Talking about Detective Fiction
P.D. James Audio Book

The Queen of Crime, aka PD James, is one of the most prolific and important crime novelists of the 20^th and 21^st Centuries. Her most famous creation, Inspector Adam Dalgliesh has been used as a stencil for subsequent authors, defining the character of the man who just happens to be a policeman. In this audiobook for MP3, James talks candidly and with incredible self deprecation about her career as one of the UK’s most prominent crime-writers.

What is most obvious in this audiobook for CD is James’ passion for her genre. She believes that detective fiction has become marginalised by the literati, yet deserves as much attention as any other form of writing. Indeed, as you listen to Diane Bishop reading James’ self-effacing words, it’s hard to argue; James traces the origins of detective fiction from the 19^th Century, through its adolescence in the works of Arthur Conan Doyle and GK Chesterton, right through to its maturity, exemplified by Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler.

What this audiobook isn’t is a lecture. Rather, it’s an enlightening and often funny journey through the history of crime novels, interspersed with James’ views, opinions and experiences. Diana Bishop’s clear and touching narration makes this a must for fans of the one and only Queen of Crime.