Believing the Lie Audiobook By Elizabeth George cover art

Believing the Lie

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Believing the Lie

By: Elizabeth George
Narrated by: Davina Porter
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#1 New York Times bestselling author of The Punishment She Deserves Elizabeth George has millions of fans following her Inspector Lynley series. As USA Today put it, "It's tough to resist George's storytelling, once hooked." With Believing the Lie, she's poised to hook countless more.

Inspector Thomas Lynley is mystified when he's sent undercover to investigate the death of Ian Cresswell at the request of the man's uncle, the wealthy and influential Bernard Fairclough. The death has been ruled an accidental drowning, and nothing on the surface indicates otherwise. But when Lynley enlists the help of his friends Simon and Deborah St. James, the trio's digging soon reveals that the Fairclough clan is awash in secrets, lies, and motives.

Deborah's investigation of the prime suspect-Bernard's prodigal son Nicholas, a recovering drug addict-leads her to Nicholas's wife, a woman with whom she feels a kinship, a woman as fiercely protective as she is beautiful. Lynley and Simon delve for information from the rest of the family, including the victim's bitter ex-wife and the man he left her for, and Bernard himself. As the investigation escalates, the Fairclough family's veneer cracks, with deception and self-delusion threatening to destroy everyone from the Fairclough patriarch to Tim, the troubled son Ian left behind.


 Detective Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Traditional Detectives Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Marriage

Critic reviews

“A multiplicity of subplots and a richness of physical detail . . . The terrain and the weather are objective correlatives to the characters' stormy patches. Meanwhile, the story strands are untied and retied in satisfying and often moving ways.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Elizabeth George is a superstar of the crime-fiction world, British Inspector Division. Deservedly so: Her tales always provide nuanced character studies and insights into social issues along with their intricate mysteries.” —The Seattle Times

“Devilishly complicated.” —Entertainment Weekly

“A dense, twisty plot with characters who reveal the sad spectrum of human dereliction.” —People

“George's . . . ability to continually enhance the portraits of Lynley, Havers, and other recurring characters while generating fully fleshed new ones for each novel is nothing less than superlative, and her atmospheric prose, complete with lovely and detailed descriptions of her setting, combines to add literary gravitas to her work . . . A worthy addition to her portfolio and one that simultaneously disturbs and satisfies.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch

“Masterly . . . an intricate crime drama.” —Marie Claire
Intricate Plotlines • Complex Characters • Unexpected Twists • Layered Storytelling • Engaging Family Dynamics

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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 believed!

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Just don't give up on this at the beginning because it starts so ploddingly slowly. Elizabeth George hasn't failed to deliver before so I had faith and kept going. It blossomed and
delivered!! You cant really fail with Inspector Lynley and good old Barbara sorting things out. It's not my favorite but still worth the read...

It ends with a definite lead int the next book...and I cant wait for that one.

Started slowly but finished well

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Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would make fewer story lines and develop the new characters more fully.

What was most disappointing about Elizabeth George’s story?

I usually love her books, but this one was so convoluted that is was tough to finish.

Which scene was your favorite?

I always enjoy Barbara Havers scenes with Inspector Lynley. Those kept me going.

Was Believing the Lie worth the listening time?

no

I Finished It, but...

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Elizabeth George weaves realistic characters into several storylines, some that overlap and some that stand alone. Great listening in a car or while doing chores.

Another Great Mystery

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Where does Believing the Lie rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best I've heard.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

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.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Tim's problems are so devastating.

Excellent!

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