Famous British mystery writer, P.D. James, talks with Don Swaim in this 1986 interview. Her books include: Cover Her Face, Innocent Blood, Shroud for a Nightingale, The Black Tower and A Taste for Death. She worked as a public servant, where she acquired experience in forensics and the law. When writing a novel, she explains that it is important to plan out all the details of the novel, especially when writing a mystery, to create a successful story. Often, she spends as much time researching and outlining as she does writing, giving her the edge on the very formal structure of mystery novels.

Listen to the P.D. James interview with Don Swaim, 1986
(29 min. 05 sec.)

In this 1990 interview, P.D. James explains that she does not want to change her English writing style to an American writing style, or the other way around. She talks about her murder mystery, the hazards of nuclear power and more.

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For many years most of the best writers of the English language found their way to Don Swaim's CBS Radio studio in New York. Wired for Books is proud to webcast these interviews in RealAudio.