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Death of an Expert Witness Audiobook
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(3.01) - 7,306 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The sixth mystery in the acclaimed and bestselling Adam Dalgliesh series, which led Newsweek to crown P. D. James "the new queen of crime." An evil-tempered forensic scientist is put to death, putting many of his colleagues out of misery. Dr. Lorrimer appeared to be the picture of a bloodless, coldly efficient scientist. Only when his brutally slain body is discovered and his secret past dissected does the image begin to change. Once again, Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh learns that there is more to human beings than meets the eye–and more to solving a murder than the obvious clues. "A craftsman with a poet's vision...[P.D. James] not only detects evil but attempts to uncover the more elusive–and enduring–enigmas of the human psyche that lead to it."–Time
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"A girl's body has turned up in a clunch pit (clunch: a hard chalk used as building stone) in East Anglia, but we don't care about her. Our focus is the Hoggatt Forensic Science Laboratory, one of whose forensic scientists, who just happens to be hated by many, will be bludgeoned to death before he can finish examining the evidence in the clunch pit case. The lovely Dalgliesh helicopters in with his appealing sidekick, Massingham, a deeply ordinary aristocrat. "The marvel of the Massinghams was that a lineage going back five hundred years could have produced so many generations of amiable nonentities." James can't seem to help her deep misogynistic streak; it's not enough for spinsters to be unloved, they also need to be vindictive and foul-smelling, their lipstick melting into the creases around their mouths, their hair rollers leaving fat sausage impressions in their hair, their stockings put on backwards."
— Lobstergirl (4 out of 5 stars)
Death of an Expert Witness Listener Reviews
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" I struggled with following the plot as I listened to this book. I'm not sure if it was the narrator or the story or both--heck, maybe it was just me. However, the narrator was not able to change her voice enough to differentiate characters. I found the plot hopped around and I just kept losing interest. It was a forced listen to find out who the murderer was. So far, this is the only Dalgliesh story that let me down. "
— Jacque, 2/20/2014 -
" As smoothly convoluted a plot; & as deftly created characters, as this reader could desire. The lady can write delightful mysteries! "
— Phil, 2/8/2014 -
" This book didn't develop dagliesh's character as much as the later books do but I still liked it. "
— jen, 2/1/2014 -
" Not the best Adam Dalgliesh mystery but an entertaining read nonetheless. "
— Sarah, 2/1/2014 -
" Another good P.D. James. I like the way the mysteries come together, and the variety of characters. They are set in England, with a sort of timeless feel. "
— Jan, 1/31/2014 -
" I'm on a P.D. James kick. I love her use of words. Yes, I have to have a dictionary close at hand and a sheet of paper to write down all the characters names to keep track of them. But that's fun for me. Unfortunately she's in her 90s so I'm not sure how many more mysteries she has in her. This was an Adam Dagliesh detective story, her most famous character. "
— Elaine, 1/30/2014 -
" Thoroughly enjoyable. What I like about P.D. Jame's Adam Dalgliesh mysteries is that I often can't figure our "who done it" early in the book. There was an almost universally disliked victim, a lot of suspects, most of whom had motive and opportunity, all sorts of subplots and side stories. And the actual murderer was acharacter I had first suspectyed, then dismissed, only to discover I was right about the murderer but wrong about the motive and surprised by how it all played out in the end. "
— Grace, 1/26/2014 -
" I've only read a few P.D. James before, including her latest which I did not love. I decided to go to her backlist as these books tend to be excellent. I am not disappointed, yet. Very interesting view of a crime lab. The ending was a bit complicated and maudlin but the point that James made about a murder investigation changing everything it touches - and not for the better - is well made. "
— Thea, 1/20/2014 -
" Not her best. Seemed flat compared to her earlier ones. "
— Martha, 1/19/2014 -
" Classic British mystery, but with more twists and turns than most. Entertaining and quick. Good used bookstore grab. "
— Kenny, 1/19/2014 -
" beauty and jealousy is fatal "
— Joyce, 1/10/2014 -
" This was a slower read than usual, an awful lot of characters to keep track of, but P.D. James is always an intriguing story teller. So I am glad I plodded thru. "
— Robynn, 1/7/2014 -
" It was interesting to read about forensic science in the late 1970's and consider the advancements that have been made. The story line was also very intriguing and kept me guessing. "
— Kel, 12/27/2013 -
" I read for an English class so it felt like a chore sometimes but I enjoyed it. It was a bit confusing at some points; not sure if it's Brit lit or if I'm just stupid or what. "
— Jocelyn, 12/23/2013 -
" A forensic scientist is found bludgeoned to death at the laboratory in a mansion in East Anglia. Dalgleish and his assistant fly out to investigate. This is a very exciting audio book, with excellent acting by the reader. "
— Lorraine, 12/23/2013 -
" I am currently rereading P.D. James. The writing in her books is excellent, the plots are intricate. Her books are dark in atmosphere, but the violence is not too graphic.An excellent series for anyone who loves a well written mystery with moral nuance and plenty of British atmosphere! "
— Patricia, 12/17/2013 -
" Not as spectacular of some of the others but worthwhile "
— Dave, 12/15/2013 -
" A great whodunit... "
— Suzanne, 12/13/2013 -
" Did not enjoy it as much as other PD James books. However, it has some interesting characters, like the Director of the lab and his sister. And the denouement is interesting too. "
— Pragyam, 12/10/2013 -
" If you like mysteries that aren't the old-school whodunit variety or gumshoe, Sam Spade stuff, but more modern detective novels, I recommend any of P.D. James' Adam Dalgliesh mysteries. They're dark and brooding, very updated Victorian. "
— Lisa, 12/9/2013 -
" A well crafted whodunnit and entertaining read. "
— Sue, 12/9/2013 -
" This was a good PD James book..not her best, but although I read it almost half a year ago, I can remember it well. With how much I read, that is a sign of a good read. "
— Naomi, 11/22/2013 -
" Not one of her best works, but still recommended if you enjoy P.D. James. "
— David, 11/19/2013 -
" I can't wait to re-read this one "
— Whitney, 11/17/2013 -
" It was interesting to read about forensic science in the late 1970's and consider the advancements that have been made. The story line was also very intriguing and kept me guessing. "
— Kel, 11/16/2013 -
" Good characters & storyline. "
— Annette, 11/5/2013 -
" Saw the video a while ago. The book is even better than the video. "
— Ange, 11/2/2013 -
" This was the first P D James I've read and I thought it was a good British (murder) mystery. She does continually give the characters reasons to have committed the murder so you never get to really rule anyone out.. little annoying. I will read another one to see how similar her stories are. "
— Carlin, 8/24/2013 -
" This was the first P D James I've read and I thought it was a good British (murder) mystery. She does continually give the characters reasons to have committed the murder so you never get to really rule anyone out.. little annoying. I will read another one to see how similar her stories are. "
— Carlin, 7/27/2013 -
" This was a slower read than usual, an awful lot of characters to keep track of, but P.D. James is always an intriguing story teller. So I am glad I plodded thru. "
— Robynn, 7/19/2013 -
" Tried and tried to finish this one but just wasn't interested. "
— Stacie, 4/10/2013 -
" I now know whodunnit. "
— Bex, 2/15/2013 -
" Well and interestingly written. There are some very nice moments in this book. "
— Brynna, 12/26/2012 -
" Another classic from P.D. James, somewhat interrupted by my reading it in the midst of delirious sickness and exhaustion. But it's good! "
— Jens, 12/13/2012 -
" A wonderfully complicated murder, this was, with our determined, methodical and intriguing Commander Dalgliesh on the trail of the killer. There were many side stories, and some were quite sad, with glimpses into the lives of bystanders, both guilty and not. "
— Nancy, 11/14/2012 -
" Didn't enjoy this one as much as others. Still a good read, though. "
— Judi, 10/25/2012 -
" A creepy and relatively juicy Adam Dalgliesh mystery, with murder taking place in an East Anglia forensics lab. My favorite so far. "
— K, 10/17/2012 -
" If you like mysteries that aren't the old-school whodunit variety or gumshoe, Sam Spade stuff, but more modern detective novels, I recommend any of P.D. James' Adam Dalgliesh mysteries. They're dark and brooding, very updated Victorian. "
— Lisa, 10/9/2012 -
" Tried and tried to finish this one but just wasn't interested. "
— Stacie, 9/24/2012 -
" Not the best Adam Dalgliesh mystery but an entertaining read nonetheless. "
— Sarah, 9/18/2012 -
" Not too sure how they came to that conclusion but enjoyed the read "
— Marianne, 7/24/2012 -
" P.D. James - always well-written, always enjoyable. "
— Abigail, 7/7/2012 -
" Found this on a shelf in our house. A much faster read than Midnight's children that's for sure. Finished. It was good. I enjoyed it. Creepy and suspensful, but not scary. "
— Holly, 4/1/2012 -
" Another wonderful mystery. "
— Ree, 12/31/2011 -
" I have a soft spot for this one, since it was the first PD James that I read. It is pretty much a perfect book. "
— Nancy, 12/6/2011 -
" Didn't remember much of this one. Certainly not one of her best. Book club members who hadn't read her did NOT become fans. "
— Janet, 9/29/2011 -
" It was ok. Somewhat interesting but pretty two dimensional. "
— Debbie, 9/3/2011 -
" Didn't enjoy this one as much as others. Still a good read, though. "
— Judi, 7/12/2011 -
" An exceptionally well-written novel. I couldn't put it down, and was completely surprised by the ending. A very good read. "
— Sarah, 5/22/2011 -
" I love P.D. James, love her writing, and really enjoyed this book. However, the ending seemed a bit implausible and rushed. "
— Margie, 3/22/2011 -
" I love P.D. James, love her writing, and really enjoyed this book. However, the ending seemed a bit implausible and rushed. "
— Margie, 3/22/2011 -
" Another one of her Adam Dalgliesh mysteries and I thoroughly enjoyed it reading till end. "
— Saugat, 3/4/2011 -
" Another one of her Adam Dalgliesh mysteries and I thoroughly enjoyed it reading till end. "
— Saugat, 3/4/2011 -
" Another vintage mystery by James. If you have a liking for Dalgliesh, you will want to read them all. "
— Elaine, 2/1/2011 -
" Another vintage mystery by James. If you have a liking for Dalgliesh, you will want to read them all. "
— Elaine, 2/1/2011 -
" Another classic from P.D. James, somewhat interrupted by my reading it in the midst of delirious sickness and exhaustion. But it's good! "
— Jens, 1/16/2011 -
" Another classic from P.D. James, somewhat interrupted by my reading it in the midst of delirious sickness and exhaustion. But it's good! "
— Jens, 1/16/2011 -
" After listening to P.D. James, I always feel I should lower all the starts on my other audio books... She's a great writer who happens to write mysteries. Great audio book! "
— Barbara, 11/12/2010 -
" After listening to P.D. James, I always feel I should lower all the starts on my other audio books... She's a great writer who happens to write mysteries. Great audio book! "
— Barbara, 11/12/2010 -
" I actually tried to solve this mystery, and I was way off (not a huge surprise). I liked this one because I was surprised by the ending and I thought it moved at a good clip for one of her mysteries (she can give a lot of build up sometimes). A fun read with some deeper themes. "
— Bernice, 9/20/2010 -
" I actually tried to solve this mystery, and I was way off (not a huge surprise). I liked this one because I was surprised by the ending and I thought it moved at a good clip for one of her mysteries (she can give a lot of build up sometimes). A fun read with some deeper themes. "
— Bernice, 9/20/2010 -
" A forensic scientist is found bludgeoned to death at the laboratory in a mansion in East Anglia. Dalgleish and his assistant fly out to investigate. This is a very exciting audio book, with excellent acting by the reader. "
— Lorraine, 7/8/2010 -
" A forensic scientist is found bludgeoned to death at the laboratory in a mansion in East Anglia. Dalgleish and his assistant fly out to investigate. This is a very exciting audio book, with excellent acting by the reader. "
— Lorraine, 7/8/2010 -
" This was a good PD James book..not her best, but although I read it almost half a year ago, I can remember it well. With how much I read, that is a sign of a good read. "
— Naomi, 7/3/2010 -
" This was a good PD James book..not her best, but although I read it almost half a year ago, I can remember it well. With how much I read, that is a sign of a good read. "
— Naomi, 7/3/2010 -
" I'm going through some of the Dalgliesh backstock that I'd missed. This was just what you expect from Dame P.D.: an esoteric setting, a satisfying resolution, and characters who seem to have sprung straight from the 1930s into the 90s. "
— Rebecca, 5/19/2010 -
" I'm going through some of the Dalgliesh backstock that I'd missed. This was just what you expect from Dame P.D.: an esoteric setting, a satisfying resolution, and characters who seem to have sprung straight from the 1930s into the 90s. "
— Rebecca, 5/19/2010 -
" As smoothly convoluted a plot; & as deftly created characters, as this reader could desire. The lady can write delightful mysteries! "
— Phil, 5/1/2010 -
" As smoothly convoluted a plot; & as deftly created characters, as this reader could desire. The lady can write delightful mysteries! "
— Phil, 5/1/2010 -
" Not one of her best works, but still recommended if you enjoy P.D. James. "
— David, 3/28/2010
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.