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)

A very enjoyable listen - but not George's best.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

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

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

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

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

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

Not the old George

While seemingly on the road to recovery ("Believing the Lie" is definitely an improvement from the depressed, morose Lindley on his endless walk after the death of his wife), Elizabeth George is still not where she was with her earlier novels. She is such an incredible writer (and Davina Porter is such an incredible reader) that you will be drawn in despite that by the brilliant descriptions, plot twists, and characters...but, ultimately, you will be disappointed - both with the story and with the characters' behavior! If the explanation for the mystery (a tad unbelievable) is what George makes it out to be, then our inspectors messed up catastrophically, destroying people's lives in their stubborn perseverance to redeem themselves as 'sleuths.' Once they realize this, they don't even seem that contrite. One can almost hear them say "Oops," as they go on about their lives, leaving the victims of their sleuthing behind.

The good thing is that "Believing the Lie" is definitely an improvement over the last few George novels. Maybe the next one will be back to her old standards!

Overacted Narration

This is one of my loved Elizabeth George novels, and it’s the first time to listen on Audible. I found Davina Porter’s narration so irritating that I found myself gritting my teeth. Her female characters were absolutely shrill. I recommend reading and skip the listening. She portrayed a couple of favorite characters as almost caricatures.

Superb

She knows the genre so well that she not only bends it, she ties it into bows. This one is amazing.

I believed!

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.

Started slowly but finished well

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.

I Finished It, but...

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

Another Great Mystery

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.

Excellent!

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.

Suspense and character

Not difficult to be utterly taken by Elizabeth George - she is one of the best crime novel writers ever. And I really appreciate the audio productions of her books hence would be delighted to find the earlier E. George novels (that I have all read) soon as audio books. I surely would buy them all!