dannb's review against another edition
3.0
3-3+ too many unnecessary “words” at times that made it feel like a slog
novel_nomad's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Isolated moor stars
I am still in a void after this book, it is all at once satisfying and horrifying. A wonderful mystery that had been spellbound and questioning everyone until that horrid penultimate chapter.
I am still in a void after this book, it is all at once satisfying and horrifying. A wonderful mystery that had been spellbound and questioning everyone until that horrid penultimate chapter.
catladyreba's review
3.0
So...besides feeling like I was getting a vocabulary lesson with the author tossing in such delights as: solecism, epergne, escritoire, debouched, paucity, postprandial, and stertorous, I did enjoy this novel. It was rather well done, and I look forward to reading more books in the series. George does a great job of dropping breadcrumbs and leaving the reader wanting to know so much more about the backstory of Lynley. The central crime/mystery itself was appropriately disturbing and heartbreaking, and made me wonder about the small-town residents of Keldale, and if they could have done more.
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
4.0
When I started this one, I felt lost. I obviously could tell by the publish date that it was written in the 80s, but I had no idea if it was supposed to be modern or more historical. It was annoying that I had to be a detective myself to keep trying to figure it out.
I quickly got into this one. I enjoyed that the two main characters weren't romantically into each other and they each had their issues. The mystery was good too. I probably would have given this one 5 stars, but the stuff about Jillian in the end at the Testament House was weird and kind of threw me off. It seemed over the top. Overall, I liked this one though. I'll definitely try the next one.
I quickly got into this one. I enjoyed that the two main characters weren't romantically into each other and they each had their issues. The mystery was good too. I probably would have given this one 5 stars, but the stuff about Jillian in the end at the Testament House was weird and kind of threw me off. It seemed over the top. Overall, I liked this one though. I'll definitely try the next one.
ardi_a's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Rape
karenchase's review against another edition
5.0
Although I have read lots of mysteries, this is the first time I'm reading Inspector Lynley, or indeed, Elizabeth George. My sister is a big fan of these books, so I'm sure she would be scandalized that it has taken me this long to come around. Anyway, despite the fact that this is a series opener, the titular Inspector's backstory is not deeply plumbed here. We do get some juicy tidbits, mostly because he keeps encountering a lost love while involved in his first case with the sullen, disagreeable Sergeant Havers, who is being given a second chance at a higher level of police work after (apparently) washing out and being demoted. Lynley is a skilled investigator despite his genteel breeding and the appearance of delicate sensibilities. The two of them, a mismatched pair if ever there was one, navigate a difficult murder case involving fathers and daughters, wives and sisters who have disappeared, and some generally pretty disturbing family dynamics. They spend the whole investigation trying to find evidence that the person accused of the crime did not actually commit the crime, but has been wrongfully arrested and committed to an asylum, and wind up realizing that, far more important than the Who is the Why, and that shit will shake you to your core. It's clear that the Lynley-Havers partnership is being set up as something with longevity, and there are supporting players that will continue to influence both the partnership and the partners. The best thing about starting a long-standing book series after it has existed for a while is that there is no waiting around -- I get to read at least 10 Lynley mysteries without stopping, if I want to!
panda_incognito's review
1.0
Surely a great next step in my exploration of the mystery genre would be to read a book by the great Elizabeth George, right? Nope.
This was the most atrocious book I have ever read. The novel started off badly enough, with no central character's journey to follow and a series of disjointed, head-hopping scenes. About halfway through, the story started to pull together, but we'd still take lurching jaunts off into the utterly boring and irrelevant backstory and activities of minor characters who I couldn't even attempt to keep straight. With all the head-hopping, it was hard to know who was telling the story at a particular moment, and it was impossible to care.
Almost everyone in the book was unpleasant, grating, and obnoxious. TMI about everyone's meaningless activities and miserable and bitter thoughts; TMI about everyone's sex lives. The male inspector, who ought to have been the central character, was a cardboard cut-out idiotic SLUT whose behavior was somehow justified by the unrequited love he was dealing with. (I don't think I've ever used the word slut in my whole life, but after suffering through this book, I can put it in all caps and not even care.)
I only kept reading to find out the mystery resolution, and then that was even more disturbing and terrible and absolutely atrocious. I cannot believe that I slogged and endured through this entire miserable book to get to such a dark, twisted, disturbing, and AWFUL resolution. I did sort of see it coming, but I didn't think the book would /really/ go there. It did, and I HATED IT. This book was absolutely vile and had zero redeeming qualities.
I try to write respectful negative reviews, but if the author disrespected the reading community enough to publish this absolute garbage, then I can very well rant as forthrightly as I want. THIS IS THE WORST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND I HATE IT. The end.
This was the most atrocious book I have ever read. The novel started off badly enough, with no central character's journey to follow and a series of disjointed, head-hopping scenes. About halfway through, the story started to pull together, but we'd still take lurching jaunts off into the utterly boring and irrelevant backstory and activities of minor characters who I couldn't even attempt to keep straight. With all the head-hopping, it was hard to know who was telling the story at a particular moment, and it was impossible to care.
Almost everyone in the book was unpleasant, grating, and obnoxious. TMI about everyone's meaningless activities and miserable and bitter thoughts; TMI about everyone's sex lives. The male inspector, who ought to have been the central character, was a cardboard cut-out idiotic SLUT whose behavior was somehow justified by the unrequited love he was dealing with. (I don't think I've ever used the word slut in my whole life, but after suffering through this book, I can put it in all caps and not even care.)
I only kept reading to find out the mystery resolution, and then that was even more disturbing and terrible and absolutely atrocious. I cannot believe that I slogged and endured through this entire miserable book to get to such a dark, twisted, disturbing, and AWFUL resolution. I did sort of see it coming, but I didn't think the book would /really/ go there. It did, and I HATED IT. This book was absolutely vile and had zero redeeming qualities.
I try to write respectful negative reviews, but if the author disrespected the reading community enough to publish this absolute garbage, then I can very well rant as forthrightly as I want. THIS IS THE WORST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND I HATE IT. The end.
cabonin's review against another edition
3.0
A perfectly adequate murder mystery except the plot twist was obvious enough without all the Shakespeare. Also, I found Havers frustrating as a character. Lynley too, to a degree.