Venetia Aldridge is a distinguished barrister. When she agrees to defend Garry Ashe, accused of the brutal murder of his aunt, it is one more opportunity to triumph in her brilliant career as a criminal lawyer. But Regina v. Ashe initiates events both frightening and unpredictable. Just four weeks later, Miss Aldridge is found dead. Commander Adam Dalgliesh, called in to investigate, finds motives for murder among the clients Venetia has defended, her professional colleagues, her family - even her lover. As Dalgliesh narrows the field of suspects, a second brutal murder draws them into greater complexities of intrigue and evil...

A Certain Justice sees Michael Jayston reading this unabridged recording of the P.D. James novel. The set is spread over 12 CDs and has a running time of 15 hr, 35 min.

I don't think I can honestly imagine anyone other than Jayston reading this. His voice is like treacle and keeps you gripped throughout the entire story. That's not to say James's story isn't riveting in its own right - it's an intriguing drama and well worth 15 hours of anyone's time.

When you strip the story back to the bare bones it's surprising how little there is to it, but then it's the storytelling that's important and James's weaves an intricate web. A gripping drama from start to finish.

8

Nick Smithson