What the detective story is about is not murder but the restoration of order.

Meaning of the quote

The quote means that detective stories are not really about the crime itself, such as murder, but rather about finding the truth and bringing back a sense of order to the situation. The main focus is on solving the mystery and restoring the normal, peaceful state of things, rather than just the act of violence that started the story.

About P. D. James

P.D. James was an acclaimed English novelist best known for her mystery novels featuring the detective Adam Dalgliesh. She rose to fame with her compelling crime fiction and was honored as a life peer by the British government.

More about the author