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A review by jennylimmy
The Murder Room by P.D. James
3.0
I’ve often wondered how an “old fashioned” crime writer would translate to the modern day. The answer: not particularly well. This book felt like a complicated, otherwise mostly-fun crime story being told by a fusty grandmother who wanted to work in “modern twists” (e.g. the pretty silly 96).
I don’t look to murder mysteries for sharp social commentary, which is why I didn’t understand why so many characters felt it necessary to comment skeptically on diversity, or question why solving a single murder is significant given that society could be thrown into turmoil by an act of terrorism. Surely the police of all people would recognize that violent serial murder is a major societal downer.
Will I continue to read every book in the series? Yes. But I will be surprised if any books surpass the earlier peak (#7: A Taste for Death). And like most of the characters, I’ll miss the good old days.
I don’t look to murder mysteries for sharp social commentary, which is why I didn’t understand why so many characters felt it necessary to comment skeptically on diversity, or question why solving a single murder is significant given that society could be thrown into turmoil by an act of terrorism. Surely the police of all people would recognize that violent serial murder is a major societal downer.
Will I continue to read every book in the series? Yes. But I will be surprised if any books surpass the earlier peak (#7: A Taste for Death). And like most of the characters, I’ll miss the good old days.