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Inspector Lynley #20
The Punishment She Deserves
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERDetective Sergeant Barbara Havers and Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley are forced to confront the past as they try to solve a crime that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of a quiet, historic medieval town in EnglandThe cozy, bucolic town of Ludlow is stunned when one of its most revered and respected citizens--Ian Druitt, the local deacon--is accused of a serious crime. Then, while in police custody, Ian is found dead. Did he kill himself? Or was he murdered?When Barbara Havers is sent to Ludlow to investigate the chain of events that led to Ian's death, all the evidence points to suicide. But Barbara can't shake the feeling that she's missing something. She decides to take a closer look at the seemingly ordinary inhabitants of Ludlow--mainly elderly retirees and college students--and discovers that almost everyone in town has something to hide.A masterful work of suspense, The Punishment She Deserves sets Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers and Inspector Thomas Lynley against one of their most intricate cases. Fans of the longtime series will love the many characters from Elizabeth George's previous novels who join Lynley and Havers, and readers new to the series will quickly see why she is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed writers of our time. Both a page-turner and a deeply complex story about the lies we tell, the lies we believe, and the redemption we need, this novel will be remembered as one of George's best.
704 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2018
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11873 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth George
102 books5,459 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Susan Elizabeth George is an American author of mystery novels set in Great Britain. Eleven of her novels, featuring her character Inspector Lynley, have been adapted for television by the BBC as The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.
She was born in Warren, Ohio, but moved to the San Francisco Bay Area when she was eighteen months old. She was a student of English, receiving a teaching certificate. While teaching English in the public school system, she completed an advanced degree in psychology.
Her first published novel was A Great Deliverance in 1988, featuring Thomas Lynley, Lord Asherton, a Scotland Yard inspector of noble birth; Barbara Havers, Lynley's assistant, from a very working-class background; Lady Helen Clyde, Lynley's girlfriend and later wife, of noble birth as well; and Lynley's friends Simon and Deborah St. James.
This Elizabeth George is distinct from the other author named Elizabeth George (Christian author).
Series:
* Inspector Lynley
Susan Elizabeth George is an American author of mystery novels set in Great Britain. Eleven of her novels, featuring her character Inspector Lynley, have been adapted for television by the BBC as The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.
She was born in Warren, Ohio, but moved to the San Francisco Bay Area when she was eighteen months old. She was a student of English, receiving a teaching certificate. While teaching English in the public school system, she completed an advanced degree in psychology.
Her first published novel was A Great Deliverance in 1988, featuring Thomas Lynley, Lord Asherton, a Scotland Yard inspector of noble birth; Barbara Havers, Lynley's assistant, from a very working-class background; Lady Helen Clyde, Lynley's girlfriend and later wife, of noble birth as well; and Lynley's friends Simon and Deborah St. James.
This Elizabeth George is distinct from the other author named Elizabeth George (Christian author).
Series:
* Inspector Lynley
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,069 reviews
January 4, 2019
I read the series with Lord Asherton from time to time, and decided to give The Punishment She Deserves a chance not long ago. The mystery of an alleged suicide of a clergyman is intriguing and there are several other plots which are well developed, however, I cannot stop thinking this novel could be at least 200 pages shorter without injury to the story ...
July 8, 2021
In this 20th book in the 'Inspector Lynley' series, Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Sergeant Barbara Havers look into the alleged suicide of a deacon. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the characters is a plus.
*****
In the English town of Ludlow, Community Support Officer Gary Ruddock handles minor infractions, like kids binge drinking and the like.
So when an anonymous caller accuses the local deacon, Ian Druitt, of pedophilia, Ruddock is instructed to bring Druitt to the local nick, from which he'll be transferred to Shrewsbury - which has a 'real' police force.
Before Druitt can be moved, however, he's found dead in his cell - an apparent suicide. Ruddock, who left the prisoner alone, is on the hot seat - but an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) clears him of criminal misconduct....and Ruddock gets to keep his job.
Ian Druitt's father, who has money and connections, doesn't believe his son committed suicide and contacts his Member of Parliament - who gets New Scotland Yard (the Met) on the case. The Met's Assistant Commissioner, Sir David Hillier, sends Detective Chief Superintendent Isabelle Ardery and Sergeant Barbara Havers to Ludlow, in hopes they'll endorse the IPCC's work and put paid to the matter.
Both Hillier and Ardery have an ulterior motive as well: they want to find a reason to transfer Sgt.Havers - who's a thorn in their sides - to the boonies....so they're rid of her for good.
Once the detectives get to Ludlow, Ardery - who's a spiraling alcoholic with personal problems - does a shallow 'by the book' investigation, wanting to get back to London as soon as possible. Havers, however, makes more thorough inquiries. This gets Havers into trouble with Ardery.....but ends with Havers and Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley going back to Ludlow to re-investigate Pruitt's death.
Once Havers and Lynley begin a 'real' investigation, they discover that things are amiss in Ludlow. For instance: the CCTV camera that would have shown the anonymous caller who accused Pruitt of child abuse was moved; the police station parking lot was used for sexual liaisons; the county's Assistant Chief Constable had CSO Ruddock 'keeping an eye' on her son Finn - a college boy who partied hard; a girl had been assaulted; and more. Everyone is keeping secrets, though, and Havers and Lynley have to winkle them out to learn the truth about Pruit's death. In this they're aided by Sergeant Winston Nkata back at the Met, who's a whiz with computer searches.
The book has a complex plot and a rich cast of characters. The characters include a Ludlow physician of Indian heritage and her drug-using British husband; indifferent college students who share a house and are 'friends with benefits'; a cadre of women who belong to a glider club; a couple who's 'waiting for marriage'; a vicar who worked with Ian Pruitt; and more. The detectives interact with many of these people while they're looking into Pruitt's demise, which turns out to be a wrongful death.
One of the big pleasures of this series is following the private lives of Lynley and Havers, who've been through a lot since they became detective partners. In this book, widowed Lynley is still dating veterinarian Daidre Trahair - who only makes a token appearance in the story (thank goodness) 👍;
And Barbara Havers and Met secretary Dorothea Harriman are taking tap dancing lessons - so they can improve their fitness and lose a few pounds. The women are preparing for a dance recital, and Barbara FORBIDS Lynley from attending. Do you think he listens? Ha ha ha. 😃
I enjoyed this addition to the series, and strongly recommend it to mystery fans.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
April 3, 2018
Like a mediocre muffin dotted with delicious chocolate chips were Lynley and Havers in this nearly 700 page tome. I used it for upper arm workouts during breaks from reading. There is an interminable quantity of uninteresting storyline here involving binge-drinking college students, screwing and blowjobbing college students, and an Anglo-Indian family falling apart. The Isabelle Ardery thread was surprisingly welcome. We hate her because she is a termagant and has a sexual past with Lynley, and our hatred is nudged along here by her uncontrollable drunkenness. Every time she thinks about reaching for the airline vodka bottle, pulls her hand away, and then reaches for it again and downs it, readers will cheer. We won't be happy until she is finally destroyed.
Something interesting happens to Lynley, in that George makes his aristocraticness the cause of his good character and virtues. He is so well-bred that it has become impossible for him to do wrong. The book does in fact end with a scene in which Lynley bullies Havers, but this is portrayed as doing her a favor.
June 12, 2018
Who is the She?
Who is the "she" in Elizabeth George's title? There are many possibilities. First, the irrepressible, insubordinate, ill-kempt, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, who is my favorite character in the whole series for her colorful way of saying off-color things, brilliant instincts, and believable background. Barbara has managed to piss off many of her superiors at Scotland Yard, and at the beginning of the book she is sent off to Shropshire on an investigation with Detective Chief Superintendent Isabelle Ardery, her arch-nemesis. The assignment has been designed as an opportunity for her to screw up, and be appropriately punished by exile to the far north.
Or the "she" could be Isabelle Ardery herself, whom we have come to dislike in the previous novel, A Banquet of Consequences, for the way she lords it over Barbara's immediate boss, Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley, whom she outranks only because she now occupies the administrative position that he refused. But very early in this new novel, Ardery reveals herself to have a problem with alcohol, and before long she is behaving worse than ever. I might have said that some of her scenes are bit too melodramatic to be believable, but then alcoholics can indeed behave in quite abnormal ways.
One of the many ways in which Isabelle has failed is as a mother. Her divorced husband is about to move with their two sons to New Zealand, a decision she is fighting tooth and nail. But there are at least two other mothers in the book who, by having too little faith in their children, are in serious danger of ruining their lives. Any one of them could be the "she" in the title. It is one of the themes that tie the book together as more than merely another whodunnit.
Finally, the "she" could be one of the handful of college-age girls in the town of Ludlow, where most of the action is set. Students at West Mercia College, we see them mostly either binge drinking, having promiscuous sex, or attempting to cope with the consequences of either — suffering punishments that are largely of their own making. The novel opens with two such girls going to an end-of-term celebration in a local pub, a situation that ends with them having to be carted away by the local Police Community Support Officer, who is all that is left to keep order in Ludlow after deep cutbacks in the regular force.
For a long time, the relevance of these first two dozen pages is not clear; the case that brings Scotland Yard to Ludlow is the suicide in custody of a Church of England deacon, an accused pedophile. Isabelle and Barbara go there to report on the soundness of the original investigation, and their inquiry occupies most of the next 200 pages. But they return and, for reasons I shall not disclose,* Barbara is sent out again, this time with her own boss, DI Lynley. There are almost 500 pages still to go. In them, George will spend as much time or more on other characters as she does with the detectives. It is an unusual approach. Rather than discovering information solely through the police investigation, the reader is invited to share the thoughts and lives of a couple of dozen other characters, who may be bystanders, suspects, victims, officers of the law, or sometimes several of these at once.
For the last two or three books of hers that I have read, I have felt that Elizabeth George was no longer a mystery writer, but a novelist who uses mystery as a means of prying open many other aspects of everyday life. Hence the importance of recurrent themes such as motherhood, substance abuse, failing marriages, and coming of age, that knit the book together as a true novel, rather than merely serving as clues to a solution. I find the mixture utterly engaging, especially since the American George now has no need to prove she can write a British mystery as well as any Brit, and since what I call the "series story" — the romantic lives of Lynley, Havers, and others — is allowed to take a back seat.
All the same, I did not like this one quite as much as the last. One reason is that the lives of all these teenagers — Dena, Missa, Francie, Chelsea, Finn, and Brutus — is so far from my own now, and often so squalid, that I had a hard time caring about them as much as some of the older characters. Another is that I found it difficult to understand the mission of the Met's first trip to Ludlow. Isabelle insists that it is not to investigate the deacon's death, or the justification for his arrest in the first place, though Barbara keeps blundering into the no-go area; it is quite a relief when, on her trip with Lynley, it becomes more like a normal investigation. And the reason for there even being a second trip at all hangs on a question of chronology that seems to be a matter of sloppy plotting on George's part.* Perhaps I also felt that George was a little perfunctory in tying up some of her many subplots — not the mysteries, which were admirably solved, but some novel aspects such as the rehabilitation of the various problem characters, which seemed a trifle too optimistic. But this could also be a compliment to her ability to create such characters in the first place, and take them into emotional areas far beyond the range of a more normal genre offering.
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In her acknowledgements, George remarks that she likes to research a particular part of England in which to set each novel. She used Somerset for her previous book; this time, she moves north, to Ludlow in Shropshire, the bracing hills and smaller villages around, and the cathedral cities of the west country. And she is very good in evoking her setting. I was at school in Shropshire sixty years ago, and revisited the area a decade ago. It took me back to my last trip to that region, when I took the photos of Ludlow below:
*See my first comment, which I have posted as a spoiler.
August 17, 2019
4+ stars
I love Elizabeth George’s Linley and Havers mystery series. She does everything I like in a mystery. She has great leading detectives who’s lives evolve as the series goes on. The mystery itself is complex and steeped in real life issues. And she gets deep into her characters by writing the story from different perspectives. But reading the next instalment in the series is No small feat because all of her books are massive bricks.
The Punishment She Deserves is almost 700 pages long, and I enjoyed every page. The death occurs in a small town in Wales, and Havers and her superiors are sent to look at whether the local police properly ruled it a suicide. The story delves into a group of local young people, an underfunded police force and different forms of obsessive parenting. There’s no point getting into a deep description of the story, but I suspect fans of this series would enjoy it as much as I did.
Getting into this series is a deep commitment. I took the plunge quite a few years ago, and caught up by reading each book obsessively one after the other over a few months. This may not be for everyone, but I’m happy I did and am always happy to read the next one.
I love Elizabeth George’s Linley and Havers mystery series. She does everything I like in a mystery. She has great leading detectives who’s lives evolve as the series goes on. The mystery itself is complex and steeped in real life issues. And she gets deep into her characters by writing the story from different perspectives. But reading the next instalment in the series is No small feat because all of her books are massive bricks.
The Punishment She Deserves is almost 700 pages long, and I enjoyed every page. The death occurs in a small town in Wales, and Havers and her superiors are sent to look at whether the local police properly ruled it a suicide. The story delves into a group of local young people, an underfunded police force and different forms of obsessive parenting. There’s no point getting into a deep description of the story, but I suspect fans of this series would enjoy it as much as I did.
Getting into this series is a deep commitment. I took the plunge quite a few years ago, and caught up by reading each book obsessively one after the other over a few months. This may not be for everyone, but I’m happy I did and am always happy to read the next one.
March 11, 2018
Ian Druitt was a respected deacon of the Church of England. When he turns up dead while in police custody due to an accusation of pedophilia, it’s up to Detective Chief Superintendent Isabelle Ardery to sort out whether it was suicide or murder. She reluctantly teams up with DS Barbara Havers and they set off to historic Ludlow to investigate. Ardery is battling more demons than a possible murderer. She’s fighting with her ex-husband who is determined to move out of the country with their two sons and Ardery’s been hitting the vodka bottle too often. She’s also determined to finally find enough reason to call for the transfer of Havers out of her district.
I’ve have been a fan of this author since her first book many years ago. Ms. George is a master at meticulously plotting out her complex mysteries, but where she truly excels is in her characters. If you decide to read something by this author, and I hope you do, you should start with her first book, “A Great Deliverance”, so you have a good understanding of the background of each of the characters and can grow to love them as I have. Her newest book is a long one, over 700 pages on my Kindle, but you’ll get no complaints about that from me as the more time I spend with these characters, the happier I am. This is a complex tale and one of the best that this author has written. I became totally engrossed in the mystery and I so very much enjoyed Ms. George’s humorous telling of Havers’ attempts at tap dancing. Ms. George remains my favorite English mystery writer (though she’s American). I’m already longing for her next book.
Most highly recommended
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
I’ve have been a fan of this author since her first book many years ago. Ms. George is a master at meticulously plotting out her complex mysteries, but where she truly excels is in her characters. If you decide to read something by this author, and I hope you do, you should start with her first book, “A Great Deliverance”, so you have a good understanding of the background of each of the characters and can grow to love them as I have. Her newest book is a long one, over 700 pages on my Kindle, but you’ll get no complaints about that from me as the more time I spend with these characters, the happier I am. This is a complex tale and one of the best that this author has written. I became totally engrossed in the mystery and I so very much enjoyed Ms. George’s humorous telling of Havers’ attempts at tap dancing. Ms. George remains my favorite English mystery writer (though she’s American). I’m already longing for her next book.
Most highly recommended
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
March 27, 2018
Heavenly days!!! Elizabeth George is amazing. This book looked daunting when I got it as it is 690 pages!!! I wanted to feel that she could have told the story in half that but, of course, she couldn’t. We needed every bit of it to solve the crime(s), examine all the players and come to a typical Lynley/Havers conclusion. This book is tremendous.
July 21, 2018
As a fan faithful of Elizabeth George’s, it is an exquisite pleasure to again open one of her lengthy tomes and know that I will be lost to her words- lots of them- for a fair while AND blissfully happy meeting up with one of my favourite literary anti-heroes, Lieutenant Barbara Havers.
This time ‘round, George does not disappoint and the novel is as serpentine as the best of those written by her in past time, bringing Havers into messy moments as usual and offering Thomas Lynley up with his typical aristocratic equanimity.
The Punishment She Deserves is set in a British village, a college town which can suffer from rowdiness in its late hours after pubs close, where young people test boundaries, suffer depression, look for new versions of themselves and search out new relationships. Somehow, something went very wrong...
Was procedure followed when the curate was found having committed suicide? When the alcoholic Superintendent Irene takes Barbara with her, intending to dead end the lieutenant’s career, the outcome is circumvented by Havers’ strategic and careful investigating. She and Lynley return, and the complicated, lengthy procedure of figuring out what actually happened ensues.
Elizabeth George writes gritty novels. The descriptions of the settings are so lovely in her books I sometimes think we are lulled into thinking her plots might be equally scenic. None of her characters are without faults, and even those most relatable can be irritating as heck. Her main characters - like Barbara Havers, for instance - may be left without redemption in one novel, only to totally shift their life’s situation in another. The college students here are all somewhat anguished - very bleak, tied to the terrible event, and with wretched personal lives. The state of limbo... Police work is also in limbo... Families in limbo. And everything and everyone cannot move forward.... until....
I very much enjoyed The Punishment She Deserves, and felt that it was one of George’s better recent novels.
And the ending promises that another is in the works!
Five stars
This time ‘round, George does not disappoint and the novel is as serpentine as the best of those written by her in past time, bringing Havers into messy moments as usual and offering Thomas Lynley up with his typical aristocratic equanimity.
The Punishment She Deserves is set in a British village, a college town which can suffer from rowdiness in its late hours after pubs close, where young people test boundaries, suffer depression, look for new versions of themselves and search out new relationships. Somehow, something went very wrong...
Was procedure followed when the curate was found having committed suicide? When the alcoholic Superintendent Irene takes Barbara with her, intending to dead end the lieutenant’s career, the outcome is circumvented by Havers’ strategic and careful investigating. She and Lynley return, and the complicated, lengthy procedure of figuring out what actually happened ensues.
Elizabeth George writes gritty novels. The descriptions of the settings are so lovely in her books I sometimes think we are lulled into thinking her plots might be equally scenic. None of her characters are without faults, and even those most relatable can be irritating as heck. Her main characters - like Barbara Havers, for instance - may be left without redemption in one novel, only to totally shift their life’s situation in another. The college students here are all somewhat anguished - very bleak, tied to the terrible event, and with wretched personal lives. The state of limbo... Police work is also in limbo... Families in limbo. And everything and everyone cannot move forward.... until....
I very much enjoyed The Punishment She Deserves, and felt that it was one of George’s better recent novels.
And the ending promises that another is in the works!
Five stars
June 15, 2018
Elizabeth George and I are in a love/hate relationship right now. She is probably unaware of it but I am. I love Lynley and Havers and have been reading them for decades. It is a commitment because George loves the sound of her own voice and writes overlong books. This one was over 690 pages and 150 of them could have been edited easily and made the story clearer but why quibble?
Continuing on her attack of her beloved characters. Havers is once again being abused out of all proportion by Isabel Ardley, her commanding officer, and the author. Ardley is one of the most unlikable characters in fiction right now. An alcoholic out of control, she wields her power to get Havers transferred. She is assigned to go to Ludlow to investigate a suicide of a church deacon while in police custody. She is told to take Havers with her and you know this is a disaster in the making and it is. She is so petty doing things like not allowing food or cigarette breaks although she can find time to down little bottle of vodka. Ardley wants to do a cursory investigation and get back to London and her alcohol and Havers actually wants to investigate the case.
They do a very light investigation and return home when new pressure is put on the police by a high ranking government official. Lynley and Havers return to Ludlow to actually investigate how the deacon committed suicide while in custody while left alone. There is no stone left unturned and the arresting officer comes under close examination. There is also a house of sexually active college students who figure prominently. There is plenty of sex thrown including rapes, sodomy and a student's father dying in an auto erotic death.
If Ardley abusing Havers is not enough, the author forces her into tap dancing classes with Dee Harriman and then a recital that is absurd. A mysterious figure from Barbara's past makes an appearance. Luckily, Lynley's "romance" with the zoo vet takes up little time. George really likes trying to make square pieces try to go in round holes. It's a relationship that doesn't work which every reader knows, everyone but George.
I have made my peace by only getting library books now because the books have become only so-so. Still after hefting the almost 700 pages around and developing biceps, I will now switch to Kindle. I will also wonder at my continuing addiction to this series that I know I will continue to read but I really wish someone would sit George down sand say, "Really Elizabeth? You are capable of so much better than this."
Continuing on her attack of her beloved characters. Havers is once again being abused out of all proportion by Isabel Ardley, her commanding officer, and the author. Ardley is one of the most unlikable characters in fiction right now. An alcoholic out of control, she wields her power to get Havers transferred. She is assigned to go to Ludlow to investigate a suicide of a church deacon while in police custody. She is told to take Havers with her and you know this is a disaster in the making and it is. She is so petty doing things like not allowing food or cigarette breaks although she can find time to down little bottle of vodka. Ardley wants to do a cursory investigation and get back to London and her alcohol and Havers actually wants to investigate the case.
They do a very light investigation and return home when new pressure is put on the police by a high ranking government official. Lynley and Havers return to Ludlow to actually investigate how the deacon committed suicide while in custody while left alone. There is no stone left unturned and the arresting officer comes under close examination. There is also a house of sexually active college students who figure prominently. There is plenty of sex thrown including rapes, sodomy and a student's father dying in an auto erotic death.
If Ardley abusing Havers is not enough, the author forces her into tap dancing classes with Dee Harriman and then a recital that is absurd. A mysterious figure from Barbara's past makes an appearance. Luckily, Lynley's "romance" with the zoo vet takes up little time. George really likes trying to make square pieces try to go in round holes. It's a relationship that doesn't work which every reader knows, everyone but George.
I have made my peace by only getting library books now because the books have become only so-so. Still after hefting the almost 700 pages around and developing biceps, I will now switch to Kindle. I will also wonder at my continuing addiction to this series that I know I will continue to read but I really wish someone would sit George down sand say, "Really Elizabeth? You are capable of so much better than this."
Read
April 5, 2019Elizabeth George is my new go-to crime writer - looking forward to making my way (backwards) through this series
April 6, 2018
A multilayered, well-plotted mystery with a bunch of characters — trust the author, it all ties together in the end. Don’t let the 700-page length, or the fact that story is a reinvestigation of a reinvestigation of an investigation into an investigation of an apparent suicide, daunt you: Elizabeth George’s writing is smooth and her plots are intricate but clear and well paced. The pace is not breathless, but you get so into the story you hardly realize you’ve just read 50 pages. Inspector Lynley and Sergeant Havers are complex, often frustrating people but that’s what makes them so interesting. This is the 20th in the series but you don’t have to have read them all to enjoy this one.
March 3, 2019
Vintage Lynley and Havers. Solid mystery with a seemingly endless array of disconnected storylines. However, in the hands of Ms George, all will be revealed. I never doubted it.
A fifth star was earned because there is a lesson of redemption for Havers and her archenemy Isabelle Ardery.
Unfortunately the fifth star was lost because the end of the initial mystery was rather mundane. What was not were George’s brilliant characterizations.
This characterization of her oh so faulty humans may earn back a fifth star by morning... this Lynley and Havers novel could be the last (I pray it is not) because for the first time in many entries, there is quiet satisfaction at the end.
Yeah, I changed that star count...
A fifth star was earned because there is a lesson of redemption for Havers and her archenemy Isabelle Ardery.
Unfortunately the fifth star was lost because the end of the initial mystery was rather mundane. What was not were George’s brilliant characterizations.
This characterization of her oh so faulty humans may earn back a fifth star by morning... this Lynley and Havers novel could be the last (I pray it is not) because for the first time in many entries, there is quiet satisfaction at the end.
Yeah, I changed that star count...
February 21, 2022
English version below
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Auch dieser Band aus der Linley/Havers-Reihe hat mir wieder ganz ausgezeichnet gefallen.
Wie üblich steht der Kriminalfall (in diesem Fall der ungeklärte Tod eines Diakons) gar nicht so sehr im Zentrum der Geschichte, sondern es geht hauptsächlich um die zwischenmenschliche Dynamik zwischen den Charakteren.
Auf Ermittlerseite begegnen wir wieder zahlreichen schon bekannten Personen. Auch Ardery spielt wieder eine wesentliche Rolle, die ich immer noch genausowenig leiden kann wie von Anfang an, da sie unverändert eine ausgesprochen unangenehme Person ist.
Im Umfeld des Kriminalfalls lernen wir etliche Bewohner von Ludlow und Umgebung kennen. Neben einer Horde junger und trinkfreudiger Studenten stehen die örtliche Polizei und zwei erstaunlich dominante und kontrollsüchtige Helikoptermütter im Fokus.
Ich will nicht behaupten, dass mir die Motivation und Handlungsweise aller Personen immer zu 100 Prozent eingängig gewesen wäre. Bei manchen Dingen hat die Autorin dann doch mit Klischees gearbeitet, die sie noch dazu deutlich überzogen hat.
Dennoch habe ich diese Geschichte über Linley und Havers sehr genossen. Wer kann schon einer Barbara Havers widerstehen, die Steptanzen lernt?
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I really liked this volume from the Linley/Havers series.
As usual, the criminal case (in this case the unexplained death of a deacon) is not so much the focus of the story, but it is mainly about the interpersonal dynamics between the characters.
On the investigator side, we again meet numerous people we already know. Ardery also plays an essential role again, whom I still dislike as much as I did from the beginning, since she is still an extremely unpleasant person.
In the context of the criminal case, we get to know a number of residents of Ludlow and the surrounding area. In addition to a horde of young students who love to drink, the focus is on the local police and two amazingly dominant and controlling helicopter mothers.
I don't want to pretend that the motivation and actions of all the people were always 100 percent clear to me. With some things, the author worked with clichés, which she also clearly exaggerated.
Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Linley and Havers. Who can resist a Barbara Havers learning to tap dance?
************
Auch dieser Band aus der Linley/Havers-Reihe hat mir wieder ganz ausgezeichnet gefallen.
Wie üblich steht der Kriminalfall (in diesem Fall der ungeklärte Tod eines Diakons) gar nicht so sehr im Zentrum der Geschichte, sondern es geht hauptsächlich um die zwischenmenschliche Dynamik zwischen den Charakteren.
Auf Ermittlerseite begegnen wir wieder zahlreichen schon bekannten Personen. Auch Ardery spielt wieder eine wesentliche Rolle, die ich immer noch genausowenig leiden kann wie von Anfang an, da sie unverändert eine ausgesprochen unangenehme Person ist.
Im Umfeld des Kriminalfalls lernen wir etliche Bewohner von Ludlow und Umgebung kennen. Neben einer Horde junger und trinkfreudiger Studenten stehen die örtliche Polizei und zwei erstaunlich dominante und kontrollsüchtige Helikoptermütter im Fokus.
Ich will nicht behaupten, dass mir die Motivation und Handlungsweise aller Personen immer zu 100 Prozent eingängig gewesen wäre. Bei manchen Dingen hat die Autorin dann doch mit Klischees gearbeitet, die sie noch dazu deutlich überzogen hat.
Dennoch habe ich diese Geschichte über Linley und Havers sehr genossen. Wer kann schon einer Barbara Havers widerstehen, die Steptanzen lernt?
----------------------
I really liked this volume from the Linley/Havers series.
As usual, the criminal case (in this case the unexplained death of a deacon) is not so much the focus of the story, but it is mainly about the interpersonal dynamics between the characters.
On the investigator side, we again meet numerous people we already know. Ardery also plays an essential role again, whom I still dislike as much as I did from the beginning, since she is still an extremely unpleasant person.
In the context of the criminal case, we get to know a number of residents of Ludlow and the surrounding area. In addition to a horde of young students who love to drink, the focus is on the local police and two amazingly dominant and controlling helicopter mothers.
I don't want to pretend that the motivation and actions of all the people were always 100 percent clear to me. With some things, the author worked with clichés, which she also clearly exaggerated.
Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Linley and Havers. Who can resist a Barbara Havers learning to tap dance?
April 28, 2018
I've read all the Inspector Lynley books and sadly I have to say this will probably be the last. I've been tempted to give up on the series a couple of times recently but this one has pushed me over the edge.
Barbara Havers is one of the best characters I've run across in any mystery series. The level of angst Ms. George created around her became almost intolerable a couple of times in recent books, but I stuck with both the character and the author because... well, because the writing is so darned good. And actually The Punishment She Deserves tones Havers' angst down a little. Unfortunately it jacks up the angst around Isabelle Ardery to a degree I found intolerable - and totally unnecessary for purposes of this book or the series.
But what really puts me off about The Punishment She Deserves is the two subplots which seem primarily intended to teach the evils of premarital sex. They both center around unbelievably domineering mothers, milquetoast fathers and horrible punishment for various immoral behaviors. Ms. George's books have always been lengthy but it's never bothered me since they're so well written and researched. For the first time, I felt that this book would have been improved by editing a couple of hundred pages out of it.
I'll miss Lynley and Havers. In fact I may miss them so much that I'll break down and buy the next book (assuming there are more), but I'm afraid I won't feel good about it if I do.
Barbara Havers is one of the best characters I've run across in any mystery series. The level of angst Ms. George created around her became almost intolerable a couple of times in recent books, but I stuck with both the character and the author because... well, because the writing is so darned good. And actually The Punishment She Deserves tones Havers' angst down a little. Unfortunately it jacks up the angst around Isabelle Ardery to a degree I found intolerable - and totally unnecessary for purposes of this book or the series.
But what really puts me off about The Punishment She Deserves is the two subplots which seem primarily intended to teach the evils of premarital sex. They both center around unbelievably domineering mothers, milquetoast fathers and horrible punishment for various immoral behaviors. Ms. George's books have always been lengthy but it's never bothered me since they're so well written and researched. For the first time, I felt that this book would have been improved by editing a couple of hundred pages out of it.
I'll miss Lynley and Havers. In fact I may miss them so much that I'll break down and buy the next book (assuming there are more), but I'm afraid I won't feel good about it if I do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2018
I have a long history with Elizabeth George. She is one of just two authors that I read in my teens that I still read - the other being Stephen King. The very first book I read, when I was a anxiety and zit ridden teen, was "For the Sake of Elena". I was 16 years old or so, and had been reading adult fiction for just a couple of years. That book held a wealth of codes into the grown up world. It also had a Swedish professor who swore in his native tongue (my native tongue), which was fascinating as far away from my Nordic ancestors as I was (I was attending high school in Asia). The book also featured a rat called "Tidbit". I eventually got rats as pets myself, talk about influence!
Twelve years later, 2005, I was reading "With no one as witness". I had spent a week with my pregnant sister and brother in-law on a remote island on the West Coast of Norway, with the vastness of the Atlantic just outside. My sister and her husband had just left, and the rented cottage - a house with five bedrooms - felt desolate. Toward the end of this book inspector Lynley loses his pregnant wife in a senseless act of violence. I think I bawled for the entire day. I have not cried with any fictional character as much as Lynley, because his loss intertwined with my own into sheer, bottomless misery.
Thus I have high expectations and greatly look forward to a new Lynley novel by Elizabeth George. I admire her craft and I care deeply about her main characters. Despite all this, and for knowing DCC Isabelle, Inspector Lynley and sergeant Havers so well, this was a slow burn. The author weaves a tale in such a way that I had no idea as to the perpetrator or motive - or even if there had even been a murder - for about half the book.
Isabelle Aredery and Barbara Havers looking into how a suspect could die - apparently suicide - in an unmanned police station is fascinating in its personal dynamics. Isabelle hates Barbara for her insubordination from the last book. Barbara can do nothing to stand up for herself, so she doesn't, but goes her own way anyway. This in the end, nearly gets her fired, but for Lynley - of course.
Isabelle is ridden by her own demons of course - she is badly alcoholic and her ex husband is taking their sons to New Zealand. In many ways this book takes a look at addiction. How it starts, and how it ruins lives. The side characters are binge drinking college students.
The sheer amount of personal detail and the incredibly well crafted story lands the rating on a 4*, although I thought a star lower for most of the book based on my enjoyment. There are few crime writer equal to Elizabeth George though and although this is a slow burn, there is still a wealth of fascinating detail.
You can read this a stand alone, but you shouldn't. This works much better if you have the history of the characters from previous installments.
Twelve years later, 2005, I was reading "With no one as witness". I had spent a week with my pregnant sister and brother in-law on a remote island on the West Coast of Norway, with the vastness of the Atlantic just outside. My sister and her husband had just left, and the rented cottage - a house with five bedrooms - felt desolate. Toward the end of this book inspector Lynley loses his pregnant wife in a senseless act of violence. I think I bawled for the entire day. I have not cried with any fictional character as much as Lynley, because his loss intertwined with my own into sheer, bottomless misery.
Thus I have high expectations and greatly look forward to a new Lynley novel by Elizabeth George. I admire her craft and I care deeply about her main characters. Despite all this, and for knowing DCC Isabelle, Inspector Lynley and sergeant Havers so well, this was a slow burn. The author weaves a tale in such a way that I had no idea as to the perpetrator or motive - or even if there had even been a murder - for about half the book.
Isabelle Aredery and Barbara Havers looking into how a suspect could die - apparently suicide - in an unmanned police station is fascinating in its personal dynamics. Isabelle hates Barbara for her insubordination from the last book. Barbara can do nothing to stand up for herself, so she doesn't, but goes her own way anyway. This in the end, nearly gets her fired, but for Lynley - of course.
Isabelle is ridden by her own demons of course - she is badly alcoholic and her ex husband is taking their sons to New Zealand. In many ways this book takes a look at addiction. How it starts, and how it ruins lives. The side characters are binge drinking college students.
The sheer amount of personal detail and the incredibly well crafted story lands the rating on a 4*, although I thought a star lower for most of the book based on my enjoyment. There are few crime writer equal to Elizabeth George though and although this is a slow burn, there is still a wealth of fascinating detail.
You can read this a stand alone, but you shouldn't. This works much better if you have the history of the characters from previous installments.
March 30, 2018
When a Member of Parliament shows up at New Scotland Yard requesting an investigation into the suicide of the son of one of his constituents in the beautiful town of Ludlow, the Assistant Commissioner sees two opportunities in this request: the first is to have an MP owing him a favour, and the second is to get rid of Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, whose career at the Met has been hanging by a thread for quite some time.
Another good plot with Inspector Lynley and Sgt Barbara Havers acting in another good detective story.
4* A Great Deliverance (Inspector Lynley, #1)
5* Payment in Blood (Inspector Lynley, #2)
4* Well-Schooled in Murder (Inspector Lynley, #3)
5* A Suitable Vengeance (Inspector Lynley, #4)
5* For the Sake of Elena (Inspector Lynley, #5)
4* Missing Joseph (Inspector Lynley, #6)
4* Playing for the Ashes (Inspector Lynley, #7)
4* In the Presence of the Enemy (Inspector Lynley, #8)
4* Deception on His Mind (Inspector Lynley, #9)
4* In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner (Inspector Lynley, #10)
4* A Traitor to Memory (Inspector Lynley, #11)
4* A Place of Hiding (Inspector Lynley, #12)
4* With No One as Witness (Inspector Lynley, #13)
4* What Came Before He Shot Her (Inspector Lynley, #14)
3* Careless in Red (Inspector Lynley, #15)
4* This Body of Death (Inspector Lynley, #16)
4* Believing the Lie (Inspector Lynley, #17)
3.5* Just One Evil Act (Inspector Lynley, #18)
3* A Banquet of Consequences (Inspector Lynley, #19)
4 * The Punishement She Deserves (Inspector Lynley, #20)
Another good plot with Inspector Lynley and Sgt Barbara Havers acting in another good detective story.
4* A Great Deliverance (Inspector Lynley, #1)
5* Payment in Blood (Inspector Lynley, #2)
4* Well-Schooled in Murder (Inspector Lynley, #3)
5* A Suitable Vengeance (Inspector Lynley, #4)
5* For the Sake of Elena (Inspector Lynley, #5)
4* Missing Joseph (Inspector Lynley, #6)
4* Playing for the Ashes (Inspector Lynley, #7)
4* In the Presence of the Enemy (Inspector Lynley, #8)
4* Deception on His Mind (Inspector Lynley, #9)
4* In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner (Inspector Lynley, #10)
4* A Traitor to Memory (Inspector Lynley, #11)
4* A Place of Hiding (Inspector Lynley, #12)
4* With No One as Witness (Inspector Lynley, #13)
4* What Came Before He Shot Her (Inspector Lynley, #14)
3* Careless in Red (Inspector Lynley, #15)
4* This Body of Death (Inspector Lynley, #16)
4* Believing the Lie (Inspector Lynley, #17)
3.5* Just One Evil Act (Inspector Lynley, #18)
3* A Banquet of Consequences (Inspector Lynley, #19)
4 * The Punishement She Deserves (Inspector Lynley, #20)
April 5, 2018
I listened to this book on audible.com. The narration was brilliant especially Havers who gave me some laugh out loud moments. I’m a bit surprised to see so many 5 star ratings . I found it all a little tedious at times. Who was doing what to who? I thought it got bogged down a bit in binge drinking, casual sex and was all a bit teenagie even though that isn’t a word! We love to hate Isobel Adery but I found her dialogue often repetitive, I did get tired of her saying ‘Stop calling me Isobel’. I am quite hoping her rehab takes longer than expected and we get a break. Now, talking about breaks, when oh when is Elizabeth George going to give us a grown up Havers and when is Dorothea going to start calling her Barbara especially at the tap classes? This inclusion was tedious and I have to wonder why it was even included and why on earth did Winston’s parents go to the concert let alone Tommy? It all seemed so childish. Several times throughout this book I had to wonder if George was trying to write a big book or a good book. I love Tommy and Barbara so can we perhaps have a Barbara who is FINALLY recognised for her skills and is a bone fide adult next time and stick to crime and hopefully no concerts.
March 15, 2018
I enjoy the company of the dapper Inspector Thomas Lynley and the slightly irreverent Barbara Havers but I think 690 pages was a little too long. The mystery was acceptable and the characters were interesting but there really wasn't enough of a plot to justify the length.
March 17, 2019
Ok, the irritants first: George's American-writing-about-England still gives rise to mistakes that really a UK editor should have picked up (er, we call them fridges not coolers, you know) and some weird London geography: it's incredible that Dorothea and Havers travel from New Scotland Yard in St. James to a weekly tap-dancing class in Southall which is on the edge of London and not even on the tube map (despite them walking erroneously to the nearest tube after class). There is also some really awkward dialogue in places, annoying breaks into phonetics to supposedly indicate class/age/race (how patronising) and Lynley has become a personality-free statue, though at least his frozen relationship with odd Dairdre is kept mostly in the background. The Kindle edition is badly copy-edited/proofed, too, with numerous errors having slipped through - annoyingly unprofessional.
To compensate, Barbara Havers has become the star of the series, ably supported by the love-to-hate-her Isabelle Ardery who becomes more fully-fleshed and human as the book develops. And it's in this character development that the book really scores. There is a complicated and satisfying murder investigation but if that's all you're here for then you may well find this long-winded and over-long.
What ties the various stories together are questions of 'deserved punishments', often self-inflicted or erroneously thought to be deserved by either the perpetrator or victim. These tales are treated with some subtlety so that the links are not obvious. There are also issues of people, often parents but also bosses, wanting children (and subordinates) to conform to the parents' dreams and ideals rather than their own. The consequent manipulations and squeezing of personalities is given much page-space.
So though this is long at pretty much 700 pages, I found this absorbing throughout - it's perfect for when you need something that isn't literarily challenging but keeps you engaged and interested to the end.
To compensate, Barbara Havers has become the star of the series, ably supported by the love-to-hate-her Isabelle Ardery who becomes more fully-fleshed and human as the book develops. And it's in this character development that the book really scores. There is a complicated and satisfying murder investigation but if that's all you're here for then you may well find this long-winded and over-long.
What ties the various stories together are questions of 'deserved punishments', often self-inflicted or erroneously thought to be deserved by either the perpetrator or victim. These tales are treated with some subtlety so that the links are not obvious. There are also issues of people, often parents but also bosses, wanting children (and subordinates) to conform to the parents' dreams and ideals rather than their own. The consequent manipulations and squeezing of personalities is given much page-space.
So though this is long at pretty much 700 pages, I found this absorbing throughout - it's perfect for when you need something that isn't literarily challenging but keeps you engaged and interested to the end.
March 31, 2018
I have always loved the Lynley/Havers mysteries from the very first novel. I had high hopes for the return of the earlier relationship and mystery solving of this beloved duo. This came quite close but got bogged down with the numerous detailed side stories. The beginning takes almost 200 of its 700 pages to put Lynley and Havers back as a team on a very involved murder as we first have to watch DCS Ardery crucify Havers ONE more time. I get tired of the story line that DS Havers, one of many officers of Scotland Yard is continually the focus of her superiors and plotted against to remove or transfer. Surely they all have better things to do! She has been years on the force and has a serious track record of solving some of their most baffling cases with Lynley.
Once our duo is on the case the story moves along at a faster pace and far more enjoyable as they do their magic, working together meshing their strengths and weaknesses to investigate the complex crime. Her earlier books were detailed and longer than most but this one seems to drag on quite a few of the side stories of the other characters involved. I did enjoy, as always, Ms. George style of writing as well as her plot. I will continue to invest in Lynley/Havers and I do recommend this one but with caution as to its length.
Once our duo is on the case the story moves along at a faster pace and far more enjoyable as they do their magic, working together meshing their strengths and weaknesses to investigate the complex crime. Her earlier books were detailed and longer than most but this one seems to drag on quite a few of the side stories of the other characters involved. I did enjoy, as always, Ms. George style of writing as well as her plot. I will continue to invest in Lynley/Havers and I do recommend this one but with caution as to its length.
January 8, 2020
Another brilliant installment in this series!
September 12, 2019
Yes, I finally got around to reading the latest Lynley doorstop and I’m already looking forward to the next.
Barbara Havers accompanies DCS Isabelle Ardery doing a requested review of a case with a paedophile accused priest that committed suicide while in police custody. The case is considered over and done with, but the request came from high. Havers are more or less brought along to seal her fate and be reassigned to some godforsaken part of the country where she’ll make as little noise as possible - or at least none that disturbs AC Hillier and the DCS. Havers surprises by being resilient and cooperative (and tap dancing) to begin with, but true to form, she can’t really let anything slip and she finds herself in a bit of controversy again. On returning, she gets the support of Lynley and the two returns to the scene, investigating under Hillier’s very limited time lines and patience.
I just love Elisabeth George’s writing and even if I’m first to agree that she does have a bit of literary elephantiasis, I really don’t mind. The ending part of this one is brilliant and I had to remind myself harshly when tempted to slap 5 stars on that honestly, a couple of hundred pages less would have done the story good. But I still loved it.
Barbara Havers accompanies DCS Isabelle Ardery doing a requested review of a case with a paedophile accused priest that committed suicide while in police custody. The case is considered over and done with, but the request came from high. Havers are more or less brought along to seal her fate and be reassigned to some godforsaken part of the country where she’ll make as little noise as possible - or at least none that disturbs AC Hillier and the DCS. Havers surprises by being resilient and cooperative (and tap dancing) to begin with, but true to form, she can’t really let anything slip and she finds herself in a bit of controversy again. On returning, she gets the support of Lynley and the two returns to the scene, investigating under Hillier’s very limited time lines and patience.
I just love Elisabeth George’s writing and even if I’m first to agree that she does have a bit of literary elephantiasis, I really don’t mind. The ending part of this one is brilliant and I had to remind myself harshly when tempted to slap 5 stars on that honestly, a couple of hundred pages less would have done the story good. But I still loved it.
February 19, 2018
Please note: I read this as a free e-ARC from Netgalley. As I wasn’t too enamored with Elizabeth George’s last two Lynsey novels, I started this one with trepidation. However, I should not have been concerned. I really felt like this one was one of her best installments. As it begins, Ardury and Havers are sent to Ludlow to follow up on an suicide investigation. Due to Ardury’s increasing alcohol dependency clues are missed and not followed up. Barbara Havers is tasked in writing the report only to be conflicted of writing the report fully truthful or the truth that Ardury requires. From there, Lynley becomes involved and both Havers and Lynley are dispatched back to Ludlow for a full investigation. Definitely not one to be missed.
February 25, 2018
It has been too long since I read/reviewed an Elizabeth George Novel (since August, 2015, in fact, with the release of A Banquet of Consequences). Some things don’t change: as I said then, “I LOVE Elizabeth George, and have been reading the Inspector Lynley novels (or, as I prefer to call them, the Lynley-Havers novels) since the mid-1990s when introduced to them by a fellow librarian when we were stuck in an airport.”
For those familiar with the series, I’ll start with a couple of things I hoped for back in 2015, and which I was still hoping as 2018 arrived: One of them involved Barbara’s neighbors, the Azhars, Taymullah and Haddiyah, who “…had fled to Pakistan, and I admit I was hoping for an update on this whole complex relationship.” And, also in 2015: “Familiar characters appear, including Winston Nkata, Isabelle Ardery (Lynley’s former lover and current boss to both him and Detective Sergeant Havers), Daidre the veterinarian who seemed to be a likely candidate to bring Lynley out of his ongoing mourning following his wife’s murder a couple of books ago…like getting an update on old friends.”
Neither of those sub-plotlines was addressed in Banquet, but I continued to hold out hope as I received “The Punishment She Deserved,” (thanks to Penguin Group VIKING and NetGalley).
As the story begins, Barbara Havers is in deep poop as she is partnered with Isabelle Ardery. They are sent to Ludlow, a small historic village that has been rocked by the death of the local deacon. It looks like suicide, but there are rumors of pedophilia, which has the deacon’s father outraged to the point of complaining to his local member of Parliament – so of course Scotland Yard is brought in and the two women are assigned to review the work done by the local police when they investigated the man’s unexpected death.
Isabelle wants to just do a cursory review and get the hell out of Ludlow, back to her demons and personal problems surrounding her ex-husband and their two sons. But Barbara can’t ignore the things that she sees: they just nag at her, and she tries to pursue every lead she can despite Isabelle ordering her to just review the prior report, and don’t open any cans of worms. Anyone familiar with Barbara knows this is not bloody likely!
As usual, George introduces characters in such a way that we quickly feel we KNOW them. For example, Finn Freeman, a young man around whom much of the facts seem to revolve, “…wasn’t a picture either. His clothes…favored excessively tattered jeans and an extremely threadbare flannel shirt. He wore sandals…but his black-apainted toenails did not delight. On his reight anjle was a piece of braided leather, and a bulbous know of the same material formed an earring tht looked like an excrescence on hius left lobe. He actually might not have been a bad looking young man, but taken as a whole, he was something that might have been created by Munch.”
And I love the description of the Underground station: the…” crowd in the underground…ignored one another as per usual, jostling about like kittens struggling for a nursing position while also attempting to text, read their newspapers, listen to…music via earbuds…”
And her language used for various characters is incredibly revelatory as to their nature. For example, Thomas Lynley (aka Lord Asherton) gets out of his car and looks across the street: “…the banner announcing Titus Andronicus had lettering in which the uppercase letters both transformed into pools of blood beneath them. At least the audience would be forewarned, he thought.” PERFECT!
By contrast, Trevor Freeman, owner of a local fitness center and husband of a Clover Freeman, a local high-ranking policewoman, is involved in a debate with her, and might have prevailed “…had he managed to keep his bloody wits about him, but he kept getting sidelined by his dick.”
The plot is good (especially once Lynley is on the scene, working with Havers), and her language manages to make me learn without making me feel stupid: “…his demands…became as furious as they were adamantine.” (yay! A new word!) There are also typical Britishisms, such as chuffed (opposite meaning to what I suspected) and weir. And, there are several uses of words for which I THOUGHT I knew the meaning, but learned I was wrong (or ignorant of the specific use in this book): scourge, grass and caravan all had meaning different from what generally think when I encounter them.
Alongside the language and characterization, there is the excellent police procedural and complex plotting: as Clover tells Trevor, “The truth never means a thing. When it comes to innocence or guilt, the trut is the first casualty in an investigation.” Because much of the plot turns on the inadequate police staffing in small towns (based on reality in the U.K. these days), we see a clear contrast between the methods of Scotland Yard and those of the local police, somewhat beleaguered by the reductions in staff.
Overall, a very satisfying read. SPOILER AHEAD: I am, however, still waiting for the advancement of the subplots mentioned at the start of this review. Nonetheless, five stars.
For those familiar with the series, I’ll start with a couple of things I hoped for back in 2015, and which I was still hoping as 2018 arrived: One of them involved Barbara’s neighbors, the Azhars, Taymullah and Haddiyah, who “…had fled to Pakistan, and I admit I was hoping for an update on this whole complex relationship.” And, also in 2015: “Familiar characters appear, including Winston Nkata, Isabelle Ardery (Lynley’s former lover and current boss to both him and Detective Sergeant Havers), Daidre the veterinarian who seemed to be a likely candidate to bring Lynley out of his ongoing mourning following his wife’s murder a couple of books ago…like getting an update on old friends.”
Neither of those sub-plotlines was addressed in Banquet, but I continued to hold out hope as I received “The Punishment She Deserved,” (thanks to Penguin Group VIKING and NetGalley).
As the story begins, Barbara Havers is in deep poop as she is partnered with Isabelle Ardery. They are sent to Ludlow, a small historic village that has been rocked by the death of the local deacon. It looks like suicide, but there are rumors of pedophilia, which has the deacon’s father outraged to the point of complaining to his local member of Parliament – so of course Scotland Yard is brought in and the two women are assigned to review the work done by the local police when they investigated the man’s unexpected death.
Isabelle wants to just do a cursory review and get the hell out of Ludlow, back to her demons and personal problems surrounding her ex-husband and their two sons. But Barbara can’t ignore the things that she sees: they just nag at her, and she tries to pursue every lead she can despite Isabelle ordering her to just review the prior report, and don’t open any cans of worms. Anyone familiar with Barbara knows this is not bloody likely!
As usual, George introduces characters in such a way that we quickly feel we KNOW them. For example, Finn Freeman, a young man around whom much of the facts seem to revolve, “…wasn’t a picture either. His clothes…favored excessively tattered jeans and an extremely threadbare flannel shirt. He wore sandals…but his black-apainted toenails did not delight. On his reight anjle was a piece of braided leather, and a bulbous know of the same material formed an earring tht looked like an excrescence on hius left lobe. He actually might not have been a bad looking young man, but taken as a whole, he was something that might have been created by Munch.”
And I love the description of the Underground station: the…” crowd in the underground…ignored one another as per usual, jostling about like kittens struggling for a nursing position while also attempting to text, read their newspapers, listen to…music via earbuds…”
And her language used for various characters is incredibly revelatory as to their nature. For example, Thomas Lynley (aka Lord Asherton) gets out of his car and looks across the street: “…the banner announcing Titus Andronicus had lettering in which the uppercase letters both transformed into pools of blood beneath them. At least the audience would be forewarned, he thought.” PERFECT!
By contrast, Trevor Freeman, owner of a local fitness center and husband of a Clover Freeman, a local high-ranking policewoman, is involved in a debate with her, and might have prevailed “…had he managed to keep his bloody wits about him, but he kept getting sidelined by his dick.”
The plot is good (especially once Lynley is on the scene, working with Havers), and her language manages to make me learn without making me feel stupid: “…his demands…became as furious as they were adamantine.” (yay! A new word!) There are also typical Britishisms, such as chuffed (opposite meaning to what I suspected) and weir. And, there are several uses of words for which I THOUGHT I knew the meaning, but learned I was wrong (or ignorant of the specific use in this book): scourge, grass and caravan all had meaning different from what generally think when I encounter them.
Alongside the language and characterization, there is the excellent police procedural and complex plotting: as Clover tells Trevor, “The truth never means a thing. When it comes to innocence or guilt, the trut is the first casualty in an investigation.” Because much of the plot turns on the inadequate police staffing in small towns (based on reality in the U.K. these days), we see a clear contrast between the methods of Scotland Yard and those of the local police, somewhat beleaguered by the reductions in staff.
Overall, a very satisfying read. SPOILER AHEAD: I am, however, still waiting for the advancement of the subplots mentioned at the start of this review. Nonetheless, five stars.
October 1, 2020
“The Punishment She Deserves” is set in the British village of Ludlow where something terribly wrong occurs. Throughout the book the reader asks the question “who deserves punishment’?
Ian Druitt, a respected deacon of the Church of England, is accused of pedophilia. He is arrested and later found dead while in police custody. Now it’s up to Detective Chief Superintendent Isabelle Ardery to investigate whether it was suicide or murder. Ardery has her own personal demons to cope with beside an investigation. Her drinking is out of control and she is fighting with her ex-husband over his plans to move their twin sons to New Zealand.
Superintendent Ardery reluctantly takes Lieutenant Barbara Havers with her. She then sees this as an opportunity to jeopardize Havers’ career causing her to be transferred out of her department. Due to Ardury’s increasing alcohol dependency clues are missed and not followed up. Barbara Havers is conflicted in writing the report with the truth or the truth Ardery wants.
Since the first investigation is in question Havers is sent back to Ludlow this time with Inspector Thomas Lynley. Together, they meticulously uncover secrets and lies underneath the quiet exterior of Ludlow. Their discoveries included rape, sodomy, murder, police corruption and evidence tampering.
George is a master at meticulously plotting out her complex mysteries but where she truly shines is in the depth of her characters. There are controlling parents, wanting children to conform to their dreams, promiscuous young people prone to binge drinking, families in crisis, drug and alcohol abuse at various levels, and plots to sabotage the investigation of Lynley and Havers. I especially enjoyed the humorous parts about Havers’ attempts at tap dancing. It's a deep and complex story about small-town life that you will remember long after reading.
Ian Druitt, a respected deacon of the Church of England, is accused of pedophilia. He is arrested and later found dead while in police custody. Now it’s up to Detective Chief Superintendent Isabelle Ardery to investigate whether it was suicide or murder. Ardery has her own personal demons to cope with beside an investigation. Her drinking is out of control and she is fighting with her ex-husband over his plans to move their twin sons to New Zealand.
Superintendent Ardery reluctantly takes Lieutenant Barbara Havers with her. She then sees this as an opportunity to jeopardize Havers’ career causing her to be transferred out of her department. Due to Ardury’s increasing alcohol dependency clues are missed and not followed up. Barbara Havers is conflicted in writing the report with the truth or the truth Ardery wants.
Since the first investigation is in question Havers is sent back to Ludlow this time with Inspector Thomas Lynley. Together, they meticulously uncover secrets and lies underneath the quiet exterior of Ludlow. Their discoveries included rape, sodomy, murder, police corruption and evidence tampering.
George is a master at meticulously plotting out her complex mysteries but where she truly shines is in the depth of her characters. There are controlling parents, wanting children to conform to their dreams, promiscuous young people prone to binge drinking, families in crisis, drug and alcohol abuse at various levels, and plots to sabotage the investigation of Lynley and Havers. I especially enjoyed the humorous parts about Havers’ attempts at tap dancing. It's a deep and complex story about small-town life that you will remember long after reading.
April 4, 2018
While I have been a huge fan of Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley novels, I confess the last couple haven’t quite captured me in the manner of earlier ones. The reason for this, I believe, has nothing to do with the superb writing or plot which is always of such a high standard. Rather, it was the sense of absence around the primary character and the man we’ve all grown to know and love, Inspector Thomas Lynley, the intrepid Earl himself. I recall writing one review which was akin to Missing Person’s Report, so strongly did I feel he wasn’t present – bodily, yes, but it was as if he’d lost his mojo (understandable to a degree in light of his wife’s tragic death, but it was beyond that) and common sense. Fortunately, Havers was there to compensate and that she did – pop tarts and all.
With this novel The Punishment She Deserves, I was at first worried this was going to be yet another book where the reader was deprived of Lynley. While he hovers in the background for the first third, there is a good reason for that. Havers (who is on her last legs in terms of remaining with New Scotland Yard) and Detective Chief Superintendent Ardery – Lynely’s erstwhile lover and boss as well as an alcoholic – are sent to the small, ancient town of Ludlow to investigate the apparent suicide of an MP’s son – Ian Druitt, the local Deacon - who killed himself in a police cell after his arrest on a charge of paedophilia. Regarding this as a perfect opportunity to wipe his hands of Havers once and for all, the Assistant Commissioner sends Ardery and Havers to Ludlow to insure the investigation into the death of Druitt ticked all boxes, as the MP is grumbling from on high and threatening to bring down all sorts of trouble on the force. Ardery is not only tasked with running the investigation, but seeing to it that Havers fails. Warned by Lynley what’s in store, Havers is careful to toe the line… only, it’s not exactly a line she finds, but a series of curves and ellipses which prick her instincts and tell her all is not as it seems.
When Ardery refuses to listen to Havers’ concerns, going so far as to order her to falsify information, Havers is in a bind. Turning to her boss and partner, what she doesn’t expect is for him to risk his reputation and career on her behalf. Lynley’s actions see him taking over the reins of the investigation and, as a reader, it was lovely to find him - from that moment on - both very much present and accounted for.
Sent back to Ludlow to properly investigate not only that the police involved behaved appropriately, but that the entire inquiry into the death was carried out as it should have been. Moving slowly, Lynley and Havers’ investigation centres on the close-knit town folk, the families associated with the almost saintly Ian Druitt and the tightly held secrets they all guard. Trying to discover what led Ian Druitt, a man recently awarded by the town, to commit suicide proves more difficult than either Lynley or Havers counted on – that is, until they understand the man didn’t kill himself and it appears his murder covered up more than one terrible crime…
Beautifully written, this story unfurls in a steady, nail-biting way. I don’t want to say too much more for fear of spoiling what is an incredible novel about a crime, but also about family and how it can function (or not) in the best and worst of ways, demand of us obligations and sacrifices with so few rewards. How, despite this, we fight for our loved ones, those who share our blood, for perhaps what this promises rather than the reality. All the characters are so richly drawn that while some of their actions and reasons for them are perplexing and frustrating, you champion and/or see the root of their decisions, even if they inevitably lead to disaster. You also learn the motivation behind the lies, deceptions and oft-misplaced loyalties of family, colleagues, friends, neighbours. There were times I wondered why George spent so much time unravelling a particular family dynamic or a friendship until, as the book progressed and the plot thickened and twisted and turned inside out, I began to not only understand, but become engrossed/horrified/gratified in the ties that bind, blind and seek us to make good or poor decisions as well as deadly ones.
What I really enjoyed about this novel as well (apart from seeing Lynley and Havers together and in such fine form again), was exploring what makes Isabelle Ardery tick. I have found her character such a struggle in the past. I never understood Lynley’s attraction to her and what ultimately drew him to sleep with her, nor the respect and position of authority she was given – her rank didn’t fit the persona we were presented with. I thought after the last book we were well rid of her and was grateful. This isn’t the case. Yet, Ardery’s incentives, her demons, her personal life are all explored and given depth and insights that make you not necessarily like the woman (she is her own worst enemy in that regard and hey, she has it in for Havers and no-one but no-one is allowed to give Barbara an undeserved hard time), but come to understand and even, dare I say, empathise with her and the stupid, reckless decisions she’s made and continues to make as well. George is a master when it comes to untangling the seamier side of human nature, exploring the darkness within and how we’re slaves to this even while we try to resist. She’s proven this over and over in her books and this one is no exception.
A rather long book, I nevertheless didn’t want it to end. Masterful, compelling, tightly and expertly plotted with bursts of humour, all expressed with exquisite prose, this is George at her best – Lynley and Havers too. My only disappointment is that I know I will have a long wait until the next one!
With this novel The Punishment She Deserves, I was at first worried this was going to be yet another book where the reader was deprived of Lynley. While he hovers in the background for the first third, there is a good reason for that. Havers (who is on her last legs in terms of remaining with New Scotland Yard) and Detective Chief Superintendent Ardery – Lynely’s erstwhile lover and boss as well as an alcoholic – are sent to the small, ancient town of Ludlow to investigate the apparent suicide of an MP’s son – Ian Druitt, the local Deacon - who killed himself in a police cell after his arrest on a charge of paedophilia. Regarding this as a perfect opportunity to wipe his hands of Havers once and for all, the Assistant Commissioner sends Ardery and Havers to Ludlow to insure the investigation into the death of Druitt ticked all boxes, as the MP is grumbling from on high and threatening to bring down all sorts of trouble on the force. Ardery is not only tasked with running the investigation, but seeing to it that Havers fails. Warned by Lynley what’s in store, Havers is careful to toe the line… only, it’s not exactly a line she finds, but a series of curves and ellipses which prick her instincts and tell her all is not as it seems.
When Ardery refuses to listen to Havers’ concerns, going so far as to order her to falsify information, Havers is in a bind. Turning to her boss and partner, what she doesn’t expect is for him to risk his reputation and career on her behalf. Lynley’s actions see him taking over the reins of the investigation and, as a reader, it was lovely to find him - from that moment on - both very much present and accounted for.
Sent back to Ludlow to properly investigate not only that the police involved behaved appropriately, but that the entire inquiry into the death was carried out as it should have been. Moving slowly, Lynley and Havers’ investigation centres on the close-knit town folk, the families associated with the almost saintly Ian Druitt and the tightly held secrets they all guard. Trying to discover what led Ian Druitt, a man recently awarded by the town, to commit suicide proves more difficult than either Lynley or Havers counted on – that is, until they understand the man didn’t kill himself and it appears his murder covered up more than one terrible crime…
Beautifully written, this story unfurls in a steady, nail-biting way. I don’t want to say too much more for fear of spoiling what is an incredible novel about a crime, but also about family and how it can function (or not) in the best and worst of ways, demand of us obligations and sacrifices with so few rewards. How, despite this, we fight for our loved ones, those who share our blood, for perhaps what this promises rather than the reality. All the characters are so richly drawn that while some of their actions and reasons for them are perplexing and frustrating, you champion and/or see the root of their decisions, even if they inevitably lead to disaster. You also learn the motivation behind the lies, deceptions and oft-misplaced loyalties of family, colleagues, friends, neighbours. There were times I wondered why George spent so much time unravelling a particular family dynamic or a friendship until, as the book progressed and the plot thickened and twisted and turned inside out, I began to not only understand, but become engrossed/horrified/gratified in the ties that bind, blind and seek us to make good or poor decisions as well as deadly ones.
What I really enjoyed about this novel as well (apart from seeing Lynley and Havers together and in such fine form again), was exploring what makes Isabelle Ardery tick. I have found her character such a struggle in the past. I never understood Lynley’s attraction to her and what ultimately drew him to sleep with her, nor the respect and position of authority she was given – her rank didn’t fit the persona we were presented with. I thought after the last book we were well rid of her and was grateful. This isn’t the case. Yet, Ardery’s incentives, her demons, her personal life are all explored and given depth and insights that make you not necessarily like the woman (she is her own worst enemy in that regard and hey, she has it in for Havers and no-one but no-one is allowed to give Barbara an undeserved hard time), but come to understand and even, dare I say, empathise with her and the stupid, reckless decisions she’s made and continues to make as well. George is a master when it comes to untangling the seamier side of human nature, exploring the darkness within and how we’re slaves to this even while we try to resist. She’s proven this over and over in her books and this one is no exception.
A rather long book, I nevertheless didn’t want it to end. Masterful, compelling, tightly and expertly plotted with bursts of humour, all expressed with exquisite prose, this is George at her best – Lynley and Havers too. My only disappointment is that I know I will have a long wait until the next one!
April 17, 2018
As with all Thomas Lynley books, this one is a tome. Some 690 pages, but it actually does read fairly fast. And also, as with other Elizabeth George books, this one causes the reader to do a lot of soul-searching, and it made me shake my head at how "spot-on" she is with her characterizations. She made me contemplate just how far some people will go to protect their child. She made me read in amazement at how she portrayed an alcoholic's downward spiral. She made me realize just how real all her characters are, but especially Lynley, and most especially, Barbara Havers. Barbara and Lynley are in the small college town of Ludlow. A suicide has occurred in custody in that town, and the man who was found dead in the police station was a deacon of the local church. His father is determined that his son did not commit suicide, so through his MLA and his lawyer he has tasked the Met to determine what really happened. At first go, when Havers is there with the impeccable DCS Ardery, and as the animosity between these two is well-known and palpable, Barbara finds she can't strike out on her own to get to the bottom of things. She knows that something is definitely not right, but is thwarted at every turn when she tries to follow yet another lead. As it turns out, the first investigation is overturned and she is sent back to Ludlow with Lynley, and once there, they uncover secret after secret, and lie after lie. Underneath the quiet exterior of Ludlow there has been rape, sodomy, murder, police corruption and evidence tampering going on for months. it's a deep and complex story about small-town life that you will not soon forget. Highly recommended.
February 23, 2018
I wanted to love this book. I really did. But this is the umpteenth time we are supposed to invest emotionally in Havers' job security. The whole series from start 30 years ago asks us to invest in this, a really tired trope. If any reader now, still to this day thinks this a matter of urgency, stop. We all know it will not happen. Barbra Havers will not get canned, relocated. This story line would stop.
Am I invested in the very obvious problems Ardery has with her children, ex spouse? Not really. The writing has been on the wall for her since Body of Death. It's Prime Suspect in literary form, and Helen Mirren nailed it. So also a trope.
E George was once invested in genuine story telling. Less was more. Show, don't tell. Now it's tell, don't show.
Am I invested in the very obvious problems Ardery has with her children, ex spouse? Not really. The writing has been on the wall for her since Body of Death. It's Prime Suspect in literary form, and Helen Mirren nailed it. So also a trope.
E George was once invested in genuine story telling. Less was more. Show, don't tell. Now it's tell, don't show.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2018
This is a very satisfying addition to the Lynley/Havers joint troubles and investigations. Ludlow is the main scene and the rather long book is populated by intricately woven, complex characters. We have the reduced funding of police force that allows for a uniquely evil compact between a high-ranking officer and a low-level community policeman to do all sorts in a college setting.
Deranged parenting, promiscuous youngsters prone to binge drinking, families in crisis, drug and alcohol abuse at many levels, plots against Lynley and Havers and so much more. No spoilers.
Cons: I confess to disliking the vulgarity, promiscuity and language presented as every-day youthful behavior. I would advise hand sanitizer for anyone visiting pubs in these environs.
Deranged parenting, promiscuous youngsters prone to binge drinking, families in crisis, drug and alcohol abuse at many levels, plots against Lynley and Havers and so much more. No spoilers.
Cons: I confess to disliking the vulgarity, promiscuity and language presented as every-day youthful behavior. I would advise hand sanitizer for anyone visiting pubs in these environs.
May 12, 2019
enjoyed this book in the town I did my Alevels Ludlow but however felt it could of been shorter though but overall liked it so many twists
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