RIP PD James

[Courtenay]

Just found out about this sad news for lovers of British murder mysteries: PD James, crime novelist, dies aged 94

A sad loss, but she had a great innings, so to speak, and passed away peacefully, working right up to the end - and clearly she will never be forgotten.

One of these days I must get around to reading Death Comes to Pemberley (her last completed work) - it's been on my shelf for some months now!! RIP to a truly grand lady of crime fiction.

[number 6]

Really sad news. One of my Mum's favourite novelists. RIP PD

[Julie2owlsdene]

What a great age, and a great author. Love her character Adam Dalglesh.

R.I.P.

[Anita Bensoussane]

RIP P. D. James.

[sixret]

She was one of the late GA detective writer who had lived in this modern time.

I read the first 5 in Adam Dagliesh series in the late-1990s to early 2000s before her books become too thick for my liking (due to too much description of setting). I enjoyed reading them especially The Nightingale, A Mind of Murder and Unnatural Causes. Expertly done with minimum yet necessary and atmospheric setting description. Her trademarks were superbly drawn characters, extensive setting description and very unique prose( you will never find elsewhere, I can guarantee this) to the detriment of the plot, sometimes..

She will be missed especially among GA fans and blogospheres.

I attach a link of PD James's 10 tips for writing novels.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24867584" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Courtenay]

I attach a link of PD James's 10 tips for writing novels.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24867584" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks, Sixret - very interesting and helpful for those of us who also love to write!

I love what she says here at the end about "knowing when to stop" - part of it was quoted in the obituary:

I am lucky to have written as many books as I have, really, and it has been a joy. With old age, it becomes very difficult. It takes longer for the inspiration to come, but the thing about being a writer is that you need to write.

What I am working on now will be another detective story, it does seem important to write one more. I think it is very important to know when to stop.

Some writers, particularly of detective fiction, have published books that they should not have published. I don't think my publisher would let me do that and I don't think my children would like me to. I hope I would know myself whether a book was worth publishing. I think while I am alive, I shall write. There will be a time to stop writing but that will probably be when I come to a stop, too.

We haven't been told how much of her "one more" detective story she completed before her passing, but her last published one was a bestseller and was adapted for TV within a few years of its publication - so we can at least say she departed this world in the knowledge that she was finishing her career on a high note!

[Poppy]

R.I.P
P.D.James

What a great age, though. A wonderful author: I love the book Death Comes to Pemberley which I read this year for the first time.

I attach a link of PD James's 10 tips for writing novels.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24867584" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for the link, Sixret. A fascinating piece. It is great to learn more about P.D.James's techniques of writing, as well, of course, as taking a note of some of her tips on being an author.

[sixret]

You're welcome, Courtenay and Poppy.

Hope you will enjoy reading Death Comes to Pemberley, Courtenay.

Yes, Poppy. I love knowing writers' techniques of writing, especially GA detective writers. I always bookmark the online interviews or articles regarding their techniques or experience as writers.

[Courtenay]

What does GA mean, by the way, Sixret?

[Anita Bensoussane]

I'm guessing it means Golden Age?

[Eddie Muir]

RIP P. D. James.

[sixret]

Yes, Anita was right, Courtenay.

[Moonraker]

Yes, more commonly known as Golden Era. I never read her books, but watched most of the TV adaptations. A grand age to reach, no need to feel too sad! At that rate, I've got 30 years ahead of me!

[Francis]

A classy author even if I only came to her through 'Death comes to Pemberley'!