P. D. James Dies at 94

STATEMENT FROM KNOPF:

We are sad to share the news that P.D. James has died at the age of 94. Baroness James of Holland Park, whose legal name was Phyllis Dorothy James, is the celebrated English crime writer whose many international bestsellers included THE MURDER ROOM, THE LIGHTHOUSE, THE CHILDREN OF MEN, and most recently, DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY.

Charles Elliott, her longtime editor at Knopf, said “Phyllis broke the bounds of the mystery genre. Her books were in a class of their own, consistently entertaining yet as well-written and serious as any fiction of our time. She was, moreover, a delight to be around and work with, beloved by readers and her publishers around the world. We will all miss her.”