The Private Patient by P.D. James

1. - 464.) The Private Patient by P.D. James – Another closed setting in rural England. Mr. George Chandler-Powell has a clinic in the Manor, a large traditional home in Dorset. At the clinic he conducts cosmetic surgery on wealthy women. Rhoda Gradwyn, a 47 year old investigative journalist, with a terrible scar from her teenage years decides to have the scar removed at the clinic as she no longer needs it. Suspense is created in the opening sentence of the mystery which states she is to die in 3 weeks and 2 days. She is killed at the Manor and Adam Dagleish is called to investigate the murder. James stirs interest when we learn that Adam and Emma have become engaged. In Dorset Adam and his team are challenged by an equal opportunity murder. Any of the 9 present could have murdered Gradwyn. The setting is eerie in that there is ring of pre-historic stones next to the Manor at which a woman was burned 400 years ago. As they probe the stories of the residents and their histories potential grudges against Gradwyn are discovered. The ending is more satisfying than recent Dagleish stories. The solution is plausible and not created by unknown facts. There is a touch of ambiguity that is unusual in a mystery. At 88 James continues to write beautifully. Her mysteries are works of art. Hardcover. (Jan. 1/09)