Elizabeth George - A Great Deliverance

Pros: An extremely good first novel.
Cons: Gets a bit too plot heavy, and I kept feeling I was missing something.

Usually, I don't read thrillers, staying mostly on a comfortable track between science fiction and suchlike. After being recommended this series several times by various people, I finally settled down into giving it a good read -- but my big mistake was ...

Pros: Fascinating characters. A satisfying introduction to the characters of Lynley and Havers.
Cons: Gruesome, disturbing mystery. Not as good as her later novels.

Over the years, I happened to have read a couple of Elizabeth George's later novels, and enjoyed them for their great detail and compelling characters. However, I always felt I was missing a lot by not having read the first book. So, recently I decided ...

Pros: In the manner of PD James.
Cons: Too much in the manner of PD James.

Elizabeth George came highly and frequently recommended by other mystery fans, and as a result I opened "A Great Deliverance" with high hopes. Hopes that weren't quite dashed, but a trifle disappointed. I can't quite see what the hype is about--the...

Pros: EVERYTHING
Cons: none

This first novel in Ms. George's English Inspector Lynley/Sgt. Havers series is truly a grand introduction to this stunning series. What makes these mysteries so powerful so far is that it isn't so much WHO dun-it as WHY? This book has no huge twist or...