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P. D. James
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Cover Her Face (Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries, No. 1) Paperback – May 8, 2001

by P.D. James (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 6,830 ratings
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The first in the series of scintillating mysteries to feature cunning Scotland Yard detective, Adam Dalgliesh from P.D. James, the bestselling author hailed by People magazine as “the greatest living mystery writer.”

Sally Jupp was a sly and sensuous young woman who used her body and her brains to make her way up the social ladder. Now she lies across her bed with dark bruises from a strangler’s fingers forever marring her lily-white throat. Someone has decided that the wages of sin should be death...and it is up to Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh to find who that someone is.

Cover Her Face is P.D. James’ delightful debut novel, an ingeniously plotted mystery that immediately placed her among the masters of suspense.
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 14
    Inspector Adam Dalgliesh
  2. Print length
    256 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Scribner
  5. Publication date
    May 8, 2001
  6. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.5 x 8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    B000X1IW2E
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0743219570
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“One of the finest, most absorbing craftsmen of the profession.” ― The Washington Post

“One of the most chilling crime writers around.” ― Observer

"The greatest contemporary writer of classic crime." ― The Sunday Times (London)

“A classic story of English rural murder.” ― The Times (UK)

About the Author

P. D. James (1920–2014) was born in Oxford in 1920. She worked in the National Health Serviceand the Home Office From 1949 to 1968, in both the Police Department and Criminal Policy Department. All that experience was used in her novels. She won awards for crime writing in Britain, America, Italy, and Scandinavia, including the Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster Award and the National Arts Club Medal of Honour for Literature. She received honorary degrees from seven British universities, was awarded an OBE in 1983 and was created a life peer in 1991.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0743219570
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner; Edition Unstated (May 8, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ B000X1IW2E
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0743219570
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.5 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 6,830 ratings

About the author

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P. D. James

P. D. James

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P. D. James is the author of twenty previous books, most of which have been filmed and broadcast on television in the United States and other countries. She spent thirty years in various departments of the British Civil Service, including the Police and Criminal Law Departments of Great Britain's 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 created Baroness James of Holland Park in 1991 and was inducted into the International Crime Writing Hall of Fame in 2008. She lives in London and Oxford.

Photo credit Ulla Montan

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
6,830 global ratings
CHEAP CONSTRUCTION
1 Star
CHEAP CONSTRUCTION
I bought (5) P.D. James books as a gift. The construction was of mass market quality - (although I did not select that option) - lower grade, greyish paper and a swath of pages were not cut.I carefully slit them open.The prices on these books are high enough to warrant a normal quality book. I am returning.
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Top reviews from the United States

Veronica
5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing whodunnit!
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2023
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Dark secrets emerge when a young woman is murdered at the Maxie's family estate, Martingale. Suspects and motives are plentiful as DCI Adam Dalgliesh arrives at the scene to begin his investigation.

The victim caused a scandal being an unmarried mother and was prone to stir up trouble. Revenge was on the minds of jilted lovers, a betrayed mentor, and scorned family members. Will Dalgliesh sift through the clues in time before tragedy strikes again, or will the killer walk free?

Author James weaves a baffling whodunnit in the first book of the Adam Dalgliesh mysteries. This was a page turning read, with engaging characters and many twists and turns as the story unfolded. I can't wait to get to the next book---highly recommended for cozy mystery fans!
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F Tompkins
4.0 out of 5 stars very enjoyable
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2023
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I found the book and characters interesting and real though the book was written many years ago. Any one who enjoys Agatha Christie will enjoy this as well. I would recommend it to any lover of a good old fashioned mystery
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Russell J. Sanders
3.0 out of 5 stars Ponderous
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2023
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A prominent magazine once called P. D. James “the reigning mistress of murder.” The detective in her series of books, Adam Dalgleish, was featured in two TV series. Having seen the second of those two, I was curious to read his origins, so I sought out this first book in the series, Cover Her Face. I loved the TV series; the book—not so much. At a mere 250 pages, I should have sped through the novel. I found it slow and tedious, full of words, words, words. What do I mean? There was much more narrative than dialogue, and, to me, that narrative was ponderous. The murder doesn’t even occur until fifty pages in, so Dalgleish doesn’t appear until then. And even though he is prominent throughout the rest, I never felt like he was a developed character. Very little is known of his background, so we are left with a detective who interviews and listens, and then ultimately, gathers the suspects to spend fifty pages revealing “who dunnit.” Long before the reveal, I had figured out the assailant’s identity. I have to admit there were some clever twists, and that assailant’s motive was a surprise to me. But by then, I didn’t much care. Perhaps I’m not British enough to enjoy these novels, or perhaps, crime novels have evolved over the years and are much more exciting than this one.
2 people found this helpful
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LM
5.0 out of 5 stars Cover Her Face
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
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Detective Chief-Inspector Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard is another new literary character credited by P.D. James. He may be “new” to the reader, but he’s experienced and savvy! Dalgliesh is confronted with a mystery strangulation, family secrets, village gossip and more. Follow Adam Dalgliesh as he works his way to an unexpected conclusion. Who, why!?
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J. Brian Watkins
4.0 out of 5 stars The Butler Didn't Do It
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2006
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The supreme joy of reading is to discover a new author with the talent to not only to transport you to an undiscovered world but with the skill and imagination necessary to teach one new lessons about the real world and one's place in it. Having so discovered P.D. James' talent, I have commenced to read her work from start to finish.

Nothing betrays an author's intent and goals so much as the difference between the first novel and the latest novel. Some are trapped in themes and characters that never diverge from their initially successful iterations. Others reach a plateau; their masterpieces are regrettably followed by the mediocre results of the now-powerful author's ability to disregard the pleas of editors. Having recently read "A Certain Justice" I knew that I had to see where James began.

"Cover Her Face" is as British as anything I have read. A distrust of new ways, respect for tradition, a rewarding of virtues and punishment of vices. The mystery develops nicely with an immediate great house full of suspects. The characters are finely drawn, believable and the author has the confidence to leave the reader to follow the characters without providing every internal thought. To say more is to risk spoiling the mystery. Suffice it to say that this book lays a firm foundation for the good Inspector Dalgliesh and reaches a conclusion that as with all good mysteries does not betray itself untimely but which makes perfect sense in the end.
12 people found this helpful
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Jill Rose Catt
5.0 out of 5 stars a smart compassionate detective
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2023
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The detective in this book is smart, compassionate and decent. He finds the solution without swearing, slapping anyone or compromising his standards. The story is compelling and the characters are multi-dimensional. I think this will be a great series to follow.
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Mary Fagan
4.0 out of 5 stars Brit-Lit at Its Best
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2013
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AD #1, (that is, Adam Dalgliesh mystery #1) Cover Her Face, takes place in a Downton Abbey-ish English country house. Sally Jupp, a maid charitably hired from a home for unwed mothers, is a sly and sensuous young woman with a secret. But since she’s discovered early on dead in her bed with dark bruises marring her lily-white throat, we’re the rest of the book ferreting out said secret.

There are marvelous twists and turns and no shortage of suspects. Great drollery and deduction by AD, of course. Brit-lit at its best. But one thing puzzled me. AD #1 seems set in the aftermath of WWII, while AD #12 is well into the WiFi age. And AD hasn’t aged a bit. No matter. A good mystery is always worth the read.
3 people found this helpful
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Kumari
5.0 out of 5 stars Reading from the begining
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2020
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I discovered PD James as a 10 year old when the man at the bookstore suggested I might enjoy the then-newly published James novel "An Unsuitable Job for a Woman," and boy did I! Having a female sleuth was mind-blowing to me. I could really relate to the character. Unfortunately James waited almost a decade to put out a second book with that character. In the meantime I read here and there a Dalgliesh mystery by her, but I didn't take to him - and by the time I was 14 I wasn't reading her mysteries any more. . . Fast forward forty years, I found out there was a second Cordelia Grey mystery! Enjoyed it so much I decided to pick up PD James from the beginning and read her books in order.

This first book introduces her detective Adam Dalgliesh and having his backstory from the beginning I realize I like him more than I did as a 10 year old. Ok, he's no role model for a prepubescent girl, but he is an interesting character, a little tortured, a little dark. If you never read PD James this is the perfect book to start with.
31 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Marcus Vinicius Reis Bastos
5.0 out of 5 stars Talent's Development
Reviewed in Brazil on October 2, 2021
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In this first description of Adam Dalgliesh's works we see a detective whose knowledge and talents contribute to solve a difficult mystery. Inspector Adam Dalgliesh hard work saves the day. P. D. James' book, in order to describe a crime and the police's work to bring the murderer to justice, reveals the life of Mrs Maxie's family. Her prose is fluid. Excellent reading.
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B. M. Buxton
5.0 out of 5 stars Cover her Face
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2024
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Book club choice, - interesting read
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Jan Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars P. D. James one of the Top Authors1
Reviewed in Canada on February 7, 2021
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If you like a good, well-written mystery story, you will love this book by P. D. James. A top-notch British author.
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AP Sinha
5.0 out of 5 stars Great first book
Reviewed in India on May 17, 2022
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It has all the details, suspense, logic, of a Christie mystery. Classic ending, almost like Miss Marple. Would suggest it to all Agatha Christie fans.
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Isaram
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling
Reviewed in France on October 29, 2019
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Excellente lecture prévue pour les vacances de Noël en vue d une discussion début janvier avec l'"English speaking group"
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