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Scotland Yard's Thomas Lynley discovers the body of a young man who appears to have fallen to his death. The closest town, better known for its tourists and its surfing than its intrigue, seems an unlikely place for murder. However, it soon becomes apparent that a clever killer is indeed at work, and this time Lynley is not a detective but a witness and possibly a suspect.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Joycepa
Elizabeth George is one of my favorite authors. I consider her a master of the English detective/police procedural genre. I’ve looked on her writing as an exemplar of near-perfect prose, a joy to read. Her portrayals of a rather large group of main characters in the Thomas Lynley/Barbara Havers
However, George did remark some years ago that the reason she had such a large cast is that it would allow her to kill one of them off and still keep the series alive and interesting. In With No One As Witness, she did exactly that, thereby eliminating one of the most empathetic characters in the series, Lynley’s wife, Helen.
The following book, What Came Before He Shot Her, was only tangentially related to the series, and was the story of the adolescent youth of a Jamaican mother who, abandoned by his mother to live with his older sister, becomes involved in the street gangs and winds up shooting and killing Helen. Because there was no tension in the story—we all knew the outcome-- to me it wound up reading like a sociological study, which is not what I wanted out of George. I wound up not finishing the book.
So it was with relief that I greeted Careless in Red as a return to and continuation of the series.
However, the book did not live up to my hopes, which were of a smooth transition back into the series. Transition it is, but not the best, not the caliber of which we know George is capable. In the story, Lynley, to escape his well-meaning and understanding family, friends and colleagues, takes the walking route up the coast of Cornwall. Six weeks into this walk and looking like a homeless beggar, Lynley happens upon the body of a young man in which it appears that the victim has died in a climbing accident. One thing leads to another, and Lynley is fairly sure that the young man was murdered. He stays on to participate in the investigation.
This is the basis for the plot, which itself is rather well done. But what is the surprise is the radical shift in George’s style of writing. From precise prose where every word seemed perfect and polished, George in this book has developed a looser, more informal style which she does not handle in the same masterly way. It’s so startlingly different that at first it hinders getting into the book; you keep expecting the “real Elizabeth George” to step up, please. Even after you adjust, it still is somewhat uncertain and simply does not fit the personas of the characters she created with her previous style—Lynley does not seem like Lynley, Havers appears like an impersonation of Barbara Havers. Given that a good deal of the strength of George’s books is based on her outstanding characterizations, this is a severe handicap to Careless in Red. It’s interesting to note that in between With no One As Witnessand Careless in Red, George moved to the Seattle area, notorious home (I’ve lived there) to informality and a PC type of vagueness. You worry about George, as if she’s caught a serious infection from which you hope that she recovers fully.
The book is good but not her best, and in fact so far below in quality to any of the others in the series that you wonder if George is ever going to make it back to the standard which she herself set. Too bad if true.
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series are so evocative that I have a hard time with what are probably perfectly good portrayals of these characters in the TV series based on the books. George’s descriptions are simply too sharp to be replaced by anything else.However, George did remark some years ago that the reason she had such a large cast is that it would allow her to kill one of them off and still keep the series alive and interesting. In With No One As Witness, she did exactly that, thereby eliminating one of the most empathetic characters in the series, Lynley’s wife, Helen.
The following book, What Came Before He Shot Her, was only tangentially related to the series, and was the story of the adolescent youth of a Jamaican mother who, abandoned by his mother to live with his older sister, becomes involved in the street gangs and winds up shooting and killing Helen. Because there was no tension in the story—we all knew the outcome-- to me it wound up reading like a sociological study, which is not what I wanted out of George. I wound up not finishing the book.
So it was with relief that I greeted Careless in Red as a return to and continuation of the series.
However, the book did not live up to my hopes, which were of a smooth transition back into the series. Transition it is, but not the best, not the caliber of which we know George is capable. In the story, Lynley, to escape his well-meaning and understanding family, friends and colleagues, takes the walking route up the coast of Cornwall. Six weeks into this walk and looking like a homeless beggar, Lynley happens upon the body of a young man in which it appears that the victim has died in a climbing accident. One thing leads to another, and Lynley is fairly sure that the young man was murdered. He stays on to participate in the investigation.
This is the basis for the plot, which itself is rather well done. But what is the surprise is the radical shift in George’s style of writing. From precise prose where every word seemed perfect and polished, George in this book has developed a looser, more informal style which she does not handle in the same masterly way. It’s so startlingly different that at first it hinders getting into the book; you keep expecting the “real Elizabeth George” to step up, please. Even after you adjust, it still is somewhat uncertain and simply does not fit the personas of the characters she created with her previous style—Lynley does not seem like Lynley, Havers appears like an impersonation of Barbara Havers. Given that a good deal of the strength of George’s books is based on her outstanding characterizations, this is a severe handicap to Careless in Red. It’s interesting to note that in between With no One As Witnessand Careless in Red, George moved to the Seattle area, notorious home (I’ve lived there) to informality and a PC type of vagueness. You worry about George, as if she’s caught a serious infection from which you hope that she recovers fully.
The book is good but not her best, and in fact so far below in quality to any of the others in the series that you wonder if George is ever going to make it back to the standard which she herself set. Too bad if true.
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LibraryThing member citygirl
Careless in Red is the weakest of the series. It just seemed sloppy. Not that it lacks value. It was interesting to see Lynley as a disheveled mess and I very much enjoyed the descriptions of Cornwall. I think George missed a great opportunity with this one. After Tommy's recent tragedies, we might
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have seen him go to a darker, angrier place. I haven't given up on this series. But maybe I won't spring for hardcover anymore. Show Less
LibraryThing member 3RiversLibrary
While walking the coast of Cornwall attempting to come to terms with his wife’s senseless murder, Thomas Lynley happens upon a body. As you probably suspect, this leads to a homicide investigation into which he is drawn even though he insists that he is no longer with Scotland Yard. Thus begins
If you’ve never read one of Elizabeth George’s books, and you enjoy mysteries with substance that take more than a few hours to read, then I suggest you begin with Missing Joseph, the earliest book by George that we have in the library, and work your way up to the most recent one, Careless in Red. Although, if you don’t mind learning about the lives and relationships of Lord Lynley and his cohorts in reverse, you can start with the most recent book, which I think is the best one of all.
If you decide to work your way through Elizabeth George’s novels, then you have a winter of excellent entertainment ahead of you. Not only do you get the pleasure of trying to discover “who dunnit” before Lord Lynley, you also get an excellent picture of English landscape and customs. I also enjoy trying to figure out what the various slang expressions mean.
Review by Sherry, Three Rivers Public Library
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another one of Elizabeth George’s intricately crafted mysteries. She introduces us to most of the characters in the small village, each of whom has an apparent reason for committing the murder. Was it the sister? Ex-girlfriend? Father? Mother? The newcomer? Present girlfriend? A rival? It seems the charming, attractive victim had many enemies, and the local gendarme, hard pressed to solve the case, pressures Lord Lynley into helping with the investigation. For those of you who are already Elizabeth George fans, you have a treat awaiting you in her latest bookIf you’ve never read one of Elizabeth George’s books, and you enjoy mysteries with substance that take more than a few hours to read, then I suggest you begin with Missing Joseph, the earliest book by George that we have in the library, and work your way up to the most recent one, Careless in Red. Although, if you don’t mind learning about the lives and relationships of Lord Lynley and his cohorts in reverse, you can start with the most recent book, which I think is the best one of all.
If you decide to work your way through Elizabeth George’s novels, then you have a winter of excellent entertainment ahead of you. Not only do you get the pleasure of trying to discover “who dunnit” before Lord Lynley, you also get an excellent picture of English landscape and customs. I also enjoy trying to figure out what the various slang expressions mean.
Review by Sherry, Three Rivers Public Library
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LibraryThing member bsquaredinoz
A few weeks after the murder of his wife Thomas Lynley is walking the Cornish coast in something of a daze when he stumbles across a body at the base of a cliff. His walk has been a solitary affair but the discovery of the body requires him to engage with society once more and he is drawn, somewhat
I struggled through this book primarily because of its length. At 23hours and 15 minutes it’s a lot longer than the average audio book which in itself wouldn’t be a bad thing but there is not 23 hours and 15 minutes worth of story to be told. The body Lynley finds is that of a young man called Santo and the book reveals not only who killed him and why (eventually), but also the back story of nearly everyone he ever encountered in his short life. The pasts of his parents, sister, acquaintances and lovers are all revealed in rather excruciating detail. I think if George had chosen one or two of the characters to delve into more deeply the book might have been more successful but I felt like she made a rod for her own back by trying to give everyone a ‘windswept and interesting’ story. Because of their quantity and what felt almost like competitiveness to be more quirky or perverse than the next one, these characterisations grew tiresome for me.
The plot’s many tangents accounted for the rest of the word count and, most of them failed to add much value or enjoyment. There were tangents about a mis-identified surfer’s pictures on the Internet and one about a woman wanting to become a nun and more than a few about the sex lives of the various players. Again, a couple of these tangents might have been interesting but their sheer volume made them all a bit like an amorphous, dull blob to me. The main plot was actually resolved quite satisfactorily although, annoyingly, the ever-brilliant Lynley managed to provide the essential clue even with his mind occupied elsewhere.
As always with this series there is much made of the fact that Thomas Lynley is an Earl. I have long thought this element of the series probably reflects the author’s nationality as Americans do seem to have a ‘what-might-have-been’ fascination for the inherited nobility they eschewed when establishing their more egalitarian country. As Maxine remarked in her review of this book the ridiculous levels of gratitude displayed when Lynley speaks to a ‘commoner’ with anything resembling decency becomes increasingly grating and incredible.
I imagine this book would be a completely different reading experience for someone who isn’t familiar with the series (I have read all of the previous books). That reader would, I think, struggle to understand the Lynley character as I thought a lot of prior knowledge of him and his life events was assumed (particularly towards the beginning of the book). However apart from Lynley and a relatively minor role for his faithful sidekick Barbara Havers, none of the regular characters (including my favourite, Simon) make an appearance so a reader new to the series wouldn’t have spent the whole book with the same annoyed anticipation that I did.
I know I would never have finished the print version of this book because I would have felt I was wasting my time. Walls and throwing would have entered into the equation long before the end. Being able to ‘read’ it while doing other things made it, just, bearable. The most irritating thing of all is that George showed she can still tell a story and create characters to care about. Daidre Trahir, the woman whose cottage Lynley breaks into to find a phone to report the body he found, is a charming and interesting character and her story is beautifully unwrapped. Unfortunately though there is so much detritus surrounding these good parts of the book that they tend to look like rubbish by association. I sincerely wish some serious editing had been able to tease out the good book buried inside the one that was published.
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against his will, into an investigation although it is DI Bea Hannaford who is in charge of it.I struggled through this book primarily because of its length. At 23hours and 15 minutes it’s a lot longer than the average audio book which in itself wouldn’t be a bad thing but there is not 23 hours and 15 minutes worth of story to be told. The body Lynley finds is that of a young man called Santo and the book reveals not only who killed him and why (eventually), but also the back story of nearly everyone he ever encountered in his short life. The pasts of his parents, sister, acquaintances and lovers are all revealed in rather excruciating detail. I think if George had chosen one or two of the characters to delve into more deeply the book might have been more successful but I felt like she made a rod for her own back by trying to give everyone a ‘windswept and interesting’ story. Because of their quantity and what felt almost like competitiveness to be more quirky or perverse than the next one, these characterisations grew tiresome for me.
The plot’s many tangents accounted for the rest of the word count and, most of them failed to add much value or enjoyment. There were tangents about a mis-identified surfer’s pictures on the Internet and one about a woman wanting to become a nun and more than a few about the sex lives of the various players. Again, a couple of these tangents might have been interesting but their sheer volume made them all a bit like an amorphous, dull blob to me. The main plot was actually resolved quite satisfactorily although, annoyingly, the ever-brilliant Lynley managed to provide the essential clue even with his mind occupied elsewhere.
As always with this series there is much made of the fact that Thomas Lynley is an Earl. I have long thought this element of the series probably reflects the author’s nationality as Americans do seem to have a ‘what-might-have-been’ fascination for the inherited nobility they eschewed when establishing their more egalitarian country. As Maxine remarked in her review of this book the ridiculous levels of gratitude displayed when Lynley speaks to a ‘commoner’ with anything resembling decency becomes increasingly grating and incredible.
I imagine this book would be a completely different reading experience for someone who isn’t familiar with the series (I have read all of the previous books). That reader would, I think, struggle to understand the Lynley character as I thought a lot of prior knowledge of him and his life events was assumed (particularly towards the beginning of the book). However apart from Lynley and a relatively minor role for his faithful sidekick Barbara Havers, none of the regular characters (including my favourite, Simon) make an appearance so a reader new to the series wouldn’t have spent the whole book with the same annoyed anticipation that I did.
I know I would never have finished the print version of this book because I would have felt I was wasting my time. Walls and throwing would have entered into the equation long before the end. Being able to ‘read’ it while doing other things made it, just, bearable. The most irritating thing of all is that George showed she can still tell a story and create characters to care about. Daidre Trahir, the woman whose cottage Lynley breaks into to find a phone to report the body he found, is a charming and interesting character and her story is beautifully unwrapped. Unfortunately though there is so much detritus surrounding these good parts of the book that they tend to look like rubbish by association. I sincerely wish some serious editing had been able to tease out the good book buried inside the one that was published.
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LibraryThing member Stevil2001
I was initially excited by this Lynley novel, because the dead body is actually discovered in the prologue-- and even discovered by our detective, so unlike many of the latter novels, we don't have to wait hundreds of pages for the detective to get to the detecting. George, however, proves she can
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slow down a plot regardless of how quickly it starts; a couple hundred pages later, and it just feels like we're watching unpleasant people talk to other unpleasant people, and not unraveling a mystery. Eventually someone solves the crime, I guess. Havers is in this one a little, which is always nice. Show Less
LibraryThing member stonelaura
In this new Thomas Lynley mystery we find Thomas unkempt, unshaven, and carrying no identification, wandering the cliffs of Cornwall just weeks after the murder of his pregnant wife Helen. One needn’t have read any other Inspector Lynley mystery to empathize with the pain and loss that has driven
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Sir Thomas to abandon his life and career to seek solace in the bracing air of England’s seaside. George does a masterful job of creating depth in her characters with detailed descriptions of not only the look of a character, but by describing their movements, thoughts, choice of words, the way they make their tea or eat their shepherd’s pie. Sir Thomas’ walk is interrupted when he encounters the body of a young climber at the foot of a cliff in Polcare Cove near Casvelyn in Cornwall, an area famous for its surfing, along with the coastal walking path. Much to his dismay he is drawn into the investigation, especially after his identity is discovered, as the tiny town’s police force is undermanned and D.I. Bea Hannaford needs all the skilled investigators she can muster. As the investigation proceeds we learn all about the personal and relational struggles of the suspects and their families, and there are many indeed. Thwarted lovers (both young and old), disgruntled employees, grudge-bearing townspeople, deluded sex tarts -- the story has them all, presented in a most intriguing and entertaining manner. Show Less
LibraryThing member sussabmax
This was certainly better than What Came Before He Shot Her, but it is far from a return to George's earlier brilliance. I figured out the end to the mystery on page 384 of a 603 page book, without really trying. The characterization was a bit unrealistic to me. Lynley finds a body while he is
That said, I did read it compulsively to the end, and there were mysteries about the characters that I did not completely figure out until they were explained (although that may have been partly a matter of will on my part). I hate to be critical of an author that has written many excellent books I have really enjoyed; I know this is a very difficult thing to do well, but I have to admit I am a bit disappointed. I really hope that she continues to get better as she puts the self-indulgent mess that was What Came Before He Shot Her further and further behind her.
So, all in all, much, MUCH better than WCBHSH, but not up to her usual standard. Hopefully she will continue the upward trend, though.
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wandering off mourning his wife and child, and the detective in charge of the murder investigation puts him in charge of key parts of the investigation? At least Havers points out how irregular this is, but still, it's not believable. That said, I did read it compulsively to the end, and there were mysteries about the characters that I did not completely figure out until they were explained (although that may have been partly a matter of will on my part). I hate to be critical of an author that has written many excellent books I have really enjoyed; I know this is a very difficult thing to do well, but I have to admit I am a bit disappointed. I really hope that she continues to get better as she puts the self-indulgent mess that was What Came Before He Shot Her further and further behind her.
So, all in all, much, MUCH better than WCBHSH, but not up to her usual standard. Hopefully she will continue the upward trend, though.
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LibraryThing member Kathy89
As a fan of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries on PBS I was curious about this book. After discovering a body on the rocks in Cornwell Lynley gets involved in the investigation. There are too many characters and subplots and not enough Lynley and Havers.
LibraryThing member joannalongbourne
After Lady Helen’s brutal murder in With No One as Witness (2007), Elizabeth George seemed to be hinting that she had reached the end of the road with the Inspector Lynley series. Careless in Red picks up several weeks after Helen’s death. Lynley is barely alive himself as grief for his dead
By the way, if your only exposure to the Lynley series is the BBC production which has been shown on American PBS, do not judge the books based on the TV show. The books are far superior. In particular, the depiction of both Lynley and Havers is such a radical departure from the books, that I find the series virtually unwatchable.
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wife and unborn son overwhelm him. In desperation, he begins a walking tour of the Cornish coast where after several weeks, he looks more like a homeless bum then an English aristocrat not to mention a Scotland Yard detective. Naturally, he stumbles across a dead body and becomes embroiled – albeit against his will – in solving the crime. The book is characterized by all the standard George hallmarks, evocative descriptions of place, rich characterizations and deep insight into the development of her on-going protagonists. The only series regular who makes an appearance (besides Lynley) is Sergeant Barbara Havers. As usual, the unconventional relationship between the intellectual Lynley and working class Havers is very enjoyable to read.By the way, if your only exposure to the Lynley series is the BBC production which has been shown on American PBS, do not judge the books based on the TV show. The books are far superior. In particular, the depiction of both Lynley and Havers is such a radical departure from the books, that I find the series virtually unwatchable.
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LibraryThing member reeread
I started to read this a couple of weeks before going on holidays and felt myself being hooked in so I stopped and waited until I was on holidays so I could really relax and enjoy it. And it was well worth the wait. I was pulled up short as I realised who I was reading about. Enjoyed the return of
This book is like coming back to a more even keel after the tumultuous events of the past two books. (Will never forget the impact of "With No One As Witness" and ensuing outcry.)
For some reason, I am drawn to books set in Cornwall - an added attraction.
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Barbara Havers. Enjoyed the way characters saw themselves in contrast to the way other characters saw them. Wonder if we will see Bea again, such a colourful character. This book is like coming back to a more even keel after the tumultuous events of the past two books. (Will never forget the impact of "With No One As Witness" and ensuing outcry.)
For some reason, I am drawn to books set in Cornwall - an added attraction.
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LibraryThing member DianeS
Whew! After her last book, I had worried a lot about Elizabeth George, so I'm happy to add to the chorus of "She's Back!" I've been hearing from other readers.
This is not her strongest or best book, but it's very good and interesting and managed to surprise me, which is good. Less of Havers than
There are a couple of plot holes. Why Lynley was out in the Cornish countryside without money or ID remains unexplained. I can sort of understand why he was out there, but why he left behind money and ID puzzles me. Considering what is implied about the tabloid coverage of Helen's murder, I'd think he'd have paparazzi trailing behind him like a snake's tail. And having him turn up at the scene of another murder should have Cornwall sinking under the weight of the incoming press and photographers.
Still, this was an enjoyable read with most interesting new characters and their stories, vividly drawn. She's back!
This is not her strongest or best book, but it's very good and interesting and managed to surprise me, which is good. Less of Havers than
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I'd like, no sign of the St. James', and little of Lynley's family, but the various new characters are well-drawn and interesting. The lead detective is a well-rounded, interesting character who could undoubtedly carry a book or a series all by herself. In fact, there are still facets of her character unexplored and unexplained and I'd actually like to know more about her.There are a couple of plot holes. Why Lynley was out in the Cornish countryside without money or ID remains unexplained. I can sort of understand why he was out there, but why he left behind money and ID puzzles me. Considering what is implied about the tabloid coverage of Helen's murder, I'd think he'd have paparazzi trailing behind him like a snake's tail. And having him turn up at the scene of another murder should have Cornwall sinking under the weight of the incoming press and photographers.
Still, this was an enjoyable read with most interesting new characters and their stories, vividly drawn. She's back!
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LibraryThing member BCCJillster
Not up to her usual; Lynley is a bore in this and it's far too long. Bright spot is when Havers shows up and works with the woman Det. this is set on the Cornwall coast, with surfers, beach hotel, and the woman vet.
LibraryThing member annaflbak
the return of Lynley--glad to have him back (and Havers too). Book is not as excellent as What Came Before He Shot Her and thankfully not as devastating as With No One as Witness but a solid entry in the series. Really need to re-read from the beginning now to assess the others.
LibraryThing member kiwifortyniner
Lynley is walking the coast of Cornwell disheveled and unkempt, trying to escape, having left the force and all his friends after the brutal murder of his wife and unborn child.. He comes across the body of a young man who seems to have fallen to his death. However this death turns out to be murder
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and we are drawn into the life of this small village of surfers and adventurers. Many characters are introduced who could have had a motive for killing the young man, and Lynley himself is drawn into the investigation as he is asked to investigate someone he has become friendly with whom they believe to be lying. This book is different in that the investigation is mainly carried out by the local police ( Bea Hannaford) with Barbara Havers only making an appearance part way through the book. The end of the book is shocking and unexpected but it leaves Lynley maybe more ready to face the world again as some healing has taken place. Even though this book has had mixed reviews I still enjoyed it . It was a bit slow moving at times but the characters were well drawn and I liked the fact that it was set in Cornwell for a change in a different kind of environment. Show Less
LibraryThing member marient
DS Thomas Lynley is the protagonist. The language is corny and there are many expressions which are banal.
LibraryThing member YogiABB
I loved this book. I fancy myself a knowledgeable reader and I had never heard of Elizabeth George. I love crime novels but usually find myself skipping the last few pages to just get to the end to see "who dunnit." This book was more about the characters, their lives, and how they got to where
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they are. I'll be reading more of Ms. George's books. Show Less
LibraryThing member sopranophile
This novel would have improved a lot by being 200 pages shorter. I had a lot of trouble keeping the characters apart. When reading a thriller, you should be dying to know who did it; this is not the case here.
LibraryThing member kaulsu
I got hooked last year on the British Television series, "Mystery" which often features George's Inspector Lynley. I was surprised to hear a Welsh friend excoriate the TV series, since I thought they were great! Well. It seems the show's producers changed everything but the names, so I can now see
Reading this while taking a course on "Family Systems" has been fun. I won't bore you with technical talk, but believe me, George seems to ping on everything we have been discussing in class! Hmmm. Wonder if she knew....?
A fun book, leading the reader to a no surprise ending while delivering quite a few surprises along the way. I look forward to other books in the series.
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her point!! Reading this while taking a course on "Family Systems" has been fun. I won't bore you with technical talk, but believe me, George seems to ping on everything we have been discussing in class! Hmmm. Wonder if she knew....?
A fun book, leading the reader to a no surprise ending while delivering quite a few surprises along the way. I look forward to other books in the series.
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LibraryThing member charisandgrace
First E. George book I read. John Lee does an excellent job reading the book. Easy to follow the read aloud. The story was interesting, well written, mostly believable, well crafted. Some rougher language, more than I'm comfortable with. Too much sexual content (almost inconceivable in such a small
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geographic area), though not overly graphic. I'll probably read another, hoping not so much sex and language. Show Less
LibraryThing member Romonko
To say I'm an Elizabeth George fan is an understatement. I am a huge fan of her Lynley and Havers novels, and I enjoyed the last two books before this one, unlike quite a few of the reviewers. The reason I enjoyed them is because Ms. George is an extraordinary author, and I love the way she
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explores her characters, both the returning and non-returning ones. I did not know what to expect with this book after the shock of "With No One As Witness". I knew that we would be seeing a post-Helen Inspector Lynley. Ms. George has portrayed grief and love in a very thorough and beautiful way in this book. That is what makes this book so special! She also opens up teenage angst, marital and family issues and revenge and betrayal. All very ambitious, but this book is 600 or so pages. And she does a marvellous job of all of these things. The thing that was lacking was mystery and the successful conclusion of what mystery there was. I missed this greatly, since I also love how Ms. George builds a plot with tension and plot twists. Certainly what we saw in "With No One As a Witness". But if you like to read a marvelous writer, than certainly read this. Ms. George is at the top of her game. Show Less
LibraryThing member CherylsPearls
I learned that even a seasoned author can write a book I cannot read. I kept putting it down and swearing not to read it, then picking it up and giving it another go. I finally skipped to the last chapter and read it.
To say that I found this book boring would be an understatement. The main
I love a good mystery/suspense novel and detective novels are one of my favorite types to read. This has to be one of the - no, it is the worst one I have ever read! I'll think twice before reading another book by Ms. George.
To say that I found this book boring would be an understatement. The main
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character, Inspector Lynley, is only infrequently seen. Ms. George has so many characters going it made reading the book akin to smothering in quicksand. Not all of the characters deserved the close attention to detail that she gave them. Most of the characters were not only unlikeable and unsympathetic but unimportant.I love a good mystery/suspense novel and detective novels are one of my favorite types to read. This has to be one of the - no, it is the worst one I have ever read! I'll think twice before reading another book by Ms. George.
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LibraryThing member macha
this one didn't quite gel for me as well as Lynley stories usually do. a large and interesting cast of characters to lend their varied PoVs, one theme of catastrophic loss in different permutations, another of daddy issues, another of lies and identity issues, a lovely dark and oppressive setting
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along the Cornwall coast - what was not to like? i guess it seemed to me to belabor its various points a tad too often, manipulate the characters and their stories a bit too much to get to where the writer was going. and i dunno but maybe i'm just not English enough to get the whole class-angst thing that blindsides Lynley in the climax of this one; i'm all 'get over your various selves, and don't be so foolish', even though i know that's not where the story wants me to be. also, i can't believe Lynley couldn't have just said no to Detective Inspector Hannaford in the first place; sure, then there wouldn't have been a story, but it's possible i prematurely used up my store of suspension of disbelief on that one, though the writer clearly took it as, well, you know, read. so anyway, the whole thing left me a bit unexpectedly disgruntled. Show Less
LibraryThing member hobbitprincess
This long-awaited book was as good as I hoped it would be. Lynley finally begins to come to terms with his wife's death, oddly enough, through another murder when he finds the body first. Havers reappears, thankfully, because she is my favorite character. The suspense was good; I had no idea
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whodunit until George revealed it, although I had plenty of ideas. Excellent book! Show Less
LibraryThing member Kathleen828
December 31, 2009
I am always sorry when I leave the company of Lynley and Havers. And at least this time I was in their company.
I am still so severely put off by the cast and plot of the previous book in this series, What Came Before He Shot Her, that I have only now read this one, though it was
I suppose that authors, having made their fortunes with characters, may have a desire to spread their wings and try something different. But they live with their characters for years, or perhaps decades at a time while they write. We readers spend far less time, a week perhaps, or less in the reading. And thus we rejoice to meet our old friends when a new installment is published, and we are saddened when, despite our expectations, time with our friends is little or nil.
(I think that Anne Perry has addressed this problem by having several series with different characters all going on at the same time. She writes about one set, then about the other, and throws in a short Christmas mystery every year for good measure. So, it seems, she does not tire of the characters she has created.)
Some of Elizabeth George’s novels have been so good as to be nearly breath-taking in their plotting, characterization, and depth. This one is pretty good. If her best one ever were a 10, this is a 6.75.
George does a nice job of interweaving Lynley and Havers into a cast of Cornwall characters, but they did not appear at enough length in the novel for me. If she is at work on the next one, I hope very much that we can have our London locale and our London cast back in full. Though it will never be the same without Helen.
I figured out who did it about a hundred pages before the end, and that’s the first time I’ve ever managed that in an Elizabeth George novel. I don’t know what that means exactly…..
I will keep reading her as long as she’s writing - and may that be long!
I am always sorry when I leave the company of Lynley and Havers. And at least this time I was in their company.
I am still so severely put off by the cast and plot of the previous book in this series, What Came Before He Shot Her, that I have only now read this one, though it was
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published two years ago.I suppose that authors, having made their fortunes with characters, may have a desire to spread their wings and try something different. But they live with their characters for years, or perhaps decades at a time while they write. We readers spend far less time, a week perhaps, or less in the reading. And thus we rejoice to meet our old friends when a new installment is published, and we are saddened when, despite our expectations, time with our friends is little or nil.
(I think that Anne Perry has addressed this problem by having several series with different characters all going on at the same time. She writes about one set, then about the other, and throws in a short Christmas mystery every year for good measure. So, it seems, she does not tire of the characters she has created.)
Some of Elizabeth George’s novels have been so good as to be nearly breath-taking in their plotting, characterization, and depth. This one is pretty good. If her best one ever were a 10, this is a 6.75.
George does a nice job of interweaving Lynley and Havers into a cast of Cornwall characters, but they did not appear at enough length in the novel for me. If she is at work on the next one, I hope very much that we can have our London locale and our London cast back in full. Though it will never be the same without Helen.
I figured out who did it about a hundred pages before the end, and that’s the first time I’ve ever managed that in an Elizabeth George novel. I don’t know what that means exactly…..
I will keep reading her as long as she’s writing - and may that be long!
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LibraryThing member golfjr
Much to my relief this book is a recovery for the author, Elizabeth George, and the main character Thomas Lynley. Her last two books, were confusing and dull. And it took me a long time to finish each one. Not so with this book. Lynley is interesting as he slowly recovers from his grieving. There
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is a new character D.I. Bea Hannaford, who is both repellent and sympathetic. George continues a sub theme of Lynley's pain delving into people's lives but nevertheless is essential to truth and solving mysteries. A good read! Show Less