DDC/MDS
| 823/.9/14 |
Publication
New York : Charles Scribner's sons, 1972.
Original publication date
1972
Description
Handsome Cambridge dropout Mark Callender died hanging by the neck with a faint trace of lipstick on his mouth. When the official verdict is suicide, his wealthy father hires fledgling private investigator Cordelia Gray to find out what led him to self-destruction. What she discovers instead is a twisting trail of secrets and sins, and the strong scent of murder.An Unsuitable Job for a Woman introduces P. D. James's courageous but vulnerable young detective, Cordelia Gray, in a "top-rated puzzle of peril that holds you all the way" (The New York Times).
Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
User reviews
LibraryThing member Figgles
One of PD James more human reads. There's always a sliver of icy detachment which prevents you from feeling a full sympathy with her characters. (She's also really bad at underclass characters but this doesn't show much in this one - only in Chris Lunn). Unsuitable job introduces one of her more
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sympathetic characters in Cordelia Grey, Cambridge is almost as much of a character as Oxford was for Dorothy Sayers. I almost feel she felt she gave away too much of hereself in this book as Cordelia only appears in one other. Love an academic setting and love the descriptions of buildings (note that the otherwise ubiquitous chequered tiled entrance hall doesn't appear here - I think I share a thing about domestic architecture with PD James!). Realise how naive I was the first time I read it as I completely failed to understand the concept of auto-erotic self asphyxiation! Book makes much more sense when you do! A good read and a good PD James. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cecilturtle
Not only does James create intriguing scenarios, detailed characters and clever twists, but she writes so well! This mystery is no different, in fact it is astonishing by its psychological development and careful attention to the character's emotions and motives. The theme of justice and reputation
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does seem a little passé and naive by today's standards, but in a sense they are very refreshing. Show Less
LibraryThing member horacewimsey
P.D. James' first book, I believe. And very good. Here our sleuth is a woman--Cordelia Gray. But we also catch a glimpse of Adam Dalgliesh, the Scotland Yard tec who will eventually take over James' novels and make her into one of the most popular crime writers ever.
LibraryThing member Bookmarque
I think Cordelia’s repugnance for things a little slimy, is more faked than anything in her character. She hates Callender Sr. for his callousness toward her when he reveals his motives for killing his son, but readily agrees to conceal his murder by his mistress. At the end, when a slightly
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seedy client is waiting outside her office and she politely invites him inside, it’s a pretty clear indication of her future. She won’t mind getting her hands dirty from now on, after all, they can’t get much worse. Thank you Ms. James. Show Less
LibraryThing member delphica
(#9 in the 2009 Book Challenge)
Cordelia Grey is a young woman who finds herself the sole proprietor of a London detective agency after her business partner kills himself. Her first solo case is the investigation of the circumstances surrounding the suicide of a young Cambridge student, at the
Grade: B+
Recommended: It's good but dated as far as mysteries go, but I think the real enjoyment comes from a love of the genre in general, and contemplating how this fits into the tradition. It's a little meta that way.
Cordelia Grey is a young woman who finds herself the sole proprietor of a London detective agency after her business partner kills himself. Her first solo case is the investigation of the circumstances surrounding the suicide of a young Cambridge student, at the
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request of his father. I was a bit enthralled by how deliciously nineteen seventies everything was ... just about every single plot point in the book came back around to SEX, and most of the characters needed to point out how uninhibited they are with regard to sex, because people who don't have any hang-ups about sex frequently go around pointing that out constantly to anyone who will listen.Grade: B+
Recommended: It's good but dated as far as mysteries go, but I think the real enjoyment comes from a love of the genre in general, and contemplating how this fits into the tradition. It's a little meta that way.
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LibraryThing member bookwoman247
After Corcdelia Gray's senior partner commits suicide rather than face a slow painful death by cancer, she inherits the struggling Pryde's Detective Agency.
In her first solo case, she is hired by Sir Ronald Callender, a prominent scientist and businessman, who hires her to find out why his son
As she investigates, she begins to suspect that that Mark Callender may have been murdered. As she follows a labrynthine trail of clues, she uncovers secret after secret. Exposing one or more of these secrets could quite possibly threaten someone, including Mark's possible murderer, and might, in turn, endanger Cordelia.
I liked this a lot. It was a real page-turner, and was brilliantly written. I was slightly disappointed by the ending, though.
In her first solo case, she is hired by Sir Ronald Callender, a prominent scientist and businessman, who hires her to find out why his son
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abruptly dropped out of Cambridge and hanged himnself just a few weeks later.As she investigates, she begins to suspect that that Mark Callender may have been murdered. As she follows a labrynthine trail of clues, she uncovers secret after secret. Exposing one or more of these secrets could quite possibly threaten someone, including Mark's possible murderer, and might, in turn, endanger Cordelia.
I liked this a lot. It was a real page-turner, and was brilliantly written. I was slightly disappointed by the ending, though.
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LibraryThing member benfulton
The puzzle is a bit contrived and it's hard to buy into the murderer's motivation at the end, but the writing and characterizations are up to James's usual high standards. It's a bit disturbing how all of her main characters go around talking about how dreadful the architecture, or the decorating,
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or the oil paintings, or something, are. One gets the impression that everyone in England is simultaneously unable to create good art and a born critic of everyone else's. Show Less
LibraryThing member nikon
My first PD James book - sometimes descriptions or details appear to be too long winded and then... just when I'm beginning to get bored or annoyed something totally unexpected happens. I wonder if all PD's books are like this? Guess I'll have to read a few more to find out. The story itself was
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pretty okay Show Less
LibraryThing member tonile.helena
There are many wonderful things about older crime novels. Without hi-tech gadgets, in-depth forensic analysis and overly sadistic killers, the writer nearly always has to rely on incredible language and story telling skills to keep the reader engaged and excited. P D James wrote the first Adam
Life for Cordelia is, in my opinion, quite wonderful. She is young, described to be quite pretty, and she is a partner in a fun but unconventional private investigation agency. This is the case until her partner Bernie unexpectedly kills himself. Not a great start to the novel. After Bernie's affairs are set in order, Cordelia receives an unexpected client. The wealthy and well-known Sir Ronald Callender's son has recently committed suicide, and Mr Callender wishes to know why his son would choose to end his life. Without many options, Cordelia accepts the case and ends up staying in the cottage the young Mr Callender lived in before he died. Cordelia's keen eye for detail reveals that certain things don't add up to suicide, and she starts to suspect foul play was involved.
This is where the novel really begins to shine. Cordelia is not a trained policewoman, nor is she a specialist in any kind of medical or legal field. Her only understanding of detection came from her unpredictable mentor and partner Bernie. She is essentially a normal, everyday person who has to make do with logic and intuition. She is sharp, sassy and knows what to ask, when to ask it, and how to interpret the ways people respond to her. Her hunt for the truth surrounding the Callender suicide takes her all over Cambridge and on a wild chase that gets her noticed by the wrong person. After a nearly fatal accident, pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place in rapid succession, leading to an explosive climax that was somewhat predictable but expertly delivered all the same.
James' stellar knowledge and use of the English language made this novel a delight to read. It is remarkably both well written and easy to understand at the same time, putting it in a well-deserved class of its own. Reading quality writing almost makes some more mainstream novels easier to handle... almost. James is a superstar in her own right and after reading An Unsuitable Job for a Woman I completely understand what the fuss is about. If all modern authors wrote half as well as this, I think the book industry would be in an incredibly different situation. There is a lot of rubbish out there. This, however, is quality literature at its finest.
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Dalgliesh novel in 1962 and her novels continuously make best selling lists over 40 years later. I really, really enjoyed An Unsuitable Job for a Woman in so many ways - sadly it is the first of only two books in the Cordelia Gray series, but I definitely will read more of James' Dalgliesh novels in the future. Life for Cordelia is, in my opinion, quite wonderful. She is young, described to be quite pretty, and she is a partner in a fun but unconventional private investigation agency. This is the case until her partner Bernie unexpectedly kills himself. Not a great start to the novel. After Bernie's affairs are set in order, Cordelia receives an unexpected client. The wealthy and well-known Sir Ronald Callender's son has recently committed suicide, and Mr Callender wishes to know why his son would choose to end his life. Without many options, Cordelia accepts the case and ends up staying in the cottage the young Mr Callender lived in before he died. Cordelia's keen eye for detail reveals that certain things don't add up to suicide, and she starts to suspect foul play was involved.
This is where the novel really begins to shine. Cordelia is not a trained policewoman, nor is she a specialist in any kind of medical or legal field. Her only understanding of detection came from her unpredictable mentor and partner Bernie. She is essentially a normal, everyday person who has to make do with logic and intuition. She is sharp, sassy and knows what to ask, when to ask it, and how to interpret the ways people respond to her. Her hunt for the truth surrounding the Callender suicide takes her all over Cambridge and on a wild chase that gets her noticed by the wrong person. After a nearly fatal accident, pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place in rapid succession, leading to an explosive climax that was somewhat predictable but expertly delivered all the same.
James' stellar knowledge and use of the English language made this novel a delight to read. It is remarkably both well written and easy to understand at the same time, putting it in a well-deserved class of its own. Reading quality writing almost makes some more mainstream novels easier to handle... almost. James is a superstar in her own right and after reading An Unsuitable Job for a Woman I completely understand what the fuss is about. If all modern authors wrote half as well as this, I think the book industry would be in an incredibly different situation. There is a lot of rubbish out there. This, however, is quality literature at its finest.
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LibraryThing member bsquaredinoz
An Unsuitable Job for a Woman is the first of two books James has written about a young female private investigator Cordelia Gray, though her more well known protagonist, Adam Dalgliesh, does make his presence felt. Cordelia is the business partner of former policeman (and colleague of the
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aforementioned Dalgliesh) Bernie Pryde and she arrives at work one day to find Bernie has killed himself. Just as she is trying to work out how to keep the business afloat without her senior partner she is approached by a woman acting on behalf of noted scientist Sir Robert Callender who wants Cordelia to investigate his son Mark’s suicide. In accepting the case Cordelia becomes wrapped up in the lives of wealthy Cambridge students who were Mark’s friends in order to unravel the reasons behind Mark’s death. I enjoyed meeting Cordelia who is quite determined to succeed despite not having much experience (and to prove wrong every second person she meets who makes some comment about the job of detecting being unsuitable for a woman). She uses as her guide the lessons that Bernie learned from his former boss Dalgliesh so his influence pops up throughout the book and the man himself makes a brief appearance at the end. The story is quite slow to unfold but the details of the lives of the players are more interestingly revealed and the people themselves more believable and engaging. Show Less
LibraryThing member anderlawlor
Enjoyable, if weirdly conservative in its underpinnings (beware radicals!). I always get a little thrill from interconnected novels (in a series or otherwise). 13 ways of looking at Adam Dalgliesh.
LibraryThing member idiotgirl
Listened to as an audiobook. I had seen the PBS series. I like reading P.D. James. So I plunged in. I wasn't disappointed. A pleasant read. Ends with a scene with Adam Dagleish. I will look for other pleasant reads involving Cordelia Grey.
LibraryThing member leslie.98
This Cordelia Grey mystery may deserve 4 stars but I find myself increasingly disliking crime novels in which the guilty go uncaught or unpunished. One could argue that, since Sir Ronald Callender, Lunn, and Miss Leaming all end up dead, this isn't such a novel. However Cordelia's willingness to
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conceal Miss Leaming's act bothers me. Show Less
LibraryThing member poonamsharma
Happy to have read first of Cordelia Gray mystery. A 22-year woman on her first assignment in pre-Internet era: when you visited a newspaper office to check news from previous week, visited a government office to checkout a will and police procedures weren't as advanced and snazzy as in Bond movies
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or Behavioral Unit of FBI (as in Criminal Minds). Here is a lone women, who is again and again told that she is not in a suitable job like this and nothing more than an unlicensed revolver to her aid. This book also gives an insight into old England. The plot and writing style is intriguing, though unraveling of the mystery is rather lackluster. I can not remember any high points of thrill in the book, yet character development and presentation style is a plus. Show Less
LibraryThing member nina.jon
This is the first PD James’ novel I've read and therefore I'm unable to compare it to her other books. Although written in the 70s, tech apart, it didn't come across as dated. In some ways it reminded me of the first of the Millennium Trilogy. Both novels feature a family member who, dissatisfied
The narrative structure was very easy to follow and I knew where and with whom I was the majority of the time. Being constantly privy to Cordelia Gray's innermost thoughts, gave the story immediacy. The frequent mention (and eventual appearance) of Adam Dalgleish served as a nice steppingstone between the protagonist of this novel, and the author’s most famous literary creation.
Was this the best PD James to start with? I don't know, but I think it a shame only two novels feature Cordelia Gray. Maybe Mrs James should bring her back to life, but now a sixty-something private detective, still plying her trade?
Nina Jon is the author of the newly released Magpie Murders, a series of short murder mysteries with a Cluedo-esque element.
She is also the author of the Jane Hetherington's Adventures in Detection crime and mystery series, about private detective Jane Hetherington.
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with a police investigation, instruct someone outside the police to reopen the case, only to open a can of worms instead with all that entails.The narrative structure was very easy to follow and I knew where and with whom I was the majority of the time. Being constantly privy to Cordelia Gray's innermost thoughts, gave the story immediacy. The frequent mention (and eventual appearance) of Adam Dalgleish served as a nice steppingstone between the protagonist of this novel, and the author’s most famous literary creation.
Was this the best PD James to start with? I don't know, but I think it a shame only two novels feature Cordelia Gray. Maybe Mrs James should bring her back to life, but now a sixty-something private detective, still plying her trade?
Nina Jon is the author of the newly released Magpie Murders, a series of short murder mysteries with a Cluedo-esque element.
She is also the author of the Jane Hetherington's Adventures in Detection crime and mystery series, about private detective Jane Hetherington.
Show Less
LibraryThing member thorold
It's a shame P.D. James didn't do more with Cordelia Grey: she's much more interesting as a protagonist than Dalgleish. This was her first outing, in 1973, and she very quickly demonstrates that she's no weak and feeble Harriett. Perhaps the ending here is a little bit too contrived, but it's all
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good fun, and it just about makes sense, so why not? Show Less
LibraryThing member anglophile65
I believe this was the first P.D. James I've read - very familiar with the name - I enjoyed it enough to read more by this author.
LibraryThing member Karin7
Cordelia Gray, age 22, shows up to work one morning to find her boss, Bernie Pryde, dead by suicide; he has chosen this over suffering through cancer. While she’s handling this sorrow and the details, she is hired to find out why Cambridge dropout Mark Callendar has killed himself. The man who
The search Cordelia undertakes reveals surprises, twists, elements of danger and all that you’d want in a well written murder/suspense/mystery/thriller novel. True, it doesn’t rush through things at a breakneck speed designed to give one nightmares after staying up all night reading it, but it doesn’t need to do so. The writing is at once simple and well done; moving along at a clip that does speed up at times, naturally, or it would merely be a cozy mystery. Since it is written in the 1970s there are no cell phones or electronic tracking means, which is such a refreshing change. I like Cordelia and am strongly considering reading the next one.
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hires her is his father, and it doesn’t take Cordelia long to realize that murder is the far more likely cause of Mark’s death.The search Cordelia undertakes reveals surprises, twists, elements of danger and all that you’d want in a well written murder/suspense/mystery/thriller novel. True, it doesn’t rush through things at a breakneck speed designed to give one nightmares after staying up all night reading it, but it doesn’t need to do so. The writing is at once simple and well done; moving along at a clip that does speed up at times, naturally, or it would merely be a cozy mystery. Since it is written in the 1970s there are no cell phones or electronic tracking means, which is such a refreshing change. I like Cordelia and am strongly considering reading the next one.
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LibraryThing member CathyWoolbright
Delightful P.D.James mystery, with all of the misleads, tangles and dark mystery!
LibraryThing member caanderson
It’s smart and moves along at a good pace. Love the MC, Cordelia Gray. Being written in another country always gives me a different perspective on how books are written. I’ll be looking for more of Miss Gray books.
LibraryThing member danhammang
This was a 1973 Edgar nominee but, no worries. Even at that point James was a successful, much decorated author. This clever, satisfying tale features Cordelia Grey but James' beloved Dagleish hovers in the background. As always, the social fabric is woven into the plot and was a delightful aspect
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of the story for me, looking back to the world (can it be possible?) fifty years after publication. Best of luck with the clues but be forewarned; it isn't simple. Show Less
LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
Cordelia Gray has just become the sole proprietor of Pryde Detective Agency and has taken on her first client — Sir Ronald Callender.
Sir Ronald’s son, Mark, had been found dead by hanging. The verdict at the inquest was suicide. Sir Ronald wasn’t convinced. He had been recommended the Pryde
Though Cordelia is young, she is determined to solve the case. She finds herself going back into the family’s history; the early death of the boy’s mother, the actions of the father and his relationship with the boy. There are other items that slowly add to the over all picture.
Along the way, she is told she has “an unsuitable job for a woman” and has a few near misses, but none of this stops her.
It isn’t a clear cut mystery, and can take a bit to follow, but it is a solid read in my book.
Sir Ronald’s son, Mark, had been found dead by hanging. The verdict at the inquest was suicide. Sir Ronald wasn’t convinced. He had been recommended the Pryde
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Agency and is surprised to find the original owner has committed suicide himself, and the partner is a 22 year old woman.Though Cordelia is young, she is determined to solve the case. She finds herself going back into the family’s history; the early death of the boy’s mother, the actions of the father and his relationship with the boy. There are other items that slowly add to the over all picture.
Along the way, she is told she has “an unsuitable job for a woman” and has a few near misses, but none of this stops her.
It isn’t a clear cut mystery, and can take a bit to follow, but it is a solid read in my book.
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LibraryThing member DidIReallyReadThat
A pretty good book. It was an interesting mystery with lots of twists and turns that were sometimes difficult to follow. It also seemed like the story took place in the late 1800s but in reality the story took place in the 1970s. It's worth reading more books in the series.
LibraryThing member Jiraiya
Reading this book was a pleasure. However it did expose my lack of acute concentration, if not my imagining. There was one place in the book where I could do with some exactitude, that is the detective in the well part. Unlike many cozy, and English mystery books, there are quite some prurient
This book is one of the least domestic crime books I've ever read. The heroine lives, during her investigation, in a decrepit so called cottage. But the author comes into her own element when describing Cambridge. The libraries, the churches, one graveyard, the University; all of them highly etched prosaically. The story is padded with a lot of description, but this treatment doesn't feel like butter spread too thinly on bread. It would be, had the mystery lasted 400 pages. But that's not the case. Pun unintended.
The two things P.D. James laid emphasis on were smells, and the deduction from people's eyes. Most of the characters are presented, or hinted, as intelligent. Some are not clever enough. But even the Pilbean lady who is branded as stupid had the voice of an oracle herself. The richness of the prose forces admiration from me and, I'm sure, others too. Conversely, the author knows how to turn the style on and off. During passages of tangy urgency, she loses the descriptions, and action is shown rather than told.
The main victim, Mark Callender, is a character that can be liked by some and disliked by others. I still don't know how generous, forgiving, or intelligent he was. The fact that he left his study sealed in fate. His death is pitiable, more so in its dressing and undressing. Even death here is seen differently from the characters at various points in the narrative.
I have come to new words here, like "censorious"(3 times), "prurient", "theurgy", and "deletrious". I was interested to know how the author would hide her hand. Since we are seeing the plot unravel from Cordelia's view, the solution to the problem must occur at once and not in stages. I'm glad to say that almost nothing is held from the reader. That is more admirable considering the paucity of witnesses and suspects. The truth of the case was as startling as reading this book proved to be. My first P.D. James novel; excellent.
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quips lying about. Many of the physical traits of the supporting cast are confidently described. P.D. James is some writer.This book is one of the least domestic crime books I've ever read. The heroine lives, during her investigation, in a decrepit so called cottage. But the author comes into her own element when describing Cambridge. The libraries, the churches, one graveyard, the University; all of them highly etched prosaically. The story is padded with a lot of description, but this treatment doesn't feel like butter spread too thinly on bread. It would be, had the mystery lasted 400 pages. But that's not the case. Pun unintended.
The two things P.D. James laid emphasis on were smells, and the deduction from people's eyes. Most of the characters are presented, or hinted, as intelligent. Some are not clever enough. But even the Pilbean lady who is branded as stupid had the voice of an oracle herself. The richness of the prose forces admiration from me and, I'm sure, others too. Conversely, the author knows how to turn the style on and off. During passages of tangy urgency, she loses the descriptions, and action is shown rather than told.
The main victim, Mark Callender, is a character that can be liked by some and disliked by others. I still don't know how generous, forgiving, or intelligent he was. The fact that he left his study sealed in fate. His death is pitiable, more so in its dressing and undressing. Even death here is seen differently from the characters at various points in the narrative.
I have come to new words here, like "censorious"(3 times), "prurient", "theurgy", and "deletrious". I was interested to know how the author would hide her hand. Since we are seeing the plot unravel from Cordelia's view, the solution to the problem must occur at once and not in stages. I'm glad to say that almost nothing is held from the reader. That is more admirable considering the paucity of witnesses and suspects. The truth of the case was as startling as reading this book proved to be. My first P.D. James novel; excellent.
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LibraryThing member WinterFox
This is a good, straight-up mystery, with the main character being a young woman whose PI mentor kills himself at the beginning of the book. She ends up with a case which is slightly twisty, but not too out of the question, and looks like she might be getting over her head in. There's a fair amount
James's style is certainly not overpunctuated, but she has a good feel for dialogue and for setting up atmosphere. It's enough to give you a feel for the people based on their surroundings, at any rate. I've arranged to get the next of these books, so I'll give it another shot. James's other detective shows up towards the end of this one, and I can't say I feel as good about him, but I'll try the other of the Cordelia Gray ones, certainly.
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of her considering her life and how she looks to those around her, and it's all quite interesting.James's style is certainly not overpunctuated, but she has a good feel for dialogue and for setting up atmosphere. It's enough to give you a feel for the people based on their surroundings, at any rate. I've arranged to get the next of these books, so I'll give it another shot. James's other detective shows up towards the end of this one, and I can't say I feel as good about him, but I'll try the other of the Cordelia Gray ones, certainly.
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Awards
Edgar Award (Nominee — Novel — 1974)
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 1972)
Physical description
216 p.; 21 cm
ISBN
068413280X / 9780684132808