This Body of Death

An Inspector Lynley Novel

By: Elizabeth George

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 23 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Thomas Lynley is called back to Scotland Yard when the body of a woman is found stabbed and abandoned in an isolated London cemetery. His former team doesn't trust the leadership of their new department chief, Isabelle Ardery, but Lynley may be the sole person who can see beneath his superior officer's hard-as-nails exterior to a hidden and possibly attractive vulnerability.

While Lynley works in London, his former colleagues Barbara Havers and Winston Nkata follow the murder trail south to the New Forest, a beautiful and strange place where outsiders are not entirely welcome. What they don't know is that more than one dark secret lurks among the trees, and that their investigation will lead them to an outcome that is both tragic and shocking.

A multi-layered jigsaw puzzle of a story skillfully structured to keep readers guessing until the very end, This Body of Death is a magnificent achievement from a writer at the peak of her powers.

©2010 Susan Elizabeth George (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"George tantalizes with glimpses of a horrific earlier murder case; showcases Lynley at his shrewdest, most diplomatic best; and confounds readers with a complex array of evidence, motives, and possible solutions." ( Publishers Weekly)

Very Addicting Listen

I have read all of the the Inspector Lynley novels and this one does not disappoint. This book is very long but well worth the time. The character development is great as well as the mystery. I look forward to the next Lynley mystery.

Complex Contemporary Thriller

The narration is excellent. This long story has many characters among the several stories that finally meld into one unified plot. If the reader can make coherence of the development of these stories and keep the characters straight, the surprise culmination is an adventure. This book has a lot of descriptive violence, some vulgar language, and characters of promiscuous behavior. As a modern psychological mystery, the drama unfolds with suspense, written by a notable author.

Two intertwining stories

A story within a story that was very well told. Towards the end of the book I had an idea of what going on but never truly guessed the ending.

Good on first listen, superb on second

The first time I listened to this book, the plot gripped me, I thought the narrator created compelling voices, and I liked everything about the book except the way Lynley and his new (female, temporary) boss interacted. Since their evolving acquaintance provides much of the non-criminal tension, that seemed a major distraction. However, on second listen several months later, I saw both characters in a different light, while the plot seemed even more masterfully spun and resolved. For listeners new to the Lynley series, there is just enough detail provided about the continuing characters so that you probably won't feel lost. In other words, don’t let the fact that this is the most recent of a long series stand in your way of a great listen. And for those of us who have had to face and accept the sometimes tragic changes recently in the characters and their relationships, I think some of the jarring elements of the last three books are starting to wear off. In sum, this is a rich and gripping mystery narrative peopled by a huge range of lively, although not all likeable, characters. George also evokes England during a recent blistering summer with great realism and sensuousness, giving the greed and the stark and brutal failures of love and compassion that drive the crimes a hot depth unusual in any novels set in Britain.

Grr

Great mystery. I just want to punch Lynley in the face for being an idiot with this woman. I can't stand her. That being said way to go Barbara.

One the best of the Lynley books

We all experience love in such particular ways. I am always surprised by these carefully crafted characters.

Interesting Mix for Elizabeth George Fans

This book oddly combines the successes and failures of her last two novels-- after hating "What Came Before He Shot Her" and Loving "Careless in Red," I had more than one twinge of fear that this was going down the "What Came Before..." path. It didn't. Tough book to review because I don't want to give any hints of the twists or turns and there are some. Stay with the book, it'll surprise you in good ways, characters we know and love continue to develop too. Some scenes tremble a little too close to the disgusting and I confess fast forwarding through at least three ummm...unpleasantries. But in the end a satisfying read, and when as she often says, the other shoe finally falls and the reader figures out where George is going it's a delight indeed!

Elizabeth George at the top of her game!

I'm a long time fan, but I have to admit this one made even me sit up and pay attention. I initially downloaded this onto my kindle, but it was so interesting about half-way through I downloaded it from audible because I wanted to "hear" the characters. I was not disappointed. It appears to be two totally separate stories and while each story is totally compelling, I found myself wondering how on earth she was going to connect the two. Don't want to give anything away, so I won't say much more, except near the end I suspected how she would do it and was still blown away!
If you've never read any of her books, don't worry, each book is a stand alone experience. She doesn't rehash everything from earlier novels as some authors do, and I found myself remembering little details about my favorite characters Lynley, Havers, St. James, etc. (i.e. how Lynley got that faint scar on his lip).

I can't wait to see what she will write next. Meanwhile, I enjoyed this one so much I've decided to revisit some of her earlier works I'd listened to and read many years ago. Unfortunately, I downloaded most of them under an old audible account. But, she is so wonderful I think I will pay for them again.

I was telling my mate about this book and commented I now understand that horrible character in Steven Kings novel that kidnapped the poor author in order to make him write another book! (Just kidding!). But seriously, I do wish Ms. George could write just a little bit faster! LOL!

Outstanding

Reasons to love this 2 credit book:
**Excellent narration**
Intricate and captivating plot**
Havers vs. Arderey**
Ending that makes you want to have the next book ---now!

Why not just hire Shatner to read this

This guy can do accents. But he also sound like an extreme William Shatner. It’s horribly funny. I laughed so much I didn’t have the heart to return it. A good laugh is worthwhile. And underneath was another enjoyable story.