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A Taste for Death Audiobook
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(3.01) - 9,318 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Two bodies, their throats cut, lie in the vestry of St Matthew's Church, Paddington. One is an alcoholic tramp; the other, Sir Paul Berowne, is a baronet and a recently resigned Minister of the Crown. Adam Dalgliesh, arrives to begin his investigation, one that will expose the darker recesses of the Berowne family history.
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"It's been awhile since I've read this and I'd probably remember whodunit, but I would read this again. To me, this was the peak moment of her Dalgliesh novels. The dramatizations featuring Roy Marsden certainly helped me embrace Dalgleish's character, but this novel stands on its own quite nicely."
— RJ (5 out of 5 stars)
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Splendidly suspenseful.
— The Washington Post Book World -
A SUPERB DETECTIVE NOVEL . . . AND A GIFT TO ALL READERS.
— USA Today -
Glitters with the high-gloss anxiety of a first-rate detective novel, but it goes beyond that fine achievement to another realm . . . An intricate, compassionate novel.
— The Boston Globe -
MARVELOUS.
— Newsweek
A Taste for Death Listener Reviews
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Doug Owen, 12/11/2024
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" An engaging mystery--as always. "
— Julie, 2/17/2014 -
" James, a master of her craft. Her writing needs no introduction. BBC did not hesitate to make her books into TV movies. "
— John, 2/17/2014 -
" This might be the first PD James book I've read. "
— Jenifer, 2/14/2014 -
" A whodunit with the descriptions, character development, name-dropping, and allusions you'd expect from a different type of novel (the detective is a poet, after all), and the mystery, police work, and twists and turns the genre demands. "
— Jess, 2/10/2014 -
" The best P.D. James I've read so far. The last line is perfect, and it brings together every theme in the story. This one isn't just about murder and death, folks. It's also about life and how we choose to live it. "
— Stephanie, 2/8/2014 -
" first sentence - "The bodies were discovered at eight forty-five on the morning of Wednesday 18 September by Miss Emily Wharton, a sixty-five-year-old spinster of the parish of St. Matthew's in Paddington, London, and Darren Wilkes, aged ten, of no particular parish as far as he knew or cared." "
— Douglas, 2/6/2014 -
" I can always count on PD James for a good detective story. Once again, she did not disappoint. "
— Jennifer, 2/3/2014 -
" Loved it. I just can't get enough of James. I feel like I know Dalgliesh personally! Her characters are so dynamic. There are enough red herrings to keep you guessing to the very end. "
— Susan, 1/29/2014 -
" Kate Miskin is the surprising lead character, along with the late Sir Paul Berowne. Throat slit, along with that of a tramp, Adam knows it is a murder, not a suicide. The story veers about, dashing in every direction, until the dramatic ending. "
— Nancy, 1/26/2014 -
" Adam Dalgliesh is back in #7. Two men lie dead in the vestry of a London church. "
— Colleen, 1/26/2014 -
" Decent fluff... Can't say I'd go out and buy a new copy. "
— Chrisb, 1/25/2014 -
" A bit long winded, but quite a nice "procedural" police detective story. Not, in my view, one of PD James' best .... "
— Andy, 1/23/2014 -
" This was wonderful in its twists and turns and the human=ness of the characters "
— Hollis, 1/20/2014 -
" Grim, but compelling. "
— Pippa222, 1/18/2014 -
" As usual, P.D. James delivers a complex and entertaining mystery. This story gives a better understanding of Detective Kate. I thought the plot and characters gave an enlightening perspective of upper-class English society. The ending was satisfying too. "
— Jacque, 1/16/2014 -
" Good detailed storyline. But, too many musings going on in here. Not a pointless mystery novel by any means. "
— Christian, 1/10/2014 -
" The best P.D. James I've read so far. The last line is perfect, and it brings together every theme in the story. This one isn't just about murder and death, folks. It's also about life and how we choose to live it. "
— Stephanie, 12/25/2013 -
" Got off to a slow start but it picked up the pace about halfway through and then I couldn't put it down. "
— Bitty, 12/14/2013 -
" I read one of PDJ, it could be this one. "
— Gary, 11/28/2013 -
" I read one of PDJ, it could be this one. "
— Gary, 11/13/2013 -
" Very unexpected ending - I could not put this one down, I stayed up until 4 am on Friday night to finish it! "
— Kerry, 10/7/2013 -
" The last 100 pages grabbed me and wouldn't let go. My favorite P.D. James thus far. "
— Lindsay, 9/27/2013 -
" I like the way PD James writes, and the mystery was compelling, even after it was obvious who the killer must be. The last chapter seemed unnecessarily depressing, though. "
— Dotarvi, 9/22/2013 -
" I love PD James. Her books make me want to grab a cup of tea and huddle under a blanket while reading tales of murder, mayhem and the devious world of small town living. "
— Allison, 9/4/2013 -
" My first Adam Dalgliesh mystery. Enjoyable. Elizabeth George fans would probably be interested. "
— Andrea, 8/21/2013 -
" This was wonderful in its twists and turns and the human=ness of the characters "
— Hollis, 7/4/2013 -
" not a page-turner. "
— Shana, 7/1/2013 -
" A solid read from a pro; also I love anything Adam Dagliesh. "
— Michelle, 6/16/2013 -
" This is a great British mystery, 7 books in one, about a baronet's death and the people involved. Good drama, murder and intrigue. Happy reading! "
— Kristen, 6/5/2013 -
" I quit after about 60 pages. It just didn't grab me. "
— Rachelle, 5/20/2013 -
" Very fun P.D. James from what I think of as her best period (Devices and Desires to A Certain Justice). "
— Cat, 11/24/2012 -
" Excellent mystery book, with great characters, writing and plot. "
— Ana, 10/2/2012 -
" Can't go wrong with P. D. James! "
— Lee, 8/30/2012 -
" Classic British police procedural style murder mystery. Good, brooding stuff. "
— Carrie, 8/30/2012 -
" A minister of the government has a religious experience, resigns his position - and is murdered shortly thereafter. PD James is great on setting the environment, the characters and the mystery, but the murderer and the solution feels a bit predictable and, shall we say, bloodless. "
— Espen, 8/27/2012 -
" I actually just re-read this book. It's a great and very dark mystery. "
— Whitney, 8/5/2012 -
" Good recreational reading. PD James keeps you guessing. "
— Winifred, 7/31/2012 -
" I really enjoy PD James' mysteries - they are not a quick read but the characters and great and the plots very well thought out. "
— Jan, 6/17/2012 -
" first sentence - "The bodies were discovered at eight forty-five on the morning of Wednesday 18 September by Miss Emily Wharton, a sixty-five-year-old spinster of the parish of St. Matthew's in Paddington, London, and Darren Wilkes, aged ten, of no particular parish as far as he knew or cared." "
— Douglas, 4/10/2012 -
" A well written murder mystery filled with several eccentric characters which holds the reader's attention right up to the surprising conclusion. "
— Julia, 3/31/2012 -
" This was a standard PD James book; a great mystery novel. "
— Jenni, 2/24/2012 -
" I can always count on PD James for a good detective story. Once again, she did not disappoint. "
— Jennifer, 12/12/2011 -
" Very good book. Murder in a church vestry involving a wealthy family, a hobo, a church lady and the young boy who discover the body. "
— Joyce, 11/2/2011 -
" This book I really liked this book. "
— Lesley, 10/16/2011 -
" There was too much description for my taste. Everything from faces to furniture was described in excruciating detail. "
— Terrie, 6/26/2011 -
" #7 in the Commander Adam Dalglish of Scotland Yard mystery series. He becomes involved solving the murder of a British aristocrat and member of Parliament. It is a good mystery read that is cluttered up with a number of very disfunctional family members. "
— George, 5/9/2011 -
" #7 in the Commander Adam Dalglish of Scotland Yard mystery series. He becomes involved solving the murder of a British aristocrat and member of Parliament. It is a good mystery read that is cluttered up with a number of very disfunctional family members. "
— George, 5/9/2011 -
" This was a well written mystery, but she tells the reader who the murderer is before the ending, and I prefer a big surprise twist. It was still fascinating with lots of side plots. "
— Jenn, 4/12/2011 -
" This was a well written mystery, but she tells the reader who the murderer is before the ending, and I prefer a big surprise twist. It was still fascinating with lots of side plots. "
— Jenn, 4/12/2011 -
" I think that this was the most depressing P.D.James mystery I've read yet. "
— Sarah, 3/7/2011 -
" I think that this was the most depressing P.D.James mystery I've read yet. "
— Sarah, 3/7/2011 -
" This is the first of her books I have had time to finish and I think I will be looking for more. "
— Michele, 12/13/2010 -
" This is the first of her books I have had time to finish and I think I will be looking for more. "
— Michele, 12/13/2010 -
" Excellent mystery book, with great characters, writing and plot. "
— Ana, 12/8/2010 -
" Excellent mystery book, with great characters, writing and plot. "
— Ana, 12/8/2010 -
" Very good book. Murder in a church vestry involving a wealthy family, a hobo, a church lady and the young boy who discover the body. "
— Joyce, 10/31/2010 -
" Very good book. Murder in a church vestry involving a wealthy family, a hobo, a church lady and the young boy who discover the body. "
— Joyce, 10/31/2010 -
" Loved it. I just can't get enough of James. I feel like I know Dalgliesh personally! Her characters are so dynamic. There are enough red herrings to keep you guessing to the very end. "
— Susan, 9/24/2010 -
" Loved it. I just can't get enough of James. I feel like I know Dalgliesh personally! Her characters are so dynamic. There are enough red herrings to keep you guessing to the very end. "
— Susan, 9/24/2010 -
" I really like PD James, and that she gives enough red herrings and clues, so that you figure it out about the same time as the police, and then you wonder how they are going to trap the criminal. "
— Jenny, 9/8/2010 -
" I really like PD James, and that she gives enough red herrings and clues, so that you figure it out about the same time as the police, and then you wonder how they are going to trap the criminal. "
— Jenny, 9/8/2010 -
" Great set of characters, good plot, Dalgliesh one of my all-time favourite detectives.. "
— Carey, 8/13/2010 -
" Great set of characters, good plot, Dalgliesh one of my all-time favourite detectives.. "
— Carey, 8/13/2010 -
" This is an absorbing read, made all the more interesting by James's sense of place. I enjoyed it immensely. "
— Hargrove, 8/10/2010 -
" This is an absorbing read, made all the more interesting by James's sense of place. I enjoyed it immensely. "
— Hargrove, 8/10/2010 -
" Def. not my favorite PD James book. I did like it enough to continue on with the series, but I thought it was one which was forgettable "
— Naomi, 7/3/2010 -
" Def. not my favorite PD James book. I did like it enough to continue on with the series, but I thought it was one which was forgettable "
— Naomi, 7/3/2010
About the Authors
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.
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.