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Together with Ruth Rendell, P.D. James is one of the most famous
British mystery writers. Born in 1920, she worked in the North West
Regional Hospital Board in London from 1949 to 1968 and then as home
office principal in the police department until 1972 when she moved to the
criminal policy department. She retired in 1979. Her first novel, Cover
her face published in 1962, featured Scotland Yard man Adam Dalgliesh.
However unlike most series, James seems to use her main character just for
the needs of the story and not vice versa. She has also written two books
starring PI Cordelia Gray but her most successful novel to date is her
non-series book Innocent Blood. P. D. James has won many awards: Silver
Dagger 1971 for Shroud for a Nightingale; Silver Dagger 1975 for The Black
Tower; Silver Dagger 1986 and International Macavity Award for Best Novel
in 1987 for A Taste for Death; Diamond Dagger 1987; Grand Master Award
1999. In 1983 she was named Officer of the Order of the British Empire. PD
James has also recently been nominated peer in the House of Lords taking
the name of Baroness James of Holland Park. She is a widow and has two
children. |
