She certainly created an impressive and interesting career for herself--I knew about her previous career in public health, but not the financial pressure caused by the mental illness of her husband. PD James produced literary novels that were a pleasure to read and re-read over the decades. I loved reading about Dalgliesh, his work colleagues, the Yard, and family and friends over the decades. Other favorites were probably the Cordelia Grey novels--An Unsuitable Job for a Woman appealed to me on multiple levels. Ms James (would her official title be Dame or Baroness?) and work will be missed, but her intelligent novels will endure for generations.

Her title was Baroness James of Holland Park, and she sat in the house of lords as a member of the Conservative party.

Coincidentally, fellow crime author Ruth Rendall also sits in the House of Lords, but on the Labour side.

Oh, was unaware of that--I did know my fav, Ruth Rendell was a member of House of Lords. Thanks for educating me. I'm spending Christmas in London, btw!

Kim, please wish London a Merry Christmas for me! There is no place in the world to rival it!!!

Hope you have a great time Kim.. I was born there. (in Chiswick)

Oh, I loved PD James. I hope there's a huge trove of unpublished work of hers. I can't bear that there will be no new books to look forward to. Though she was writing one before she died. I hope she finished it.
Thank you for all the words.

Having read the unfinished works by Dorothy L. Sayers, as completed by Jill Paton Walsh, and further Peter Wimsey novels by JPW, I'd rather no one attempted to "complete" a PD James novel. JPW may have brought closure to the Wimsey character, but the work was not up to the mark.

What are "book-known" works? Could it possibly be "best-known" works? For the love of Strunk and White, NPR, get a decent copy editor, willya?

True, and while I grew up with Strunk and White, might I suggest a good carpenter to take the stick out of your derriere (sp?).

And may I suggest a good proctologist to shove your inane comment up yours? (And BTW, I see that the error has been corrected, so there!).

Wow. I certainly did love her books., a true loss. Tha Children Of Men was one of my favorites.

I loved her novel The Children of Men. I saw the movie later and it was very different to the book.

One of the best contemporary mystery writers EVER. She'll be missed.

Who killed P.D. James?

There are rumors about it was a serial killer who goes by the name "Grim Reaper".

Preferably the one from Discworld. Guess they needed another collaborator at the Great Mystery Symposium From Beyond. They should release a heck of an anthology with the lineup: James, Agatha Christie, Dashiel Hamett, Raymond Chandler, Conan Doyle, Paul Feval, Gaston Leraux, Maurice Leblanc, Poe, Dorothy Sayers....

Someone get Adam Dalgliesh on the phone!

I'm guessing she'd be thrilled to read this comment thread. RIP, Ms James, wherever you are "resting"....Thank you for keeping me turning the page.

RIP, Ms James.

Could find a more flattering photograph of the Baroness?

was it muuuurdeeeer?