Episode #1.1

I was so glad the BBC decided to take up the later books of PD James, and make them into dramas. Only this time, Adam Dalgleish is portrayed by Martin Shaw instead of Roy Marsden.

This is a very well produced, quality drama. If I'm honest I didn't care for the book, I found it very slow, but this production manages to be punchy and dramatic. Shaw is very good in the role, I became a huge fan of his after George Gently, and he's just as good here, I believe in his portrayal of Dalgleish, very sincere. He's in good company, it's an excellent cast, Robert Hardy stands out, Julia McKenzie was also terrific.

It's a good, solid story, with plenty of red herrings and wrong turns, a clever mystery. 8/10

Martin Shaw steps into the shoes of P D James Adam Dalgliesh returning to his old theological college of a young student who studied there.

The verdict was accidental death, he was found buried in dirt on the side of a cliff. Dalgliesh is sent to look again if any of the mad monks were responsible.

Margaret Munroe is helpful to Dalgleish's enquiries but she is soon found dead.

Archdeacon Matthew Crampton turns up to the college, he makes the priests nervous as they think he plans to close the college down, terming it elitist with its valuable artwork. The Archdeacon is under pressure because of gossip that he was the responsible for the death of his wife.

The first episode has red herrings and plenty of suspects. Everyone has something to hide and Dalgleish does not entirely seem to be comfortable to be there at his old college.

A starchy opening episode with some dark deeds going on.