The movie was good, and though it differs from the novel it is fairly close to it, apart from the ending which is contrived in the movie,and much more fluid in the book. I read the novel in 1992 (the year of publication) after being given it for a present at Christmas! It's by P.D.James, she usually writes amazingly well plotted detective stories that have an ethical edge. I really like her work, and also read SF, so it was a perfect gift! I have to say that the book for me is far better than the admittedly very good film.