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Unnatural Causes Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,997 listener ratings
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Award-winning author P.D. James third mystery in her bestselling series featuring Scotland Yard investigator Adam Dalgliesh is now available on CD! Maurice Seton was a famous mystery writer–but no murder from his imagination could equal the ghastliness of his own death. When his grotesquely mutilated corpse is found in a drifting dinghy, ripples of horror spread among his bizarre neighbors: the cruel and cynical drama critic, the celebrated recluse, and the rakish young heir. It is up to Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh and his extraordinary aunt to discover the shocking truth about Seton's past–before the plot takes another murderous turn. “P.D. James scores with understated humor, stately yet unpretentious prose, psychological insights…plus, above all, fundamental warmth and wisdom in every line she writes."–Kirkus Reviews
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"This is my fourth P.D. James novel, and third in the Adam Dalgliesh series. I've enjoyed all of the books so far, but up until now, none had surpassed the first James novel I'd read, "An Unsuitable Job for a Woman," which is the first of the two Cordelia Gray novels. I decided to start at the beginning, though, and while I found the first Dalgleish novel enjoyable, Dalgleish himself was still very much a cipher, with one or two intriguing hint dropped about his past. The second novel was a bit more revealing, but in this third novel, Dalgleish is fully formed, complex, and for the most part sympathetic (he has some really unappealing qualities too, which add to the character's complexity). I think it helps that as readers we get to see Dalgleish off the job for a bit, as he anticipates a much-earned holiday with his aunt, Jane Dalgleish, an interesting and complex character in her own right. In this novel Dalgliesh is at his most human thus far, and I look forward to seeing the character further develop as I read the rest of the series. The mystery in this novel is compelling, but even more enjoyable for me was seeing the way the community responded to the murder,and the relationships and hostilities that existed amongst long-time neighbors. Best of all for me were the literary pretensions and disputes that seemed to flourish in the small community of novelists and critics that makes up a large part of the list of suspects. James is engaging in some satire here, and it's fun to read. I highly suggest reading this series, and to keep going even if you're not blown over by the first book. I had a hard time putting down "Unnatural Causes," and I'm glad that there are still eleven more books for me to enjoy in this very enjoyable series."
— Melissa (5 out of 5 stars)
Unnatural Causes Listener Reviews
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" the first p.d. james book i read was i think her newest one, "the private patient." and it was so good. SO good. so much better than any other mystery i've ever read. and i've read a few more of hers & loved them... i love that each book she has a totally new cast of suspects but they're all such full characters by the time you get to the end. anyway this one disappointed me, it's one of the earlier ones and i don't think the cast is as interesting and the end felt like SUCH a cheat. but i am glad i read it because it is a good reminder that most people don't start out being good at things but they get better at things over time and that even into her 80s she can still be improving on her work. so... i guess given that i'm almost out of my 20s that's reassuring, like, it's not too late to become good at things. "
— Katie, 2/20/2014 -
" My 4th PD James. Still loving her. "
— Annie, 2/17/2014 -
" Number 4 in the Adam Dalgleish series. I am reading them all. Really interesting character developement. And the end who did it was crazy! "
— Kristine, 2/16/2014 -
" Interesting plot, and great characters. A little long winded in places, but good. "
— Jan, 2/15/2014 -
" The first book I read by PD James. The mystery was so so, but there were some great characters. "
— Virginia, 2/15/2014 -
" Early PD James, enjoyable but not near to her best. "
— Phil, 2/12/2014 -
" I'd give this book four stars for its writing but I really disliked one thing about it. The entire mystery is summed up in the final few pages, by a confession, no less, and there aren't any clues before that. It's almost as if anyone could have "dunnit." Her later work is much more graceful and enticing, what I've read of it. This is from 1967. "
— Ann, 2/8/2014 -
" Picked up at a used book store, so far a good read. The story really kept my attention and will try and find some more of this series. "
— 2bnallegory, 2/5/2014 -
" As a general rule, I love nearly anything by P.D. James. She is my favorite mystery author, but this is definitely not her best work. It is still enjoyable but it is not as well-developed and intricate as her other books. There's less intricate character development as her later works, but I did indeed like it enough to say it's a fun read if you're looking for escapist literature. "
— Michael, 2/3/2014 -
" This was interesting from the point of view of the character development of Adam Dagliesh, but I did not enjoy the structure as much as her newer books. "
— Charlotte, 1/31/2014 -
" I think I'm the newest fan of P.D. James. I like her simple, straight-forward style and how her books are plot-driven (a must for a mystery in my opinion). I like that this one was clean with a little British lingo thrown in. Sorry to all of you non-mystery fans who will be reading my reviews of her books in the months to come and thank you to those who recommended her! "
— Bethany, 1/20/2014 -
" Dalgliesh is supposed to be on vacation when a crime breaks up his leisurely interlude. A mystery writer is found at the bottom of a dinghy, dead and with both hands chopped off. "
— Rae, 1/19/2014 -
" PD James is a solid mystery writer, a little more modern than Agatha Christie. She seems to have one annoying ongoing tic of having the murderer make a full confession with all the details by letter at the end of the book, but it's still a good read. "
— Alice, 1/19/2014 -
" Good even the second time around. "
— Sheila, 1/9/2014 -
" This was a good one. I really had no idea whodunnit until the very end. "
— Darla, 1/4/2014 -
" Not her best - but it was enjoyable and quick read - excellent for a day at the beach. Seemed like she was trying to be Agatha Christie - and that's not her strenth "
— Sarah, 12/26/2013 -
" If your are a P.D. James fan, you'll enjoy this. I found the "murderer's confession" at the end a tad tedious, but other than that it was good. "
— Elizabeth, 12/23/2013 -
" I really like P.D. James mysteries. Adam Dalgleish is the detective and the books are well-written. "
— Susan, 12/4/2013 -
" New feature of retirement - reading mysteries! Not my genre but P D James very well written. See also PBS. this one cleverly takes place within a community of mystery writers. "
— Rob, 11/23/2013 -
" I like PD James but this wasn't her best effort. The entire last chapter was the murderer's confession and explanation that he/she had inexplicably recorded. What a cop out. "
— Aimee, 11/23/2013 -
" It is sad to say that I thought this was one of the weaker Adam Dalgliesh stories. I found the book to be slow in far too many spots. It was a decent read, but far from being one of the better books in the series. "
— Michael, 11/4/2013 -
" Adam Dalgliesh mystery. Mystery writer is found at bottom of dingy with both hands removed from body. "
— Carol, 10/31/2013 -
" Loved, Loved, Loved this book..probably my favorite PD James book in the series,even now that I am further along in it. Just good readin' "
— Naomi, 10/5/2013 -
" Brent and I listened to this on our trip to Salt Lake. P.D. James is an incredible mystery writer. "
— Sharman, 7/26/2013 -
" Pretty good mystery up until the end. The method of revealing the killer was too pat (confession tape conveniently shows up after the killer was accidentally killed) "
— Karen, 7/15/2013 -
" Self-referential and delightful. "
— Jess, 6/27/2013 -
" Of course Adam's vacation is ruined by a murder. Well done. I did have trouble with the names because I was listening rather than reading. "
— Margaret, 5/13/2013 -
" I really like PD James . Very good writing and good characters. This one was a bit plodding and I think that prefer James' non-Dalgleish books. "
— Remy, 2/28/2013 -
" better than the first two "
— Troy, 1/16/2013 -
" better than the first two "
— Troy, 1/7/2013 -
" A satisfying Adam Dalgliesh Mystery. Plenty of unlikable characters who had reason to kill someone who kind of deserved it. The hints are fairly laid out as to how a mysterious death was accomplished. "
— Nancy, 7/6/2012 -
" rather gory.... "
— Renee, 6/14/2012 -
" Needed a return to Dalgliesh. Definitely a key piece in understanding him. "
— Shawna, 5/25/2012 -
" What a twist! I thought I had it figured out-then, surprise! I love her books! "
— Christine, 12/29/2011 -
" Not my favorite PD James but still quite good! "
— Meghan, 12/15/2011 -
" Another winner by P.D. James. She never disappoints me. "
— Judi, 10/20/2011 -
" It is sad to say that I thought this was one of the weaker Adam Dalgliesh stories. I found the book to be slow in far too many spots. It was a decent read, but far from being one of the better books in the series. "
— Michael, 9/27/2011 -
" Her detective books are my absolute favourites. What more can I say? "
— Caelin, 6/11/2011 -
" This was one of the most intriguing mysteries I've read in a while. It's great when you can't guess who did it, how it was done, or even how the victim died! "
— Karen, 5/25/2011 -
" Delicious mystery. Set in a tiny community of literary types by the sea in England, lots of animosity, jealousy, and secrets. Just creepy enough. Third Adam Dalgleish mystery, and you can see the development of that character in this one--complex, brooding, ambivalent toward his calling. "
— Debbie, 4/26/2011 -
" Adam Dalgliesh mystery. Mystery writer is found at bottom of dingy with both hands removed from body. "
— Carol, 2/28/2011 -
" Adam Dalgliesh mystery. Mystery writer is found at bottom of dingy with both hands removed from body. "
— Carol, 2/28/2011 -
" Brent and I listened to this on our trip to Salt Lake. P.D. James is an incredible mystery writer. "
— Sharman, 11/2/2010 -
" Brent and I listened to this on our trip to Salt Lake. P.D. James is an incredible mystery writer. "
— Sharman, 11/2/2010 -
" This had an interesting end...a confession on tape that explained how everything was accomplished and tied up all loose ends. "
— Jennifer, 7/28/2010 -
" This had an interesting end...a confession on tape that explained how everything was accomplished and tied up all loose ends. "
— Jennifer, 7/28/2010 -
" Loved, Loved, Loved this book..probably my favorite PD James book in the series,even now that I am further along in it. Just good readin' "
— Naomi, 7/3/2010 -
" Loved, Loved, Loved this book..probably my favorite PD James book in the series,even now that I am further along in it. Just good readin' "
— Naomi, 7/3/2010 -
" Well written, but not very well explained how Dalgliesh concluded of the murderer's identity, mode of murder. And I'm still not clear why Seton was murdered, even after a lengthy taped confession. "
— Sergey, 3/20/2010 -
" Well written, but not very well explained how Dalgliesh concluded of the murderer's identity, mode of murder. And I'm still not clear why Seton was murdered, even after a lengthy taped confession. "
— Sergey, 3/20/2010 -
" better than the first two "
— Troy, 3/16/2010 -
" better than the first two "
— Troy, 3/16/2010 -
" Needed a return to Dalgliesh. Definitely a key piece in understanding him. "
— Shawna, 3/9/2010 -
" Needed a return to Dalgliesh. Definitely a key piece in understanding him. "
— Shawna, 3/9/2010
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.