Devices and Desires discussion

I was honestly more swept away by the setting. James's handling of it was amazing almost the point of overshadowing the protagonist. I wanted to revisit the series recently but for the life of me could not recall Dalgliesh's name nor was I entirely sure she was the author yet the setting haunted me. I am a bit of an oddball and since I do immerse myself in a lot of media so I do forget things, but really? I feel almost that the attention to scenery takes the genre of mystery to a higher level, but also at the same time seems out of balance in the work itself. Any other thoughts?

I think it's a personal preference. setting can really pull you in and give you the impression of "being there" as the action transpires. but sometimes authors can get bogged down in tremendous detail that can also be distracting and for me irritating. I did like this book very much as one of the best her very best. James never disappoints me. I read her from time to time, savoring the series.

Carol

James only disappointed me once with THE LIGHTHOUSE.

Laura wrote: "I was honestly more swept away by the setting. James's handling of it was amazing almost the point of overshadowing the protagonist. I wanted to revisit the series recently but for the life of me c..."

Hi Laura, I also was enraptured by the setting, but rather than seeing it as overbalancing the protagonist, I see it as metaphorically enlarging the emotional dimension and enormity of the crime. As in devastating, austere, amoral,cruelly brilliant.