A Taste for Death
P.D. James Audio Book

When two disparate men are found, their throats cut, in a London church, Inspector Adam Dalgliesh must try and find a connection between their murders. However, there is more to a good story than just a plot and this BBC Drama adaptation of one of PD James’ most popular books raises a good number of questions for the listener.

Despite his flaws, Dalgliesh is our moral compass for this MP3 audiobook, guiding us through the mystery and its themes with his usual sardonic reserve. Murders have ramifications that uncover the pretences that people use to convince the world that they are in control of their own lives. However, as the story deepens, we are left wondering if anyone is truly innocent and whether anything can be the same again, in the light of such a terrible crime. Dalgliesh’s philosophy is to see the world through the eyes of the Law and, while it may not be perfect, the Law is better than no Law at all.

Richard Derrington, a veteran of over 100 recordings for BBC Drama, heads the cast, ably assisted by Deborah McAndrew, perhaps best known for her role as Angie, in Coronation Street. The two ably fill their character’s shoes, but also manage to play the sub-text of self-preservation that dogs the people Dalgliesh encounters. This is a brilliantly-executed drama that leaves the listener questioning the integrity of human nature.