With No One as Witness

Starred review from February 21, 2005
Acting Supt. Thomas Lynley and Det. Constable Barbara Havers face their most challenging and perilous case yet—the linked murders of four youths, three of black or mixed parentage—in bestseller George's absorbing 13th British police procedural (after 2003's A Place of Hiding
). Crime fans will find plenty of forensic minutiae and details of police bureaucracy and politics, but it's characterization at which George really excels. The up-and-down career of Havers is at low ebb following her demotion from sergeant to constable, and her rocky personal life doesn't make that easier to bear. Lynley's professional life has become more difficult due to the continued absence of Supt. Malcolm Webberly and the need to deal directly with Asst. Commissioner David Hillier. The tension builds as the brutal serial killings continue and the pressure to solve them mounts. George expertly uses every device in the book from red herrings to blind alleys, from subtle twists to swift shocks. This is an outstanding and explosive addition to a popular series. Agent, Robert Gottlieb. 9-city author tour.

After a couple of weak books, Elizabeth George is back on track with this absorbing addition to her series about Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and his longtime partner, Barbara Havers. The strength of the book, focusing on the serial murders of young boys, gives the always excellent Donada Peters scope to offer an even better performance than usual. Peters gives everyone from Lynley to a passing Rastafarian a unique, believable voice that radiates emotion without being overdrawn. She also excels at the basics of the craft of narration that are so important--perfect pronunciation, intimate knowledge of the material, and superb pacing. The listener is never at a loss, and is always, in fact, glued to the earphones. A.C.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine