A Place of Hiding

By: Elizabeth George

Narrated by: Donada Peters

An isolated beach on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel is the scene of the murder of Guy Brouard, one of Guernsey’s wealthiest inhabitants and its main benefactor. Forced as a child to flee the Nazis in Paris, Brouard was engaged in his latest project when he died: a museum in honor of those who resisted the German occupation of the island during World War II.

It is from this period of time that his murderer may well have come. But there are others on Guernsey with reason to want Guy Brouard dead: his wives, his business associates, his current mistress, the underprivileged teenagers he mentored—any of whom might have harbored a secret motive for murder. As family and friends gather for the reading of the will, Deborah and Simon St. James find that seemingly everyone on the history-haunted island has something to hide. And behind all the lies and alibis, a killer is lurking. In order to bring this person to justice, the St. James must delve into Guernsey’s dark history—both past and present—and into the troubled psyche of someone who may have exacted retribution for the most unspeakable crime of all.

In A Place of Hiding, bestselling novelist Elizabeth George marks new territory in the darker landscapes of human relationships. She tells a gripping, suspenseful story of betrayal and devotion, war and remembrance, love and loss...and the higher truths to which we must all ultimately answer.

Critic reviews

“One of George’s best . . . the brooding island of Guernsey and its denizens, shadowed by loss and divided loyalties, cast a spell that lasts long after the final page is turned.”—USA Today

“A full banquet. As a mystery novel—no, as a novel pure and simple—A Place of Hiding is entertainment of a high order.”—The Washington Post

I appreciate change

I really enjoyed a Simon and Debra story. It was a nice change but missed Tommy and Havers and Winny. The plot twists and misleads was great. I think I love St. James.

Great Plot

I like the author’s Inspector Linley books. My only complaint is her portrayal of women. None of them are at all flattering. Havers is portrayed as smart but irresponsible and a physical mess. The rest of the female characters fall into categories that seldom, if ever, are portrayals of multi-dimensional intelligent and capable women who know what they know and what they don’t know.

In this book, Debra is arrogant and stupid. She is a photographer and portrayed as a good one. Nonetheless, she seems to think her criminal investigative skills match those of her forensic scientist husband and gets significantly put out when he dares to disagree. All born of her insecurity, I know, but she would be equally put out if he blithely swanned around taking photographs, indicating to her that his skills are as good as or better than hers.

This characteristic of Debra is a significant plot device but certainly not a flattering portrayal of a woman. I am not a “little woman” accustomed to deferring to my man. I am an independent woman who has made her way in the world alone and quite successfully. My criticism is therefore is not the result of thinking Debra should defer to Simon in all things but, instead, the result of the author portraying Debra as such an arrogant dolt.

another great Elizabeth George mystery!

Excellent narration, another great one. Lynley is not in this one too much--goes deeper into marriage of Simon & Deborah St James.

Simon and Deborah take center stage

A compelling mystery with plenty of relationship building as the two end up in Guernsey.

All about Deborah

Annoying Deborah is back acting like the spoiled kid she is. China, a friend from photography school finds herself accused of murder on the isle of Guernsey and she sends her brother to get help from Deborah in London. Deborah drags her husband Simon away from his own work to accompany her in the rescue of China. Deborah feels guilty that she lost touch with China who helped her through a rough patch in school. Simon tries hard to maintain objectivity throughout the subsequent investigation while Deborah refuses to countenance anything troublesome regarding her friend resulting in stupid arguments. Lots of subplots, any of which could supply the murderer. Overall, just too much going on. Not one of my favorites. Also, Ms. Peter’s American accents are horrible-really painful to listen to.