P.D. James

P.D. James, also known as Phyllis Dorothy James White, was a British mystery writer who developed the Dalgliesh character, a skilled detective with an introspective mentality who solves crimes. Her series of investigative books featuring Adam Dalgliesh, the police commander, and poet, pushed her to popularity. She also published a series of nonfiction books that focused on true crime stories.

In the mid-1950s, she began writing under her maiden name ("My genes are James genes"). Cover Her Face, her debut novel, was released in 1962 and featured New Scotland Yard detective and poet Adam Dalgliesh. Many of James' mystery books are set in UK institutions including the criminal justice system and the National Health Service, where she worked for decades beginning in the 1940s. Her later books frequently took place in a restricted society, such as a publishing firm, barristers' chambers, a theology college, an island, or a private clinic.

Famous Books: Death Comes to Pemberley, The Children of Men, Cover Her Face,...