‘Fascinating reminiscences of her past.A wonderfully vivid evocation of a lower-middle-class childhood of oil lamps and gas mantles, water heated up in a coke boiler for the weekly bath, liberty bodices, prickly combinations, a father severely remote from his three children, and a long-suffering mother.The book contains a number of fascinating passages about the crime novel [and] some trenchant comments on life in England today.’ Francis King, The Oldie'A wonderful read and as such will give pleasure to all P.D. James fans. The descriptions of landscape alone merit enthusiasm.Phyllis James is a national treasure.‘ Antonia Fraser, Mail on Sunday