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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Murder
I won't review every one I read of this series, but I wanted to add this particular one because I think that anyone who reads any portion of this series will get something out of reading it.
A Suitable Vengeance is a prequel to the Lynley/Havers mysteries, focusing on the relationships between Thomas Lynley, Simon St. James and Deborah Cotter. It also provides us with a look at Lynley's family, including his mother and brother, and explains the reasons behind the tensions there. All of these relationships are alluded to in the series, so this book certainly cleared up a lot of questions I had. Undoubtedly my favourite of the series so far.
A Suitable Vengeance is a prequel to the Lynley/Havers mysteries, focusing on the relationships between Thomas Lynley, Simon St. James and Deborah Cotter. It also provides us with a look at Lynley's family, including his mother and brother, and explains the reasons behind the tensions there. All of these relationships are alluded to in the series, so this book certainly cleared up a lot of questions I had. Undoubtedly my favourite of the series so far.
I wasn't a fan of going back in time to explain the relationships of the main characters, at least not taking an entire novel to do it. It took almost 100 pages just to get to the murder and it ended up not even being a very good one. I'm looking forward to #5
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
fast-paced
I was just starting to like these books, now, not so sure. The whole backstory was okay, but far too long, too over the top (do they ALL have to have issues?!) and waaaaaayyy too detailed. Not to mention she goes to great lengths to spell our the Deborah/Simon relationship started when she was 7 years old, living in his house - um, YUK! Some things are really better left unsaid.
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual violence, Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Transphobia
Fourth (publication-wise) in the Inspector Lynley mystery series set in modern-day London, A Suitable Vengeance is so incredibly well titled as vengeance abounds throughout the story. Tommy’s anger with his mother, Deb’s anger with Simon, Peter’s anger with Tommy, Justin and Mick’s actions, Sidney’s emotions, Mark’s activities…it’s endless.
The Chronology of the Series
A Suitable Vengeance is, chronologically, first in the series as it tells the tale of Deborah’s return from school in America with her engagement to Tommy during her visit with Tommy’s family in Cornwall. ALL of which takes place well before A Great Disappearance in which Barbara Havers is collecting Tommy for a case from Simon and Deborah’s wedding.
The Story
So, that said, lordy, what a convoluted, swirling tide of clues is this. The primary story is of Simon’s desperate and undeclared love for Deborah set against her and Tommy’s involvement, which leads us to the family weekend at Tommy’s estate in Cornwall, Howenstow---Tommy has proposed and Deborah is to meet the family.
And what a weekend to remember. The local Lothario is murdered with a particularly nasty cut with more murders following and all the suspects are connected to Howenstow. Tommy may be Scotland Yard but we’re not on his patch. And this is where I get frustrated with George. Tommy is a Detective Inspector with Scotland Yard and he is screwing up all over the place not behaving like the policeman he is. He does nothing to secure the initial crime scene. He withholds evidence. He searches for evidence on his own. Why not hire on some divers to search the sea for the case instead of having a couple of the lads diving with masks and snorkels??
My Take
I guess I’m expecting the world especially with how masterfully George pulls all these red herrings into a simple cohesive solution. George is amazing in her attention to detail, the situations she creates, and the tension she builds (even though I have a pretty good idea of how things will end as I’m already three stories into the future when I read this story).
The Cover
The cover is rather painterly with a very suitable subject---the rocks off the Cornish coast which play such a role in opening the case.
The Chronology of the Series
A Suitable Vengeance is, chronologically, first in the series as it tells the tale of Deborah’s return from school in America with her engagement to Tommy during her visit with Tommy’s family in Cornwall. ALL of which takes place well before A Great Disappearance in which Barbara Havers is collecting Tommy for a case from Simon and Deborah’s wedding.
The Story
So, that said, lordy, what a convoluted, swirling tide of clues is this. The primary story is of Simon’s desperate and undeclared love for Deborah set against her and Tommy’s involvement, which leads us to the family weekend at Tommy’s estate in Cornwall, Howenstow---Tommy has proposed and Deborah is to meet the family.
And what a weekend to remember. The local Lothario is murdered with a particularly nasty cut with more murders following and all the suspects are connected to Howenstow. Tommy may be Scotland Yard but we’re not on his patch. And this is where I get frustrated with George. Tommy is a Detective Inspector with Scotland Yard and he is screwing up all over the place not behaving like the policeman he is. He does nothing to secure the initial crime scene. He withholds evidence. He searches for evidence on his own. Why not hire on some divers to search the sea for the case instead of having a couple of the lads diving with masks and snorkels??
My Take
I guess I’m expecting the world especially with how masterfully George pulls all these red herrings into a simple cohesive solution. George is amazing in her attention to detail, the situations she creates, and the tension she builds (even though I have a pretty good idea of how things will end as I’m already three stories into the future when I read this story).
The Cover
The cover is rather painterly with a very suitable subject---the rocks off the Cornish coast which play such a role in opening the case.