P.D. James - Shroud for a Nightingale
Murder strikes a teaching hospital in this satisfying puzzle from one of Britain's best mystery writers. Nightingale House, home to a top nursing program, is also the home of students, teachers, a nest of secrets, and racks and racks of easily accessible poisons. When prim Nurse Pierce is offed right in the middle of a classroom demonstration, tensions explode, troubles multiply, and Scotland Yard's poetically inclined Commander Adam Dalgliesh must untangle the mess.P.D. James's mystery novelsare notable as much for their emotional depth as for their knotty solutions, and this thoughtful production reflects that, taking its time in building to the macabre fun. The acting is uniformly good, but Roy Marsden makes a truly remarkable Dalgliesh, quietly capturing his intelligence, sadness, and faint touch of cruelty.Shroud for a Nightingale's three episodes take about four hours, so brew a good strong pot of tea (be sure to check the milk for poison) and settle in for the evening.--Ali Davis