After 50 years of writing mystery novels, author P.D. James knows a thing or two about crafting a well-written plot. In her new non-fiction book, Talking About Detective Fiction, James discusses the history of the mystery genre and the construct of a good crime novel. “There must be a central mystery,” she explains, “and one that by the end of the book is solved satisfactorily and logically, not by good luck or intuition, but by intelligent deduction from clues honestly if deceptively presented.” James focuses primarily on British authors, and her opinions of some of the genre’s icons are surprising and amusing. Agatha Christie, she posits, “hasn’t in my view had a profound influence on the later development of the detective story.” Though James does offer this backhanded compliment to mystery legend: “Perhaps her greatest strength was that she never overstepped the limits of her talent.” James also prefers Dr. Watson over Sherlock Holmes, finding his character more genuine and relatable, though she does raise some questions about the coziness of their household.

At age 89, James has been writing mystery novels for most of her adult life, and was asked to write Talking About Detective Fiction to benefit Oxford’s Bodleian Library. Her powers of observation and sharp wit show no signs of slowing, and she offers a wealth of knowledge and insight on the subject. James is best known for her Adam Dalgliesh series, and published the 14th installment, The Private Patient, just last year. She admits that if she were to start a new series now, she’d create a female protagonist, like novelist Sara Paretsky has done. Though at the time of Dalgliesh’s creation, there were very few women working in New Scotland Yard, and a female detective would not have been seen as realistic.

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