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dontmissythesereads's review against another edition
4.0
Book #61 read in 2012
I really enjoyed this story. I admit, I was a little confused with the timing and setting at first. It took me a little bit to realize this was actually a "prequel". The relationship between the characters was developed well and I loved the plot!
I really enjoyed this story. I admit, I was a little confused with the timing and setting at first. It took me a little bit to realize this was actually a "prequel". The relationship between the characters was developed well and I loved the plot!
cindywho's review against another edition
3.0
This one was a prequel - rehashing the Lynley angst that was referred to in the other mysteries. I missed Havers, though she did put in a cameo.
rosalemons's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
balden4325's review against another edition
"She thought about how it was so simple with animals. They gave their hearts without question or fear, they had no expectations. They were so easy to love. If people could only be like that, no one would ever be hurt, she thought. No one would ever need to learn how to forgive." p446
mccosgrove's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is a mystery/romance/other fiction all in one and equal parts of each. The plot does involve a murder, but the other elements of the storyline could hardly be called subplots, as they contribute equally to the book as a whole. Many of the cast of recurring characters are here, Lady Helen, St. James, Deborah, and Lynley are mainly featured. For people following the series and the friendship of St. James and Lynley, this book is a pivotal one in an excellent series, as it is actually a prequel. It provides readers of the series with the rich backstory of the main characters and is actually events prior to book 1.
This series is criticized as creating a romanticized and unrealistic view of the British Upper Class and I can understand that critique. However, I enjoy this world that Elizabeth George has created and her characters and it is, after all, fiction. This is not intended to be a gritty, life on the streets, mystery/crime novel. It is a novel, in a series, that is first and foremost about people, Lynley and his friends and relations. It speaks to how difficult relationships can be to navigate, particularly when a crime, like murder intrudes. I have really been enjoying the series and would highly recommend it. I would also recommend the TV series, just keep in mind that it does not stay true to the books.
This series is criticized as creating a romanticized and unrealistic view of the British Upper Class and I can understand that critique. However, I enjoy this world that Elizabeth George has created and her characters and it is, after all, fiction. This is not intended to be a gritty, life on the streets, mystery/crime novel. It is a novel, in a series, that is first and foremost about people, Lynley and his friends and relations. It speaks to how difficult relationships can be to navigate, particularly when a crime, like murder intrudes. I have really been enjoying the series and would highly recommend it. I would also recommend the TV series, just keep in mind that it does not stay true to the books.
rainnbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I have read just another book of Lynley series, so have no comparison to talk about. Here the story is more about the love equation between St.James, lynley and Deborah. the murder mystery revolves around the family and I felt is loosely woven around the main characters.
All in all good read!
All in all good read!
hricarte's review against another edition
3.0
Was sent this from my cousin-in-law and started reading it immediately. Appreciate how well-written it is and the more sophisticated vocabulary. The fact that I haven't read this author or know these characters keeps me guessing at who is whom in the story.
It took awhile for me to get through the middle. Apparently, this is a prequel to other books by George featuring the same characters. At times, I was confused by the relationships between characters and struggled to make sense of some conversations. The book really picked up at the end when the mystery was being solved.
It took awhile for me to get through the middle. Apparently, this is a prequel to other books by George featuring the same characters. At times, I was confused by the relationships between characters and struggled to make sense of some conversations. The book really picked up at the end when the mystery was being solved.
lasiepedimore's review
4.0
Puoi trovare questa recensione anche sul mio blog, La siepe di more
Che bello ritrovare l’ispettore Lynley, Simon St. James, Lady Helen e Deborah! Mi erano proprio mancata l’amicizia, l’amore e il dolore che li legano. Il lungo ritorno è proprio focalizzato sul raccontare come si sono sviluppate le dinamiche che conosciamo bene dai primi tre romanzi della serie.
Avendoci già fatto follemente innamorare dei suoi personaggi, si perdona senza fatica a George di non aver scritto una trama gialla avvincente come suo solito (ma chi ne ha bisogno con la forza morale di Lynley, la dolcezza di St. James e la spregiudicatezza di Lady Helen, che in un mondo ideale sarebbe la life coach di cui abbiamo bisogno?).
Non ho granché apprezzato la rappresentazione di un personaggio crossdresser (o trans? Chissà…): è una pratica associata al vizio e, sebbene nessuno dei personaggi principali indulga nella condanna, la sensazione che lascia non è proprio positiva. Si sente il peso del tempo che è passato…
Che bello ritrovare l’ispettore Lynley, Simon St. James, Lady Helen e Deborah! Mi erano proprio mancata l’amicizia, l’amore e il dolore che li legano. Il lungo ritorno è proprio focalizzato sul raccontare come si sono sviluppate le dinamiche che conosciamo bene dai primi tre romanzi della serie.
Avendoci già fatto follemente innamorare dei suoi personaggi, si perdona senza fatica a George di non aver scritto una trama gialla avvincente come suo solito (ma chi ne ha bisogno con la forza morale di Lynley, la dolcezza di St. James e la spregiudicatezza di Lady Helen, che in un mondo ideale sarebbe la life coach di cui abbiamo bisogno?).
Non ho granché apprezzato la rappresentazione di un personaggio crossdresser (o trans? Chissà…): è una pratica associata al vizio e, sebbene nessuno dei personaggi principali indulga nella condanna, la sensazione che lascia non è proprio positiva. Si sente il peso del tempo che è passato…
franssounette's review against another edition
3.0
La plume d'Elizabeth George me charme toujours autant par contre, dans ce tome, j'ai trouvé que c'était très lent. J'ai compris que nous faisions un saut dans le passé pour mieux comprendre la place des personnages dans les tomes précédents. Donc je suppose que l'autrice souhaitait bien établir ses bases d'où la lenteur du récit. Mise à part cela, encore une fois, le dénouement fut surprenant et l'idée de séparer le livre en partie à rendue la lecture très fluide et rapide.
Je prend une petite pause de cette série, le temps de me procurer le prochain tome. Au plaisir de vous retrouver inspecteur Lynley !
Je prend une petite pause de cette série, le temps de me procurer le prochain tome. Au plaisir de vous retrouver inspecteur Lynley !