Rating: 
Summary: This woman just CAN'T write a bad book
Review: It was time for her characters to develop again as they do periodically and the all too sympathetic Lynley to have a nasty human side like everyone else. I get the feeling she's setting us up for more developments in her next book, but agree with other reviewers Lynley's nastiness just a tad beyond reasonable for him. However, Barbara got to develop, so bet it's all worth it in the next one. If you have not bought this woman's books, go forth and purchase them all immediately! Nice to have characters that are a joy to come home to book after book. This volume is twistier than most, but I can hardly stand the wait 'til the next one.
Rating: 
Summary: "Secateurs"
Review: I have a theory that the word "secateurs" appears somewhere in every Elizabeth George novel. I am pleased to report that it duly appears in this one. (Its appearance this time is so contrived that I actually am starting to wonder whether it is some sort of game she is playing.) I am in the process of forming a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Barbara Havers. And Elizabeth George is _terribly_ cruel to poor Barbara in this novel. I can remain impassive as I read the passages that deal with murder, suicide, sadomasochism--even the explanation of how that mysterious shiny metal cylinder is supposed to be used. (Well, <shudder>, fairly impassive, anyway). (And Ms. George looks so diffident and demure in her dustjacket photo!) But, omigod, the things that happen to Barbara--they're (sob) just TOO much to bear. The things that happen in her personal and professional relationship with Lynley... and just when that seems to be getting straightened out at last, she gets hit with something else from an entirely different quarter when--no, no, I can't bear to talk about it.
Rating:
Summary: George takes some risks
Review: Ms. George has produced yet another smashing novel. Her character development is great, her story-telling abilities keen, but I think this may be the riskiest of her books. Lynley is made into a completely unsympathetic character through most of this book. His behavior towards Havers is mystifying and close to unforgivable and his attitude towards his wife is patronizing. While he has always struggled with his toffee-nose birth, it has always been refreshing how much Lynley has attempted to escape his class prejudices. (Okay, having a servant pushes the envelope in that respect.) Here, though, his behavior is inexplicable. How on earth could he fault Havers for saving the life of a child? I think Ms. George provides an explanation that quite frankly, did not sit well, with me, but I thought it was the only flaw in the book. The plot is intricate and complicated. You might need a scorecard to keep track of who the prime suspect is at any moment. Havers continues to be a sheer joy, her relationship with her neighbors makes her oh so human, and Nkata emerges as a character in his own right. The only folks missing from the mix are Simon and Deborah, but I can only assume that the next novel will involve them more. Well done, Ms. George. As always, I immediately start looking forward to the next novel as soon as I've turned the last page of the present one.
Rating:
Summary: Another Winner!!!!!!!!
Review: What can I say about Elizabeth George's work that hasn't already been said? This book is un-put-down-able, I seem to have been reading it for a year, and I don't want it to end! Interesting development with the Pakistani neighbor and Barbara Havers coming up? I wondered when that would happen. The only thing I kind of don't like about this novel is it seems an awful lot of fuss and work over the murder victim, I had no sympathy for her at all, the silly slut! There has been a sense of the tragic in some of Ms. George's previous novels which is missing here. However, I highly recommend it, especially if you have read her previous novels.
Rating:
Summary: Another twist-filled entry in George's repertoire
Review: With "In The Presence of the Enemy" still being my favorite of the series and being a bit disappointed with "Deception on his Mind", I was eagerly anticipating this installment of the series. George is one of the gifted writers that make you read every word for fear of missing a vital plot link. The story was similar to "For the Sake of Elena" with Nicola Maiden's tawdry living and relations with what seemed the entire country of England, but still George makes it fresh. The prologue was all but forgotten for me until 3/4 through the novel, making me say out loud, "So THAT's what she was talking about". I always hold out hope for our dear Barbara Havers that romance will soon come her way. Taymullah may not be as suave as Lynley, but one can only hope their relationship will blossom in subsequent novels. Helen and Thomas Lynley's ever present squabbling is here too. Would this marraige really last in the real world between these two self absorbed characters? Still, Lynley settling down does not seem to agree with him so far. So I, along with the millions of other readers will wait patiently and anticipate our next venture into the lives of the English souls.
Rating:
Summary: Still a great novelist and storyteller
Review: George's strengths have always been great character development and excellent writing. Once you've waded through 50 pages of Sinners you can't put it down, even if you don't remember what happened in the prolog. But the plotting twists on itself too many times. And Lynley and Havers truly need to be given a fresher life. Why does George continue to insist, repeatedly throughout this novel, on Havers being so dumpy, and Lynley such a prig? Give us all a break in the next book and have them move on from the precious Indian father/daughter, and the stereotypical Lady Helen.
Rating:
Summary: worth the wait
Review: I'm a huge fan of Ms. George and her latest book does not disappoint. I am in awe of the seemingly facile way she can present a character. Every single one of them is three-dimensional and believable. Just think of the little kid who found the knife -- he only got a page or two, but you felt like you knew him.
The only reason I don't give this one 5 stars is that the Lynley/Helen relationship is getting silly. All that analysis and redefinition, etc. Can't they just love each other and get one with it? I did want to smack Lynley for his treatment of Havers, but it did ring true to his character.
Rating:
Summary: tremendous read, as usual, but puzzling change in character
Review: this was a great mystery and, as always, exquisitely plotted and written. However, one aspect of the book was troubling. It seemed that lynley's initial reaction to havers' suspension was totally out of character. So, that reaction seemed more in the nature of a forced plot device, which is unusual fro this author. The fact is this device worked very well for purposes of this book, but, for future books, the lynley character seems somewhat tarnished. It will be interesting to see how the author handles that potential problem.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, poor ending
Review: Ms. George's real strengths are the texture of her characters -- their dialog, interior monolog, etc. -- and the clever, thoroughly researched plots. In both respects the book shows her craft splendidly. My only criticism is that the ending is ridiculously convoluted, improbable, verbose, and pretentious (even a quote from Orwell, for heaven's sake!). Too many coincidences and loose ends that are never explained. Though Lynley is a fine parody of the Oxbridge detective (all that is wanting is for him to murmur a few lines from Ovid or Cicero from time to time), he's a tad overwrought by the end of this book -- far too precious and priggish to be plausible. Turn down the wattage a bit, Ms. George!
Rating:
Summary: Back to Par and with a Vengeance
Review: EG's latest is back on par with her first two. After a spate of progressively deteriorating plotlines, her last finally turned the tide around and the current hit as about as good as anything in the series. Does EG think all men, or just Lynley, are fools? Is Havers really a genius after all? Does her Pakistani neighbor really have the hots for her? Will the Lynley-Helen marriage endure? Will the St. James's finally be blessed (sic) with a child? Are all Americans truly as despicable as EG portrays them? Stay tuned for the answer to these and other thrilling questions.
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