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therealkathryn's review against another edition
2.0
It feels like Elizabeth George, like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, has tired of her characters but instead of cliffing them, she drowns them in over-written, over-emoted stories set in locations where research expenses must make a nice tax write-off.
It's been about 20 years since I first discovered For the Sake of Elena. I was so gripped by the story and by Lynley and Havers that I immediately sought out earlier books in the series. Whenever a new book came out I sought to read it as soon as possible.
The last few books have pushed my dedication. Just One Evil Act is about as good as the last two or three, though with the added bonus of near constant contact embarrassment as Havers digs herself into a hole that she doesn't seem to completely realize exists. Between that, my constantly active mental red pen, and the fact that I skimmed the last 200 or so pages, I am not sure that I have it in me to read further in this series.
It's been about 20 years since I first discovered For the Sake of Elena. I was so gripped by the story and by Lynley and Havers that I immediately sought out earlier books in the series. Whenever a new book came out I sought to read it as soon as possible.
The last few books have pushed my dedication. Just One Evil Act is about as good as the last two or three, though with the added bonus of near constant contact embarrassment as Havers digs herself into a hole that she doesn't seem to completely realize exists. Between that, my constantly active mental red pen, and the fact that I skimmed the last 200 or so pages, I am not sure that I have it in me to read further in this series.
krobart's review against another edition
3.0
See my review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/just-one-evil-act/
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/just-one-evil-act/
jwoodsum's review against another edition
5.0
a book centered on Barbara Havers - an emotional roller coaster of a read, but well worth it
mehitabels's review against another edition
2.0
le sigh.
Fortunately her earlier books remain as excellent and can be reread again and again. It breaks my heart to turn away from many of these characters, but there are some train wrecks that are not worth reading.
Spoiler
Even since Helen died the stories just don't work. I mean, the writing is just as fantastic, but my connection to the characters is traumatized and spoiled. I could barely stand to read about Barbara, it was like watching a family member date the wrong guy, marry him, have kids, and then go through the awakening process. I can't go through the emotional roller coaster anymore.Fortunately her earlier books remain as excellent and can be reread again and again. It breaks my heart to turn away from many of these characters, but there are some train wrecks that are not worth reading.
eas_1974's review against another edition
2.0
Not my favorite in the series. Too long and too tedious. Also, Havers was really unlikable in this book. Found myself skipping pages and wishing the book would just end.
nixieknox's review against another edition
2.0
Giving this only two stars pains me, but I must do so for a few reasons. One, I resent the fact that so many Italian phrases were used, to the point of confusion. Second, holy cow the middle went on! I got it already the first time around. A much more minor complaint is that I completely forgot dairdre's story from the last book and could have used a reminder. Most importantly, though, was that Barbara went off the deep end in a most uncharacteristic, frankly unbelievable way.
I did love the Italian detective, though, and hope he makes a return appearance.
I did love the Italian detective, though, and hope he makes a return appearance.
leslie_daley_1962's review against another edition
4.0
Barbara Havers is the most infuriating person. I have trouble seeing how she can be good at her job. She seems to lack common sense, and I don’t understand why she has to dress so unprofessionally, eat so much junk food, and have awful hair. That being said, I do enjoy her friendship with Lynley.
mimika9's review against another edition
4.0
By accident, I read the next one in this series before this one. That book was absolutely riveting whereas this one should have been more tightly edited. It was too long and there was a lot of repetitive language.
teuliano's review against another edition
I love this series and it pains me to give less than a four but this was not up to the other books. I found it repetitive and I hated what the author did to Havers. she's not a stupid blind whiny brat who doesn't learn...or at least she wasn't.
I'll keep reading the series but will be careful when I recommend it to exclude this installment. so sorry!
I'll keep reading the series but will be careful when I recommend it to exclude this installment. so sorry!
maureenr's review against another edition
1.0
Omg this book was ridiculous. The only reason I kept with it was that it was on audio for my commute, etc. It was padded beyond belief - there had to be at least 20 conversations between the reporter and Havers that essentially repeated the same thing over and over. I'm fairly convinced, given how poorly this was written, and how ridiculous the plot was, that Ms. George's goal with this book was a tax deductible trip to Tuscany for "research."
I have really liked most of the novels in this series, but this one soured me on any others.
By the way - "Just One Evil Act"? publishing this.
I have really liked most of the novels in this series, but this one soured me on any others.
By the way - "Just One Evil Act"? publishing this.