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knitnetic's review against another edition
4.0
In this, the first in Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley Mysteries, we meet our intrepid detectives and follow them on their first case together.
I was originally inspired to read this series based upon the BBC series of TV movies based upon the characters, and I have to say, I was not disappointed. Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley -- or, as he is known in other circles, Thomas Lynley, the 8th Earl of Ashcroft -- is a rising star at New Scotland Yard. Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, on the other hand, has been struggling to stay on the detective force due to an extreme disinclination towards her various partners. At first glance, putting the two together seems like madness -- Havers has a lower-middle class chip the size of a cinder block resting on her shoulder, with absolutely no patience for a man like Lynley. And frankly, the pairing has its rough spots -- in particular, a scene in which Lynley gives Havers 3 hours to solve the case or pack her things and leave. She, of course, manages it.
The case itself is fairly interesting, playing with our preconceptions of the structure of mystery novels. The story begins with Father Hart making the journey to London, intent upon involving New Scotland Yard in a murder case back home in Yorkshire. One of his parishioners, Roberta Teys, has been found next to the decapitated body of her father. When questioned by policed she can only say "I did it. And I am not sorry." Father Hart, however, cannot believe that Roberta is a cold-hearted murderess. And, as Lynley and Havers investigate, we find that she is indeed not cold-blooded, though whether or not she's a murderer is not something I'll spoil for you.
The only difficulty I had was with the setting of the book -- 1988. I'm so used to reading either entirely historical or entirely contemporary books that it was hard to get used to a time period where phones exist but personal computers don't. I often found myself asking why Lynley didn't just call someone's cell phone, only to remember why seconds later. Whoops.
Final Opinion: A great mystery for those out there who love a good British peer or five. You'll care as much about your detectives as you do about the case they're solving -- and what more can a reader ask for?
I was originally inspired to read this series based upon the BBC series of TV movies based upon the characters, and I have to say, I was not disappointed. Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley -- or, as he is known in other circles, Thomas Lynley, the 8th Earl of Ashcroft -- is a rising star at New Scotland Yard. Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, on the other hand, has been struggling to stay on the detective force due to an extreme disinclination towards her various partners. At first glance, putting the two together seems like madness -- Havers has a lower-middle class chip the size of a cinder block resting on her shoulder, with absolutely no patience for a man like Lynley. And frankly, the pairing has its rough spots -- in particular, a scene in which Lynley gives Havers 3 hours to solve the case or pack her things and leave. She, of course, manages it.
The case itself is fairly interesting, playing with our preconceptions of the structure of mystery novels. The story begins with Father Hart making the journey to London, intent upon involving New Scotland Yard in a murder case back home in Yorkshire. One of his parishioners, Roberta Teys, has been found next to the decapitated body of her father. When questioned by policed she can only say "I did it. And I am not sorry." Father Hart, however, cannot believe that Roberta is a cold-hearted murderess. And, as Lynley and Havers investigate, we find that she is indeed not cold-blooded, though whether or not she's a murderer is not something I'll spoil for you.
The only difficulty I had was with the setting of the book -- 1988. I'm so used to reading either entirely historical or entirely contemporary books that it was hard to get used to a time period where phones exist but personal computers don't. I often found myself asking why Lynley didn't just call someone's cell phone, only to remember why seconds later. Whoops.
Final Opinion: A great mystery for those out there who love a good British peer or five. You'll care as much about your detectives as you do about the case they're solving -- and what more can a reader ask for?
gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition
I'm not going to rate this, because I didn't read much of it. It just seemed miserable. I didn't want to read such an unhappy book.
laurabythebook's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Chronologically, A Great Deliverance is second in the Inspector Lynley detective mystery series set in modern-day London and first publication-wise.
In 1990, A Great Deliverance won the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière for Romans étrangers; in 1989, it won the Anthony Award for Best First Novel and was nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. In 1988, it won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel.
Set in modern-day London, it kept me riveted from the first. Here we are introduced to how Barbara Havers' partnership with Thomas Lynley begins at Scotland Yard with all her negatives laid out for our viewing. I have never come across a more obstreperous, bitchy woman while Lynley's qualities are immediately laid out for us as his negatives are slowly unfolded throughout the story.
It's a tentative partnership, Havers has not worked out as a partner for anyone yet and is doomed to walk the streets unless this last-chance pairing with Lynley works out. Luckily for Havers, their case takes place outside of London in rural Yorkshire where her behavior is more easily hidden.
It's an odd case in which the daughter is found sitting next to the bodies of her headless father and a much-loved dog, yet no one in the village will believe that she could have killed him. Lynley and Havers find it a hard slog discovering clues and yet, what they discover in the end is so truly horrifying. One can only wonder how often the scenario plays out throughout the world.
Incredibly strong characters throughout the story: the reasons for Roberta's state; the relationships between William, Olivia, and Bridie; the background for the animosity between Parrish and Ezra; how Stepha fits into all this; why the priest is so important; Lady Helen Clyde's purpose; and, the purpose behind Tessa's shrine.
Lovely work with the dialogue, although I am curious as to where George will go with Havers' anger.
In 1990, A Great Deliverance won the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière for Romans étrangers; in 1989, it won the Anthony Award for Best First Novel and was nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. In 1988, it won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel.
My Take
Set in modern-day London, it kept me riveted from the first. Here we are introduced to how Barbara Havers' partnership with Thomas Lynley begins at Scotland Yard with all her negatives laid out for our viewing. I have never come across a more obstreperous, bitchy woman while Lynley's qualities are immediately laid out for us as his negatives are slowly unfolded throughout the story.
It's a tentative partnership, Havers has not worked out as a partner for anyone yet and is doomed to walk the streets unless this last-chance pairing with Lynley works out. Luckily for Havers, their case takes place outside of London in rural Yorkshire where her behavior is more easily hidden.
It's an odd case in which the daughter is found sitting next to the bodies of her headless father and a much-loved dog, yet no one in the village will believe that she could have killed him. Lynley and Havers find it a hard slog discovering clues and yet, what they discover in the end is so truly horrifying. One can only wonder how often the scenario plays out throughout the world.
Incredibly strong characters throughout the story: the reasons for Roberta's state; the relationships between William, Olivia, and Bridie; the background for the animosity between Parrish and Ezra; how Stepha fits into all this; why the priest is so important; Lady Helen Clyde's purpose; and, the purpose behind Tessa's shrine.
Lovely work with the dialogue, although I am curious as to where George will go with Havers' anger.
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't anticipate where it went, but that's not a bad thing. Overall, it was a decent book. Nothing profound, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility I'll read some more of her stuff. have any thoughts?
emilystop's review against another edition
dark
emotional
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Rape
3r3buh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
missyjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this mystery. I found the writing to be well done, the characters interesting and the suspense believable and on-going. Elizabeth George did an excellent job of doling out just enough information to maintain the interest in the story but not obviously give away too much info for the mystery to be worked out quickly. I will certainly read another Inspector Lynley mystery. I did see that a PBS Mystery series was done on this novel and I will make a point to see it. So nice to pick up a new author and enjoy the escape
punkinmuffin's review against another edition
3.0
This was a great read while travelling. Good plot, interesting characters. I'll be reading more of this series.
ronji's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0