Series
Publication
Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio (1999)
Original publication date
1988
Collections
Genres
Subjects
Awards
Edgar Award (Nominee — First Novel — 1989)
Anthony Award (Nominee — First Novel — 1989)
Agatha Award (Nominee — First Novel — 1988)
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:To this day, the low, thin wail of an infant can be heard in Keldale's lush green valleys. Three hundred years ago, as legend goes, the frightened Yorkshire villagers smothered a crying babe in Keldale Abbey, where they'd hidden to escape the ravages of Cromwell's raiders. Now into Keldale's pastoral web of old houses and older secrets comes Scotland Yard Inspector Thomas Lynley, the eighth earl of Asherton. Along with the redoubtable Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, Lynley has been sent to solve a savage murder that has stunned the peaceful countryside. For fat, unlovely Roberta Teys has been found in her best dress, an axe in her lap, seated in the old stone barn beside her father's headless corpse. Her first and last words were "I did it. And I'm not sorry." Yet as Lynley and Havers wind their way through Keldale's dark labyrinth of secret scandals and appalling crimes, they uncover a shattering series of revelations that will reverberate through this tranquil English valley�??and in their own lives as we… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member richardderus
The Book Report: The first book of the ongoing Inspector Lynley/DS Havers series, this book reads more like the fourth or fifth in the series, which I intend as a compliment. The author is very assured as she tells the story of a murder in an idyllic North Country village, one that seems from the
But, in patented mystery fashion, miscreants are punished and those less culpable find some measure of relief from their hideous, tormented sadness. Hard to argue with those results since they occur so seldom in reality.
My Review: Is murder always wrong? Can you be sure of your answer? I know I've never been able to be absolutist about the topic. Reading this book, I felt absolutism and unimpeded judgment flapping their flightless wings desperately, sensing their ever-deeper immersion into the stock-pot of my subconscious.
I don't know about you, but there are times I think a good murdering rampage would do the world a power of good. Problem is, the bad guys have the weapons.
And reading this book, well, I just don't know that justice as practiced by the courts and described by the laws can really do a good enough job. And believe you me, that thought scares the bejabbers out of me. It makes me think about the nature of crime, and of punishment, and of the intersection of the two; it makes me afraid of the apparently boundless human capacity to commit horrible acts; and it makes me think hard about what I want out of my time on this planet...and whether I'm doing a single thing to make that want become fact.
A very great deliverance indeed, this book. In entertaining me, it also grew me up a little more.
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start to be open-and-shut. As always in a mystery, though, there are many many twists and turns to the tale. Family secrets from every imaginable quarter. Horrible crimes past, as well as present, suppurate through the skin of the story, causing the characters to blanch regularly. (Readers too.) Lynley, an urbane and polished public school/Oxford First beauty, comes alive as a wounded man of many facets and a sharp, critical eye. His emotional acuity is high order; his past, as we know it so far, explains that quite well. Havers, who here in the first book is presented in all her hideous glory as receiving a Very Last Chance at being permanently assigned to Scotland Yard's prestigious Criminal Investigation Division, seems hell-bent for leather on tossing the opportunity away because, as Lynley says, "{she's} mad at him" and justifiably so.But, in patented mystery fashion, miscreants are punished and those less culpable find some measure of relief from their hideous, tormented sadness. Hard to argue with those results since they occur so seldom in reality.
My Review: Is murder always wrong? Can you be sure of your answer? I know I've never been able to be absolutist about the topic. Reading this book, I felt absolutism and unimpeded judgment flapping their flightless wings desperately, sensing their ever-deeper immersion into the stock-pot of my subconscious.
I don't know about you, but there are times I think a good murdering rampage would do the world a power of good. Problem is, the bad guys have the weapons.
And reading this book, well, I just don't know that justice as practiced by the courts and described by the laws can really do a good enough job. And believe you me, that thought scares the bejabbers out of me. It makes me think about the nature of crime, and of punishment, and of the intersection of the two; it makes me afraid of the apparently boundless human capacity to commit horrible acts; and it makes me think hard about what I want out of my time on this planet...and whether I'm doing a single thing to make that want become fact.
A very great deliverance indeed, this book. In entertaining me, it also grew me up a little more.
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LibraryThing member cathyskye
I've watched a few episodes of "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries" produced by the BBC, and I knew that I'd have to get my hands on the books they were based on sooner or later. I'm glad I finally made the effort.
Back in the 1980s when this book was first published, I think the subject matter behind
What wowed me about this book were the two main characters. A fellow police officer at Scotland Yard describes Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers as "a truculent pigheaded little bitch" (which is pretty close to the mark), and Havers herself describes new partner Lynley as "that sodding little fop." Havers can't seem to work with anyone. She's on the verge of being tossed out on her ear. Whatever gave her superior the idea that this stubby, combatant woman would work well with sauve, aristocratic, well-dressed Inspector Thomas Lynley was either a stroke of genius... or blind, staggering luck.
They don't work all that well together in this first book, but the glimmer is there. In any other book, handsome Inspector Lynley would be the star, and with his background and his history of relationships, he is an incredibly interesting man about whom I want to learn much more. However, Lynley is not the star of A Great Deliverance. That honor goes to a woman who's close to becoming unhinged-- plain, ill-dressed, rude, and belligerent Barbara Havers steals the show, and her story has the power to put readers through an emotional roller coaster ride.
After being drawn so deeply into this story and into the lives of these two marvelous characters, I can't wait to see how the series progresses. Once again, books win over film!
Back in the 1980s when this book was first published, I think the subject matter behind
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the murder was much more "new" and shocking than it is today. Perhaps that's a sad statement on today, but it did have an effect on how I felt about the story line surrounding the plot. I easily picked up on behavioral clues and the like, so I wasn't surprised. I also wasn't disappointed for two reasons: one, this story line is extremely well done, and two, there's much more to A Great Deliverance than the crime.What wowed me about this book were the two main characters. A fellow police officer at Scotland Yard describes Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers as "a truculent pigheaded little bitch" (which is pretty close to the mark), and Havers herself describes new partner Lynley as "that sodding little fop." Havers can't seem to work with anyone. She's on the verge of being tossed out on her ear. Whatever gave her superior the idea that this stubby, combatant woman would work well with sauve, aristocratic, well-dressed Inspector Thomas Lynley was either a stroke of genius... or blind, staggering luck.
They don't work all that well together in this first book, but the glimmer is there. In any other book, handsome Inspector Lynley would be the star, and with his background and his history of relationships, he is an incredibly interesting man about whom I want to learn much more. However, Lynley is not the star of A Great Deliverance. That honor goes to a woman who's close to becoming unhinged-- plain, ill-dressed, rude, and belligerent Barbara Havers steals the show, and her story has the power to put readers through an emotional roller coaster ride.
After being drawn so deeply into this story and into the lives of these two marvelous characters, I can't wait to see how the series progresses. Once again, books win over film!
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LibraryThing member cbl_tn
The headless body of William Teys lies in a barn in a small Yorkshire village. His daughter sits by the body, axe in hand. When they are discovered, she confesses “I did it. I'm not sorry.” This seems like an open and closed case, so why have the locals called in Scotland Yard? Details that
For years I've been watching the television adaptation of this series, but this is my first experience with the books. I was startled by Lynley and Havers' physical descriptions, which are very different from the actors who portray them on television. The TV Lynley is dark, while the book Lynley is blond. The TV Havers is small and thin, while the book Havers is plump. Try as I might, after watching so many seasons of the TV series, the TV actors are who I picture as read, and I just have to accept the incongruity.
Since I remembered the basic details from the TV adaptation of this book, my attention focused more on character development and the psychological tension in the story. One thing that struck me is that, with the exception of the village priest who presents the case to Scotland Yard, the only characters whose thoughts are revealed to the reader are the investigators and their associates. Like the investigators, the reader must decide how to interpret the words and actions of the witnesses/suspects.
George took what at first glance seemed to be a domestic crime and explored its multiple facets – its inconsistencies, questions of interpretation, the personality of the victim, the personality of the presumed killer, family dynamics, the effect of the murder on the small community, and the effect of stress on the personal and professional relationships of those who investigate murder for a living. A characteristic passage:
{Lynley} couldn't remember the last time he had felt so burdened by a case. It felt as if a tremendous weight, having nothing whatsoever to do with the responsibility of getting to the bottom of the matter, were pressing upon his heart. He knew the source. Murder—its atavistic nature and ineffable consequences—was a hydra. Each head, ruthlessly cut off in an effort to reach the “prodigious dog-like body” of culpability, left in its place two heads more venomous than the last. But unlike so many of his previous cases, in which mere rote sufficed to see him sear his way to the core of evil—stopping the flow of blood, allowing no further growth, and leaving him personally untouched by the encounter—this case spoke to him far more intimately.
If the rest of the books are as good as this one, I'll enjoy getting re-acquainted with favorite characters in their original form.
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don't seem to fit trouble the villagers. Might the daughter be innocent, and the killer still be at loose among them?For years I've been watching the television adaptation of this series, but this is my first experience with the books. I was startled by Lynley and Havers' physical descriptions, which are very different from the actors who portray them on television. The TV Lynley is dark, while the book Lynley is blond. The TV Havers is small and thin, while the book Havers is plump. Try as I might, after watching so many seasons of the TV series, the TV actors are who I picture as read, and I just have to accept the incongruity.
Since I remembered the basic details from the TV adaptation of this book, my attention focused more on character development and the psychological tension in the story. One thing that struck me is that, with the exception of the village priest who presents the case to Scotland Yard, the only characters whose thoughts are revealed to the reader are the investigators and their associates. Like the investigators, the reader must decide how to interpret the words and actions of the witnesses/suspects.
George took what at first glance seemed to be a domestic crime and explored its multiple facets – its inconsistencies, questions of interpretation, the personality of the victim, the personality of the presumed killer, family dynamics, the effect of the murder on the small community, and the effect of stress on the personal and professional relationships of those who investigate murder for a living. A characteristic passage:
{Lynley} couldn't remember the last time he had felt so burdened by a case. It felt as if a tremendous weight, having nothing whatsoever to do with the responsibility of getting to the bottom of the matter, were pressing upon his heart. He knew the source. Murder—its atavistic nature and ineffable consequences—was a hydra. Each head, ruthlessly cut off in an effort to reach the “prodigious dog-like body” of culpability, left in its place two heads more venomous than the last. But unlike so many of his previous cases, in which mere rote sufficed to see him sear his way to the core of evil—stopping the flow of blood, allowing no further growth, and leaving him personally untouched by the encounter—this case spoke to him far more intimately.
If the rest of the books are as good as this one, I'll enjoy getting re-acquainted with favorite characters in their original form.
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LibraryThing member 391
Wow. This is a pretty terrible book; maybe I've missed something, because nearly all the other reviewers seem to like it, but I thought it was extremely bad. All the characters seem to live in soap-opera world, where everything is big and overblown (the American couple are extremely LOUD and
Why is Havers so unprofessionally angry and vindictive all the time? Because of her sad personal life? Because she actually comes off as a total psycho, with motives that don't match the petty ferocity of her words. Why is Lynley so perfect, but just tragic enough to be the quintessential broken hero? Does Elizabeth George want to jump him? Why is the dialogue so convoluted? Why do none of the characters operate like real people? Why is there so much melodrama? Why was this book published? Why did I finish reading it???
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OBNOXIOUS and don't fit into the plot at all, everyone - EVERYONE - has DEEP DARK secrets that come to light at the overblown climax, and the confession at the end is unbearably written with the most inane, fictional, could-not-be-farther-from-actual-reality "crazy person" dialogue). It was like an episode of scooby doo, with more gore and tortured characters. George managed to shoe in a really remarkable number of tragic backstories, which for a novel with a relatively short character list, is impressive. But by impressive I mean unbearably dull. Why is Havers so unprofessionally angry and vindictive all the time? Because of her sad personal life? Because she actually comes off as a total psycho, with motives that don't match the petty ferocity of her words. Why is Lynley so perfect, but just tragic enough to be the quintessential broken hero? Does Elizabeth George want to jump him? Why is the dialogue so convoluted? Why do none of the characters operate like real people? Why is there so much melodrama? Why was this book published? Why did I finish reading it???
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LibraryThing member FlorenceArt
Although I enjoyed reading this book, I also found it frustrating and disappointing. The characters and situations are nothing but a collection of stereotypes. Each character represents only one idea or type, and they completely lack any depth. But strangely enough, the author still manages to make
J'ai dévoré ce livre et pourtant je l'ai trouvé décevant. Les personnages et les situations sont de purs stéréotypes. Chaque personnage représente une idée ou un type, ils n'ont aucune profondeur, et pourtant l'auteur arrive à les rendre intéressants et sympathiques. Mais le manque de vraisemblance, d'originalité et de nuance finit par devenir pesant à la fin (grand-guignolesque par ailleurs).
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them interesting. However, the lack of believability, originality and nuance becomes really annoying, especially at the end, which is totally ridiculous and reminds me of the cheap psychology of many American sitcoms.J'ai dévoré ce livre et pourtant je l'ai trouvé décevant. Les personnages et les situations sont de purs stéréotypes. Chaque personnage représente une idée ou un type, ils n'ont aucune profondeur, et pourtant l'auteur arrive à les rendre intéressants et sympathiques. Mais le manque de vraisemblance, d'originalité et de nuance finit par devenir pesant à la fin (grand-guignolesque par ailleurs).
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LibraryThing member dallenbaugh
This was George's first Inspector Lynley novel. It was an intense, disturbing read due to the crimes involved, but that said, George handled her material with compelling detail including rich plot and character development.
The theme of the book was how each of the characters dealt with the damage
My main disappointment with the book stemmed from the initial treatment of Lynley (too good to be true) and Havers (completely unlovable) and the one sided caricature of the American tourists. By the end of the book George allowed us to view a more balanced portrayal of both Lynley and Havers so that we could believe in their humanity.
The theme of the book was how each of the characters dealt with the damage
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done to them by past experiences. Fortunately by the end of the book the two main characters, Lynley & Sargent Havers, had begun to let go of some of their demons. My main disappointment with the book stemmed from the initial treatment of Lynley (too good to be true) and Havers (completely unlovable) and the one sided caricature of the American tourists. By the end of the book George allowed us to view a more balanced portrayal of both Lynley and Havers so that we could believe in their humanity.
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LibraryThing member kaulsu
It says something about my own innocence--or do I mean to say my own complete naïveté--that such tremendous evil takes me by such complete surprise.
I thought it was only in George's later books that such raw human depravity would regularly be uncovered. My thought to read the Lyndley series in
For a first book, this has none of the normal weaknesses. I will assume she wrote other books prior to this one.
Why not 5 stars? I don't have a good reason other than this much ugliness deserves some type of punishment. Should you read the book? If you enjoy good psychological mysteries, the answer is a resounding yes.
I thought it was only in George's later books that such raw human depravity would regularly be uncovered. My thought to read the Lyndley series in
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order of the publishing date was probably an effort to build up a callous membrane of self-protection. Nice try, but it appears no cigar will be awarded.For a first book, this has none of the normal weaknesses. I will assume she wrote other books prior to this one.
Why not 5 stars? I don't have a good reason other than this much ugliness deserves some type of punishment. Should you read the book? If you enjoy good psychological mysteries, the answer is a resounding yes.
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LibraryThing member Kasthu
A Great Deliverance, Elizabeth George’s first novel, introduces its reader to Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers, two London detectives who couldn’t be more different. Lynley is Lord Peter Wimsey type, while Barbara Havers is brusque, angry at the hand life has given her. But the two are thrown
Elizabeth George is exceptionally good at character development. This is especially true in a mystery series; after all, if you’re going to keep reading about a group of characters, you want to feel some kind of connection with them from the beginning. She's also wonderful at characterizations, as well as pop culture references. George does a wonderful job setting up these characters’ personalities and relationships. As for the murder mystery itself, there’s not much new or surprising, but George puts a nice twist in the ending which I didn’t see coming. All in all, I think I’d continue reading this series; A Great Deliverance is a fast-paced, exciting read.
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together when a murder in Yorkshire occurs; a local man named William Teys is found with his neck severed, apparently murdered by his daughter, Roberta.Elizabeth George is exceptionally good at character development. This is especially true in a mystery series; after all, if you’re going to keep reading about a group of characters, you want to feel some kind of connection with them from the beginning. She's also wonderful at characterizations, as well as pop culture references. George does a wonderful job setting up these characters’ personalities and relationships. As for the murder mystery itself, there’s not much new or surprising, but George puts a nice twist in the ending which I didn’t see coming. All in all, I think I’d continue reading this series; A Great Deliverance is a fast-paced, exciting read.
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LibraryThing member booklovers2
I have another Inspector Lynley books in the series but - I can't say I liked this one - It had me engaged, but the story line was just too disturbing for me to say I enjoyed this one.
LibraryThing member olegalCA
In Homewood, I started Elizabeth George from the beginning... I had forgotten that she wasn't a plain old mystery writer - she has beautiful descriptions and captures the characters' feelings in a way that many writers do not.
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
Roberta Tey is found standing over her decapitated father with an axe and tells those who find her, "I did it. I'm not sorry." Scotland Yard's Lynley and Havers are sent to investigate.
Although I could find fault, this was an engrossing and ultimately moving read. The major jarring fault for me
That moment involved investigating Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, a character type that comes close to cliche in mystery fiction I've read--the female police officer with a huge chip on her shoulder that makes her impossible to work with. The "short and dumpy" working class Havers is partnered with Inspector Thomas Lynley, who is everything she is not and hates. A "golden boy," Lynley is a handsome, rich titled charmer. It's more the story of these two forging a partnership than the murder mystery in rural Yorkshire that grabbed me. George is terrific at showing their disconnect. In Lynley's case it's more that he doesn't know what Havers has to deal with--and she's not letting him in. In Havers' case it's her class prejudices and hasty presumptions that lead her to grossly misread Lynley.
While I wouldn't call George's prose style literary--it's clean and straightforward in structure and style--it is stronger than most genre fiction even in this first novel. She's a great storyteller, with a gift for making you care about her characters, and I was propelled through the 400 plus pages in practically one sitting. There is disturbing material in this novel--be warned. But I thought it ultimately warming and well worth the read.
Although I could find fault, this was an engrossing and ultimately moving read. The major jarring fault for me
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were two instances of coincidence, and one in particular I thought stretched things too far--otherwise I'd say as a mystery the plotting is exemplary, with one particular twist outside the main line of the murder mystery that came close to moving me to tears. That moment involved investigating Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, a character type that comes close to cliche in mystery fiction I've read--the female police officer with a huge chip on her shoulder that makes her impossible to work with. The "short and dumpy" working class Havers is partnered with Inspector Thomas Lynley, who is everything she is not and hates. A "golden boy," Lynley is a handsome, rich titled charmer. It's more the story of these two forging a partnership than the murder mystery in rural Yorkshire that grabbed me. George is terrific at showing their disconnect. In Lynley's case it's more that he doesn't know what Havers has to deal with--and she's not letting him in. In Havers' case it's her class prejudices and hasty presumptions that lead her to grossly misread Lynley.
While I wouldn't call George's prose style literary--it's clean and straightforward in structure and style--it is stronger than most genre fiction even in this first novel. She's a great storyteller, with a gift for making you care about her characters, and I was propelled through the 400 plus pages in practically one sitting. There is disturbing material in this novel--be warned. But I thought it ultimately warming and well worth the read.
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LibraryThing member tloeffler
This is the first book in the Inspector Lynley/Sergeant Havers mysteries. I have watched the PBS series for years and loved it, so this was a natural progression.
Tommy Lynley is a wealthy young man who works as a police inspector because he wants to. Barbara Havers is a sergeant from a lower class
A great story, once you get the characters straight. There is a lot of background that makes the TV series clearer.
Tommy Lynley is a wealthy young man who works as a police inspector because he wants to. Barbara Havers is a sergeant from a lower class
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family who has been kicked down from CID to uniform multiple times because she can't get along with a single inspector she has worked with. As her last chance, she is paired with Lynley to investigate the decapitation of a farmer, whose daughter will only say "I did it. And I'm not sorry." No one believes the daughter is capable, and there is no evidence that she did it, so the investigation begins.A great story, once you get the characters straight. There is a lot of background that makes the TV series clearer.
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LibraryThing member jmoncton
This is the first in the Inspector Lynley mystery series by Elizabeth George and it introduces Scotland Yard Inspector Thomas Lynley, the 8th Earl of Asherton and Barbara Havers, a blue collar Sergeant. The mystery alone makes this an interesting book to read, but what raises this above all the
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other good mysteries is the character development of Lynley and Havers. As an Earl, Lynley doesn't need to work, and even more so, doesn't need to work for Scotland Yard tracking down seedy criminals. Havers is the polar opposite of Lynley - plain and dumpy, unsuccessful in her career, and from very poor blue collar stock, whereas Lynley is the Golden Boy - handsome, wealthy, titled, successful, and a complete chick magnet. Part of this novel is the story of how Lynley and Havers form a begrudging partnership and it is wonderfully scripted, showing both partners perspectives. Although I've enjoyed some of the middle books in this series, this is definitely one of those mystery series that has to be read in order. Glad to start at the beginning and looking forward to enjoying all of them. Show Less
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
First published in 1988, A Great Deliverance is the first book in the mystery series featuring Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. In addition to being a Scotland Yard Inspector, Lynley is the eighth Earl of Asherton, an elegant, aristocratic, former Etonian and Oxford
The story is complex in both character and plot development. The author has done so much to flesh out the backgrounds of the lead characters. There is also a cast of supporting characters who play significant roles as the series evolves. While it might not be as good a book as subsequent books in the series I think this one gives intriguing hints into the relationships between the characters, ensuring you will pick up the next one to learn more.
A Great Deliverance is a great beginning to what is later a great series.
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man, well dressed, well educated and well connected. Sergeant Barbara Havers, recently demoted because she was unable to work with anyone else, is called back and given one last chance to redeem herself. Barbara is fat, badly dressed, homely and completely lacking any self esteem. She has a huge chip on her shoulder and it's never been more apparent than with her interaction with Lynley. Their task is to investigate a horrific murder in Yorkshire where a farmer's daughter has been accused of decapitating her father with an ax, then sitting calmly next to him, guarding his body.The story is complex in both character and plot development. The author has done so much to flesh out the backgrounds of the lead characters. There is also a cast of supporting characters who play significant roles as the series evolves. While it might not be as good a book as subsequent books in the series I think this one gives intriguing hints into the relationships between the characters, ensuring you will pick up the next one to learn more.
A Great Deliverance is a great beginning to what is later a great series.
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LibraryThing member cyderry
Roberta Teys is found sitting in the barn over the headless body of her father and she freely admits "I did it. I'm not sorry.” But the residents of the small village cannot believe that Roberta could possibly do such a thing and so Scotland Yard is brought in to determine if Roberta really is
As the story unfolds the reader is taken through the village seeing Roberta as a pathetic unloved creature. Her mother abandoned the family when she was very small and her beloved older sister ran away leaving her on the farm with her overly zealous father. Her only escape appeared to be in books and time spent with her dog Whiskers and a small child in the village. However, the evidence appears to point to Roberta as the murderer because the dog's blood is all over the clothes that she was wearing and since the dog's body is beneath Farmer Teys' body, he had to be killed before her father.
The deeper that Inspector Lynley and DS Havers dig to find out the true nature of the events, the deeper the reader is drawn into the lives of not only the villagers but Havers and Lynley as well.
This book is the beginning of the Inspector Lynley series. I had watched several of the episodes that were shown on PBS and decided that I wanted to get more of the background of the characters so I'm starting at the beginning, but I got more than I bargained for.
The beginning of the book seemed a bit disjointed to me, jumping around from one character and place to another, but in the end it all came together like a flash of lightning to explain how all the characters were impacted by the events that led to the murder.
Definitely have to continue with the books - the characterizations are tremendous as well as the plot twists for the reader. I admitted to being completely stunned by the ending.
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the murderer.As the story unfolds the reader is taken through the village seeing Roberta as a pathetic unloved creature. Her mother abandoned the family when she was very small and her beloved older sister ran away leaving her on the farm with her overly zealous father. Her only escape appeared to be in books and time spent with her dog Whiskers and a small child in the village. However, the evidence appears to point to Roberta as the murderer because the dog's blood is all over the clothes that she was wearing and since the dog's body is beneath Farmer Teys' body, he had to be killed before her father.
The deeper that Inspector Lynley and DS Havers dig to find out the true nature of the events, the deeper the reader is drawn into the lives of not only the villagers but Havers and Lynley as well.
This book is the beginning of the Inspector Lynley series. I had watched several of the episodes that were shown on PBS and decided that I wanted to get more of the background of the characters so I'm starting at the beginning, but I got more than I bargained for.
The beginning of the book seemed a bit disjointed to me, jumping around from one character and place to another, but in the end it all came together like a flash of lightning to explain how all the characters were impacted by the events that led to the murder.
Definitely have to continue with the books - the characterizations are tremendous as well as the plot twists for the reader. I admitted to being completely stunned by the ending.
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LibraryThing member katiekrug
The epitome of well-done modern British crime fiction and the first in the Inspector Lynley series, A Great Deliverance is a well-plotted, well-written mystery. George’s character development and pacing are spot-on, and the ending is stunning in its details if not in its general outline. I look
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forward to continuing this series of, oh, about 16 books (gulp!). Show Less
LibraryThing member WintersRose
It's exciting to love the first book of a series, knowing that you have many more to read. Elizabeth George is an American writer writing a British police inspector mystery that had my fingers burning from the pace of turning pages. Her series characters--handsome, wealthy, titled Inspector Thomas
Father Hart, a priest in Yorkshire, arrives at Scotland Yard with photos of a beheaded corpse. The victim's daughter, Roberta, has admitted to using an ax on his, and she's "not sorry." No one in the village suspects Roberta actually performed the murder, but who then? Webberly sends Lynley and Havers to investigate the murder. Because of her angry attitude and outbursts, Havers has been busted to uniformed police; this is her last chance to make it as an inspector. Webberly says she can learn something from Lynley, whom she despises, viewing him as a wealthy playboy and snob.
Suspects include the deceased runaway wife, Tessa, and runaway daughter, Gillian, a nephew who benefits from the will, and a local artist, who was caught trespassing on the victim's property. Elizabeth George manages to make all these and almost every other character plausibly suspicious.
Although I was able to guess the murderer and motive before the end of the novel, there were still surprises galore. Insights into the psychology of Lynley and Havers, as well as the development of their relationship, which will probably never be a romance, and the excellent writing make this a very satisfying literary mystery.
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Lynley; drab, bitter Sergeant Barbara Havers; Lynley's friend, physically-broken Simon Allcourt-St. James and his beautiful bride Deborah; wise, but unhappily married Superintendent Malcolm Webberly-- all intrigued me from the beginning, as did the assorted suspects.Father Hart, a priest in Yorkshire, arrives at Scotland Yard with photos of a beheaded corpse. The victim's daughter, Roberta, has admitted to using an ax on his, and she's "not sorry." No one in the village suspects Roberta actually performed the murder, but who then? Webberly sends Lynley and Havers to investigate the murder. Because of her angry attitude and outbursts, Havers has been busted to uniformed police; this is her last chance to make it as an inspector. Webberly says she can learn something from Lynley, whom she despises, viewing him as a wealthy playboy and snob.
Suspects include the deceased runaway wife, Tessa, and runaway daughter, Gillian, a nephew who benefits from the will, and a local artist, who was caught trespassing on the victim's property. Elizabeth George manages to make all these and almost every other character plausibly suspicious.
Although I was able to guess the murderer and motive before the end of the novel, there were still surprises galore. Insights into the psychology of Lynley and Havers, as well as the development of their relationship, which will probably never be a romance, and the excellent writing make this a very satisfying literary mystery.
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I've read a few of the books and seen a lot of the TV series so I thought I'd read more of the books.
This is where Lynley and Havers team up. She has a chip on her shoulder about him because he's wealthy and it appears he's bought his way to where he is and she's also had to fight traditional male
They're teamed up to investigate a murder of a man whose daughter was found with the murder weapon, an axe in hand, but the why is important to discover. I got the why pretty early in the story for myself, it was following the developing relationship between Havers and Lynley that really caught my interest. A good read, but there were moments that fell a bit flat.
This is where Lynley and Havers team up. She has a chip on her shoulder about him because he's wealthy and it appears he's bought his way to where he is and she's also had to fight traditional male
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dominance in her post. Lynley also has a reputation for being a bit of a ladies man.They're teamed up to investigate a murder of a man whose daughter was found with the murder weapon, an axe in hand, but the why is important to discover. I got the why pretty early in the story for myself, it was following the developing relationship between Havers and Lynley that really caught my interest. A good read, but there were moments that fell a bit flat.
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LibraryThing member bcquinnsmom
In London, Scotland Yard is searching desperately for a killer known as The Ripper, who seeks and takes victims at railway stations. But in York, a crime of a different sort has occurred: a young girl, overweight and unattractive, has been found in the barn next to her house with a dead dog and her
So much for the summary. Now here’s what I think. The author did a good job with the crime per se, and the core mystery is good, handled well under the circumstances (which I cannot mention because it would wreck it for others). Aside from that, though, there’s way too much personal angst among the main characters, so much so that you wonder how this mystery ever got solved. Lynley is an aristocrat who started with the police to give something back to the community, was in love with another one of the characters, Deborah, who ultimately married his friend Simon. So on top of solving this rather brutal crime, he has to stop and sort out his feelings for Deborah. A bit out of place, but whatever. Then there’s Havers. She is described as being from working-class stock, rather dumpy with a poor sense of how to dress, and she has it in for Lynley and his friends because they’re from the upper crust of society. Her anger and resentment strikes at odd places in this story, which is a bit distracting. Lady Helen, I could actually take or leave.
Having said all of this, you’d probably think I didn’t care for the book, but I did. I like a well-crafted and well-plotted mystery novel, and aside from the main characters having to sort through their spontaneous crises at times, it was a good story. My experience with first novels in mystery series is that they are probably not the best that the author has to give. I would recommend this book, certainly, for people who enjoy UK crime fiction. Not a cozy at all, but a rather dark and broody novel, it’s a good mystery read.
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father’s decapitated body. The girl, Roberta, has as much as admitted that she did it, but the local priest isn’t sure and contacts Scotland Yard. Enter Inspector Lynley and his newly-appointed partner, Barbara Havers, and off to York they go. The investigation isn’t easy: the only eyewitness, Roberta, is in a mental institution where she refuses to talk. Havers and Lynley must piece together what might have happened — but it’s not going to be an easy task.So much for the summary. Now here’s what I think. The author did a good job with the crime per se, and the core mystery is good, handled well under the circumstances (which I cannot mention because it would wreck it for others). Aside from that, though, there’s way too much personal angst among the main characters, so much so that you wonder how this mystery ever got solved. Lynley is an aristocrat who started with the police to give something back to the community, was in love with another one of the characters, Deborah, who ultimately married his friend Simon. So on top of solving this rather brutal crime, he has to stop and sort out his feelings for Deborah. A bit out of place, but whatever. Then there’s Havers. She is described as being from working-class stock, rather dumpy with a poor sense of how to dress, and she has it in for Lynley and his friends because they’re from the upper crust of society. Her anger and resentment strikes at odd places in this story, which is a bit distracting. Lady Helen, I could actually take or leave.
Having said all of this, you’d probably think I didn’t care for the book, but I did. I like a well-crafted and well-plotted mystery novel, and aside from the main characters having to sort through their spontaneous crises at times, it was a good story. My experience with first novels in mystery series is that they are probably not the best that the author has to give. I would recommend this book, certainly, for people who enjoy UK crime fiction. Not a cozy at all, but a rather dark and broody novel, it’s a good mystery read.
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LibraryThing member cmbohn
Themes: family secrets, crime, love, social class
Setting: Yorkshire, England and London, 1990s
Roberta Teys is found next to the decapitated body of her father. She immediately confesses and doesn't say another word. The village is shocked. They all know Roberta. Surely she couldn't have killed her
I had a little bit of a hard time with this book. I found the case interesting, and the two main characters were well drawn. But Havers with her enormous chip on her shoulder almost ruined the book for me. I did a little research online and found that the series does continue, so I decided to keep listening to see if things looked up. Then I thought that for Scotland Yard detectives, they were awfully slow to figure out what the motive was, almost unbelievably so. Is this really the first case of this type they had ever worked on? If so, they are fortunate indeed. I couldn't believe how long it took them to spot the signs of what was going on, and Havers didn't ever figure it out until 'all was revealed.' That's a bit thick, if you ask me. (I hope that wasn't a spoiler! I'm trying to be discreet.)
But these flaws aside, I am planning on reading the next book in the series. I liked Lynley and Havers and I want to read more. I haven't seen any of the PBS series, but I've been warned that the two are a little different, which is only to be expected. But I will pick up the next book. 3 stars, and I hope that the next one is better.
Setting: Yorkshire, England and London, 1990s
Roberta Teys is found next to the decapitated body of her father. She immediately confesses and doesn't say another word. The village is shocked. They all know Roberta. Surely she couldn't have killed her
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father. There must be another explanation. The local police investigate, but there are a lot of loose ends. Why was the family dog killed? If Roberta did it, why? And if not, who? Scotland Yard is called in. Inspector Thomas Lynley, who is also the 8th Earl of Ashcroft, is assigned the case along with Inspector Barbara Havers. Havers is on her very last chance to stay keep her job. Too bad she can't stand Lynley.I had a little bit of a hard time with this book. I found the case interesting, and the two main characters were well drawn. But Havers with her enormous chip on her shoulder almost ruined the book for me. I did a little research online and found that the series does continue, so I decided to keep listening to see if things looked up. Then I thought that for Scotland Yard detectives, they were awfully slow to figure out what the motive was, almost unbelievably so. Is this really the first case of this type they had ever worked on? If so, they are fortunate indeed. I couldn't believe how long it took them to spot the signs of what was going on, and Havers didn't ever figure it out until 'all was revealed.' That's a bit thick, if you ask me. (I hope that wasn't a spoiler! I'm trying to be discreet.)
But these flaws aside, I am planning on reading the next book in the series. I liked Lynley and Havers and I want to read more. I haven't seen any of the PBS series, but I've been warned that the two are a little different, which is only to be expected. But I will pick up the next book. 3 stars, and I hope that the next one is better.
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LibraryThing member gmillar
I have just read all the foregoing reviews. Good Lord, everyone, it's a novel! I don't agree that we should be able to guess the outcome early, or that we shouldn't be able to guess the outcome at all. I believe that all we require of a novelist, any writer really, is to be entertained.
Thank you,
Thank you,
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Ms. George, for becoming a novelist. I'm very glad that you did. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ayling
This is my mum's favourite series and I've seen the TV series already. I enjoyed the first one and would like to at some point get around to reading the others - but some of them are so thick it makes you feel afraid to!
LibraryThing member cajela
I'm not a huge Elizabeth George fan; I pick them up second hand or remaindered. I find them to be decent bathtub, beach or blanky reading, even though they are too brutal and melancholy to be cosies.
This is the first one, and does explain some of the personal relationships that I'd never quite got.
Anyway, this is the first meeting of odd couple Scotland Yard detectives Lynley (male, a Lord, gorgeous, rich, compassionate) and Havers (female, working class, unattractive, poor, massive chip on shoulder). Together they solve a very ugly crime set in a beautiful Yorkshire village, both bringing vital insights to the case. Good stuff, and I'm going to read another one even if I don't rank it among the greats.
This is the first one, and does explain some of the personal relationships that I'd never quite got.
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American author George chooses to write English mysteries, with a Noble Sleuth to boot. This one even features a classic Ugly American. I wonder what George's story is? She's not a bad writer, but something about her upper crust characters is off-putting and rings false to me. A bit derivative, perhaps? Thomas Lynley is not a patch on Peter Wimsey.Anyway, this is the first meeting of odd couple Scotland Yard detectives Lynley (male, a Lord, gorgeous, rich, compassionate) and Havers (female, working class, unattractive, poor, massive chip on shoulder). Together they solve a very ugly crime set in a beautiful Yorkshire village, both bringing vital insights to the case. Good stuff, and I'm going to read another one even if I don't rank it among the greats.
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LibraryThing member lahochstetler
This books marks the beginning of the Inspector Lynley series, though the focus of the book is very much Lynley's partner, Barbara Havers. He and Havers are sent north to investigate the murder of a reclusive farmer, seemingly killed by his daughter.
Havers loathes being paired with Lynley. She is
I wanted to like this book. I usually like books like this, but it was hardly one of my favorites. The novel is written in absolutely purple prose, and this is a case in which the prose interrupts the reader's ability to enjoy the book. There are also character issues. Havers is irritating and angry. There's no subtlety to Havers. Everything seems to devolve into full-on vitriol. We learn that Havers was kicked out of CID because of anger issues. By the end of the book the reader is supposed to understand Havers's issues. While I certainly felt some sympathy, I still found the depths of her pathological anger to be inexplicable. Her class issues are never really explained either. Finally, the American couple at the hotel is simply ridiculous. George is American; she should know better.
Havers loathes being paired with Lynley. She is
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unattractive and argumentative, dealing with mentally ill parents. She sees Lynley as the beneficiary of unearned class privilege. I wanted to like this book. I usually like books like this, but it was hardly one of my favorites. The novel is written in absolutely purple prose, and this is a case in which the prose interrupts the reader's ability to enjoy the book. There are also character issues. Havers is irritating and angry. There's no subtlety to Havers. Everything seems to devolve into full-on vitriol. We learn that Havers was kicked out of CID because of anger issues. By the end of the book the reader is supposed to understand Havers's issues. While I certainly felt some sympathy, I still found the depths of her pathological anger to be inexplicable. Her class issues are never really explained either. Finally, the American couple at the hotel is simply ridiculous. George is American; she should know better.
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LibraryThing member gail616
Very much enjoyed the book. Looking forward to reading others in the series.
Language
Original language
English
Other editions
A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George (Paperback)