Death of an Expert Witness

Death of an Expert Witness is an Adam Dalgliesh novel by P. D. James, published in 1977. It begins with the discovery of a murder of young girl. However, this is not the focus of the novel, but rather is used as a method to introduce us to the staff of a forensic laboratory, the background of this mystery. The actual murder of Dr. Lorrimer is only discovered in the second section of the book. It is quickly established that only people associated with the lab would have the opportunity or the knowledge to commit the crime, which allows the detectives to focus their attention.

Plot Outline

Scotland Yard’s Adam Dalgliesh investigates the murder of forensic biologist Dr. Edwin Lorrimer. With too many motives and no physical evidence, Dalgliesh is left to deduce which among the small pool of suspects is the killer, who decides to claim a second victim. Dr. Lorrimer was killed by Dr. Kerrison in a fit of anger. Dr. Lorrimer has been having sexual relations with Dr. Howarth’s extraordinarily beautiful step-sister Domenica Schofield, but the widowed Mrs. Schofield ended the relationship to be with Dr. Kerrison. Dr. Lorrimer is obsessed with Mrs. Schofield and, when he found out about her relationship with Dr. Kerrison, he told Dr. Kerrison to stay away from her else he would tell his estranged wife and he would lose his children in the custody battle. Dr. Kerrison hit Dr. Lorrimer with a mallet. Stella Mawson is Dr. Lorrimer’s ex-wife. Their marriage was annulled after two years because it was not consummated. When Stella Mawson moved to the village, she started living with Angela Foley, who happened to be with Dr. Lorrimer’s cousin and principal beneficiary to his will. Angela had no knowledge of Stella’s previous association with Dr. Lorrimer. After Dr. Lorrimer died Stella found a draft of a letter he wrote for Dr. Kerrison’s wife, telling her of Dr. Kerrisons affair with Domenica Schofield. Stella called Dr. Kerrison to show him the letter and ask him for a loan, enough so she can buy the house she has been staying in with Angela. Dr. Kerrison strangled her and staged the scene to make it look like suicide. In the end Dr. Kerrison was arrested.

The Characters

Commander Adam Dalgliesh – the poetry-writing ace detective of Scotland Yard Detective Inspector the Honorable John Massingham – Dalgliesh’s partner; son of a Lord Dr. Kerrison – consulting pathologist Nell Kerrison – Dr. Kerrison’s 16-year-old daughter William Kerrison – Dr. Kerrison’s three-year-old son Detective Inspector Doyle – of the local C.I.D.; man in charge of the initial homicide Dr. Maxim Howarth – newly appointed Director f the Forensic Science Laboratory Domenica Schofield – Dr. Howarth’s step-sister; lover of both Dr. Lorrimer and Dr. Kerrison Dr. Edwin Lorrimer – Principal Scientific Officer in charge of the Biology Department; victim of homicide Paul Middlemass – Principal Scientific Officer Document Examiner Mrs. Bidwell - laboratory cleaner Clifford Bradley – Higher Scientific Officer of the Biology Department Susan Bradley – wife of Clifford Debbie Bradley – daughter of Clifford and Susan Brenda Pridmore – Clerical Officer/ Receptionist of Hoggatt’s Laboratory; girl who found the bodies of both victims Inspector Blakelock – Assistant Police Liaison Officer Stella Mawson – writer; ex-wife of Dr. Lorrimer; victim of homicide Angela Foley – personal secretary to the Director of Hoggatt’s Laboratory; Dr. Lorrimer’s cousin and erstwhile principal beneficiary of his will Maureen Doyle – Detective Inspector Doyle’s wife Dr. Charles Freeborn – Controller of the Forensic Science Service Detective Superintendent Mercer – of the local C.I.D. Claire Easterbrook – Senior Scientific Officer Stephen Copley – Senior Chemist Dr. Greene – the local police surgeon Sergeant Reynolds – an old local police officer assigned to help Dalgliesh on the case Sergeant Underhill – a young local police officer assigned to help Dalgliesh on the case Miss Willard – woman hired to look after Dr. Kerrison’s children

Notes

This is Adam Dalgliesh’s second case with John Massingham. We learn in this book that Adam Dalgliesh lost his wife and son at childbirth.

Literary significance and criticism

"Despite praise by Julian Symons and others, there is less to admire in this book than in most others by this talented author. For some reason the mixture of love and lust that brings about the death of a highly disagreeable pathologist fails to attract or convince. The best thing about the book is that it brings back Supt. Dalgliesh."^[1]

Film and Television Versions

A television version was produced for Britain's ITV network in 1983. It starred Roy Marsden as Adam Dalgliesh, Barry Foster (actor) as Dr Howarth, Geoffrey Palmer as Dr Lorrimer, and Ray Brooks as Dr Kerrison.

References