoy it quite as much as the others I've read; characters seemed less well-drawn. But it appeased my worry that all P.D. James mysteries ended with the same kind of solution. "

    — K, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " It was alright. I found it difficult to follow all the characters in the beginning. Couldn't keep it straight who was who. "

    — C, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I had never read this early book of James'. She is awesome. "

    — Kellyann, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I enjoy P.D. James mysteries and so this one was no different. "

    — Sally, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I listened to this on tape, which I almost never do, but it works with mysteries. Although Penelope Dellaporta slides over from reading into some pretty terrible acting when the tensions rise. Her voice got a bit grating. "

    — Nathan, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Pretty good, but not great. Dalgliesh is harder to warm up to than some other British detectives I enjoy reading. I keep comparing him to Richard Jury in Martha Grimes's books, and he comes up short - so far. This is only the second of the series that I've read, so I'll give it at least one more shot. "

    — Laila, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Administrator of private psychiatry clinic found dead in file storage room. Suspects include shrinks, nurses, administrative assistants, and porters. Kind of weird, but kept me reading. The ending was full of surprises; maybe too many. "

    — Jocelyn, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " An earlier A.D. book. Almost finished. So far so good. One of her earlier books. Kinda brief, but good. "

    — Ange, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Really enjoyed this. A good mystery. "

    — Kelly, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Really enjoyed this. A good mystery. "

    — Kelly, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A good one - just sad I'm running out. "

    — Jens, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " LIstened to this one- I always enjoy P.D. James' books! This one was not her best, but still good. "

    — Paula, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I listened to this on tape, which I almost never do, but it works with mysteries. Although Penelope Dellaporta slides over from reading into some pretty terrible acting when the tensions rise. Her voice got a bit grating. "

    — Nathan, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " An earlier A.D. book. Almost finished. So far so good. One of her earlier books. Kinda brief, but good. "

    — Ange, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " good solid story, though probably more about Dalgleish than the crime "

    — Nick, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Second book with same inspector. A very nice writing style, a quick read and a plausible ending--only a little expected. James is diving into her main character more and it's enjoyable. "

    — Heidi, 12/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not quite as good as "Cover Her Face" but I enjoyed it. "

    — Janet, 12/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Book 2 in the Adam Dalgleish series. It's well-written and well-plotted. I prefer to have more insight into the detective in a mystery series; on the other hand, PD James creates a well-fleshed out environment for Dalgleish (and the reader) to explore. I will read more. "

    — Judy, 12/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Didn't care for this one as much as the first two books in the Adam Dalgliesh series. Maybe I read too many of them in a row. "

    — Cheryl, 11/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Looking forward to reading another P.D. James book with Dalgliesh as the lead character. "

    — Michelle, 11/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another delightful, tightly woven, and well-written murder mystery by P. D. James. "

    — Sarah, 10/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Second book with same inspector. A very nice writing style, a quick read and a plausible ending--only a little expected. James is diving into her main character more and it's enjoyable. "

    — Heidi, 10/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I have almost completed this series and am going back and writing my reviews. I guess the thing that I would say about PD James is that she is a good writer, but not a "pop" writer..her mysteries are comfortable reads, yet most are forgettable. "

    — Naomi, 9/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked this better than Cover her face. Great characters and a fun stiuation. I was disappointed in the ending. A bit dull. "

    — Nicola, 7/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not great, but not awful, either. Fairly plain little mystery. I'm sure I'm upsetting fans of this series, but I was never really caught up in the story or characters. It starts as a drawing room mystery, but the finish left me confused and disappointed. "

    — stormhawk, 7/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this mystery! P.D. James is an amazing puzzle-mistress! "

    — Karen, 6/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Murder has been done at a psychiatric clinic beset by professional rivalries, potential funding cuts from the NHS, sloppy record keeping and a few slightly insane therapists. Adam Dalgliesh has to sort it all out--he does so with the aid of clue from the clinic cat. "

    — Ed, 5/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Written more like an Agatha Christie book, than her later works. "

    — Katrina, 3/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A thinner Dagleish mystery. "

    — Tim, 2/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not great, but not awful, either. Fairly plain little mystery. I'm sure I'm upsetting fans of this series, but I was never really caught up in the story or characters. It starts as a drawing room mystery, but the finish left me confused and disappointed. "

    — stormhawk, 12/31/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " When you read a mystery writer like P.D. james it's very hard not to compare the other writers to her and they always come up short. "

    — R, 12/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The third Adam Dalgliesh mystery, with the murder set in a luxe psychiatric clinic in London. Didn't enjoy it quite as much as the others I've read; characters seemed less well-drawn. But it appeased my worry that all P.D. James mysteries ended with the same kind of solution. "

    — K, 9/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " good solid story, though probably more about Dalgleish than the crime "

    — Nick, 8/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I had forgotten how much I enjoyed P.D. James mysteries. This was very good, and I enjoyed listening to it. I will listen to more... "

    — Jan, 6/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Liked the second in the series even better than the first. I'm weighing if the author cheated or was clever by having a victim and suspect with the same last name! "

    — Bea, 4/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " first in the series, and maybe it was the narrator, but this was very dry, ended abruptly, but will try another one "

    — Lori, 4/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book I really liked. "

    — Lesley, 4/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Not as complex or interesting as later James. "

    — E, 8/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Dull. Murder wasn't very challenging or particularly original. Characters weren't interesting. "

    — Tom, 8/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Everybody knew the administrative head of the Steen Psychiatric Clinic was not well liked; however, no one expected to find her with a chisel in her heart. The most likely suspects all have alibis. What a challenge for Inspector Dalgleish. "

    — Donna, 7/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " LIstened to this one- I always enjoy P.D. James' books! This one was not her best, but still good. "

    — Paula, 7/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I enjoy P.D. James mysteries and so this one was no different. "

    — Sally, 5/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I enjoy P.D. James mysteries and so this one was no different. "

    — Sally, 5/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " She has good writing skills, but the story was so-so and it's quite sexist. I think that's the last of hers I will read. "

    — Chris, 1/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " She has good writing skills, but the story was so-so and it's quite sexist. I think that's the last of hers I will read. "

    — Chris, 1/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Adam Dalgliesh #2 was very interesting. Takes place in a psychiatric clinic. "

    — Joyce, 10/31/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Adam Dalgliesh #2 was very interesting. Takes place in a psychiatric clinic. "

    — Joyce, 10/31/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Probably my least favorite pd james. The book is very heavy on the procedures and activities of the institution. Very little character development like she usually does. "

    — Olivemylove, 9/8/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Probably my least favorite pd james. The book is very heavy on the procedures and activities of the institution. Very little character development like she usually does. "

    — Olivemylove, 9/8/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another in my series of reading P.D. James 38 mysteries. "

    — Peg, 7/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another in my series of reading P.D. James 38 mysteries. "

    — Peg, 7/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " P.D. James' second Adam Daglgliesh mystery. She hasn't yet perfected that wonderful ability to build characters that mark her later books, but a good read. "

    — Jennifer, 7/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " P.D. James' second Adam Daglgliesh mystery. She hasn't yet perfected that wonderful ability to build characters that mark her later books, but a good read. "

    — Jennifer, 7/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I have almost completed this series and am going back and writing my reviews. I guess the thing that I would say about PD James is that she is a good writer, but not a "pop" writer..her mysteries are comfortable reads, yet most are forgettable. "

    — Naomi, 7/3/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I have almost completed this series and am going back and writing my reviews. I guess the thing that I would say about PD James is that she is a good writer, but not a "pop" writer..her mysteries are comfortable reads, yet most are forgettable. "

    — Naomi, 7/3/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The first of a package of several mysteries sent me! I've been plowing through them and can see why people get addicted to these. "

    — Rachel, 6/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The first of a package of several mysteries sent me! I've been plowing through them and can see why people get addicted to these. "

    — Rachel, 6/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " When you read a mystery writer like P.D. james it's very hard not to compare the other writers to her and they always come up short. "

    — R, 6/27/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " When you read a mystery writer like P.D. james it's very hard not to compare the other writers to her and they always come up short. "

    — R, 6/27/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Really liking these early P.D. James books. Just classic detective stories, without the need for any of the accoutrement so common nowadays "

    — Tom, 6/12/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Really liking these early P.D. James books. Just classic detective stories, without the need for any of the accoutrement so common nowadays "

    — Tom, 6/12/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I listened to this on tape, which I almost never do, but it works with mysteries. Although Penelope Dellaporta slides over from reading into some pretty terrible acting when the tensions rise. Her voice got a bit grating. "

    — Nathan, 4/20/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I listened to this on tape, which I almost never do, but it works with mysteries. Although Penelope Dellaporta slides over from reading into some pretty terrible acting when the tensions rise. Her voice got a bit grating. "

    — Nathan, 4/20/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Starts off pretty slow but gets better at the end "

    — Marianne, 4/19/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Starts off pretty slow but gets better at the end "

    — Marianne, 4/19/2010

About P. D. James

P. D. James (1920–2014), English crime writer, was the author of numerous detective novels, many of which were New York Times bestsellers. She spent thirty years in various departments of the British civil service, including the Police and Criminal Law Departments of the Home Office. She has served as a magistrate and as a governor of the BBC. In 2000 she celebrated her eightieth birthday and published her autobiography, Time to Be in Earnest. The recipient of many prizes and honors, she was named Baroness James of Holland Park in 1991.

About Penelope Dellaporta

Penelope Dellaporta is a published narrator. Some of her published credits include Agatha Christie’s The Secret Adversary and Edith Wharton’s The House Of Mirth.