Cover Her Face (1962) by P.D. James #1962Club

🔸️ First published in 1962, Cover Her Face was P.D. James' debut crime novel, introducing Inspector Adam Dalgleish, who would appear in 13 of other novels in the series. In this first case, he investigates the murder of Sally Jupp, a house maid at Martingale, who was strangled in her bed.

🔸️ Sally Jupp was recommended by the local St. Mary's refuge, an institution for unmarried mothers, to stay, with her infant son Jimmy, and work at Martingale, the manor house of the Maxies. The family consists of Eleanor Maxie, the matron, with severely ill husband Simon; the son, Dr. Stephen Maxie; and his sister Deborah Riscoe. Martha, a devoted servant, is another member of the household. On that fatal day, two guests are also staying: Catherine Bowers who dreams of marrying Stephen, and Felix Hearn, former lover of Deborah.

🔸️ Sally is ambitious, secretive, and insolent woman. With those qualities, she like to take power over others. At a fête, held at Martingale, Sally deliberately copied Deborah's outfit, and later at night she took Deborah's mug to drink her cocoa. But what astonished the family most was when, at dinner, she amusedly announced that Stephen has proposed to her – which was true.

🔸️ That night someone put sleeping pills into her cocoa, and strangled her to death. Who killed her? Are they from the family, or was it an outsider's job? What's the motive? Jealousy? Blackmail? Or it has something to do with her past?

🔸️ As a debut novel, this is not bad, but I wasn't overly impressed either. There are too many characters involved for my taste, which only made this quite simple a case became more complicated. The solution was clever and believable, though I still didn't understand why the fake incident should have staged at all. I could make assumptions, but it seemed foolish, and I think didn't fit the perpetrator's personality. Dalgleish's investigation and deduction wasn't highlighted enough, we didn't know what's going on most of the time, and he only revealed everything in the end. And I didn't know what's the use of including a subordinate who didn't add anything to the story. Like I said before: too many useless characters.

🔸️ All considered, I don't think I would continue the series. Perhaps I am just more comfortable with the earlier Golden Age writers, or the modern ones, not the in-betweens. Not a satisfying read, but quite enjoyable. I enjoyed this story by listening to the audiobook, narrated wonderfully by Daniel Weyman. I liked his deep voice and distinct articulation.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

This book counts for:

The 1962 Club

British Crime Classics Challenge 2023

For Bingo Card: Death by Strangulation