Helpful Score: 1
In the interest full disclosure, be aware that I am a rabid fan of Elizabeth George. This is an intriguing study of suppressed childhood memories and the havoc this can cause in adulthood when an event triggers the awakening of those memories. I readily identified with the main character who is attempting to retrieve the truth of his past while others conspire to keep it hidden. Is a child better off knowing the truth as events occur, or only later, when he "can handle it"? Who can he trust as he begins to suspect that those around him have acted not to protect him, but to serve their own self interests? You can always trust Elizabeth George to tell a story that is compulsively readable.
Helpful Score: 1
We've all heard the stories about parents going crazy over their kids' sports and beauty pageants. Well, the parent in this book is the ultimate control freak. This story is thick with suspense and defines the meaning of "page-turner." The writing is extremely clever and has one of the best surprise, shocking endings I have ever read. No matter how good you are, you'll never see it coming.
I cannot get enough of Elizabeth George and Inspector Lynley.
Another wonderful Elizabeth George! This one is long and complex being told with parallel, yet interlocking, stories. As always, it is worth the effort.
Very good book! Kept me guessing until the very end!
Elizabeth George is truly the reigning queen of mystery. Another masterful Inspector Lynley novel of intrigue and suspense.
Excellent narration, always enjoy Lynley and Havers. The abridgement, well, it took some real leaps and assumptions to fill in the very large blanks. At the last disc I kept thinking, what? but when ? and what happened to? I read the hard copy after listening to fill in my questions. Next one, I'll read hard copy first and enjoy the narration after.
This is British Mystery and a 1006 page read. The characters are fully developed and the author will keep you guessing who the murderer could be as the plot unfolds.
If you love Brit mysteries you should enjoy this novel. I had not read any of the Lynley mysteries, but this book can stand alone.
If you love Brit mysteries you should enjoy this novel. I had not read any of the Lynley mysteries, but this book can stand alone.
I have read all of the books in this series and, as this one was good, it did not come up to the standards I have set for all of the others. This book did not have the intrigue that I have enjoyed with George's other stories in the Thomas Lynley collection, but I still feel that it is worth reading. Elizabeth George is able to weave characters lives together in her same masterful way. Where I feel that Tommy has a lesser role in this book, I am pleased to see that Barbara is her same witty self and am delighted that Nkata plays a bit more significant role than in other novels in this series. A good read, though for me, a slow one.
Different style of writing from her other books. As Gideon Davies tries to solve his musical block, he discovers bits of the past that he has repressed. Little by little the characters roles in the past are revealed.
Intricate, involved plot.
A Vintage Elizabeth George with all of the nuances of life lived as a royal "knight" and Scotland Yard detective for Thomas Lynley with his slovenly partner, Barbara Havers. This book deals with the devastation of someone suffering with dementia.
Gideon is an accomplished musician but has suddenly lost his ability to perform and play. He is working with Dr Alison Rose to see what in his childhood has suddenly caused this collapse.
George is an English myster writer. She writes hefty books about a couple of English police detectives. Very intriguing stories. They take a while to read so if you're looking for a long and engrossing story, this is it!
This is a very involved Lynley mystery and her longest thus far in this series. I didn't like this one as much as her earlier ones. Oh well, I still like her writing, guess I don't have to like them all.
Love her books. They are so literate and entertaining.
"New York Ties Bestseller"
"The smartest, most gratifying complex and impassioned mystery series now being published." - Entertainment Weekly
"The smartest, most gratifying complex and impassioned mystery series now being published." - Entertainment Weekly
If you're a fan of Elizabeth George's Lord Lindley and Barbara Haver's Scotland Yard mysteries, this is a must read.
Gripping and twisty, with a cliffhanger ending. A lot of good psychological insight as well.
Elizabeth George is such a great writer! Another fabulous entry in her Inspector Lynley series.
This book was really good like all of the Inspector Lynley mysteries, but at 1006 pages for the paperback, it was a bit long compared to some of the other Lynley books. Still a good read, but not my favorite Lynley story.
A great mystery writer with complex plots, interesting & multi-dimensional characters. Elizabeth George is among the best mystery writers there is.
Well written, engrossing tale of the misunderstandings between people that lead to tragedy
1009 pages. good for a plane and/or vacation where you have plenty of time. you really know the characters when you're done.
(#11 of the Havers-Lynley series) WowThis was another masterpiece by George. I have never read another book like the ones George puts out. These are ingenious. Amazons rating does not do it justice. This author, in my humble opinion, is ingenious. The book is about many things. The main plot is about a family. A family torn apart by lies and murder. Although, George always starts the book out in a very mysterious way. Not with the Havers-Lynley character or any regular in the series. It usually is something to grab you and take hold so you are cast under her spell. This was about Gideon, the violin player who suddenly has lost the ability to play. He enters psycho therapy with Dr. Rose so he can peel back the layers of emotional damage he has repressed for all of these years about the sister who disappeared from his life when he was young and the tragedy behind her death and of the life of a protegy and all the pressure that goes along with it. Webberly, Lynley and Havers boss who was involved with Gideons mother. An affair secretly kept from his wife. He is hit by a car soon after Eugenies murder. All of the people involved in this tangled web are developed in the most intimate way. The story within the story. The story of the regulars. Helen is pregnant and no one knows. They are afraid to tell Deborah because of her history of miscarriages. Webberlys wife who has been home bound for so long and cant leave the house even after he is struck down. Nkata who is investigating the woman convicted of the murder of Gideons sister Sonia. Validating her alibi but also finding an emotional attraction to her roommate and son. There was so much to this book. Yes, I was a bit intimidated by the 1,000 page paperback. But, it was worth the read. Definitely worth the read and I am looking forward to the next one.
The 'mystery' as as an art form--Elizabeth George at her best. 'Stunner of an ending.'
