Details about the unsatisfactory ending would be a spoiler, but let us say in general that it does not feel satisfactory when justice is not fully served directly, but must come by later indirect means. None of that can downgrade a high rating for the buildup atmosphere of paranoia, the persistence of the investigators, the detailed character building of a very large cast, and the final twist unveiling of the solution. If all you've read of James' writing is her post-1990 books, then give yourself a nice treat and read some of her earlier works - she was first published in 1962. Her earliest novels are smoothly written, very well-plotted, and within a couple of books her characterizations move from "decent" to "very good", and become brilliant by her middle period (~1980s). This 1970 story is an excellent mystery in and of itself, and although IMO it's not her very best, it's still head and shoulders above that of most mystery writers from the period, and comparable to some of the best then (last 1960s, early 1970s) writing in that classic style in the UK (i.e., Catherine Aird, Ruth Rendell, Ellis Peters, Sara Woods, Charlotte Armstrong, Christianna Brand...) and the US (Margaret Millar, Amanda Cross, Elizabeth Peters, Sarah Caudwell, Emma Lathen...). Not rectal feeding, Sister. The rectum can't absorb sufficient nourishment. Intra-gastric feeding by the mouth or nose." Written by PD James —Has it really been 42 years since this PD James novel came out, one of her best-known and most-loved works? Although it was her fourth book featuring poet and police detective Adam Dalgliesh, it was the first, and certainly not the last, to win awards. It took the CWA Silver Dagger in 1971, and was runner-up for The Mystery Writers of America’s Best Novel Award the same year. Shroud for a Nightingale was one of her first novels to be adapted for TV in 1984, starring Roy Marsden as Dalgliesh. He went on to play the complex detective for 15 years. She supported the girl out of the room. To Miss Beale's surprise Nurse Pardoe went with her, their recent antagonism apparently forgotten as they supported Nurse Dakers between them. Miss Beale was left with the Burt twins and Nurse Harper. Another silence fell. But Miss Beale had learned her lesson. She had been unforgivably irresponsible. There was to be no more talk of death or murder. While they were here and in her charge they might as well work. She gazed sternly at Nurse Harper and invited her to describe the signs, symptoms and treatment of pulmonary collapse.

This must be the shortest inspection on record. What on earth will I say to the General Nursing Council?" But there couldn't be! Shirley and I took a fresh bottle of milk out of the kitchen fridge first thing this morning. Miss Collins was there and saw us. We left it in the demo room and didn't pour it into the measuring jug until just before the demonstration, did we, Shirley?" CRIME/PLOT = 3 stars: The first murder is wildly original and is indeed disturbing. The second not so much as it is rather bland, even for this genre: it's that typical/expected 2nd murder that you just know is right around the corner. Sometimes it works, sometimes, like here, it's about word count. The students...could you look after them please? There's an empty room next door. Keep them together." No one replied. The logic was apparently unassailable. It was impossible to imagine anyone wanting to murder Pearce. Pearce, Miss Beale realized, was either of the company of the naturally inoffensive or was too negative a personality to inspire the tormenting hatred which can lead to murder. Then Nurse Goodale said drily: "Pearce wasn't everyone's cup of tea."The policeman rather enjoys talking with her and watching her performance. At the end, when they talk about the bottle of disinfectant that was the poison that killed the first nurse, Collins forcefully says, “And now I’ll tell you something, Mr. Detective.” Nurse Harper reiterated stoutly: "It's daft to talk about murder. No one would want to kill Pearce." James was that rare mystery writer and, for that matter, rare writer who could see and feel in the routine the deeper waters of life and loss. CAST = 1 stars: Absolutely massive, first of all, and one of the novels 2 major downfalls. We're introduced to Miss Muriel Beale, and Inspector Nurse on her way to an inspection, and her roommate Miss Angela Burrows, a Principal Tutor in a London teaching hospital. They disappear until the final chapter. It's sorta cheap that this appearance of 2 ladies living together is really a preview of, well, a number of nurse-nurse relationships. Supposedly, they all have 'boyfriends', so we learn that's what they called them at one time. There is Mary Taylor, Matron at John Gardener's Hospital (SHE has a BIG SECRET and you know what it is). Hilda Rolfe (BIG SECRET!) is the Principal Tutor, Mr. Stephen Courtney-Briggs (well, one character as straight as they come, and sadly to Briggs he is surrounded by pretty young gals with BIG SECRETS) the Senior Surgeon, Sister Mavis Gearing a teacher at said hospital. There are 7 students in an opening training class, plus more in bed with the 'flu'. There is Miss Collins, the housekeeper. Chairman Sir Marcus Cohen is in Isreal and why he is even mentioned is beyond me. Same for Alderman Kealy. And that's not even half the cast. Few authors outside of historical non-fiction need this many people to tell a story. (unless you are James Michenor, natch.) And things like "...that high-handed bitch of a Matron" are the kind of lines encountered often. Did I mention Sister Bum? She has MORE THAN ONE SECRET! (People with this name usually do.) If there's a suspicion of foul play ought we to move the body?" Mr. Courtney-Briggs said sharply: "I have no intention of moving the body."

They were silent again, considering this new development. Miss Beale noted with interest that there were no protestations that no one would want to murder Fallon. Then Maureen Burt said:This feels like a step-up in confidence for James's Dalgleish series: it still has its roots in the classic Christie-esque (the closed community, the poisonings, the limited circle of suspects, the secret lives beneath the surface) but the NHS setting gives it oomph. I did wonder if women in the 1970s were quite this old-fashioned (49 is impending old age, nurse's training is abandoned on marriage, a whiskey night-cap is an indicator of racy behaviour) but that's a question, not a criticism. Nurse Pearce is acting the part of our patient this morning. We have just been going through her history. She is Mrs. Stokes, the fifty-year-old mother of four children, wife of a council refuse collector. She has had a laryngectomy for the treatment of cancer." She turned to a student sitting on her right.