Well even a "weak" Elizabeth George novel is better than most else out there. Love the Barbara bits, but I thought a previous commenter's comment that "Deborah's 'girl detective' antics are ridiculous beyond belief, and the idiot plot / miscommunication turning points" spot on. Really, I wasn't buying either her behavior or Tommy's willingness to let her carry on. Perhaps it's been too long (years, I guess) since I've read the books where her character was fleshed out in detail and I've forgotten details that are supposed to make her sympathetic. In this book she just comes across as a childish brat (exactly what she rails against Simon and Tommy for treating her like.)

Throughout this book, the lesson that repeats itself is be careful what you wish for. The actions that you take to achieve an end can have devastating effects to those around you. Our poor inspector has to look into an accidental death that may be anything but & no one is telling him the whole truth. But the repercussions are huge & innocent bystanders end up suffering the most. Lynley also has to make choices in his personal life & other peripheral characters continue to evolve. A slow read at times but complex as usual.

This book is much better than the last one. (The less seen of Isabelle Ardery, the better.) The plot is good, the characters are interesting, and there is every kind of family issue one can imagine. It is long, but reads quickly.

24 hours ago I thought "Look at the size of that thing. I probably won't have time to finish before it's due back. Should I bother?" Then I thought "Eew, I forgot about Tommy going to bed with That Woman." Then "there must be something about mature writers trying to be poets, I wish some of this refined character description was good old-fashioned action" then "I should be doing something else but I haven't enjoyed a book so much in forever" then "OMG OMG Wow OMG!!!" The author's last books were so depressing and different, this one fills me with hope for our hero and his friends, and I can't wait for the next one. I think this was her best yet.

Yes it's a bit long and meanders but still a much better read than most of what's out there. Hope it ends up being televised because it would condense stunningly and the Lake District scenery ......... to say noting of the tidal bore scenes. High drama. Incidentally, I've read all her books and this is the first time I remember reading the description of Tommy as a blonde. Another illusion shattered.

In her latest book Elizabeth George has continued to transcend the murder mystery genre. She has set new heights as a raconteur and keen observer of today’s society that rival authors can surely only dream of achieving. Her familiar protagonist, Inspector Lynley, makes his return still mourning the loss of his wife. Lynley’s close friends Simon and Deborah St James are very much involved though with a marriage more strained than we have seen before. While not quite as ground breaking as her study of troubled London youth in What Came Before He Shot Her, Ms George has delved in the deep and emotionally charged waters of deceit in this story. Deceit as practiced in both large and small ways, deceit as practiced on both self and others. And she has brilliantly charted the devastating risks of deceit on family members and oneself. As if that were not enough, she also explores the many facets of modern relationships as the story unfolds. Various hues of human sexuality she takes in her stride dealing with the complexity of reactions to homosexuality and its denial in particular. The suffering both adultery and infertility can bring are well documented, the latter being contrasted with parents who regret they have children. If there is a flaw it might be that there is too much deceit and therefore too much drama. But why else do we read books? A few of her central characters are cast as purely evil without mitigation or explanation. But since when did such characters not form an integral part of a murder mystery? If this all sounds rather grim and intense, Ms George know exactly how to lighten the mood. Enter Barbara Havers with humour and brutal honesty about her flawed appearance, social life and eating habits. Imagine the complete antitheses of every other dramatic female detective and you have Barbara; her chief fashion advisor is a child. Yet we love her for all her shortcomings, we desperately want her to succeed and her over-bearing boss to slip up. Once again Barbara proves herself to be a brilliant detective making connections and deductions that baffle her colleagues. Ms George also gives us an ending that is quite sublime. Coming from a totally unexpected quarter not only is it a fine conclusion but also sets up her next story. By the last page we are gasping for more of her storytelling that, yes, features detectives but is more about detecting the mysteries of our behaviour.

This book is my first by Elizabeth George and I was looking forward to the experience. Unfortunately I'm about half way through this monstrous tome and have very little empathy for any of the characters. Clearly the author is assuming that one will have read her earlier works to gain some understanding of Lynley, et al. The story is dragging and slightly nasty. This will be one of the few books that I'll not bother to finish reading.

I agree with many of the comments - this was an immense book that I couldn't wait to read, but got tired of Deborah's 'girl detective' antics as someone described them. Agreed with Labetenoir the ending was annyoing b/c of a miscommunication - so stupid, made me dislike Deborah even more. Havers is the redeeming factor - and I am looking forward to the next book to see her in action, crazy whimsical teeshirts and all!

Amazed at the size of the book, where there is no real crime to solve. I was annoyed when I realized that someone was going to die at the end because of miscommunication and an out of control character. I think someone had to die to end the novel. So, why 3 stars. I like following Barbara and Lynley's personal journey.

I found this book was better than the last Lynley (This Body of Death) which I didn't like at all. However, I would not say it was one of the author's best ones and it definitely needed some editing as it was far too long.