P.D. James (1920.08.20 – 2014.11.27) was considered by many to be the eminent British detective fiction author during her career.
Since today marks the tenth year of her passing I felt the need to make this post. I hope you enjoy it.
I recall watching an interview with her at the end of one of the many Masterpiece Theatre productions of her Adam Dalgliesh detective novels. She stated that when on vacation she would come across a town/city/ village that seemed an ideal location for a novel. Later she would return to the location for a longer visit writing down descriptions of interesting features of the location and inhabitants to use in her next novel. I thought that it was a superb way to ground a work of fiction in reality.
In 2008 she published the mystery novel "The Private Patient". I recall reading an interview in which she stated that it would be her last novel. She was afraid that it she continued writing at her advanced age the level of her work might drop off and disappoint her fans. I thought how sad to realize that after such a long career to realize it was time to quit.
Imagine my surprise a few years later (2011) when I came across an advert for her new novel, "Death Comes to Pemberly". I immediately searched for an interview with her to explain this backtracking of her earlier declaration. She explained that she did previously believe she was done with writing. However she had long been a devotee of Jane Austen and had at one time considered writing a "Pride and Prejudice" sequel. She remarked that she discovered that her mind would not let her rest until the idea came to fruition. She realized that many Austenites would be upset with her for bringing death to Pemberly, but she stated "it is what I do".
While reading "Death Comes to Pemberly" I realized that here was a novelist in her 90s that was still an excellent writer. Not only had she produced a remarkable "Pride and Prejudice" sequel, but that she had intentionally written it in the style of Austen. I can only hope that my own mind is still active enough in my 90s to be able to read such outstanding literature.
by Knight1errant