Rating: 
Summary: Could not put it down
Review: George's absolute best. Though I adored Lynley et al. for years, they had, for me, gotten old and tired by the last outing, and while I'm still fond of them, I was glad that they took a back seat in this one to some fascinating, complex, and beautifully developed characters, particularly Gideon Davies. True, there are flaws in the plot -- I won't give them away; they're fairly obvious -- but on the whole I found myself living in the world of these characters and unable to tear myself away from them and the horror of their past. I read P.D. James's Death in Holy Orders just prior to reading A Traitor to Memory, and found the latter a great deal more satisfying, though I've been a James fan, too, for many years.
Rating: 
Summary: Traitor to Memory
Review: This book was too long and the cutting back and forth between Gideon's view and the rest was tedious beyond words. The timeline was hard to follow, as was the plot. I've read most of George's mysteries and think her early books were the best. And where were the publisher's editors? One of them needed to cast a critical eye on George's writing and rein her in.
Rating: 
Summary: Much too long
Review: I felt the story line was good, but just too wordy. It could have been told much better with 300 pages instead of 700+. I will still look forward to the next one.
Rating:
Summary: A Traitor to Faithful Readers!
Review: We all wait faithfully for the next installment of the Lyndley/Havers series...and get a book that barely mentions them! The plot was hopelessly transparent, and if George had not used the flashback/flashforward technique it would have been even worse. I am glad I read the book but only because I would hate to be lost on the small bits of information of the usual main characters' lives. Hopefully we will get to see more of them in the next book. And we can all hope that George will decide to go with a slightly shorter book next time so she can tie up all her loose ends before her deadline. And it will give us a book before waiting a year again!
Rating: 
Summary: Wait for the next one
Review: Much too slow-paced, and not enough of Lynley and Havers. Actually put it down half way through for several days, which is a first for me and an Elizabeth George novel. Very disappointing.
Rating: 
Summary: CLassis George
Review: I look forward to all of Elizabeth George's books, and got this one as soon as it came out. I liked the fact that the characters of Thomas, Helen, Barbara etc., took a back seat in the storyline. I have always felt that Barbara's life was boring - I did get confused about a few things toward the end of the book - but overall I enjoyed it. If you want a fast, quick mystery read like Davidson or Churchill etc., these are not the books for you. They are much deeper - I enjoy the longer read.
Rating:
Summary: An Ambitious But Flawed Addition to the series
Review: Linley, Havers, and Co. are on the hunt for a vehicular killer...they need to figure out why someone killed Eugenie Davies, and the solution lies 20 yrs in the Davies family past. To make matters worse, their Chief, Webberly, is connected to the case. Somehow, the events also connect to the fact that Gideon Davies, then an 8 yr old prodigy, now a world class violinist, has lost his ability to play music. The plot is convoluted, needing 700+ pages to reach its end. Tho there are some interesting characters, the style can be annoying---Gideon's psychiatric analysis via a journal he shares with his doctor alternates with the traditional narrative chapters. One problem seems to be that the time frame for the journal chpaters doesn't mesh neatly with the "real time" narrative chapters. In addition, I saw the major plot resolutions coming very early--which is fine if the characters and story offer some other strong interest....but I'm sorry to say that this time George fails in that department... And for those who like to see a lot of character development with Linley, Havers, and the other recurring characters...it just isn't here this time.......Nkata gets the most action on the personal canvas, and even that is limited. There's a bit about Linley and Deborah that resolves an old issue tho.... If you've read the rest of the George Canon, then you'll like this book well enough, but it won't be a favorite......I advise new readers to try her earlier works....this one is NOT a good place to start....even if you aren't interested in the development of the recurring characters.
Rating:
Summary: E. G. Is No Traitor
Review: What a delight! Lynley & Havers are back and doing well! But there is more in-depth analysis of the main character's mind than we've seen in previous E. G. novels. Although one can solve the mystery before Lynley does, the book keeps one reading. But, beware, keep track of all the dates! Her sentences are marvelous; her "voice" is strong. I love the exploration of Winston Nkata's character, and wonder what really happens to Webberly. E. G. always keeps me wanting more!!!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful treat
Review: Ms George does it again! Her last two books may have been a bit of a disappointment storywise, but she clearly shines again with her newest book. Don't let yourself fool by the 700 or so pages or the "lack" of development of the main characters Harves/Lynley. Elizabeth George introduces us instead to new multifaceted characters and keeps us wanting more and more throughout the pages. Unlike "Fast Food mystery writers", Elizabeth George takes her time to give all her characters a deeper psychological depth. There are no paragraphs rushed meaningless through for the sake of "thrill". And she writes it so wondefully. This book is meant to be savoured page by page. A traitor to memory ranks with Playing for the ashes, which is my favourite book by her. Both books tell two different,complex stories that undoubtly will clash together at certain points throughout the book. I absolutly recommend A traitor to memory. It is an excellent read for those long warm summer evenings.
Rating:
Summary: Where Are the Heroes?
Review: Fans of mystery writer Elizabeth George are likely to be a little disappointed in the latest installment of the Lynley-Havers series. For starters, there is very little of either Thomas Lynley or Barbara Havers in the book, they are more or less supporting players in the drama which centers around one of the more dysfunctional families in recent literature. The tragic tale of the Davies family, told in flashback/diary format, is ultimately gripping and very well written - but it is intercut with a real-time crime-solving narrative that is confusing, cluttered with unecessary plot elements, and ambiguous. This long book, in need of much sharper editing, is nonetheless a must read for Lynley-Havers addicts who wouldn't want to miss even the smallest tidbit of character development, but it is not likely to attract and hold many new readers. Okay - so this wasn't the best of the bunch - I'm still a fan, I still care about the characters, and I will wait not too patiently for the next, hopefully better, installment.
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