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  • Death in Holy Orders

  • By: P. D. James
  • Narrated by: Daniel Weyman
  • Length: 13 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (493 ratings)

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Death in Holy Orders cover art

Death in Holy Orders

By: P. D. James
Narrated by: Daniel Weyman
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Summary

When the body of a theology student is found on a desolate stretch of coast in East Anglia, his wealthy father demands that Scotland Yard should re-examine the verdict of accidental death. Commander Adam Dalgliesh agrees to pay a visit to the young man's theological college, St Anselm's, a place he knew as a boy, expecting no more than a nostalgic return to old haunts and a straightforward examination of the evidence. Instead he finds himself embroiled in intrigue, secrets and mystery as the college is torn apart by a sacrilegious and horrifying murder . . . Award-winning P.D. James (author of Death Comes to Pemberley and Children of Men) masterfully explores an isolated and beleaguered community coping with the evil and disruption of murder. In 2003, this novel was adapted for BBC television and starred Martin Shaw, Hugh Fraser and Robert Hardy. Set on the wild coast of East Anglia, this number one bestseller is the fourteenth Adam Dalgliesh novel and a thrilling work of crime fiction possessing all of the qualities which distinguish P. D. James as a novelist.

©2014 Faber & Faber (P)2014 Faber & Faber

What listeners say about Death in Holy Orders

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  • Overall
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Pronunciation of Compline

The audible book was ruined for me by the mispronunciation of ‘compline’. I can’t believe this wasn’t picked up as the word appears so many times in the book. I got to the stage of almost waiting for the next time the word appeared. It may be one small point, that may not bother any other listeners, but we’re I not invested in the story and learning of the outcome, I should have abandoned my listening. It’s not hard to find out how to pronounce words - especially those that appear numerous times in a book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Returned to it several times

An excellent book that has very many twists and turns . A great book for listening to on a flight as it passes time very fast . It’s complex with so many various characters it takes slit if listening too to take on each characters role .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the better Dalgleish stories

A good old fashioned Dalgleish story with a mystery you wanted AD to solve!

I really enjoyed this story and unlike some of the previous novels, it didn’t feel like it had too much backstory or unrelated bits to pad it out and re-centres on Dalgleish.

I felt this story also returned to the essence of what not only a Dalgleish story should be but a modern whodunnit - crime solving with the main detective and a good antagonist. It have a bit more insight into Dalgleish, and unlike the usual pattern you didn’t have to wait to the end to find out who did it, rather wait to the end to see if he would be caught.

Made me want to listen to the next one so that’s exactly what I shall do!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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death in holy orders.

this is the first PD James I have read I found it very interesting bit slow to get going I did enjoy it and will read other looks Inthe future.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Clever, gripping, very well read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. PDJames' novels work well as audio books. Clearly articulated here. I look forward to the next one. Not all readers are as easy to listen to.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Not her best

I love P.D. James but found this story was rather dragged out with irritating characters annoying me at every turn. An unbelievable number of corpses in such a small Christian community put Midsomer Murders to shame.

Lacks the psychological insight and subtlety she usually employs in her books, so a bit disappointing for this fan.

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2 people found this helpful

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Un put down able

This was an exciting book. The story never dragged. There were lots of interesting characters, and the conclusion was unexpected. Good read!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Intriguing and absorbing.

Excellent storyline full of diverse characters. Both intriguing and absorbing and the narration was superb.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Excellent atmospheric thriller

An excellent story which is very well narrated by Daniel Weyman. Great atmosphere created which transports you to a bleak coastal Suffolk. Strongly recommended.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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really enjoyable

This is the first PD James book I've listened to. it was a little slow to start but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely recommend.

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