#1 New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth George delivers an explosive, “absolutely riveting” novel (Entertainment Weekly) that delves into the events leading up to the shocking murder of Inspector Lynley’s wife. The brutal, inexplicable death of Inspector Thomas Lynley’s wife, Helen, has left Scotland Yard shocked and searching for answers. Even more horrifying is that the trigger was … for answers. Even more horrifying is that the trigger was apparently pulled by a twelve-year-old boy.
That story begins on the other side of London in rough North Kensington, where the three, mixed-race, virtually orphaned Campbell children are bounced first from their grandmother to their aunt. The oldest, fifteen-year-old Ness, is headed for trouble as fast as her high-heeled boots will take her. That leaves the middle child, Joel, to care for the youngest, Toby. No one wants to put it into words, but something clearly isn’t right with Toby.
Before long, there are signs that Joel himself has problems. A local gang starts harassing him and threatening his brother. To protect his family, Joel ends up making a pact with the devil—a move that leads straight to the front doorstep of Thomas Lynley.
The anatomy of a murder, the story of a family in crisis, What Came Before He Shot Her is a powerful and emotional novel, full of deep psychological insights, that only the incomparable Elizabeth George could write.
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I have all of Elizabeth George ‘s books in hardcover because she is a terrific writer. I learn so much about life and people strange habits and their audacity to hurt without a care. It just proves that 10% of the population are sycophants. George’s characters are from one dimensional to several. She keeps you in the story as if you were a part …
This entire series is excellent!
George is flawless as usual!
I could not get into this and had to forcemyself to finish.
Love Elizabeth George’s books!
Not at all what I had hoped for.
As always Elizabeth George delivers a thriller with familiar characters and consequently a well written story that had to be told!
Heartbreaking story of a struggling family in England
didn’t enjoy it
Didn’t like the way it ended. Left me shocked.
In my opinion Elizabeth George can not write a bad book, but many readers didn’t care for this off-shoot of the Lynley series. It explores the experience of disadvantaged children in London and gives background on what happened in the prior novel in the series, “With No One as Witness”. Many fans of the series were not happy with this one, but …
This author always keeps me in suspense until the very end.
Love the characters in Elizabeth George’s books.
E. George’s usual well written prose but a bit too long and sad ending.
I found this hard to read and depressing. Kept wanting to put it down, but I couldn’t. And when I reached the end chapters, I was glad I had not. It’s a piece that otherwise is missing from the series, and I’m glad to fill in the emptiness.
If you had read With No One as Witness about Inspector Lynley’s wife being shot down in front of their home, this will add depth and texture to back story of that apparently motiveless crime. Elizabeth George exposes poverty, abandonment and isolating struggles of a fractured, dysfunctional family that spirals to destruction without intent and …
I liked nothing about the book. I read it for a book club which is the only reason I didn’t throw it against the wall after 5 or so chapters. Our club has read another of her books in recent years and I refuse to read anything else by her.
Just too dark, too evil, and too long.
George’s writing is smart and her storylines are compelling.
I enjoy all her Books!
The story took us into a world few understand but that world is all around us. So easy to think the solutions to gangs are easy, but this book brought a tragic understanding to people who have few if any choices.