This is the first in the Inspector Lynley series and a very good beginning.
The book begins with a death in the village of Kendalein the country. Scotland Yard sends nobleman Det. Thomas Lynley and a very disgruntled Sgt. Barbara Havers who has been trying to make Detective, but her brusque manner only suceeds in rubbing people the wrong way. But in addition to being a murder mystery, it's also a study into Lynley and Haver's personal lives and what got them to where they are today. Most supporting characters aren't as detailed and some are mere stereotypes. The American tourist couple were completely painful to read. Barbara is heavy, badley dressed, "borderline homely", bitter, and a bit of a loose cannon. Lynley is the 8th Earl of Asherton and doesn't need to work. They aren't the most likable characters and it's hard to card about them (which I hope inproves in subsequent books.) They are a completely opposite and unsuited couple but yet we find them to completely well-suited working team.
Although the dead man's 19-year-old daughter Roberta confessed, Lynley isn't convinced and an investigation in the murder, and all the town's secrets, begins. No one in the village actually believes she kills her father - but everyone seems to see a different Roberta. Lynley digs up the town's many secrets, scandals, and the finally the back story to the murder - which may be difficult for the other characters to see, but is completely transparent to the reader.
It's not a difficult read, the slightly plodding plot was not surprising, but had many twists to keep you wondering. It's dark and at times difficult to read. In the end the mystery turned itself around and surprised me.
What completely annoyed me was the addition of several words that I was unfamiliar with - and could not even decipher when reading it in context. Keep a dictionary close or you'll never make it through.
Posts
