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THE MURDER ROOM refers to a room in the Dupayne Museum on Hampstead Heath. The museum, dedicated to life in Britain between the wars, is a small private collection, consisting of pictures, books and collections illustrating the 1920s and 1930s. In the murder room are artifacts and articles detailing some of the most gruesome homicides of that generation. Adam Dalgliesh visits the museum for the first time in the company of a friend, so he is familiar with the venue when, some time later, he is sent to investigate a murder on the grounds. The story is told in exquisite detail. We learn everything about both the museum and the lives of its owners, the Dupayne siblings, as well as those who work in and around the grounds. One can easily visualize the setting, and its people. They all behave exactly as one would expect. Baroness James takes her time. The first murder does not occur till after 100 pages of story have been told. More of Dalgliesh's private life is also detailed in this book. Emma, the academic he met in the previous work, DEATH IN HOLY ORDERS, again appears in THE MURDER ROOM. We see a softer Dalgliesh. Not Roy Marsden's aloof and stiff poet, but Martin Shaw's warmer and friendlier detective. I enjoy place-centered mysteries and there is no one better than P.D. James in making the venue part of the story. This is a superb example of her skill.
Reviewed by Barbara Franchi, October 2003
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