Anselm's in Suffolk, he meets Cambridge lecturer Emma Lavenham and later asks her to marry him. His relationship with Deborah Riscoe ended because of this. He lost his wife in childbirth 13 years before A Mind to Murder, and was reluctant to commit himself ever since. In his lengthy career, he has been quite astute and successful and now heads a squad of CID officers working on only the most sensitive cases.ĭalgliesh is a widower.

After her death, Dalgliesh inherits, among other bequests, a converted windmill located on the Norfolk coast. His sole family relation was his aunt, Jane Dalgliesh, whom he held in high esteem. His father was the rector of a Norfolk country parish. Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. He was described as being 'tall, dark and handsome' by some women, alluding to Mr. In the earlier novels he drives a Cooper Bristol, later a Jaguar. Dalgliesh lives in a flat above the Thames at Queenhithe in the City of London. Several volumes of his poetry have been published. He writes poetry, a fact about which his colleagues are fond of reminding him. He is an intensely cerebral and private person. He eventually reaches the rank of Commander in the Metropolitan Police Service at New Scotland Yard in London.

In the first novel, Dalgliesh is a Detective Chief Inspector. He also appears in the two novels featuring James' other detective, Cordelia Gray. James the first being James's 1962 novel Cover Her Face. His sole family relation was his aunt, Jane Dalgl …moreĪdam Dalgliesh (pronounced 'dal-gleash') is a fictional character who has been the protagonist of fourteen mystery novels by P. Adam Dalgliesh (pronounced 'dal-gleash') is a fictional character who has been the protagonist of fourteen mystery novels by P.

Adam dalgliesh cover her face