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Inspector Lynley #12
Agguato sull'isola
An isolated beach on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel is the scene of the murder of Guy Brouard, one of Guernsey's wealthiest inhabitants and its main benefactor. Forced as a child to flee the Nazis in Paris, Brouard was engaged in his latest project when he died: a museum in honor of those who resisted the German occupation of the island during World War II.
It is from this period of time that his murderer may well have come. But there are others on Guernsey with reason to want Guy Brouard dead: his wives, his business associates, his current mistress, the underprivileged teenagers he mentored--any of whom might have harbored a secret motive for murder. As family and friends gather for the reading of the will, Deborah and Simon St. James find that seemingly everyone on the history-haunted island has something to hide. And behind all the lies and alibis, a killer is lurking. In order to bring this person to justice, the St. James must delve into Guernsey's dark history--both past and present--and into the troubled psyche of someone who may have exacted retribution for the most unspeakable crime of all.
In A Place of Hiding, bestselling novelist Elizabeth George marks new territory in the darker landscapes of human relationships. She tells a gripping, suspenseful story of betrayal and devotion, war and remembrance, love and loss...and the higher truths to which we must all ultimately answer.
It is from this period of time that his murderer may well have come. But there are others on Guernsey with reason to want Guy Brouard dead: his wives, his business associates, his current mistress, the underprivileged teenagers he mentored--any of whom might have harbored a secret motive for murder. As family and friends gather for the reading of the will, Deborah and Simon St. James find that seemingly everyone on the history-haunted island has something to hide. And behind all the lies and alibis, a killer is lurking. In order to bring this person to justice, the St. James must delve into Guernsey's dark history--both past and present--and into the troubled psyche of someone who may have exacted retribution for the most unspeakable crime of all.
In A Place of Hiding, bestselling novelist Elizabeth George marks new territory in the darker landscapes of human relationships. She tells a gripping, suspenseful story of betrayal and devotion, war and remembrance, love and loss...and the higher truths to which we must all ultimately answer.
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First published January 1, 2003
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About the author
Elizabeth George
102 books5,495 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 666 reviews
March 8, 2022
"I really missed Lynley & Havers in this part. The story itself was good but a little bit too long"
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November 2, 2018
A great sleuthing experience. My second Elizabeth George murder mystery and just as enjoyable as the first. Quality writing. Great plot.
October 17, 2012
Sadsack ginger Deborah St. James and her maimed, domineering husband Simon enjoy madcap adventures and rekindle old friendships on the island of Guernsey as they try to figure out who stuffed a rock down an elderly Jew's throat after his morning swim. I wish I could say this one had a happy ending, but both St. Jameses were still alive and resolved to work on their marriage as the curtains drew closed.
Note: This is not the one where Tommy Lynley impregnates Barbara. Barbara isn't even in this one, and Tommy only has the tiniest cameo. Booo!
Note: This is not the one where Tommy Lynley impregnates Barbara. Barbara isn't even in this one, and Tommy only has the tiniest cameo. Booo!
March 25, 2011
In order to read a George novel you have to clear the deck. Her dense prose and rich characters mean you need a supreme effort to gear up for each book, and then she spins a tale in which gradually each suspect is shown not to be the killer, while at the same time showing that each was hiding something. But sometimes that many characters, that many hidden things, that many red herrings are just too much. I suffocated on her red herrings.
January 24, 2020
Can you call it an Inspector Lynley novel when he is barely in it? I think he has three lines. Maybe four. Following Deborah and Simon was painful. Also Deborah is just the worst. I got nothing anymore on her. I swear George must take pleasure of having her being okay in the first couple of books to turning her into a selfish brat. I don't get why anyone wants to deal with her.
"A Place of Hiding" follows Deborah who is reeling for a less than fantastic photography exhibit. She rails on Simon cause of course. Then a knock at the door brings an old friend from her time in California, Cherokee River. Cherokee has come to ask for help since his sister, China, River has been accused of murdering a wealthy elderly man, Guy Brouard. Cherokee came into contact with Guy when he was asked to deliver a package with the request that two people bring it. Cherokee cannot understand why anyone thinks that his sister did the murder since she has no reason to since she just met Guy a few weeks back.
Deborah being the worst, wants to go and investigate even though the local Guernsey police are dealing with it. Simon goes along to help and the two of them are doing their own unofficial investigation. Deborah doesn't listen and wants to show Simon she's not a child (really girl? really?) and then goes off and makes matters worse it seems as the book goes on. Deborah starts to see how China and even Cherokee view her and starts to wonder about her friendships with the two of them.
Simon is Simon, focusing on the evidence and being logically and also rightfully angry at Deborah because of some of the actions she took.
There is a cast of thousands in this book. It was hard to track everyone. Let's just say everyone had a motive to kill Guy and he sucked. I won't reveal who the killer was and why, but I have to say it was an awesome reveal and I loved what it meant.
The writing is just jumbled in this one. So was the flow. I gave up trying to keep certain people straight and started skimming in some parts.
That said, the ending once again seemed a bit flat. I wish it had ended on Simon and Deborah and not a secondary character who I forgot was in the book at that point.
"A Place of Hiding" follows Deborah who is reeling for a less than fantastic photography exhibit. She rails on Simon cause of course. Then a knock at the door brings an old friend from her time in California, Cherokee River. Cherokee has come to ask for help since his sister, China, River has been accused of murdering a wealthy elderly man, Guy Brouard. Cherokee came into contact with Guy when he was asked to deliver a package with the request that two people bring it. Cherokee cannot understand why anyone thinks that his sister did the murder since she has no reason to since she just met Guy a few weeks back.
Deborah being the worst, wants to go and investigate even though the local Guernsey police are dealing with it. Simon goes along to help and the two of them are doing their own unofficial investigation. Deborah doesn't listen and wants to show Simon she's not a child (really girl? really?) and then goes off and makes matters worse it seems as the book goes on. Deborah starts to see how China and even Cherokee view her and starts to wonder about her friendships with the two of them.
Simon is Simon, focusing on the evidence and being logically and also rightfully angry at Deborah because of some of the actions she took.
There is a cast of thousands in this book. It was hard to track everyone. Let's just say everyone had a motive to kill Guy and he sucked. I won't reveal who the killer was and why, but I have to say it was an awesome reveal and I loved what it meant.
The writing is just jumbled in this one. So was the flow. I gave up trying to keep certain people straight and started skimming in some parts.
That said, the ending once again seemed a bit flat. I wish it had ended on Simon and Deborah and not a secondary character who I forgot was in the book at that point.
November 16, 2018
Not a Lynley/Havers. It’s Simon and Deborah who is insufferable from start to finish. Very convoluted plot. The other characters are painful to watch either because they are so dreadful themselves or because they’re nice but other people are treating them so badly. Altogether not an enjoyable read.
April 25, 2017
This one left me a bit cold, but I think I was just not in the mood for George's particular brand of miserable and/or despicable characters. Plus I missed Lynley and Havers - this book focuses on St. James and Deborah, who are trying to solve a murder mystery on the Channel Island of Guernsey.
The island setting was nice, and so was the little dose of WWII history. The murder mystery itself was so-so, obfuscated by George's typically bizarre characterizations. I like St. James, but this constant bickering with Deborah ("Don't treat me like a child!" - "Stop acting like a child!") is getting on my nerves.
The island setting was nice, and so was the little dose of WWII history. The murder mystery itself was so-so, obfuscated by George's typically bizarre characterizations. I like St. James, but this constant bickering with Deborah ("Don't treat me like a child!" - "Stop acting like a child!") is getting on my nerves.
January 10, 2024
My first (and last) Elizabeth George book. Well crafted whodunnit but overly wordy and obviously written by someone not really familiar with British culture, let alone the Channel Islands.
October 31, 2019
I hate Deborah so much. She is horrible and ruined this book for me. I swear Elizabeth George sets out to make me hate a different main character every book. This time it’s Deborah, seriously, she’s the worst.
February 21, 2009
Elizabeth George has been one of my favorite mystery writers since I read her first book. The thing I like best is her ability to create several related strands of plot and, by the end of the book, weave them together into a coherent whole. Often each strand affords Ms. George an opportunity to examine a different aspect of whatever she has chosen for her theme, aside from the murder. It gives her mysteries a depth and complexity that most murder mysteries don't possess. In this book, Ms. George has chosen to examine familial relationships; particularly sibling relationships. And she does it well. I enjoyed this book slightly less than most of her others because I found myself becoming really annoyed with the two protagonists, Simon and Deborah. Unfortunately, I became really annoyed really early in the book. For one thing, the dialog between them doesn't ring true. For another, they're both so extremely prickly and tightly wound that they tiptoe around each other all of the time. I found myself wondering what they are doing together since they never seem to relax and enjoy themselves. Enough venting about that. On the whole, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to my friends (with the above-mentioned reservations.)
January 10, 2016
Simon St. James is a bit anxious about his wife, Deborah. Deborah is extremely upset. Her old friend, China River, is in trouble and being held by the police on the Island of Guernsey in the English Channel. Now, Cherokee River, her brother, is in London suddenly in their home pleading with Deborah and Simon to help China. He has already tried the American Embassy, but they are limited in what assistance they can offer.
Deborah becomes as desperate as Cherokee, thus Simon’s worry. He has more of a scientific mind than Deborah, a photographer, and he knows it is better to not jump to conclusions or judge until all of the facts are known. However, Deborah remembers how China helped her years ago, when Deb was desperate, pregnant and confused about Thomas Lynley, her boyfriend back in the day, before she realized it was Simon she loved and wanted to marry. China stood by her when Deborah fled to California to think, and get an abortion, and they are still close friends. So in learning that China is being held by the police on Guernsey on suspicion of murdering an extremely wealthy 70-year-old, Guy Brouard, with a reputation of womanizing, Deborah can barely wait a minute before she is packing. Simon tries to reason with her, but in the end, they all soon are on Guernsey.
Oh oh. Deborah and Cherokee are right to be worried. As Simon and Deborah investigate, it becomes apparent the evidence against China is strong. Simon continues to maintain a stance of taking no sides, but Deborah’s faith in her friend remains. Soon Simon and Deborah are squabbling because as Deborah points out, there are obviously at least 5 other people who had reason to kill Guy, and Simon’s calm demeanor is driving her insane. They separate to conduct different investigations, following up on clues along different lines.
Soon everybody is upset, particularly Guy’s first ex-wife (Guy has three) who has flown in to find out about Guy’s will, Guy’s employees and adult children who are expecting to receive some money, and a number of business associates to whom Guy had made many promises to support financially in the building of a war museum. Guy’s sister, Ruth, is very helpful, but she is dying of cancer. She knows where all of Guy’s money is supposed to be, but after a discussion with accountants, maybe not. Adding fuel to the fires, a black-cloaked wraith is floating about whenever mayhem breaks out.
Deborah and Simon had better get to the bottom of this mystery before someone else dies…oooops.
‘A Place of Hiding’ is book 12 in the series. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, one of the pleasures of this series is the continuing soap opera between Deborah and Simon, and Inspector Lynley’s family and friends. None of that drama is much explored in this book, though.
Deborah becomes as desperate as Cherokee, thus Simon’s worry. He has more of a scientific mind than Deborah, a photographer, and he knows it is better to not jump to conclusions or judge until all of the facts are known. However, Deborah remembers how China helped her years ago, when Deb was desperate, pregnant and confused about Thomas Lynley, her boyfriend back in the day, before she realized it was Simon she loved and wanted to marry. China stood by her when Deborah fled to California to think, and get an abortion, and they are still close friends. So in learning that China is being held by the police on Guernsey on suspicion of murdering an extremely wealthy 70-year-old, Guy Brouard, with a reputation of womanizing, Deborah can barely wait a minute before she is packing. Simon tries to reason with her, but in the end, they all soon are on Guernsey.
Oh oh. Deborah and Cherokee are right to be worried. As Simon and Deborah investigate, it becomes apparent the evidence against China is strong. Simon continues to maintain a stance of taking no sides, but Deborah’s faith in her friend remains. Soon Simon and Deborah are squabbling because as Deborah points out, there are obviously at least 5 other people who had reason to kill Guy, and Simon’s calm demeanor is driving her insane. They separate to conduct different investigations, following up on clues along different lines.
Soon everybody is upset, particularly Guy’s first ex-wife (Guy has three) who has flown in to find out about Guy’s will, Guy’s employees and adult children who are expecting to receive some money, and a number of business associates to whom Guy had made many promises to support financially in the building of a war museum. Guy’s sister, Ruth, is very helpful, but she is dying of cancer. She knows where all of Guy’s money is supposed to be, but after a discussion with accountants, maybe not. Adding fuel to the fires, a black-cloaked wraith is floating about whenever mayhem breaks out.
Deborah and Simon had better get to the bottom of this mystery before someone else dies…oooops.
‘A Place of Hiding’ is book 12 in the series. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, one of the pleasures of this series is the continuing soap opera between Deborah and Simon, and Inspector Lynley’s family and friends. None of that drama is much explored in this book, though.
September 26, 2022
Around the World of Crime and Mystery
There is a lot going on here. (800 plus pages!)
Cast - 2 stars: No Havers. Guy Brouard is fascinating: he strings along at least three women and maybe that's why he realizes he doesn't want to bother with his dying sister (who has the big family money). China (photographer, friend of Deb St James) and brother Cherokee, both from Southern California, feel like cliched people to me. Frank and his father, Graham, have war memorabilia (with secrets?) that are to go into a museum. The cast of Guernsey Island locals complete the cast. But with 25+ characters, I had to list then diagram relationships. And the way the St James couple is drawn in feels weird/wrong/'how so very convenient'.
Atmosphere - 5 stars: George takes us somewhere I've never been: an English Channel island. This 'place' feels authentically rendered. And I love when a story just HAS to be at a specific location to work.
Crime (s)- 5: A very brutal but original murder. (It's shockingly portrayed by Annie Wilkes in the recent TV series, "Castle Rock".) Is there embezzlement? Is a certain will completely fake? What crimes will be revealed if museum opens? AND mainly: WHO in Guernsey betrayed everyone to really awful people?
Investigation - 4: Who drew the blueprints for the museum? Architect 1, or 2, or...if these prints don't represent a museum, what are they anyway? And WHO mailed them from the USA? Beware, George lays red herrings everywhere! But I missed Havers.
Resolution - 1 star: I didn't believe it, things feel so wrong. I have too many unresolved questions. It's like George left her options open for too long. (Darn all those post-it notes dropping from walls, thus plot lines disappear. )
Summary - 3.4. For the most part, I enjoyed the ride. Until the last 25 pages or so.
There is a lot going on here. (800 plus pages!)
Cast - 2 stars: No Havers. Guy Brouard is fascinating: he strings along at least three women and maybe that's why he realizes he doesn't want to bother with his dying sister (who has the big family money). China (photographer, friend of Deb St James) and brother Cherokee, both from Southern California, feel like cliched people to me. Frank and his father, Graham, have war memorabilia (with secrets?) that are to go into a museum. The cast of Guernsey Island locals complete the cast. But with 25+ characters, I had to list then diagram relationships. And the way the St James couple is drawn in feels weird/wrong/'how so very convenient'.
Atmosphere - 5 stars: George takes us somewhere I've never been: an English Channel island. This 'place' feels authentically rendered. And I love when a story just HAS to be at a specific location to work.
Crime (s)- 5: A very brutal but original murder. (It's shockingly portrayed by Annie Wilkes in the recent TV series, "Castle Rock".) Is there embezzlement? Is a certain will completely fake? What crimes will be revealed if museum opens? AND mainly: WHO in Guernsey betrayed everyone to really awful people?
Investigation - 4: Who drew the blueprints for the museum? Architect 1, or 2, or...if these prints don't represent a museum, what are they anyway? And WHO mailed them from the USA? Beware, George lays red herrings everywhere! But I missed Havers.
Resolution - 1 star: I didn't believe it, things feel so wrong. I have too many unresolved questions. It's like George left her options open for too long. (Darn all those post-it notes dropping from walls, thus plot lines disappear. )
Summary - 3.4. For the most part, I enjoyed the ride. Until the last 25 pages or so.
December 21, 2012
The most likeable character is a kid who can't speak. Too much confusion and too many shallow characters. Kept grabbing Inspector Linley for a paragraph or too, just to say, "I can write good crime novels but didn't want to this time." Hiding what? The plot? Even the stolen thing could have been reclaimed with a little legal help.
August 26, 2022
While there were parts of this book that were well written and engaging the overall experience was hovering at 2.5 stars and the last few chapters took it to 1*. I mostly loved the earlier books but this one is beyond the pale and I won't be reading any further ones in this series. In an effort to keep me from rethinking that decision I am writing down all the reasons I hated this book which obviously requires full spoilers:
September 6, 2022
A murder in Guernsey and the arrest of American China River brings her old friend Deborah and her husband Simon St. James over from England to help her. There are plenty of suspects and lots of motives with plenty of twists and turns. The weakness in the book is the whinny, spoiled Deborah and her self involved husband as well as their dysfunctional marriage. Miss Inspector Lyndey and Sergeant Havers.
September 15, 2023
Not a lot of payout for such a long book. The mystery wasn't interesting and the main crux of it wasn't introduced until 3/4 of the way through. But by far the biggest issue with the book was no Barbara Havers and very very little Lynley and Helen. I hope the next book is a bit shorter and with more of a true mystery.
December 22, 2019
hmmm. yeah. so... this one strained credulity just a bit too much. a lot too much.
this one has lynley making only the briefest of appearances. barbara is not in this one at all, nor is helen. this one mostly focuses on deborah, and the three years time from her past, which she spent in california. her best friend from that time - china rivers (yes. that's her name!) - gets herself into a pickle on the isle of guernsey. china's brother, cherokee rivers (!!), travels to london seeking help from deborah. simon and deborah then leave for guernsey with cherokee, hoping to be helpful.
the mystery that unfolds, as is the norm for george, is multi-pronged, overly peopled with messy relationships, and nothing is straightforward. every character is hiding something which may or may not be related to the crime being investigated. and, as with the past couple of instalments in this series, some of the threads of the story are left unsatisfyingly dangling by the end.
this one was a bit of a slog, and i found myself getting irritated by some of the characters: deborah, china, simon; guy was a total pig. i don't care about likability of characters while reading, but i do care about whether a character is redeemable, or unrepentant. if the former, a growth or awakening should happen. if the latter, that can be played up to the nines by an author. so i guess i feel a bit like george missed an opportunity. much of the tone set by the characters was one of whiney complaint. with lots of shouting. save for ruth. who i adored and would absolutely read a novel in which she was the main character!
and so as to not be totally down on the book, george's writing continues to be strong. i enjoyed the setting and the history of guernsey that george included in her story, and it is clear george takes her research seriously.
i am hoping the next in the series brings us back to lynley and havers again, as this one just didn't work for me. it just felt like everything was flailing about.
this one has lynley making only the briefest of appearances. barbara is not in this one at all, nor is helen. this one mostly focuses on deborah, and the three years time from her past, which she spent in california. her best friend from that time - china rivers (yes. that's her name!) - gets herself into a pickle on the isle of guernsey. china's brother, cherokee rivers (!!), travels to london seeking help from deborah. simon and deborah then leave for guernsey with cherokee, hoping to be helpful.
the mystery that unfolds, as is the norm for george, is multi-pronged, overly peopled with messy relationships, and nothing is straightforward. every character is hiding something which may or may not be related to the crime being investigated. and, as with the past couple of instalments in this series, some of the threads of the story are left unsatisfyingly dangling by the end.
this one was a bit of a slog, and i found myself getting irritated by some of the characters: deborah, china, simon; guy was a total pig. i don't care about likability of characters while reading, but i do care about whether a character is redeemable, or unrepentant. if the former, a growth or awakening should happen. if the latter, that can be played up to the nines by an author. so i guess i feel a bit like george missed an opportunity. much of the tone set by the characters was one of whiney complaint. with lots of shouting. save for ruth. who i adored and would absolutely read a novel in which she was the main character!
and so as to not be totally down on the book, george's writing continues to be strong. i enjoyed the setting and the history of guernsey that george included in her story, and it is clear george takes her research seriously.
i am hoping the next in the series brings us back to lynley and havers again, as this one just didn't work for me. it just felt like everything was flailing about.
December 22, 2009
As I began reading a Place of Hiding, I realized that I’d read the book a few years before. Knowing who did the crime gave me the chance to explore the story in ways other than as an armchair Sherlock. I was not disappointed. As much as I remember appreciating the book the first time through, I don’t think it compares with my appreciation for the book this time through.
The first time through, I only noted the wonderful depictions of some of the minor and even major characters and their relationships with each other.
First, there are Deborah and Simon St. James, sometimes-minor characters in Ms. George’s Inspector Lynley Series. This time out, they are in the center of the action, trying to find out the truth about the death of Guy Brouard and at the same time, trying to adapt to each other’s insecurities in their relationship.
There are five or six explorations of the relationships between parents and children and brothers and sisters. There are explorations of that ephemeral thing call “friendship.”
Some of the more fascinating characters are Frank Ouseley and his goal driven father, Graham.
Margaret Chamberlain, long divorced wife of the victim and their son Adrian Brouard are locked in an odd battle where she seems more concerned about his inheritance rights than she does.
China and Cherokee Rivers, American and half-siblings caught in a web of murder and intrigue.
There is, too, the question of what is the exact nature of the relationship between Guy Brouard and teenager, Paul Fielder and why the museum that had been promised to be built to commemorate the victims of the War on the island is suddenly endangered.
What part does Ruth Brouard, the sister dying of cancer play in the estate left by Guy?
Woven in among all these are other dreams and relationships shattered by Guy’s death.
Ah, but the second tasting of the book is even more delectable than the first.
The first time through, I only noted the wonderful depictions of some of the minor and even major characters and their relationships with each other.
First, there are Deborah and Simon St. James, sometimes-minor characters in Ms. George’s Inspector Lynley Series. This time out, they are in the center of the action, trying to find out the truth about the death of Guy Brouard and at the same time, trying to adapt to each other’s insecurities in their relationship.
There are five or six explorations of the relationships between parents and children and brothers and sisters. There are explorations of that ephemeral thing call “friendship.”
Some of the more fascinating characters are Frank Ouseley and his goal driven father, Graham.
Margaret Chamberlain, long divorced wife of the victim and their son Adrian Brouard are locked in an odd battle where she seems more concerned about his inheritance rights than she does.
China and Cherokee Rivers, American and half-siblings caught in a web of murder and intrigue.
There is, too, the question of what is the exact nature of the relationship between Guy Brouard and teenager, Paul Fielder and why the museum that had been promised to be built to commemorate the victims of the War on the island is suddenly endangered.
What part does Ruth Brouard, the sister dying of cancer play in the estate left by Guy?
Woven in among all these are other dreams and relationships shattered by Guy’s death.
Ah, but the second tasting of the book is even more delectable than the first.
March 13, 2015
This novel in the Lynley/Havers series focuses on Simon and Deborah St. James, who are called to the island of Guernsey when an old friend of Deborah's is arrested for murder. The book contains George's usual felicity with characterization, red herrings, description, and plot--I didn't guess whodunit until the person was revealed, which is a fine accomplishment. And, oh blessed day, we get to page 300+ before there's any gratuitous sleaze, and that is short-lived, and there's not any more. I realize that there are going to be offensive things about 20th-century police investigations, but it was wonderful to get George's formidable talent without much unfortunate language and without the unnecessarily graphic stuff--except in the one brief instance. Deborah seemed to me to be taking everything Simon said and did in the worst possible way, which is not a good strategy for happy marriage, and I don't think he deserved that treatment--but the author gives us enough about the issues she may be working through to make her childishness tip the balance slightly toward credible and away from contrived (as a plot device). There are some wonderful characters here--I hope I never forget Margaret Chamberlain, for one. The information about Guernsey, its history, and its inhabitants may be of interest to fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, although this is a very different book in tone and approach. Certainly the inhabitants of the Channel Islands endured a great deal while occupied by the Nazis during World War II, and their history is not told as completely as that of other aspects of the war, so this adds a little more--but the mystery is the centerpiece. Well done.
October 9, 2012
I love Elizabeth George and have loved all of her books to date. This one however, was just lacking in something that I could not put my finger one and I was not feeling the love right from the start. This book was just about good enough to stay with, so I plodded through it, just as Ms. George seems to have plodded through with the plot. Sometimes however, it felt like that plot was a heavy as dough. The story did not feature Linley or Havers, but instead featured Simon and Deborah St.James. Deborah is visited by the brother of her old friend from the U.S., China Rivers, who is trying to get help for his sister, currently under arrest in Guernsey, for murder. Deborah and Simon accompany him (Cherokee) to Guernsey, to try and help China and get to the bottom of what has led to her arrest. Now at the best of times, I find it hard to like Deborah St. James and this book did nothing to change my opinion of her. There was however, a surprise twist to the story, thank the lord, that made it worthwhile, but in the end, it was not altogether plausible. Still, I am glad I stayed with it to the end. Sometimes, an author with such a large volume of books under her belt, can get a little jaded and sag a bit, so I can only hope that Ms. George took a well deserved break after writing this one and recharged her batteries sufficiently to get back to her best. Starting the next one in the morning, fingers crossed it's better than this one.
April 1, 2018
Huge Disappointment
I'd not recommend this book to anyone- I'd certainly tell them not to waste the money on it. I've never been so disappointed in any of George's other Lynley books, but this book was solely about the St. James. It progresses so slowly that it was boring & tedious to get through. The plot drags on, over many characters and finally gets good at last 20 pages. By then, you're just glad to be finished the book. I'd have given it 1 star, but admit it is well written, but it would be as she is an excellent writer. I'll look for another one of her books, but none over $10. & I'll be sure to check reviews before getting one. What a shame a story with so much potential couldn't have been done better. To end, don't waste your time or money.
I'd not recommend this book to anyone- I'd certainly tell them not to waste the money on it. I've never been so disappointed in any of George's other Lynley books, but this book was solely about the St. James. It progresses so slowly that it was boring & tedious to get through. The plot drags on, over many characters and finally gets good at last 20 pages. By then, you're just glad to be finished the book. I'd have given it 1 star, but admit it is well written, but it would be as she is an excellent writer. I'll look for another one of her books, but none over $10. & I'll be sure to check reviews before getting one. What a shame a story with so much potential couldn't have been done better. To end, don't waste your time or money.
November 23, 2012
Deborah's American friend China Rivers has been arrested on the island of Guernsey for the murder of a prominent wealthy citizen. China's brother Cherokee appears on the St.James's doorstep asking for Deborah's help. With a great deal of reluctance, Simon accompanies his wife to Guernsey to investigate. This is a complicated mystery involving a WWII museum, a missing painting, and a will, the contents of which leave everyone baffled and upset. I really miss Lynley and Havers, and I am a bit tired of the Deborah/Simon set of insecurities. It was a good story, but it's not the best in the series.
January 5, 2016
Even though this is not a Lynley/Havers book, I read it because of George's ability to create characters and subplots. All the characters except the main characters ring true and were developed well. Cherokee and China, though, didn't garner my sympathy, and St. James and Deborah need to grow as a married couple and as individuals. I wanted to see Deborah stop throwing tantrums.
I did, however, learn from her how to structure plot. Because I didn't focus on the main characters like I do when Lynley and Havers are around, I was able to watch how George develops her stories and uses them to advance or subvert the main plot line. George is brilliant in how she brings it together
I did, however, learn from her how to structure plot. Because I didn't focus on the main characters like I do when Lynley and Havers are around, I was able to watch how George develops her stories and uses them to advance or subvert the main plot line. George is brilliant in how she brings it together
November 19, 2020
This was a rather peculiar story. And no Havers, very little Lynley but a whole big bunch of Deborah and St James, so be prepared for that. But it was entertaining. As that's what I'm reading them for, pure entertainment, I promised myself I wouldn't nitpick.
March 26, 2010
Another book on tape . . .(I'm quilting) It was only just barely better than listening to nothing at all.
May 30, 2022
Anything by Elizabeth George is worth reading, devoured for its brilliant writing. This one is worthy but hasn’t enough of Linley or Havers. Still, I couldn’t put it down.
September 14, 2022
I thought this mystery was a bit too...dense, I guess. Also, I thought the "whos" and "whys" were dissatisfying and not really plausible.
August 13, 2025
Soup is not randomly stirred. Flavours need to blend, tasty and nutritious. Ideas need the soul of excellent storytelling and reaching compelling destinations. Dropped, unrealistic, untied threads are as pointless as a cord that does not plug in. Readers are moved by simple plots that fit well; not a mess of activity.
I always criticized Elizabeth George for taking one-hundred pages to sketch situations and establish a few characters. I never want backstories of neighbours or witnesses. I want all but the main couple of protagonists to say their piece and go. Most of the time, an impressively well threaded resolution rewards this patience. “A Place Of Hiding” 2003, did not. Three stars are the best I can give it.
It has nothing to do with giving the helm to Simon & Deborah St. James. Changes are refreshing. Simon is an intelligent sweetheart, who seldom works with his wife. She is bitchy but deserved room to grow.
The woman they were helping is the friend Deborah stayed with decades ago in California. Her Brother is an unlikeable parasite and I don’t mind him getting a rude awakening to it. However, the seriousness of payback was too stretched to believe, as was the action of a man who hid war crimes, and his Son’s reaction to it.
This novel was outrageously packed with jealous women, jaded offspring, and the sorrows of half a town. A boy had an abusive Brother and poor Parents. A Father imprisoned a Daughter away from a boyfriend. None of those were the main guest characters!
Americans were accused of killing a millionaire, who escaped a war with his Sister. Dozens of red herrings turned out to be wasteful goose chases. Elizabeth has had five stars from me often. Alas, the thirteenth, subsequent novel was the worst.
I always criticized Elizabeth George for taking one-hundred pages to sketch situations and establish a few characters. I never want backstories of neighbours or witnesses. I want all but the main couple of protagonists to say their piece and go. Most of the time, an impressively well threaded resolution rewards this patience. “A Place Of Hiding” 2003, did not. Three stars are the best I can give it.
It has nothing to do with giving the helm to Simon & Deborah St. James. Changes are refreshing. Simon is an intelligent sweetheart, who seldom works with his wife. She is bitchy but deserved room to grow.
The woman they were helping is the friend Deborah stayed with decades ago in California. Her Brother is an unlikeable parasite and I don’t mind him getting a rude awakening to it. However, the seriousness of payback was too stretched to believe, as was the action of a man who hid war crimes, and his Son’s reaction to it.
This novel was outrageously packed with jealous women, jaded offspring, and the sorrows of half a town. A boy had an abusive Brother and poor Parents. A Father imprisoned a Daughter away from a boyfriend. None of those were the main guest characters!
Americans were accused of killing a millionaire, who escaped a war with his Sister. Dozens of red herrings turned out to be wasteful goose chases. Elizabeth has had five stars from me often. Alas, the thirteenth, subsequent novel was the worst.
May 11, 2013
This book gets off to a slow start. Part of this has to do with the difference between British and American English, both in terms of the names of things and in sentence structure. Our cars have hoods. Theirs have bonnets. Our streets have curbs. Theirs have kerbs. Our cities have jails. Theirs have gaols. Our kitchens might have a food warmer. Their kitchens have hobs. Our kitchens also have ranges. Theirs have cookers. There is also the English use of the tenses of the verb "do" that might seem odd to the American reader. In response to a question like, "Do you think he would have told someone?" This author would say, "He will have done." An American might respond with a simple "Yes," or "He will have," or "He will have done so." These little speed bumps appear throughout the book. They don't detract from the quality of the writing, or the story. They just slow down the American reader's absorption rate. Having said that, I have to say this is a very well written book. The physical description of Guernsey and its war-time history are woven into the story with skill. The characters are well developed through various expositions along the way. The plot is tangled enough to keep the mystery alive right to the end, but not so complicated as to put the reader off. As you get further into the story, it starts pulling you along at a faster rate. This is the work of a first rate author, and I can almost guarantee that you won't be able to predict the outcome.
June 23, 2020
Plot 4*, characters 3*, reality 2*.
I enjoyed the plot more on this one than some of the earlier novels. Although there were the usual cast of red-herring suspects, the story flowed better and I didn't have to keep going back to check who was who.
No police force in the world is going to let an independent amateur in to the degree that happened here. Even if St James is a well-known forensic expert, all of the liaison on this was on non-forensic evidence. Not to mention that his wife is good buddies with both the suspects. Just ludicrous.
St James & Deborah, hmmm. I didn't have the antibodies that some reviewers have overall, but I did find them very irritating. For a couple supposed to be so much in love, they seem to always be on edge with each other, and SO combative. The author did try to address this at the end, regarding the parent-child relationship that is clearly an issue. She is so spoilt and self-righteous, and he can be such a martinet yet so indecisive/evasive. The whole thing feels contrived.
Come back Lynley and Havers, we need you.
I enjoyed the plot more on this one than some of the earlier novels. Although there were the usual cast of red-herring suspects, the story flowed better and I didn't have to keep going back to check who was who.
No police force in the world is going to let an independent amateur in to the degree that happened here. Even if St James is a well-known forensic expert, all of the liaison on this was on non-forensic evidence. Not to mention that his wife is good buddies with both the suspects. Just ludicrous.
St James & Deborah, hmmm. I didn't have the antibodies that some reviewers have overall, but I did find them very irritating. For a couple supposed to be so much in love, they seem to always be on edge with each other, and SO combative. The author did try to address this at the end, regarding the parent-child relationship that is clearly an issue. She is so spoilt and self-righteous, and he can be such a martinet yet so indecisive/evasive. The whole thing feels contrived.
Come back Lynley and Havers, we need you.
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