The Stone of Light: Nefer the Silent
Historical Fiction
2000
U.S. & U.K. Editions: Pocket Books Paperback

Subtitled "A Novel of Ancient Egypt", this is the first of four volumes to be published in series. The second is not yet available.

This is a marvelous book for people of many ages and backgrounds. It is the first in a new series following the author's successful five volume series "Ramses". According to the author page in the back of the book, he has a doctorate in Egyptian studies and heads the Ramses Institute, which seeks to preserve endangered archaeological sites in Egypt.

Despite the learned background of the author, the novel is set forth in a straightforward and clear writing style which makes it accessible and fun to read.

One of the reasons I like historical novels is that they allow you to learn new things in an entertaining way. Of course, unless you do further study, it's tough to know what's true and what's not true. Still, with his background, you have to believe that Jacq has the knowledge with which to tell a story with a lot of truth in it.

I was able to find just a short blurb about Ramses II on the web--at http://www.ccer.ggl.ruu.nl/abu_simbel/ramses.html --which states that Ramses was renowned for his building projects over the term of a long reign, which fits in very well with the background of the book. In it, a select group of artisans occupying a heavily protected village, the Place of Truth, are employed to decorate tombs of the pharaohs and perform other artistic tasks for the realm. This village is also the site of a secret, magical stone.

The characters are introduced gradually, along with descriptions of customs, dress, and rule of law in the area.

• Ardent is the only son in a farmer's family who dreams only of being able to draw and paint. He seeks to be admitted to the Place of Truth and to become a part of its mission.

• Nefer grew up within the walls of the Place of Truth, but decided he must travel in the outside world to be certain he had "heard the call" to enter the place of truth. He is forced to make some difficult decisions when an employer seeks to make him overseer of his operations, and offers his daughter as incentive.

• Mehy is a well-connected scoundrel who seeks to break apart the Place of Truth by any means possible so that he can profit by its secrets.

If you'd like to learn a little something about the mysteries of a culture which left behind such incredible monuments as the pyramids, you will certainly enjoy this book.

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• Dance Real Slow
  Here's a great Father's Day gift to yourself: the story of a man and his 4 year-old son, and how he is faring two years after his wife has left him when she re-enters his life and seeks custody of their son. Endearing story of the father-son relationship.

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A Taste for Death

1986

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U.S. Edition: Ballantine Books Paperback
U.K. Edition: Penguin Books Paperback

Summary

This P.D. James novel explores the difficulties of changing one's life as illustrated by the death of a titled man called by God. Even as Paul Berowne heard the call, he was aware of the untenable position in which it placed him, but did he know it endangered his life? How might family members view such a conversion? Those who depended upon him, whose privileges stemmed from his success, whose shame would be most visible once he turned away, seemed to be circling the wagons as Adam Dalgliesh probed in the aftermath of his death in a vestry alongside a homeless man who sheltered nearby.

The impartiality of Dalgliesh is called into question based on his several short contacts with the more "important" of the victims. Although it is revealed to the reader how fleeting and impersonal these really were, Dalgliesh is unable to completely discount his feelings regarding the man as he investigates. One thing that struck Dalgliesh regarding one of their conversations was Berowne's statement:

The title came to me through his death. Most of the things I expected to value in life have come to me through death.

Not, Dalgliesh remembered, the "things I value." The "things I expected to value."

The big question at first seems to be whether or not Berowne's death was a suicide turned homicide because of an interruption. The radical changes in the life of the deceased seemed to indicate that suicide was a possibility. The behavior of family members and other contacts, as well as some inconsistencies in stories regarding a diary found partially burned at the scene, keep the investigators' antennae on the alert. It seems fairly obvious that family members and staff have been well-rehearsed in their answers to the authorities, but one does not know whether this is because of guilt or because of attempts to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Commentary

James twists a great plot. All is done matter-of-factly, with ordinary and correct police procedures (with one minor forensic faux-pas) taking precedence over any sensational speculations, even though the author has an eye for the more human side of things:

They were both experienced detectives, they knew the importance at this stage of keeping the detection rational, of concentrating on the physical, ascertainable facts. Which of the suspects has the means, the opportunity, the knowledge, the physical strength, the motive? It was unproductive so early in the investigation to begin asking: Has this man the ruthlessness, the nerve, the desperation, the psychological make-up to commit this particular crime?

The third person narrative allows for an interesting comparison of the views held by Dalgliesh and his assistant in this tale, Kate Miskin, towards each other. While the tone of the book is set by understatement and reserve, there are nonetheless personal difficulties and revelations in its course for the characters which make the story seem very real.

A dry sense of humor is evident in the writing, as shown in this scene where Dalgliesh confronts a possible suspect:

".... We gather that the weapon was some kind of knife and that there were injuries to the throat."

And that, thought Dalgliesh, was as tactful a way of saying that Sir Paul's throat had been slit as even the most skilled lawyer could devise.

The author sends the reader down many blind alleys in contemplation of "whodunit". As must be somewhat the case in any successful real-life investigation, the picture of the crime becomes clearer and clearer as if each new fact and supposition supplies new pixels, ultimately clarifying a fuzzy image on a computer screen with each pass over the information. The ending is very much natural because the author has made it real, building towards it brick by brick, word by word. Immensely satisfying.

Conclusion

P.D. James is one of the standard-setters for the police procedural novel. The writing is intelligent and descriptive, and the plotting tight, with great attention to detail. Of the two novels by P.D. James I've read, I can heartily recommend both. The other is "A Certain Justice".

For those who already know they enjoy reading books by P.D. James, I'd also like to suggest the books by Elizabeth George and Ruth Rendell.

For an excellent interview with James, check out Salon.com

A Certain Justice

1997

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Venetia Aldridge, a well-respected defense attorney on the brink, perhaps, of a major career advance, is torn by her daughter’s commitment to marry one of her clients, a murder suspect who was acquitted. Meanwhile, colleagues and office staff fret over the possibility that Ms. Aldridge might take over the office and modernize it, making a near-pensioner’s job redundant. In addition, her elevation to the post would probably mean that a capable female attorney wouldn’t be hired for an open position, and a temporary secretary might lose her chance at a permanent position. Friends of the attorney wrote her up in a paper denouncing successful women who did not use their influence to assist other women in career advancement. Another member of the office is peeved because she might get the position on the basis of seniority despite the fact that he felt he had earned the job.

When Ms. Aldridge is found deceased at her desk, Commander Adam Dalgliesh investigates and turns up less obvious connections to even more suspects. I was kept guessing until the very end.

The author’s writing style is very straightforward. The world created here is like a three-dimensional slice taken out of time and delivered in book form. The characters are realistic and well-drawn. I really enjoyed it and heartily recommend this book.

Reviewed 10/30/99.

Devices and Desires

One of my favorite detectives, Adam Dalgliesh, gets involved with a murder while he is on holiday when he almost trips over a warm body which may be the most recent victim of a serial killer called "The Whistler."

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A Certain Age
1999

For a generation or so, women have grown up with unparalleled opportunities to choose a career, either in addition to or as an alternative to marriage and family. Marriage and family without work seems to be a less available option. Many women work and raise children without any partner. A classic theme in life and news has been a woman's "biological clock" sending an alarm in her early thirties reminding her that the time in which she will be able to bear children will end.

The main character in this book, however, despite her New York provenance, seems oblivious to these concerns of modern women. Florence Collins has drifted along through life, reaching her early thirties with the thought that the only way for her to ever be successful would be through marriage to someone who could support her shopping habits.

The book is an excellent characterization of a person with little to no character. It is a bleak story of what happens as Florence's circumstances and poor decisions force her to face reality. It is a picture of what might have happened to many women if they had allowed themselves to be guided solely by their expectations of being married. Despite its tragic timbre, reading "A Certain Age" made me feel pretty good about the choices I've made in my life. Perhaps it will do this for you.

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Aztec

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This is a historical novel of the history of the Aztecs prior to their being conquered by the Spanish, as told by an ancient Aztec selected for the task. He relates events during the time period from his birth to the takeover by the Spanish in the context of his own life.

Jennings is an engaging storyteller! I enjoyed this book immensely. It's definitely a great way to learn about the Aztec culture, although some of the sacrificial practices described were pretty gory.

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