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The Lighthouse

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About this listen

Combe Island off the Cornish coast has a bloodstained history of piracy and cruelty but now, privately owned, it offers respite to over-stressed men and women in positions of high authority who require privacy and guaranteed security. But the peace of Combe is violated when one of the distinguished visitors is bizarrely murdered.

Adam Dalgliesh is called in to solve the mystery quickly and discreetly, but at a difficult time for him and his depleted team. Dalgliesh is uncertain about his future with Emma Lavenham, the woman he loves, Detective Inspector Kate Miskin has her own emotional problems and the ambitious Anglo-Indian Sergeant Francis Benton-Smith is worried about working under Kate. Hardly have the team begun to unravel the complicated motives of the suspects that there is a second brutal killing and the whole investigation is jeopardised when Dalgliesh is faced with a danger more insidious and as potentially fatal as murder.

This eagerly awaited successor to The Murder Room displays the qualities which aficionados have come to expect of P D James: sensitive characterisation, an exciting and superbly structured plot and vivid evocation of place.

The Lighthouse is a subtle and powerful work of contemporary fiction.

©2015 Faber & Faber (P)2015 Faber & Faber Crime Fiction Mystery Crime Fiction Murder Suspense

Critic reviews

"P. D. James at her finest." ( Daily Mail)
"P. D. James on top form and you will love it." ( Spectator)
"Formidable, classy whodunit...superlative scene-setting...expert, adroit and entertaining." ( Literary Review)
"Tightly structured and well-plotted and has enough twists, turns and false leaps to keep one gripped throughout." ( Mail on Sunday)
"James's people, places and plots are as artful as ever...long may she reign." ( Guardian)
All stars
Most relevant
Loved the location of Combe Island n it's many interesting characters. I didn't guess the murderer and was surprised. Love the narrator and his many voices. Very enjoyable :)

Another gripping story from PD

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A real sense of place and tension. Would strongly recommend it if you enjoy a good all round story.

Great story. Perfect narration

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I have always loved PD James books. However the audible version did not sit so well with me. Her plots are rich & her characters are many & full. It was more difficult to keep up with who was who. I found the narration while on the whole good, it was also very irritating with his melodramatic rendering in parts. I nearly gave up in the beginning as it was so over the top. I glad he settled down.
Thanks PD James

Ok

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I find PD James to always be a great read but I found the narration to be superb! My attention often wanes with long books but Daniel Weyman kept my consistent engagement. I will search out other work read by him.

fabulous narration

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Another of PD James’ intricately woven mysteries set on an island with a range of well drawn characters, each one playing their part as the denouement comes in a thrilling account of detection and bravery of the two officers in Adam Dalgleish’s small team. He is absent throughout much of the narrative isolated and in the grip of SARS as his team come into their own. There is justice and redemption finally.

Thrilling tale, beautifully told

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