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The Skull Beneath the Skin

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The Skull Beneath the Skin

By: P. D. James
Narrated by: Katie Scarfe
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About this listen

From P.D. James, one of the masters of British crime fiction comes the second novel to feature the famous female detective Cordelia Gray of the Pryde Detective Agency. Set on the sinister Courcy Island, An Unsuitable Job for a Woman is a thrilling murder mystery.

Clarissa Lisle hopes to make a spectacular comeback in a production of The Duchess of Malfi, to be played in Ambrose Gorringe's sinister castle at Courcy Island. Cordelia is there to ensure her safety following the appearance of a number of poison-pen letters. But it soon becomes clear that all are in danger. Trapped within the walls of the Gothic castle, the treacherous past of the island re-emerges, and everyone seems to have a motive for sending Clarissa 'down, down to hell'.

Marking the return of the private detective Cordelia Gray, The Skull beneath the Skin is the sequel to An Unsuitable Job for a Woman. P.D. James is Britain's pre-eminent crime writer and the author of many bestselling titles including Death Comes To Pemberley, Children of Men and Death in Holy Orders.

©1982 P.D. James (P)2014 Faber Audio Detective Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Women Sleuths Women's Fiction

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Critic reviews

"A fine novel... from its very first pages you feel you are in marvellously sure hands." (The Times)

"A masterly version of the clue-and-alibi game... five star." (Guardian)
All stars
Most relevant
Well written, full of twists and clever ending.
Pity the reader couldn't pronounce difficult words..

Excellent story.

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If you associate PD James with Dalgleish, this will inevitably be a bit of a disappointment. Cordelia Gray is a weak and insipid lead character compared to AD. Unfortunately the reading is second rate too, especially if you’re used to Daniel Wayman - Katie Scarfe can often sound as though she’s been chosen as the narrator for a school play and is trying out her different voices. Stick with AD and DW.

Not the finest

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The book was a little long but made up by the wonderful language and descriptions

Description

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Set in the 70s/80s it feels more like the 1920s in both the writing and narration.

Doesnt Fit

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I had to skip listen to the last quarter of this book due to the monotonous reading which I couldn't finally stand. Shame as I remember really enjoying reading it some years ago.

This narrator is not for me!

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