Word: dalgliesh
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...stories all adhere to the same, well-oiled formula. First, there is a murder in an unusual setting, followed by categorization of the possible suspects, and detective Adam Dalgliesh's investigation into the mysterious affairs. A Certain Justice follows this recipe--but in this case, there are two murders that must be solved. The novel, strangely enough, begins with a trial--the strong, stubborn Venetia Aldridge is defending Garry Ashe on charges of brutally killing his aunt. Aldrige knows that Ashe is guilty, but she's learned over the years that winning is always the goal. There is no room...
Enter Commander Adam Dalgliesh--James' clone of Hercules Poirot--to save the day. We soon are introduced to the many suspects: the housekeepers in the law chambers, Ashe himself, Aldridge's daughter, lawyers in the office, Aldridge's lover, the judges of the court and of course the mysterious men from her past. There is, of course, absolutely no doubt that Dalgliesh will solve the mystery, save all those in distress and manage to be ridiculously heroic at all times. But we don't mind as long as the shameless thrills keep coming...
Eventually, Dalgliesh emerges victorious, but that certainly isn't a surprise. Nor is it irritating--Dalgliesh is an impressive protagonist in that he doesn't always seem invincible. Hercule poirot and Miss Marple in Christie novels always seemed to transcend the material--solving mysteries was just as nonchalant an activity as having tea every afternoon. Dalgliesh is more caught up in the twists and turns of the story; like the reader, he doesn't have things figured out until the very end. Often, mystery authors cheat by holding back key pieces of evidence and leaving the audience in the dark...
...seen them on television. Jane Austen, Middlemarch,, you know, through television. I think it's much better to read the books than watch television, obviously. On the whole, I've been quite fortunate with the television versions. I think they've done pretty well. Some better than others. The Dalgliesh isn't my idea of Dalgliesh...
What is her idea of Dalgliesh, if actor Roy Marsden doesn't quite fit the bill? "It's very difficult to describe him. But he's clean shaven, darker, more hair, no mustache...