The Punishment She Deserves: A Lynley Novel (Inspector Lynley Book 20)

What a good story and your keep on reading very hard to put down.

Such a fan of Elizabeth George ‘s books, and her DI Lynley and DS Havers characters. It seems like a long time since the last. But, here we are with a new crime, suicide vs murder, and Havers is off with her Guv. DCS Ardery to settle the case. However, as time moves on, not much changes, as well as new clues pop up. DS Havers for as long as she has worked with Lynley has learned a lot, but her social graces and her potty mouth are as irritating as ever. She and DI Lynley finally get to work together, and as a team they work well. This is a long book, with many characters, and it is not until the last third of the book do the characters jell, and we can see what the first two thirds was all about. This is a fascinating story, convoluted at times, but one I thoroughly enjoyed. I found I needed to read this book at intervals, as it would drag. But once I got back into it, I found it more appealing, and the characters flowed with more speed. The after work activity with Havers I had some difficulty believing, but it was an interesting side show. Recommended. prisrob 03 -25-18

The Punishment She Deserves, the twentieth novel in the Inspector Lynley novel, was a much-needed step up in character development. After the death of Lynley’s wife (six books back), the stories became more about the effects of the trauma and healing of Lynley, and less about the mysteries themselves. This novel stepped back into the detective flair for which George’s fans love her. Plot After the apparent suicide of the local deacon, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers is sent to the historic town of Ludlow to investigate what should be a simple case of confirming the death was handled according to procedure. But instead, Barbara finds a case full or twist and turns where nothing is clear, not even if the deacon was guilty of the crime of child molestation of which he was accused or how he died while in police custody. Barbara is first accompanied by Detective Chief Superintendent Isabelle Ardery, but the DCS’s rush to return to London causes specific facts to be overlooked and concerns to be voiced. Returning again with Inspector Lynley, the dynamic duo get the job done in traditional Lynley-Havers fashion. Fans will not be disappointed. Give us our beloved characters Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers takes center stage, both in the investigation and her tap shoes, and works hard to curb her usually wayward investigative style. Meanwhile, Detective Chief Superintendent Isabelle Ardery battles against the slippery slope of her alcoholism. Her character is portrayed in such a way that we feel an affinity for her, even if we don't want to. There were nice parallels drawn between the police force characters and those of the town of Ludlow, which added another level of depth to the story. And of course, Lynley can be depended on to keep a cool head in the investigation while solidly supporting both his partner, Barbara, as well as his boss and ex-lover, Isabelle. But in the end, they all must make a choice. Hats off to the author for authenticity This is the twentieth Inspector Lynley novel I have read. Oddly, I never realized that Elizabeth George is an American, not British, author. Having lived overseas myself for over twenty years, spending ample time in the UK and being married to a Britt, I still didn’t realize that this series was written by a non-Britt. Hats off to George. Her depiction of the scenes, country life, intricacies of police work on the other side of the pond, and even her use of proper British English is impeccable and a joy to read.

THE PUNISHMENT SHE DESERVES: A LYNLEY NOVEL by Elizabeth George, opens in the town of Ludlow (in Shropshire). THE PUNISHMENT SHE DESERVES: A LYNLEY NOVEL by Elizabeth George, opens in the town of Ludlow (in Shropshire). I first read this book in 2018 when it was published and wrote the following review (mainly for my own personal file.) I recently began rereading the Inspector Lynley series because the series, the characters, the plots, the locations are so brilliant. The author, Elizabeth George, (in my humble opinion) is right up there next to P.D. James’ brilliant crime/mystery writing. The Punishment She Deserves is Book #20 in Ms. George’s Inspector Lynley series. A popular and respected deacon, Ian Druitt, had been arrested under less than ‘official’ circumstances and ‘supposedly’ committed suicide under very awkward and suspicious circumstances while in police custody. The affair reeked of unanswered questions, damaged reputations and a suspicion of a police cover-up. Barbara Havers is to accompany Detective Chief Superintendent Isabelle Ardery to Ludlow to look into the matter and report back to the ‘pressured’ Assistant Commissioner, Sir David Hillier. This is to be an official investigation and also a ‘trial by fire’ for Havers. Isabelle baits and humiliates Havers at every turn, but Barbara is on very good behavior (which is about time!!). The plot is tense, detailed and full of intertwining subplots which do come together at the end. The characters are also very detailed - interesting, flawed, alternately insightful, smart and self-destructive. Barbara Havers redeems herself admirably with brilliant detecting and deduction in a bit more subdued manner (which I like). Inspector Lynley is his usual, sharp, insightful self. Dorothea Harriman shines and I would like to see more of DS Winston Nkata. *****

Elizabeth George is such a master of character development and descriptive writing that by the end of this book you will feel so drawn into the time, place and people you will feel a real sense of loss after reading the last paragraph. I confess to a few stray tears at the end! You will love this story with it's many fascinating plot lines and enough twists and turns to satisfy everyone. There is drama, excitement and thrills a plenty with delightful humour to lighten the mood every once in a while. The complicated relationship between Inspector Lynley and his infuriating but dedicated sergeant Barbara Havers, has grown throughout the novels and was particularly delightful and interesting in this book. I think we would all like to have a Thomas Lynley in our lives. I cannot wait to read more in this amazing series!

me gusta mucho

Elizabeth George ama scrivere mysteries dalle trame molto articolate e complesse, e questo per me, fin'ora, è uno tra i migliori della serie. Dall'apparente suicidio di un sacerdote della chiesa d'Inghilterra si sviluppa una trama serrata, che giunge alla sua logica conclusione incastrando alla fine perfettamente tutti i pezzi del puzzle, e le 700 pagine di lunghezza non pesano affatto, anzi! Per me quando una trama è così ben articolata e perfettamente svolta la lunghezza è un plus, non un handicap. Ho cominciato a leggere i romanzi di Thomas Linley e Barbara Havers da "Dicembre è un mese crudele", e da allora non solo ho recuperato tutti i romanzi precedenti, ma non ho smesso di acquistare ogni nuovo libro man mano che usciva, trovando sempre estremamente piacevole ricongiungermi nella lettura con personaggi molto amati. Il libro può essere naturalmente letto anche come romanzo a se stante, ma tutta la serie è molto meglio, e la consiglio a chiunque.

After the last Inspector Lynley novel, which I found verbose and twice as long as necessary, I approached this latest offering with some trepidation. As it turns out, I needn't've worried and it was the best book I've read in many a year. I couldn't put it down but I just didn't want it to end. Brilliant story telling, believable characters - EG back on top form, as were Lynley and Havers. The area around Ludlow is local to us and I recognised many places and the odd ridiculous discrepancy, particularly with the route up the Long Mynd, but who cares? A fantastic story, well done!

This is what was missing with previous 3 or 4 Elizabeth's novels.. Lynley and Havers coming together in their best form since 'With no one as witness '.. Ms George needs to be commended for an action-packed fast pace that was maintained throughout this novel.. I, as a reader, couldn't put it down due to the brilliant story line.. It's also Ms George's first novel with lots of optimism, humour, and hope towards what will come in all the main characters lives in future.. Barbara's transformation has been delightful, to say the least.. And the icing on top of the cake was the humane manner in which Superintendent Ardery was dealt with, by Hillier.. That indeed was a pleasant surprise.. Also, I must say that Helen wasn't missed, again a first since 'With no one as witness'..

This is a long book. George takes her time with the set up. It pays off though. Before long, the story becomes deeply engrossing. This time, we’re in Ludlow, in Shropshire. Detectives from New Scotland Yard are sent up to check on an investigation into the suicide while in custody of a church deacon. The deacon’s father packs clout. He’s denying that his son was a paedophile, or a suicide. The investigators’ only mission is to determine whether the investigation was handled correctly. Of course, things go awry. DCI Isabelle Audery has a drinking problem. DS Barbara Havers is there to put her feet wrong so they can transfer her away from the Met. Havers starts to uncover things. Audery insists that Havers leave some information out of the report. Hmm. DI Thomas Linley is sent back there with Havers (who is desperately wanting to avoid her tap dancing show - don’t ask). We’re introduced to a fascinating set of characters whose psychology George portrays brilliantly. They range from the savvy septuagenarian, to the drunken students, to the classy senior policewoman (who’s good at sex games), to the Indian paediatrician cut off from her family to the PCSO who might not be as clean and affable as he seems. There are more. It becomes very convoluted as Linley and Havers disentangle a sad sequence of events. Justice is finally achieved, of course, but not without a great deal of toing and froing. Meanwhile, there’s pressure to get results fast and keep the MP and Home Secretary happy. Audery’s drinking gets worse. Her ex wants to take their sons to New Zealand. The classy senior policewoman is set upon directing and preserving her son’s life, even though she suspects him of rape. It’s as though George has written three books in one, so dense is the material. The psychology between the classy policewoman and her husband is particularly good, as is everything to do with the Lomax family (which contains the savvy septuagenarian and the Indian paediatrician). The clues are well-sorted, though they should have established just when the CCTV angle was changed and what the duty log showed, for comparison. The stuff about the stole colours was good. Just shows you need to know everything when you try to solve a crime. Including how to launch an air glider. As usual with a Linley book, it’s incredible that an American can write so well about England. The sad fact of defunding the police (like the NHS) doesn’t go unnoticed. Begone, civil society!