Adam Dalgliesh is a fictional British detective–poet and the protagonist of fourteen mystery novels by PD James as well as a supporting and cameo character in other novels and short stories. He was introduced in James' 1962 debut novel Cover Her Face.
Notable associates of his include: DS George Martin, DS Charles Masterson, DCI John Massingham, DI Kate Miskin, DI Daniel Aaron, DI Piers Tarrant, DS Francis Benton-Smith.
Since 1983, there have been a number of television and radio adaptations of the Dalgliesh novels. Roy Marsden played the character for ITV between 1983 and 1998, whilst Martin Shaw starred in the BBC's adaptations of Death in Holy Orders and The Murder Room, in 2003 and 2005 respectively. Robin Ellis, Philip Franks, and Richard Derrington have all portrayed the detective for BBC Radio. Bertie Carvel is the most recent actor to take on the role in the 2021 Acorn TV and Channel 5 series Dalgliesh.
Novels
- Cover Her Face (1962)
- A Mind to Murder (1963)
- Unnatural Causes (1967)
- Shroud for a Nightingale (1971)
- The Black Tower (1975)
- Death of an Expert Witness (1977)
- A Taste for Death (1986)
- Devices and Desires (1989)
- Original Sin (1994)
- A Certain Justice (1997)
- Death in Holy Orders (2001)
- The Murder Room (2003)
- The Lighthouse (2005)
- The Private Patient (2008)
Tropes
- By-the-Book Cop: Kate and Dalgliesh are both fastidious in their belief in proper enforcement of the law. When Daniel lets a suspect commit suicide rather than face prison, it shines through. Daniel is disgusted by their (especially Kate's) absolute belief in the the law, and they have a conversation about it. Paraphrased a little:Daniel [disgustedly]: The law is the only moral code you ever need. You're always so sure about everything.Kate: I'm sure about some things. I'm sure about murder. How can I not be?
- Comic-Book Time: We first meet Dalgliesh in 1962 as a DCI, a rank he would likely have to be at least 30 to attain. Furthermore, he lost his wife in childbirth 13 years prior, making him at minimum mid-30s. Dalgliesh is still active in the contemporary police force in 2008, which would make him at least 80.
- Long-Running Book Series: The series ran from 1963 to 2008 – 14 novels, plus short stories and cameo appearances in two other novels.
- The adaptations that starred Roy Marsden consisted of TV movies and mini-series, with releases spanning from 1983 to 1998.
- Love Makes You Evil: In Death of an Expert Witness, Dalgleish reflects back to his days as a Police Constable, remembering his superior telling him that he'll never make detective unless he understands that love, not hate, is the most destructive force on earth. This proves true when the murder is solved: the victim and the killer both had an affair with the same woman; after she transferred her affections to the killer, the victim was so insanely jealous that he planned to write to the killer’s ex-wife, giving her enough juicy details to allow her to take full custody of their children.
- Sliding Scale of Silliness vs. Seriousness: James' novels definitely err on the side of seriousness; murder mysteries are not a game here.
- The Stoic: Dalgliesh is known, at least outwardly, for being rather enigmatic and dour, approaching cases with a certain coolness.
