Believing the Lie: An Inspector Lynley Novel

I really wanted to love this book. All of my favourite characters were back - Lynley, Simon, Deborah, Barbara - and there were many twists and turns, plots and counter-plots - usually something that I enjoy. But there were too many stories within the story, making the writing seem a little forced. Many of the characters were simply unlikeable, including, at some points, the grieving Lynley. Deborah St. James was particularly unsympathetic in this book - dishonest and foolish - something I was somewhat sad to see. People aren't perfect but I prefer even flawed heroes/heroines to remain noble. There were some story lines that had real "heart" (like the one involving Freddy and Minette); others that were torn from the headlines with, I felt, the desire to shock but which only felt empty to me. I remain a fan of Ms George and sincerely hope that she will pick up the plot points delivered in the very last paragraph of Believing the Lie in her next book. I care about what happens next....

I would only buy an earlier work of Elizabeth George - I'm afraid this indicates a downhill trajectory.

I'm looking for another mystery.

The narration matched the characters quite nicely, either strong or simpering. It made the entertwined stories easier to follow.

No.

I was quite disappointed and afraid this shows the author is losing touch with reality. The original premise doesn't make sense, and sends the main characters to a place improbably full of people with every kind of sexual secret. The gay men are all liars, cheaters or pedophiles, and the author works in way too many homophobic slurs and weird sexual connections. The main characters have lost all depth except self absorption. This is my last George book.

Bit too long

The gender twist

Excellent differentiation between genders and ages - fantastic job

I adore Elizabeth George, so I couldn't wait to get this. It is good, but once the mystery was solved, I had a hard time listening to all the loose ends getting wrapped up. Some of it them were too cheesy for me. I want more Havers, Lindley and murder!

I love Davina Porter as a narrator and I used to eagerly look forward to Elizabeth George's novels, but this last outing angered me even more than the last. Her treatment of every single non-heterosexual character in this installment was appalling and frankly unforgivable.

She could have eliminated extraneous, whiny and cliched characters to deliver a story with more depth and resonance. Tightening up of the narrative could have also done wonders.

There will surely be a follow up, but I'm staying clear.

I stuck with this story to the end but it got rather graphic for me in some parts and I felt let down at the end. Havers seemed to me to be the only engaging character in this one and although I know the issues were deep, I got very irritated with some of the characters

One of the best I've heard.

The story kept me listening all weekend. The long story with intricate plot lines are riveting. You never know if Elizabeth is going to save someone or not and it keeps you wondering and worrying. She has no favorites in age, gender, etc.

Tim's problems are so devastating.

If "typical" is the Elizabeth George of the early 2000's, then this is yet another digression, or actually a series of digressions packaged into a novel. After dropping Elizabeth George while trying to wade through one of the several books that came between "A Traitor to Memory" and the present day, I was eager to try her again. However, I was again disappointed with the byzantine story arcs, the wealth of unnecessary detail, and the protracted scene development. I also had to ask, when in the middle of a particularly overdone scene, how important is this to the main story? And is there a "main" story? This novel seems to have the curious paradox of elaborate backstories on the one hand, combined with not enough detail on the other.

I would not recommend this - simply because the reader receives not nearly enough benefit compared to the effort involved. Technically, George is masterful, and manages abundant detail and descriptive passages with grace and expertise. However, she leads the reader into one disenchanted forest after another, which cannot be seen for the trees.

Davina Porter's narration is excellent, as usual. Her characterizations are relatable, precise, and the reader always knows who is speaking. But she's not enough to give this book the boost it needs to stay on track.

As much as I admired this book I do wish Inspector Lynley would get over his wife's death and throw himself into the centre of the action again. However despite the lack of Lynley, Believing the Lie is a very well constructed book. One of of Lynley's old flames, Deborah St James, is a main character in this story and frankly she gave me the pip - in fact many of George's female characters can be annoying but the brilliantly drawn Barbara Havers (also pushed to the margins in this book) makes up for all of them. I'm not a fan of Davina Porter as a narrator but I think I'm one of the few. You won't find a lot of gory murders in this book, it's an engrossing story of lies creating serious consequences for those who tell them and those who believe them.

I would recommend this book to someone who is already familiar with Inspector Lynley books or with the BBC TV series. Otherwise, by the time the listener knows all the characters, he/she will be finished with the book. The plot is twisted; it does keep your interest, but the book's climax was disappointing (Is that giving too much away?)

Freddie was my favorite character. He just seemed to always know what to do, although he never made a show of it.

Great reader. Distinguished her voice for each and every character and I don't know how!

I wanted to strangle some characters - actually, almost all of them!

I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth George and have read all her books. My first listening experience of her books was

Yes. As I said although this was not her best, she's a wonderful writer and not every book can be a masterpiece.

Great accents, captured the personalities of the key characters well.