PD James dies: Cameron leads tributes to 'queen of crime fiction'

The celebrated detective writer PD James, who wrote more than 20 bestselling novels, has died aged 94.

She passed away "peacefully at her home in Oxford", according to her publisher, and is survived by her two children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Often described as the queen of crime fiction, her best loved books include The Children of Men, The Murder Room and Death Comes to Pemberley, a pastiche of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. She sold millions of copies of her books worldwide and many were adapted for film and television.

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Born Phyllis Dorothy James, she was elevated to the House of Lords in 1991 and took the title Baroness James of Holland Park.

David Cameron led the tributes, saying he was "saddened to hear of the death of PD James, one of the UK’s greatest crime writers, who thrilled and inspired generations of readers."

Fellow crime writer Ian Rankin also expressed his sadness at the news. "Every event I did with her was a joy," he said. "Sharp intellect, ready wit. She will be missed."

"I salute the great PD James for so many reasons," said Scottish crime writer Val McDermid. "Today, I've lost a friend as well as a teacher. There was nothing cosy about Phyllis."

James believed she was born to write and often said it was talent that could not be taught. "I am lucky to have written as many books as I have," she said. "It has been a joy."

She told the BBC the process had become more difficult as she grew older as it "takes longer for the inspiration to come". But she said "the thing about being a writer is that you need to write".

"While I am alive, I shall write. There will be a time to stop writing but that will probably be when I come to a stop, too."