Customer Reviews
Are we finished yet? - By: M. Fish, 08 Oct 2008 
Agree with most of reviewers, this book is way too long, too boring & too un-involving & as for those character names - ridiculous. I remember fondly Ms George's books of old - but now it's obvious she's just churning them out for the cash. If her editors read these reviews take note please - we do know she's capable of way better.
Dissapointing and not worth the read - By: Ms. M. Henderson, 21 Sep 2008 
The long awaited sequelin Thomas Lynley's arduous life has been sadly all too disappointing. I was dismayed that the normal twists & turns & interaction Elizabeth George usually gives us were just not evident. I was greatly upset by her portrayal of the local Cornish constabulary as 'yokel thickos' which is insultingin its implication & I know from experience they are not. Her choice of rediculous names for the characters was too unbelievable & the reality of lifein Cornwall is nothing like she has portrayed. There are so many crime writers who's information on the jacket states that they may be of British origin but usually end up living over the 'pond'. I find most of themin time lose the 'Britishness'in their writing & small anomalies creepin to their work which usually leaves me not wanting to finish the book. Elizabeth George has now fallen into this category & I shall not await her next book with the same anticipation as Carelessin Red. (Another slightly annoying point were grammatical errors & spelling mistakes contained within the book...........surely the proof reader should have gone to Specsavers !!)
Oh dear - By: Urbangril21, 14 Sep 2008 I have stuck with Elizabeth George through thick & thicker (book thickness, that is) & I even quite enjoyed What Came Before he Shot Her. But unfortunately I started this one straight after Peter James' new one, & the contrast was painful. I lasted till p60 & then decided life was too short to plough through the remaining 470 pages when I didn't like any of the characters I'd met (including Lynley), wasn't interestedin the murder victim, was irritated at the cloying Cornishness of everything including the outlandish names of every second character & had already spotted a couple of jarring unBritish uses of language. Sorry, this one is not for me.
Bitterly disapointed - By: Sue Carter, 13 Sep 2008 I have been so looking forward to the latest instalmentin the Lyndley chronicles but I am sorry to say this book has been a complete let down. The main thing that I really hated were the names of the characters a minor point I know but this really irritated me. The book didn't ring true somehow ......when I think of her first books ,which were brilliant & unputdownable, it is hard to believe they were written by the same author, to be honest I think she has given us three dud books on the trot & I wonder if she has just run out if steam.I hope not .
Missing Helen - By: Jane Baker, 01 Sep 2008 
I'm so glad I didn't give up on George after the last Lynley novel which certainly was not my favourite. Carelessin Red was powerful & eloquent, combining a murder & Lynley's own personal aftermath of Helen's murder. There were a number of juxtapositions but to include them would infringe on this novel's plot before readers know the story. Elizabeth George's prose is elegant & improving all the time with original turns of phrase & innovative use of words. If I have a criticism there is some lengthy & questionable use of detail. It could have been shortened by a hundred pages & nothing would have been lost. I found myself skipping some detail so that I stayed close to the heart-rending storyline. Research however is brilliantin its depth. If like me you had decided to finish with this author after she killed off Helen then my advice would be "Don't" - this is poignant, evocative, compelling. Reader buy this at once - you will have no regrets. She is back on my list of favourite authors.
