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Average Customer Rating:

Still in top form at age 80

Customer Rating:

I always admire top authors who give nods to their contemporaries. P. D. James in this book makes a quick references to THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY and a more subtle reference to Stilla Remington's autobiography A nice touch there. Yet another nice touch is the importance given to the two subordinates assisting Dagleish. I hope that we'll see more of them.A large portion of the book is devoted to the introduction of characters,both those involved in the investigation and those who are suspects. Those anxious to get into the mystery puzzle may be put off by the long introduction, but it definitely got me more involved in the story. I do recommend familiarizing oneself with P.D. James and Inspector Dagleish before reading this one, but those who are familiar with the author and the principle character should very much welcome this newest book in the series.

A major flaw in the plot

Customer Rating:

I've been a fan of PD James for more than 30 years now and was looking forward to The Lighthouse. However, the book was completely ruined for me by a basic flaw -- the lighthouse. It is a basic element of the plot that the island is in darkness at night, with the lighthouse shining out and away from the island itself. However, this is the only lighthouse on the island. If that is true, then the light on the lighthouse would be a rotating one. Shipping would not pass the island in just one direction, so the light would have to be visible from every direction. I live in a group of islands, including some which have just one lighthouse -- when walking home in the dark, the light sweeps across the island as it rotates, then it's pitch black until the light passes again. I'm afraid I couldn't get past this basic error and although I enjoyed the characters, the plot was ruined.

Average, like most of her recent books

Customer Rating:

No, this is not a masterpiece ala her earlier works like The Black Tower or Death of an Expert Witness. However, it is not a washout either. Plotting never has been a particular strength of hers so it is unfair to criticize the book solely from a plot perspective. Having said that, there are several cringeworthy passages at critical junctures. Without revealing any critical spoilers, it is sufficient to state that Vasoline never should be used as a critical plotting device involving bra and panties. The setting of a remote lighthouse off the coast of England gives the Baroness a fine opportunity to display her gifts for detailing place and time in her classical fashion which is perhaps her best strength. For Dalgleish aficionados, it shows him in a supporting role relegated to the background due to circumstances which are plot sensitive and won't be detailed in this review.

P.D James came down from a higher league.	Customer Rating:
No one currently writing can match her. She is in there with Dashiell Hammet. I read "The Lighthouse", then bought a copy for a gift. John Culleton Rowse Reviews

P.D. James again....and wonderful again

Customer Rating:

There is something both lost and gained by listening to the reading of a well-written book. Lost is what you, the reader, brings to the written word; but it is sometimes awfully nice to sit back, in your lounge chair, at the beach, or on a drive that is a bit longer than you want it to be and to hear an expert reader tell a fascinating story. And make no mistake, Charles Keating does a masterful job in reading The Lighthouse, which I believe is number 13 of the Adam Dalgleish mysteries. Having said that, I much prefer reading the crime stories of Baroness James, and I must add that this one is not my favorite, although as has been said by other reviewers, I do not think it is possible for James to write a bad book. I'll go further; I believe that every book I've read by her....and there have been many...is worth the time taken to read it. She is so much more than "just" a mystery writer. My only real problem with this book is the improbability of the situation in which she puts Dalgleish and the other characters. It does seem a bit strained, as if James had run out of more traditional settings but still had this book in her that she needed/wanted to get out there.