Unnatural Causes

By: P. D. James

Narrated by: Penelope Dellaporta

Award-winning author P.D. James third mystery in her bestselling series featuring Scotland Yard investigator Adam Dalgliesh is now available on CD!

Maurice Seton was a famous mystery writer–but no murder from his imagination could equal the ghastliness of his own death. When his grotesquely mutilated corpse is found in a drifting dinghy, ripples of horror spread among his bizarre neighbors: the cruel and cynical drama critic, the celebrated recluse, and the rakish young heir. It is up to Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh and his extraordinary aunt to discover the shocking truth about Seton's past–before the plot takes another murderous turn.

“P.D. James scores with understated humor, stately yet unpretentious prose, psychological insights…plus, above all, fundamental warmth and wisdom in every line she writes."–Kirkus Reviews

great read.

love everything P.D.James writes. and this one is no exception.and I admire this narrator

Many plot holes.

One of PD James’ weakest efforts. Very slow moving with many plot holes. “Hit him hard enough to knock him out but not leave a mark.” Really?

Starts Slow

It starts slow but before you know it you are sucked in and you MUST listen to the end

Ugly Murder Beautifully Related

The first murder was labeled natural causes, but it was totally unnatural. The novel was eminently readable. Not a detective, I could not ferret out the murderer for myself. P. D. James led me through the plot with exquisite narration.

P. D. James always good; not as fond of narrator

P. D. James is absolutely reliable in producing excellent classic murder mysteries. The team of detectives are interesting.

I just don't enjoy Penelope Dellaporta's narration much. I prefer more of a reading of a book, rather than an 'acting.' There's always some soul-searching and facing of the problems of realities in the Adam Dagliesh series. Ms. Dellaporta's narration make it into a dirge. I find myself picturing the characters slumping and dragging themselves through the story, sighing and hand-wringing; it's all just sooooooo hard, so bleak and depressing for them. I'm not sure if another narrator would leaven the heaviness or not. I also find Ms. Dellaporta's voice quite grating; several of character's voices are shrill.

It's enough that I think I'll be passing on anymore recordings of this series with this narrator and trying reading the books instead.