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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780061160875
ISBN: 0061160873
Label: Harper
Manufacturer: Harper
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 640
Publication Date: 2008-05-01
Publisher: Harper
Product Release Date: 2008-05-06
Studio: Harper

In her most eagerly anticipated novel yet, Elizabeth George brings back Scotland Yard's Thomas Lynley to investigate a ruthless crime.

After the senseless murder of his wife, Detective Superintendent Thomas Lynley retreated to Cornwall, where he has spent six solitary weeks hiking the bleak and rugged coastline. But no matter how far he walks, no matter how exhausting his days, the painful memories of Helen's death do not diminish.

On the forty-third day of his walk, at the base of a cliff, 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.

The head of the vastly understaffed local police department needs Lynley's help, though, especially when it comes to the mysterious, secretive woman whose cottage lies not far from where the body was discovered. But can Lynley let go of the past long enough to solve a most devious and carefully planned crime?

Customer Rating:
Review Summary: MOSTLY A DOWNER
Review: Have read all of Ms George's Inspector Lynley novels. Thought the opening of this book was brilliant. We knew it was Tommy and wondered what happened to him. He's back. The parts with him and Barbara Havers were so welcomed as were Insp Hannaford and her family. The rest of the characters in this book were downers. There was no reason to smile about anything else.

Most of the time the prose was confusing and spoken in parables. The conclusion was most disappointing and frustrating. I am not looking for the Book of Life but I do like conclusions that explain motives and actions.

Will donate this book to the library.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: tortuous and torturous
Review: I'm listening to the second-to-last disc now, and I wish I was reading it instead, so I could just flip through to the end.

I've liked earlier books by George, but this one was tedious and long-winded. I'm willing to suspend my disbelief, but not hang it by the neck until dead. (Example: yes, of course we police officers will follow you to this deserted hut in the middle of nowhere to get you to talk. Of course we'll let you go on and on like some kind of Columbo extra....)

Stick to her earlier books, and pass this one up.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Not impressed
Review: Well, on the bright side, this is a novel. On the downside, the plot lines don't all get resolved in the end, the writing feels stilted, the characters are so numerous as to be overwhelming, and I lost interest about a third of the way into the book. Could have been much better, I'm sure, given than Elizabeth George seems to be such a prolific writer. But this was my first book of hers, and it will likely be my last.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: One of Her Best
Review: Since others have outlined the plot I won't go into detail on that. Suffice it to say the stricken Thomas Lynley, mourning the loss of his murdered wife, has set off on a long walk intended to help him sort out his grief. When he discovers the body of a dead youth he becomes first a suspect and then,when his identity becomes known, a party to the investigation.

Personally, I consider this one of George's best in the series. Her novels are becoming increasingly literary and she excels here in illuminating a complex cast of intriguing characters. My only regret is the late entry of Barbara Havers into the fray. But she does arrive and participate in her ebullient way and is even teamed up with an equally fascinating female in DI Bea Hannaford.

The interplay of the characters, a sufficiency of mystery and red herrings and the colour of life in Cornwall made this a thoroughly enjoyable read for me. I can't wait to see what George will offer us next.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Not enjoyable
Review: This is the first Elizabeth George book I've read and will probably be the last. I found the sheer number of characters unnecessary and confusing. There is an overload of distracting "side" information and stories. Ultimately, I feel the author has confused me into the murder being a mystery.

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