logo

50 pages 1 hour read

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1972

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
P. D. James

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1972
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

England • 1970s

Publication Year

1972

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman by P. D. James follows rookie private investigator Cordelia Gray as she probes the apparent suicide of a young man named Mark Callender, ultimately uncovering his murder. The novel explores themes of deception, identity, and the gender dynamics in a male-dominated profession while Cordelia navigates skepticism and danger to solve the case.

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Dark

Challenging

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.0

21,595 ratings

67%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman by P. D. James impresses with its compelling protagonist, Cordelia Gray, and intricate plot. Critics admire the novel's atmospheric tension and intellectual depth. However, some find the pacing uneven and the resolution slightly predictable. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read that blends mystery with psychological insight.

Who should read this

Who Should Read An Unsuitable Job for a Woman?

Fans of detective fiction and strong female protagonists will enjoy P. D. James's An Unsuitable Job for a Woman. Readers who appreciate the cerebral mystery style of Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd or the intricate plots of Dorothy L. Sayers's Gaudy Night will find this book compelling.

4.0

21,595 ratings

67%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

England • 1970s

Publication Year

1972

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.