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guerrillabooks's review against another edition
3.0
Couple things.
I selected this book while feeling nostalgic about mysteries while browsing the abundantly stocked shelves of a new (to me) used book store. Moving through the genre-d shelves I reminisced about how Nancy drew mysteries were the first novels I got into as a kid and I remember a scene from 2nd grade, sitting in the classroom at school with a Nancy drew in tow.
I have about a hundred pages left in this book but the past few days, I found myself trying to binge the rest just to be done with the book so that I can move on to something more meaty and enjoyable. So I guess bottom line is, the book isn’t bad, it isn’t poorly written either, it is what it is… and it just doesn’t grab me. Characters feel thin… and this might be the result of choosing book 10 in a long book series, that thing that happens with serialized drama where you have to sit through so many extra hours to get a sense of the characters depth? Character development often seems to me to be problematic.
I selected this book while feeling nostalgic about mysteries while browsing the abundantly stocked shelves of a new (to me) used book store. Moving through the genre-d shelves I reminisced about how Nancy drew mysteries were the first novels I got into as a kid and I remember a scene from 2nd grade, sitting in the classroom at school with a Nancy drew in tow.
I have about a hundred pages left in this book but the past few days, I found myself trying to binge the rest just to be done with the book so that I can move on to something more meaty and enjoyable. So I guess bottom line is, the book isn’t bad, it isn’t poorly written either, it is what it is… and it just doesn’t grab me. Characters feel thin… and this might be the result of choosing book 10 in a long book series, that thing that happens with serialized drama where you have to sit through so many extra hours to get a sense of the characters depth? Character development often seems to me to be problematic.
jkaccoman's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dismascoale's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
majkia's review against another edition
5.0
As usual, complex mystery with lots of twists and turns, great character development, and very well written.
urlphantomhive's review against another edition
4.0
READ IN DUTCH
I bought this book in a library sale for I think 0,50 Euro; because I'm a fan of the Lynley tv-series...
It took me a long time to really get into the story. It's a long book, about 750 pages, people might think that's quite a lot for a detective book. Well, it is. The start felt very slow, and it took more than 200 pages to start really enjoying the story.
Truth be told, after that, I found it hard to put the book down. I can't really say what changed for me, but it almost felt as if I was reading another book altogether. So, in the end, it wasn't a bad book, it was quite nice to read. Maybe it didn't help in the beginning that this is the tenth novel in the Lynley series, so obviously I've missed a lot of character development (although I've gotten to know quite a lot about Lynley and Havers trough the tv-series)
I bought this book in a library sale for I think 0,50 Euro; because I'm a fan of the Lynley tv-series...
It took me a long time to really get into the story. It's a long book, about 750 pages, people might think that's quite a lot for a detective book. Well, it is. The start felt very slow, and it took more than 200 pages to start really enjoying the story.
Truth be told, after that, I found it hard to put the book down. I can't really say what changed for me, but it almost felt as if I was reading another book altogether. So, in the end, it wasn't a bad book, it was quite nice to read. Maybe it didn't help in the beginning that this is the tenth novel in the Lynley series, so obviously I've missed a lot of character development (although I've gotten to know quite a lot about Lynley and Havers trough the tv-series)
nonna7's review against another edition
5.0
As the book opens we learn that Barbara Havers has been on suspension for most of the summer. She's coming back to learn her fate. She shot at a superior officer after that superior officer told her not to try to save a little girl who was drowning. (Deception On His Mind) Inspector Lynley is not in the least sympathetic, telling her that she consistently goes her own way and does not obey orders. When he is called to an out of town murder at the request of a former police officer that he knew he leaves her behind with orders to search through the police officer's files to see if the murder - that of his daughter - was a revenge killing. Having just been reduced in rank to Detective Constable, Barbara should be willing to take her marching orders wherever they take her, but she's not that kind of woman. As the book goes on there are a lot of questions about the beautiful young daughter of former police officer, Andy Maiden. We soon learn that she may be beautiful, but she has some hidden and unpleasant depths. Elizabeth George does not write short books. This one is - as have been most of the others - in excess of 700 pages. We learn a lot about the dead girl and her life, what her family knew or didn't know, her neighbor who loves her, but she views as just a casual sex partner and so much more. There are broad hints in the book, and you figure it out in the end. Lynley is still a newlywed, but the marriage is having it's ups and downs in the short term. Helen meditates and decides it's her. But it's also him. Why is he so angry about Barbara not accepting his orders? Would he be that angry with a man? Let's just say Barbara is not happy about being reduced in rank, but she's not sorry she did what she did - not in the least. The reader will agree with her.
finsternuss's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
ladylucky's review against another edition
4.0
Elizabeth George tends to write very lengthy novels. Perhaps a bit too much so, as the overflow of information can often be confusing. But the characters of Lynley and Havers have become like old friends to me over time. And this murder mystery was definitely interesting, and worth the effort of plodding through a bit of verbal excess.
mccosgrove's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
elinevandm's review against another edition
4.0
"Dit boek is één van de betere die ik al gelezen heb van haar. George heeft opnieuw een parel afgeleverd!"
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2021/04/23/wie-zonder-zonde-is-van-elizabeth-george-4/
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2021/04/23/wie-zonder-zonde-is-van-elizabeth-george-4/