For the Sake of Elena

By: Elizabeth George

Narrated by: Derek Jacobi

The vicious murder of a young socialite leads Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley into a web of false identities, hidden motives, and buried secrets that some might kill to protect—a thrilling novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Inspector Lynley series.

Don’t miss the upcoming BritBox streaming series Lynley!

“Powerful and deeply affecting, For the Sake of Elena is another satisfying addition to this superb series.”—The Baltimore Sun

In her clingy dresses and dangling earrings, Elena Weaver exuded a sexuality at odds with the innocence projected by the unicorn posters on her walls. While her embittered mother fretted about her welfare, in Cambridge—where Elena was a student at St. Stephen’s College—her father and his second wife each had their own very different image of the girl. As for Elena, she lived a life of casual and intense relationships, with scores to settle and goals to achieve—until someone bludgeoned her to death.

Unwilling to involve the local police, the university calls in New Scotland Yard. Thus, Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers enter a rarefied world where academic gowns often hide murderous intentions. For the officers, the true identity of Elena proves elusive, as each relationship she left behind casts a new light both on herself and on those who appeared to know her best. What’s more, Elena’s father has his own dark secrets. While his past sins make him neurotically dedicated to Elena and blind to her blacker side, present demons drive him toward betrayal. . . .©1992 Susan Elizabeth George; (P)1992 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

Praise for For the Sake of Elena and Elizabeth George:

“George is a master . . . an outstanding practitioner of the modern English mystery.”— Chicago Tribune

“George goes to the head of her genre, with class.”—People

“Ms. George proves that the classiest crime writers are true novelists.”—The New York Times

“George’s best work since her debut.”—Kirkus Reviews

“If you’re already a fan, just know that Elizabeth George is getting better and better. Carve out some time one weekend soon, stake out a cozy chair and wallow in her best yet.”—Denver Post

“Powerful and deeply affecting, For the Sake of Elena is another satisfying addition to this superb series.”—The Baltimore Sun

“For the Sake of Elena is a rich, rewarding book and a top-notch mystery. It may be Elizabeth George’s best yet. . . . Find it and buy it. You will want to read it again.”—Mystery News

“Ms. George can do it all, with style to spare.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Elizabeth George reigns as queen of the mystery genre. The Lynley books constitute the smartest, most gratifyingly complex and impassioned mystery series now being published.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Few novelists whose first works are greeted with unanimous acclaim are able to maintain the quality that won them initial praise, let alone show greater depth with every book. Elizabeth George, to the delight of her legion of fans, is perhaps the most notable American exception.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch

“P. D. James has a polished literary eloquence all her own, but George provides the same kind of sumptuous, all-out reading experience.”—Los Angeles Times

“Elizabeth George transcends the limitations of the crime genre.”—Daily News of Los Angeles

poor audio performance

I was not impressed with the narrator for this book, nor with the background music, etc., which I found rather cheesy.

I hate abrudged books!!

I've no idea why Audible has so many holes in this series...an 8 to 10 HR book in 3 hours? Especially an Elizabeth George novel. Ridiculous. in my I were able to sit down I would read the ebooks. derek Jacobi is not as good as the marvelous Sabina Porter, but better in this one than the previous one. I always have to set the speed at 85 or so--it's like he thinks the abridged version is still not short enough. sorry about mistakes--on phone and no glasses!

Incomprehensible nonsense

You Can Not condense a book like this. Nothing made sense, Huge plot points omitted, nothing explained. This was a complete waste of time and an insult to the author and her work.

Would never have purchased if I realized it was abridged

This story in abridged form was nothing in comparison to Elizabeth George’s full stories. A waste of an audible credit. Indifferent and impersonal narration.

An Unfair Abridgement!

What disappointed you about For the Sake of Elena?

Elizabeth George writes complex mysteries that should not be abridged. This was an especially bad job. If you like George's work, buy another. If you don't know her yet, buy another--this is not a good introduction.