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Original Sin
P.D. James Book Review

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Plot Summary of Original Sin
""Original Sin" is more than a metaphorical reference to the Bible. Author P.D. James is at her compelling best in this Adam Dalgleish thriller.   Henry Peverell,the surviving partner and chairman of an established and respected publishing house has recently died and now the son of his late partner, Gerard Etienne, has taken over. And he has some major changes he plans to institute, much to the alarm to the other share holders of the company. He is so ruthless in his demands and plans, that when he is found dead, few mourn him; however, it is murder and Dalgleish of Scotland Yard comes in to investigate. Dalgleish's intellect and and professionalism rise to the front, as he and assistants Kate Miskin and Daniel Aaron meet the challenges of this bizarre murder. Yet, the body count does rise and Dalgleish realizes it is more than just a disgruntled author seeking revenge. He learns he must look to history for the vital clues and motive, and once those puzzles are solved, he knows he can close the covers on this case.      "
Bill Hobbs, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Original Sin
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of story - very upbeat
How difficult to spot villain? - Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story: - 1980's-1999
Spying/Terrorism Thriller Yes
What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 90%
Special suspect? - chronically deranged person
Misc. Murder Plotlets - "All in the family" murder
Kind of investigator - police procedural, American - british mystery (I say!)
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes
General Crime (including known murderer) Yes
Who's the criminal enemy here? - finding a known killer

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - government investigator
Age: - 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use? - none
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 60's-90's
Profession/status: - writer
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount
Motive of antagonist - revenge
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK

Style
Part of a series? Yes
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
How many deaths? - 3-4
Unusual forms of death - asphyxiation - drowned
Unusual form of death? Yes
Amount of dialog - significantly more descript than dialog
Most similar books to Original Sin
Death of a Dentist by M.C. Beaton
Death and the Chaste Apprentice by Robert Barnard
The Death Of An Irish Sinner by Bartholomew Gill
Broken by Martina Cole
Malice in the Highlands by Graham Thomas


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P.D. James Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Tena van't Foort  

SCHOLARS:
Ramani Moses  Carly Phillips  Mildred Diamant  


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