The Punishment She Deserves
A Lynley Novel
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4.3 • 506 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Detective 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 England
The 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 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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bestseller George's stunning 20th Thomas Lynley novel (after 2015's A Banquet of Consequences) finds the detective inspector running things at New Scotland Yard in London while his partner, Det. Sgt. Barbara Havers, and his boss, Det. Chief Supt. Isabelle Ardery, investigate allegations of police malfeasance in Ludlow, England. Six weeks earlier, community support officer Gary Ruddock arrested Ian Druitt on suspicion of child molestation. Ruddock then brought Druitt to the unmanned Ludlow police station, where Druitt hanged himself. The Independent Police Complaints Commission cleared Ruddock of criminal wrongdoing, but Druitt's influential father wants a second opinion or he'll sue. To Ardery, the review is a formality; Havers, however, believes that Druitt was murdered and asks to reopen the case. When Ardery refuses, Havers consults Lynley, who can't resist getting involved. George tackles a number of emotionally charged social issues with sensitivity and grace. Exquisitely rendered characters and a powerful sense of place enhance the meticulously crafted mystery, which satisfies as a standalone while furthering the series arc. Author tour.)
Customer Reviews
Long but enjoyable
It’s to the author’s credit that I finished this book. It was more than twice as long as the mysteries I normally read. But I became caught up in the characters. Still, too many subplots for my liking interesting as they were.
Excellent Elizabeth George!
I’ve only just started reading her work, on recommendation of my daughter, and this is by far, her best. The flow is easy, the evidence is precise, and I felt as though I were coming to realizations along with Lynsey and Havers. Her characters are so well developed that you completely understand and admit that their faults as some of your own. She describes young people and their actions appropriately, and older people as they should and do, think and act, which is very seldom appropriate, even with maturity. Even though this is part of a series it stands well as a read-alone. If you’ve never read her books, this is a great one to start with!
Loved this book!
I always get a little sad at the end of an Inspector Lynley novel. It’s like saying au revoir to a good friend.