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 … 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.
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I think the author has los track of her characters.
This is an excellent continuation of the Inspector Lynley series. Barbara Havers is as exasperating as usual, but there are some surprises from her and from her superiors.. I love the way Inspector Lynley respects her judgment.
Elizabeth George is one of my favorite authors because she has created a kind of universe that I want to live in. Since Barbara Havers is my favorite of her many wonderful characters, The Punishment She Deserves more than satisfied my need. I don’t remember any of her other books having this much humor, but the scenes involving tap dancing were priceless. The mystery itself was not predictable, which gave Lynley as much to do as Barbara. Thoroughly satisfying as a stand alone or part of a series.
Elizabeth George is always a good read. But I have little patience with the antics of Sgt. Haver.
It’s an Elizabeth George ‘Inspector Lynley’ mystery. As always, George writes a great who-done-it couched in great police procedural stories with great characters, thought-provoking scenarios, and challenging societal observations all the while educating me on the great English language.
I love the interaction between Havers and Lynley. Elizabeth George writes stories that I can get lost in every time.
I enjoy the inspector Linley novels, however, this one started slow and was a bit long.
Many back stories and added characters which increased the time to pull the mystery together for a solution.
What a wonderful writer.
I love Elizabeth George. I always find her characters well rounded, her story well designed and always keeps me interested. There are a lot of characters in this story and they were presented separately, so at first it took me a while to get the people lined up. But, as always with her books, I became totally involved with the story and couldn’t begin to predict the ending.
Havers and Linley working together, bouncing their thoughts and speculations off each other, with contrasting personalities and methods….
can be counted on to intrigue. This book could have been edited down – it’s unnecessary long.
But these two have been my friends for a quite some time.
Loved this read. The characters are great. I wait for the next book by the time I finish the one I am reading. Good reads every one.
Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley and Barbara are continuing characters, who come at solving crime from totally different perspectives. Their relationship always makes for interesting reading, and the suspense of the particular crime being investigated keeps me reading until the end.
Love the way the author keeps your interest throughout the book!
Not as good as some of her others
Laborious
Portions of the book was boring because of unnecessary (too much) details that really didn’t improve the story line, otherwise, it was an enjoyable read.
I am a big fan of Elizabeth George. This is her best yet. I would give six stars if possible. Her characters are astounding. It is particularly fun to watch the evolution of Barbara Havers over the course of the novels.
I listened to it and loved it
Elizabeth George always creates a layered, multi-thread plot. Wonderful flawed characters.