This Body of Death audiobook

In this 16th book in the 'Inspector Lynley' series, Scotland Yard investigates two crimes: the murder of a toddler by three juvenile delinquents who are soon caught and the murder of a young woman in a London cemetery by an unknown assailant. The book can be read as a standalone but knowledge of the characters is a plus.*****Thomas LynleyDetective Inspector Thomas Lynley, still mourning a sad death, returns to Scotland Yard to help investigate the murder of a woman in a cemetery. His team is supervised by Acting Superintendent Isabelle Ardery, a divorced, pushy, alcoholic micromanager who is anxious to retain the job permanently. Towards this end Ardery makes Lynley, who is talented and popular, her partner in the investigation.Isabelle ArderyThe female victim is identified as Jemima Hastings, a young woman who suddenly left her home in New Forest in Hampshire, abandoning her cupcake bakery and her lover Gordon - who has since taken up with a new woman. Ardery and Lynley interview Jemima's London acquaintances, including her eccentric landlady, two handsome fellow lodgers, an ice-skating instructor, and a psychic. Meanwhile, other series regulars, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers and Detective Sergeant Winston Nkata, are dispatched to New Forest to conduct interviews with Jemima's former boyfriend Gordon and her brother Robbie.Barbara HaversWinston NkataTo add to the melee, Jemima's estranged ex-best friend Meredith, feeling guilty and sad, conducts her own investigation of the murder. Of course Ardery, desperate to close the case, is more anxious to pin the murder on somebody than to investigate properly, and in her haste causes embarrassment to the department and herself. Some of my favorite parts of the book occur when Barbara Havers, instructed to dress better by Ardery, is assisted in this endeavor by her nine-year-old neighbor Hadiyyah. These scenes are priceless, heart-warming and funny. George does a masterful job dispensing clues throughout the story and the ending is satisfying, a little surprising, and - in some ways -inevitable. I enjoyed the book.You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....

Mystery fans, rejoice! Elizabeth George has returned with a novel worthy of the Lynley moniker. Anyone following George's Inspector Lynley series will know that This Body of Death is the third novel following the murder of Inspector Thomas Lynley's beloved wife, Helen. (What Came Before He Shot Her is not really of the Lynley series, since the story is all about the events that led to a young boy shooting Helen Lynley, rather than a Lynley mystery per se.) The delicious Lynley grieved his way through Careless in Red, but I found something a bit off about that book. As Lynley's long-term partner, DS Barbara Havers implies, it was Lynley, but not really Lynley. The mystery plot behind Careless was not quite as compelling as previous novels in the series, but it did serve the purpose of moving the series forward following the death of a major character, the murder of the protagonist's wife. And so the series continues with This Body of Death, which I'm happy to say is classic George.George spends much of the first quarter of the novel developing the supporting characters. This got to be a tad bit tedious, but it was important to understanding the players and their subsequent actions. The murder-mystery plot begins to weave itself together from the various narrative threads about half-way through the novel, except for one particular thread about the arrest/trial of three young boys accused of murdering a toddler. This is the black thread in the white tapestry that you know is significant, but you don't really understand why until later in the book. The familiar characters of Nkata, Hillier, Havers, and the St. Jameses are all back and remain lovingly dysfunctional in their own way. Tommy Lynley himself seems a bit more human in this novel, still grieving Helen, but way more recognizable as the Lynley we've grown to love over the course of the series. The author adds an interesting spice of character into the mix with the introduction of Superintendent Isabelle Ardery. She is ostensibly Lynley's new boss and is also a functional alcoholic. There is a good degree of uncertainty and sexual tension between Ardery and Lynley. Loyal Helen fans will be happy to know that this is an internal source of conflict for our fair lordly hero. It also, interestingly, gives rise to notable internal conflict for Lynley's long-time partner, Havers, which of course she is completely ill-equipped to handle. What George deliciously leaves open, however, is whether Havers' unease is due to her feelings for Lynley as a partner or something more. The intricate and compelling plot of this novel simply makes for a great page-turner. What's more, even readers who are unfamiliar with other works in the Lynley series can pick this up and feel drawn into the characters and story. Overall, I feel that This Body of Death puts George back on track with familiar characters and intriguing mystery plots. In a sense, the author has successfully restarted the series. Excellent!

Mein Fazit: Der Aufbau war dieses Mal sehr spannend, denn es gibt Abschnitte, die weit in die Vergangenheit der Figuren zurückreichen. Wie das zusammenhängt und von wem genau die Rede ist erfährt man natürlich erst am Ende.Die "Neue" im Ermittlungsteam, Inspector Isabelle Ardery, mochte ich leider gar nicht. Sie war mir von Anfang an unsympathisch und auch ihr Umgang mit den anderen Mitarbeiter bei Scotland Yard hat das auch noch unterstützt. Ihr Handeln war nicht immer logisch, überhaupt kann es sein, das kleine Logikfehler dabei waren, allerdings muss ich gestehen, dass sie mir kaum aufgefallen sind, weil ich wirklich extrem gefesselt war von der Entwicklung.Die Figuren sind - wieder einmal - sehr facettenreich und super ausgearbeitet! Und auch das Ende war wieder spannend und mit kleinen Dramen verbunden.Ich bin jetzt echt gespannt wie es beim nächsten Teil weitergeht - grade die Beziehungskonflikte untereinander, also ich weiß nicht ob ich mich damit anfreunden kann und wie das im nächsten Band aufgegriffen wird. Da muss ich mich wohl überraschen lassen :)

Dear DS Barbara Havers,I must confess, you are the only reason I anticipate a new novel by Elizabeth George. While your creatrix is arguably one of the best writers in her field, I did find all the parts without you a bit tedious. Now that Helen has died, you are the only breath of fresh air knocking about these pages. Sergeant Nkata shows promise, but I think it's going to take another book or so for him to come into his own. I find Tommy Lynley's solemn, sad and unfailing propriety a bit tedious--especially as he's given up smoking. Simon and Deb seem to be pushed to the sidelines and have become caricatures of their former selves. Even Cotter has lost his garrumph. Thus, it falls to you to bring the life, the humor and as always, the smarts to save the day. Once again, well done, sweetie darling.The end, though, ouch. My heart broke right along side yours, Barbara. I hope that gets put to right by the next time we meet. All the best,Viv

After the disappointing "Careless in Red" Elizabeth George is back in character with the kind well-developed, complex, can't-put-it-down book her readers look forward to. In "This Body of Death" Lynley is still on compassionate leave. but is called back to the Met to help his temporary replacement, the ambitious Isabelle Ardery. The novel begins with excerpts from a report about a murder in the 1990s. Two boys snag a toddler from a shopping center, torture, and kill him. Based on the case of Jamie Bolger, chapters are interspersed throughout George's book. This was a shocking crime (the version George creates is less appalling that the real killing), not only for the horror of the murder, but because of the British government's treatment of the killers, who were given new identities and released after the minimum sentence. (Google James Bolger and you'll see that one of his killers is back in the news again). It is this kind of detail, combined with George's interest in British social conditions and her knack for incorporating unusual aspects of English culture that make her books so satisfying.It's also interesting to see Lynley making poor choices and behaving more like a mere mortal. The always-appealing Barbara Havers has a big role (Isabelle Ardery makes her buy a professional wardrobe and get her teeth fixed--Barbara in Top Shop is worth the price of the novel!)"This Body of Death" is Elizabeth George at her best.

TWENTY-ONE DISCS AND ONLY THREE WEEKS TO LISTEN TO THEM OMG NORTH SUBURBAN LIBRARY SYSTEM I LOVE YOU BUT YOU'RE KILLING ME.I had to hurry through this one to (maybe) get it back to the library on time, but it was so complex that I'm sort of glad that I read it in a rush. Four and a half stars. Much, much better than the author's recent books What Came Before He Shot Her, Careless in Red, and I, Richard. Almost as good as her A Great Deliverance. Very dark, of course, and with terrific recurring characters. George is good at reintroducing those without spending lots of time on their backstories.It takes a long time before the different subplots converge. About halfway through, I figured out one of the subplots, but I think I was supposed to. That didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the book, anyway--I wanted to find out how (or if) the characters would make the same discovery. Part of this book is modeled on a crime that happened many years ago in Britain but that is still reported on regularly by the British press.The audiobook reader, John Lee, does a fine job of sounding like upper-class men, working-class women, and even a nine-year-old Indian girl. I think he and Scott Brick are two of the best readers in the business.

I have watched the show based on this series of books and really really liked them, though I had never read one of the books the program is based on. Though, long, I never got taxed listening and did not want it to end as I finished it today. I would have liked Lynley and Havers to fit more with the actors I love on the show, so I pictured them that way. Such a good book, I will surely read more by this author. There is a second "in the background" interesting story line that I was surprised complimented the main story as it was all revealed. I had thought it was an enactment in no way connected in anyway to the main narrative. The last part of the book at the end was also very touching and watered up my eyes. If I had one and this is unlike me, I would read another of this series right now.

More like 4.5. I don’t like this new character Isabelle one bit, so I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the fact that book 16 didn’t have much Deborah in it. The rest was brilliant. The way we are set to face our prejudices and shaped judgments.

Elizabeth George quickly became my favorite mystery writer after I starter reading her series with the good Inspector and Lord Thomas Lynley and his sidekick Barbara Havers. I first got into the series after seeing some episodes of Mystery! on PBS that were based on the earlier books. The books were even better.This 16th volume in the series has Lynley finally back in London after his walkabout along the Cornish coastline. He is still recovering from his wife's death, but he is also ready to return to the familiar environs. Little does he know it, but he is also going to be pulled back into the part of his life that dealt with his career with the Met.It all starts when the body of young woman named Jemima Hastings turns up in one of the cemeteries in London. While that is not really all that unlikely, except that she has been found with her throat slashed violently. The Met quickly gets on the case and assigns in to Lynley's former team. The group is temporarily headed by acting Superintendent Isabelle Ardery. Ardery, who had a cameo experience in an earlier novel in the series, has moved to London after the breakup of her marriage and is really seeking to make great strides in her career. Unfortunately, she has a bit of a drinking problem, which might get in the way.After struggling initially with the team, Ardery visits Lyndley and talks him into coming back to help with the transition. Little does she know it, but the higher ups also approach him about evaluating her to see if she would be a good selection to shift from acting to permanent Superintendent.The case proves to be a tricky one as their are suspects to be sussed out both in London and in Jemima's home village of Hampshire. As usual, all of the suspects are quirky and unique, and George does her most to fully develop them into full characters with strong backstories. She does this while not only not revealing the real murderer, but also uses these backstories to develop a number of red herrings to throw the reader off course.Barbara Havers is also having a tough time as the case develops. Ardery is on her case about shifting from read sneakers and sweatpants to proper ladies' attire. Thankfully, she is able to turn to her young neighbor Hadiyah to help with select potential pieces. There is also more of the awkward moments that might indicate a budding romance between Barb and Hadiyah's father.Woven throughout the various subplots is a series of snippets from a chapter of a book about the murder of young boy by three other boys. It was a horrific crime that had taken place years earlier. For most of the novel, it seems quite a bit out of place until it proves to become a crucial part of the events taking place in the now.This is definitely a nice addition to the series, though the start could have been tightened up a bit. It always takes a bit of time to get introduced to the new characters as they are developed. once that is done, the story is always off and running, which is also true of this volume. I already can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

Kudos to Elizabeth George for keeping me thoroughly entertained for nearly 700 pages (24 hours of listening time).The mystery revolves around a toddler's murder in the past and the present-day murder of a young woman. With George, the reader is treated to excellent writing and character development, as well as thought-provoking themes. Red herrings and plot twists abound and I was kept guessing throughout. Still, the clever the way the two cases intersected came as a surprise. If I have one criticism, its that the novel could have moved along at a brisker pace but I do have to say George did an excellent job at not only holding my interest, but also in weaving all the plot threads together.Barbara Havers provides some comic relief, specifically when she attempts to dress more fashionably, and there's office politics and intrigue. I was reminded of how much I enjoy a well-written intricate mystery by George and plan to go back to read where I left off, at #7. I skipped ahead to this one for book club but anyone who is familiar with the series should have no problem jumping in, although this isn't one I would start with. Knowing some of the backstory on Lynley and Havers is essential.