Different cover to that shown.

The nineteenth Inspector Lynley novel.

Although still somewhat overlong, this is much better than the previous book in the series. A gripping and disturbing case; all the business with Daidre is quite unecessary to the story, however.

On the book buffet.

Added to mount tbr taken from the book buffet at the Northampton 2019 convention.

Barbara Havers needs to prove that she can do a police investigation without breaking the rules to her new Detective Superintendent who is still angry about how she behaved in her previous investigation.

She meets feminist Clare Abbot and her friend Rory at a book reading, and when Clare is found dead Rory gets in touch saying she cannot believe it is suicide. Barbara helps her get a second autopsy that proves murder, with the help of her superior DI Thomas Lynley. He then helps her by getting her allocated to the case against the wishes of the chief super.

This is an involved story with lots of characters and some very sad elements about difficult family lives, but very absorbing nevertheless.

Another excellent story from Elizabeth George. She weaves together the stories of the regular characters and the one-off characters so well, and just seems to be able to get into everybody’s heads. Occasionally I stop and think ‘Hmm…not sure about that’, particularly with regards to how people perceive and react to Barbara, which stops me giving it the highest rating, but I would still highly recommend the book and the series. Can’t wait to read the next one!

Reading Biscuit Factory bookshelves