A Banquet of Consequences

John Lee's narration and portrayals of the Scotland Yard trio Thomas Lynley, Barbara Havers, and Winston Nkata perfectly exploit their diverse social status and complementary investigative techniques--from Nkata's keyboard wizardry and Havers's elbow-in-the-window style to Lynley's aristocratic, seductive charm and keen intellect. Far more challenging in this twisted psychological thriller is maintaining suspense while family secrets cloak the truth behind a suicide and a murder. Lee vividly enacts the anguish of a young man's Tourette syndrome, his brother's grief and bewilderment, and the evolving evil nature of a supposedly loving mother. Sparks of humor highlight this dark story. Lee delights in sharing Inspector Lynley's infatuation with a zoo vet whose hobby is roller derby, and Havers is lured into a makeover--with little success. D.P.D. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

August 10, 2015
A threatened transfer to the north of England subdues Det. Sgt. Barbara Havers of London’s Metropolitan Police in bestseller George’s uneven 19th Lynley novel (after 2013’s Just One Evil Act). Barbara’s investigation of the murder of feminist writer Clare Abbott leads her to the writer’s personal assistant, Caroline Goldacre, a middle-aged busybody who verbally abused and threatened Clare. The author sensitively depicts Det. Insp. Thomas Lynley, Barbara’s partner, as he puts his own job on the line to help her. Barbara’s secretary’s efforts to send her
on dates provide some comic relief. Unfortunately, the novel becomes bogged down exploring Caroline’s extensive family problems—divorce, adultery, child abuse, marital squabbles—to the point where readers may begin to worry they have stumbled by mistake into a sprawling family saga. Both the detectives and the mystery recede into the background in an entry that may try the patience of even the most dedicated series fans. Six-city author tour. Agent: Robert Gottlieb, Trident Media Group.