Helpful Score: 2
Philippa was adopted when she was 8 years old and, due to a trauma, does not remember anything about her biological parents. As soon as she turns 18, she requests this information, and learns that her mother is a convicted killer and due to be released in a few weeks' time. She decides she wants to spend some time with her mother to find out more about herself, and rents an apartment for them to live together for a while. Things get interesting when we learn that the father of the murder victim has been waiting patiently for Philippa's mother's release, because he wants to avenge his daughter's death.
I love the way P.D. James ratches up the tension almost imperceptibly; and even though the main characters are almost all loathsome (great characterizations!) I had to finish this book in one weekend. This one is not the typical who-done-it. As usual, James does not "talk down" to the reader, but in addition to a great story, gives him something to think about. Great book!
I love the way P.D. James ratches up the tension almost imperceptibly; and even though the main characters are almost all loathsome (great characterizations!) I had to finish this book in one weekend. This one is not the typical who-done-it. As usual, James does not "talk down" to the reader, but in addition to a great story, gives him something to think about. Great book!
Helpful Score: 1
An interesting & a bit different kind of book about an adopted young headstrong woman who seeks her birth parents & finds quite a bit more than she expected. I can't say I really liked the book, but it was an interesting & different read.
Helpful Score: 1
An absorbing chilling story, told so well, as only P.D. James could do it.
it's an old book but it was pretty good
P.D.James at her best.
You can't beat PD James for psychological analysis. This one's about the reunion of a young woman and her biological mother.
A rather hard-hitting psychological drama about several unusual characters in unusual situations. The twists near the end convey brutal and unexpected truths about the characters. Overall a difficult yet compelling read. You won't come away feeling good about the human condition...
Since she was adopted at the age of 8, Philippa wondered about her birth parents. She imagined they were an aristrocat and a parlour maid. What a surprise when she found out who they really were!
Loved it - PD James is great.
A mystery about Philippa Palfrey who was adopted into a privileged family and is shocked to find the terrifying truth about her parents and a long-ago murder.
a great english murder mystery with a twist
didn't read it--flipped through the pages and not much dialogue so looked more like just descriptions.
Adopted as a child, Philippa Palfrey had the best of everything. But at eighteen, she wanted more: the identity of her real parents. Having always fantasized that she was the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat and a parlor maid, she wasn't prepared for the shocking truth. And she was even less equipped to meet her mother... and rekindle ties that would trigger an event more terrifying than either of them could have imagined... (publisher's synopsis)
From the book back:
Adopted as a child, Philippa Palfrey had a best of everything. But at eighteen, she wanted more: the identity of her real parents. Having always fantisized that she was the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat and a parlor maid, she wasn't prepared for the shocking truth. And she was even less equipped to meet her mother...and rekindle ties that would trigger event more terrifying than either of them could have imagined...
"P. D. James has burst the bounds of her territory...and written a novel that is subtle, rich, allusive...most cunningly plotted...we are held in a tingling suspense."
--New York Times
Adopted as a child, Philippa Palfrey had a best of everything. But at eighteen, she wanted more: the identity of her real parents. Having always fantisized that she was the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat and a parlor maid, she wasn't prepared for the shocking truth. And she was even less equipped to meet her mother...and rekindle ties that would trigger event more terrifying than either of them could have imagined...
"P. D. James has burst the bounds of her territory...and written a novel that is subtle, rich, allusive...most cunningly plotted...we are held in a tingling suspense."
--New York Times
Adopted as a child, Philippa Palfrey had the best of everything. But at 18, she wanted more: the identity of her real parents. Having always fantasized that she was the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat and a parlor maid, she wasn't prepared for the shocking truth. And she was even less equipped to meet her mother and rekindle ties that would trigger an event more terrifying than either of them could have imagined.
My book has a different cover than the one shown on PBS. "Adopted as a child, Philippa Palfrey had the best of everything. But at eighteen she wanted more; the identity of her real parents. Having always fantasized that she was the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat and a parlor maid, she wasn't prepared for the shocking truth. And she was even less equipped to meet her mother..and rekindle ties that would trigger an event more terrifying than either of them could have imagined." A cunningly plotted story..P.D. James remains the best there is.
