Reviews

Shroud for a Nightingale by P.D. James

chaifanatic18's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

sandranir's review against another edition

3.0

P.D James has a very distinctive writing style and I've always looked forward to reading her books.

Her series featuring Adam Dalgliesh, a Scotland Yard detective, has been engrossing. So imagine my disappointment with this fourth book. Despite a promising introduction, I quickly lost interest. Although it can almost be considered a historical mystery with its outdated setting, that wasn't the problem. I just didn't manage to immerse myself in the story and it's simply because I hate quiting a book that I managed to read it to the end.

mborer23's review against another edition

4.0

When two student nurses are murdered in a small nursing school, it's up to Scotland Yard Chief Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh to find out why they were killed, and who did it. Were these girls randomly selected, or was there something more sinister behind their deaths?

This was my first introduction to the works of P.D. James, and I look forward to reading more!

zoer03's review against another edition

5.0

I just love the antagonism between dalgliesh and his sergeant it's believable and incredibly human. Also it's one that makes you think not just about the murder but the after effects of the war on jobs such as nursing and its profession but also about the people that were caught up in Germany and were able to escape afterwards to live out a better life. Sorry no spoilers as such but this is what I love about Jame's writing style it's descriptive, evocative and full of dry wit. Love it

lilibuus's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

aimee_percival's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

hbcbray's review

3.0

The unpleasant Masterson and the trope-ful solution really sank this one for me.

The more I think of it, the more I think the author really doesn't like her characters, or people generally.

tarshka's review

mysterious medium-paced

3.0

The story was alright but I didn't find the characters particularly interesting, and I don't care for the detective. It's kind of the same character type as Ngaio Marsh's Roderick Alleyn and I didn't care for him either. I did listen to all her books though, so maybe if my library has more, I'll try another Dalgliesh.

kimminy's review

relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

pam_simpson06's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Suicide and Fire/Fire injury