Believing the Lie

An Inspector Lynley Novel

By: Elizabeth George

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 23 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

After writing 16 Inspector Lynley novels, New York Times best-selling author Elizabeth George has millions of fans waiting for the next one. 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.

Crack another case with Inspector Lynley.

©2012 Elizabeth George (P)2012 Penguin

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)

Such a Long Story for So Little Payoff

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This book was ultimately disappointing and depressing. After countless plot and sub-plot threads, there doesn't really turn out to be any mystery, except that the bull-headed main characters pursue threads not even related to the one death that has occurred, managing to lay bare family secrets that destroy families or even a life. Then the primary characters deal with their brief feeling of "guilt" by concluding that it was really the keeping of secrets that caused all the sad consequences, not that they pried where no one needed to pry. Truly an unsatisfying story at the end. I used to enjoy Elizabeth George's early mysteries, but several of her latest have been real disappointments. It seems as if the solving of murder mysteries is now just a backdrop for an endless saga about the lives of her primary & long-standing characters.The narrator was superb, with great voicing and expression that made this long story interesting until it sank under the weight of disappointing plotting and story line.

Would you recommend Believing the Lie to your friends? Why or why not?

No, would not really recommend this author any more. These mysteries have devolved into a saga of the lives of the continuing characters, and the "mysteries" just seem to come along for the ride.

What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent voicing, expression, and dynamics that collectively made this long story interesting.

Could you see Believing the Lie being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It could only be a movie if the dark secrets are played up salaciously.

Any additional comments?

Lots of build-up, lots of sub-plots, lots of personal issues addressed in the lives of main continuing characters, then lots of let-down.

Ok. Enjoyed reading but not my favorite,

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Fdyes because it was interesting but I would rate it as average.

Would you be willing to try another book from Elizabeth George? Why or why not?

Yes,dc as because she is entertaining to read.

Have you listened to any of Davina Porter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but I really liked to listen to her

Could you see Believing the Lie being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Maybe.

Enjoyed

I enjoyed this novel and the narration was pretty good. I must say that this is the first time I' felt or perhaps noticed that it's the females in the story who seem most often the ones making errors or seem rather child-like.

It Keeps Going and Going....

If you could sum up Believing the Lie in three words, what would they be?

Bit too long

What was one of the most memorable moments of Believing the Lie?

The gender twist

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

Excellent differentiation between genders and ages - fantastic job

Any additional comments?

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!

One of my favoirte authors. NOt disappointed!

What did you like best about this story?

I love all the characters, They are like old friends in this series.

What about Davina Porter???s performance did you like?

As always....easy to listen to...and I am very discerning when it comes to readers.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No...Just really enjoy reading books written by Elizabeth George

Any additional comments?

I often base my choices on what other reviewers say. I like this author so much I decided to forge ahead and purchase it...I love a good long book for 1 credit!! And i was not disappointed at all. I really enjoyed this listen!

so disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, make the story interesting, and not so focused on issues having little to do with the
'mystery'.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I have loved her books in the past, may go back and read an earlier one that I missed.

Do you think Believing the Lie needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

NO

Still Waiting

Having read all of Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley novels, I'm always pleased to receive a new one. I didn't appreciate the narrator and found her attempts to differentiate between voices unsatisfying. I believe I'll stick to printed matter for this author in the future. The final plot twist was a surprise but not nearly as interesting as "Missing Joseph," nor was the story as captivating as "In the Presence of the Enemy." Bottom line, perhaps I set my standards too high for future novels based on the truly remarkable body of work she has produced in the past. The death of Lynley's wife, Helen, marked the shift in storytelling that has left me dissatisfied. The stories suffer from a lack of witty conversation, and Deborah without Helen becomes more of a childish and immature figure. Overall, Ms. George is head and shoulders above most mystery writers even when she has not produced her best work, and her novels are certainly worth taking the time; however, my joy in following the details of the lives of her characters has diminished.

The narration makes this a great book.

What made the experience of listening to Believing the Lie the most enjoyable?

I listened to this book on a long car ride down the east coast. Both my husband and I were so engaged by the story and he narration that time just flew and we were reluctanct to pause when it was time to re-fuel. Ms. Porter's narration was superb.

What did you like best about this story?

The plot twists, so many twists and turns, yet not confusing at all.

What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like to read Ms. George's books before or after listening to them. Ms Porter heightens the excitement while focusing on the drama.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and l am happy that my travel permitted long stretches of listening.

Always a Fan of Elizabeth George

Would you listen to Believing the Lie again? Why?

Never felt the need to listen to a book of this sort again. They are mysteries and once the mystery is solved, I'm anxiously awaiting the next book. Enjoy every minute I am listening though.

What did you like best about this story?

Inspector Lynnly is more like himself after the death of his wife. He is thoughtful throughout the investigation and tries as usual to guide Deborah St. James and she as usual blunders along and reeks havoc. She is like a rock in your shoe to me but her character moves the story along, but if she fell in a sand trap, I wouldn't miss her. Story has plenty of Barbara Havers time. She is really my favorite character. As usual, the story left us with a cliff hanger so I hope the next book is well on the way. Miss George writes well and has real, well developed characters.

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

She is always a favorite. I am never disappointed by her. She takes me to each character with her voice. She is so good that I am never distracted by her just enthralled.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Just my usual dislike of the ever emotional, but never rational Deborah. I don't like her and her behavior causes others great pain.

Any additional comments?

Just ,if Ms George reads these, thanks for your talent and write faster. My heart goes out to Barbara,

A Wonderful Web of Themes

Well written tale where one can see how themes are shared or diverge across subplots. Melancholic yet touching.