“Ms. George proves that the classiest crime writers are true novelists.”—The New York Times Award-winning author Elizabeth George gives us an early glimpse into the lives of Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley, forensic scientist Simon Allcourt-St. James, and Lady Helen Clyde in a superlative mystery that is also a fascinating inquiry into the crimes of the heart. Lynley, the eighth earl of Asherton, has brought to Howenstow, his family home, the young woman he has asked to be his bride. But the savage murder of a local journalist is the catalyst for a lethal series of events that shatters the calm of a picturesque Cornwall village and embroils Lynley and St. James in a case far outside their jurisdiction—and a little too close to home. When a second death follows closely on the heels of the first, Lynley finds he can't help taking the investigation personally—because the evidence points to a killer within his own family. Praise for A Suitable Vengeance “Elizabeth George reigns as queen of the mystery genre. The Lynley books constitute the smartest, most gratifying complex and impassioned mystery series now being published.”—Entertainment Weekly “Ms. George can do it all, with style to spare.”—The Wall Street Journal “George goes to the head of the genre, with class.”—People
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"This was an interesting book in that it was not chronological in the series as book #4. The plot takes place well before Lynley and Havers are partnered. It tells the back story of Lynley and Deborah, Deborah and St. James, and much about the Lynley family's dysfunction. Murders galore, too." — Sharon (4 out of 5 stars)
"This was an interesting book in that it was not chronological in the series as book #4. The plot takes place well before Lynley and Havers are partnered. It tells the back story of Lynley and Deborah, Deborah and St. James, and much about the Lynley family's dysfunction. Murders galore, too."
" Reading. "
" I've been reading this series chronologically and this prequel is the weakest entry so far. I definitely missed Havers' acid tongue. Still it provides a good backstory to many of the series' convoluted relationships. "
" Our February book club selection. "
" When I started to read this book I kept thinking this sounds familiar. I then realized that this book was what one of the episodes the PBS Mystery was based on. I think I enjoyed the book more that the show. "
" Really good. Takes a look back at Inspector Lynley and his friends' history. "
" This book is a snooze-fest. The characters that were so interesting in the first three books are made out to be weak and self-absorbed. Havers is such an interesting character and she hardly makes an appearance in this book. As for the mystery - it was really drawn out and dull. When I read her first three novels I found I could not put them down. I actually have to force myself to pick this one up. I'm not sure I want to continue on to the fifth. Is it worth it? "
" I loved this book but there seemed to be too many plots going on at once. "
" Please note - this is a 4 star rating in the "delicious, delicious mind candy" category. I get it - this is not high art. I don't care, I'd still rather read all the deets of Inspector Lynley sussing out the crime than have a conversation with a person. I bet you would too! "
" This one was a prequel - rehashing the Lynley angst that was referred to in the other mysteries. I missed Havers, though she did put in a cameo. "
" Although I haven't read much of George's books, I was not a fan of this one. I read all the way to part III, and still was not into it, pushing myself to get even that far. I gave up trying. I'm hoping her others are not this boring. "
" I really liked this book and stayed up reading it "
" Elizabeth George never disappoints me. Highly intelligent writing with both mystery and sensitivity making her characters real people. "
" This was a very well-written and entertaining mystery story - so much so, I think I'll go back and read the beginning of the Lynley series! "
" I liked it. A prequel to George's Lynley series. Fills in some holes... "
" Elizabeth George's prose is incomparable. Loved the mystery, the characters, the location descriptions. "
" Anything by Elizabeth George falls into my MUST READ category. Her writing is so good that I stalk her website to find out when new books are coming out. Unfortunately, I believe Lynley and George have def. gone into retirement! This book is no exception. "
" As always, an excellent read... although this flashback into the earlier lives of Lynley, St. James, Helen, and Deborah was somewhat disconcerting. Way too much partner swapping in their history! Nonetheless, excellent. "
" A bit lackluster -- not surprising, since we already know what happens with the major relationship featured in the storyline. "
" Good, well-crafted mystery. I'm told the others in the series are more mystery and less character-driven. Whatever. Kind of soap-opera-ish with the bad boyfriends and partner switching, but overall a good read. "
" Glad that there are many more of these to come! "
" Very good. My only moan is this is 'billed' as book 4 in the series, but goes back to when Lynley was due to marry Deborah; Havers was not yet Lynley's partner etc. I would have read this first if I'd known!! Chronologically it comes before all the ones I've read so far. :( "
" Due to fleshing out the back story in A Suitable Vengeance reading A Great Deliverance will make more sense. Read this one first. "
" I enjoyed the mystery part, but the interpersonal relationships got a bit tedious. "
" Another winner from Ms. George. "
" This book left me rather unsatisfied. The characters were unbelievable and some of the psychology too far fetched. The whole story left me wondering and indeed wandering. "
" I love Elizabeth George. This was a book about the early days of Inspector Lynley and his friend,St. James . How interesting to read of their early associations. I recommend it no matter if you've read one before or if this is your first. She writes mysteries for smart people. "
" Interesting family in the English countryside. I enjoy Inspector Lyndley mysteries on BBC made from this series. "
" Great fun to go back in time with them, but seriously, Deborah is only 20? She's just a kid! Yet she's a professional photographer and woman of the world. "
" Almost a four star. Not my usual fare, needed to get used to her British style. Didn't care for the soap opera approach to explaining why St. James had been out of contact with Deborah for all those years. "
Elizabeth George is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty psychological suspense novels, four young adult novels, one book of nonfiction, and two short-story collections. Her work has been honored with the Anthony and Agatha awards, two Edgar nominations, and both France's and Germany's first prize for crime fiction, as well as several other prestigious prizes.
Sir Derek Jacobi has had a long and distinguished career. He has toured in Becket and Uncle Vanya, and he received a Tony Award for his performance as Benedick in the RSC’s production of Much Ado about Nothing. His work in television includes the lead roles in Cadfael and I, Claudius, and his film credits include Henry V, Gosford Park, and Hamlet. His narrations have won him eleven Audiofile Earphones Awards.
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