Lynley is back and so is Barbara Havers. Although I did think Havers was unusually acquiescent in (new character and Acting Superintendent) Isabelle Ardery's demand that she dress more professionally, I enjoyed Haver's attempts to do so with the help of another favorite character, nine-year-old Hadiyyah. Despite the fact that Haddiyah is unusually precocious for her years, I love their interaction.
George intersperses pages from a paper on juvenile justice throughout the novel. In the beginning, one wonders when and how these pages will be drawn into the plot (especially as I remembered an actual case that was in the news years ago). Eventually, it becomes clear.
I wasn't crazy about the Isabelle Ardery character; Lynley seemed to ignore things he should have acted on. Her character in a role of such importance bothered me. I did like Yolanda the psychic and wouldn't mind hearing from her again. I also liked the information about the New Forest ponies and about the Agisters.
After two books in the series that I didn't care much for, it was really nice to settle down and into the complexity of an Elizabeth George mystery. It is long, but completely involving.
Fiction. Crime/Mystery/Police Procedural. 2010. 689 pages.
Since I just checked out "This Body of Death" and started reading it I was glad to read your positive review. I am only about 4 chapters into the book and I too am a bit confused about the "juvenile justice" entries.
ReplyDeleteSo much of George's writing is like needlepoint. Small stitches that are frustrating until the big picture emerges.
I could not believe Havers sat still for the dressing down Ardery gave her about her dress and general appearance.
I used to love Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley series, but then Helen died and the stories became a bit too violent for me. But your review makes me want to check this one out from the library.
ReplyDeleteI'm half-way through Citizens of London. I was recently in London so reading the book while there added to my enjoyment.
Chancy - Aren't the pages from the report chilling? I remember the case this was based on.
ReplyDelete:0 Havers took that dressing down pretty mildly, didn't she? Still, I do wish she'd see the dentist! :)
Kim - I had a hard time getting over Helen. It seemed so unnecessary, and I was pretty annoyed with George about that.
I'm so glad someone else is reading Citizens of London. It was eye-opening in a number of ways.
I am glad you enjoyed this one, Jenclair. I have only read one Elizabeth George novel (For the Sake of Elena) and really want to go back and start from the beginning. I bought a copy of this one at the Festival of Books last spring and had the author sign it. I guess I have quite a bit of catching up to do before I get to it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you enjoyed this. I liked the last one, but will be very happy now that things are back to some normalcy. George's plots are always a little complicated but in the end she always manages to tie them together. I have this one waiting for me to read and now can't wait to start.
ReplyDeleteLF - Lucky you, Wendy, to get a signed copy of one of her books! Elizabeth George has long been a favorite of mine, and I'd love to have seen her in person!
ReplyDeleteDanielle - She does have complicated plots, but they do always pull the threads together. The reviews are mixed on this one, but I liked it so much better than the last two!