Just One Evil Act

An Inspector Lynley Novel, Book 18

By: Elizabeth George

Narrated by: Davina Porter

When Hadiyyah Upman disappears from London in the company of her mother, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers is as devastated as the girl's father. They are her close friends as well as neighbours, but since the child is with her mother, nothing can be done. Five months later, Hadiyyah is kidnapped from an open air market in Lucca, Italy, and this triggers an investigation in the full glare of the media spotlight. Barbara's clever manipulation of the worst of London's tabloids forces New Scotland Yard to become involved. But rather than Barbara herself, her superior officer DI Thomas Lynley is assigned to handle a situation made delicate by racial issues, language difficulties, and the determination of an Italian magistrate to arrest and convict someone - anyone - for the crime.

(P)2013 Penguin Group USA©2013 Susan Elizabeth George

Critic reviews

A first-class, page-turning read

Combines an old-school aptitude for twist-riddled plots with modern psychological insights, ethical agonizing, realistic violence and sardonic humor

Lynley is one of the great character portraits in contemporary crime fiction

And with a single bound, Jack was free!

I was hooked, no doubt, it was a good read from that point of view but the ending did have a sort of "with a single bound Jack was free" feel to it. Davina Porter is right up there on my list of favourite narrators, she manages male and female very well and certainly makes the plot come alive. I did want to smack Barbara Havers (as, I suspect, did Lynley!) from time to time but it looks as if the talented duo are destined to ride again in the future. I hope there is more with Lynley's romantic state the next time too, I like Deirdre!

Another brilliant book

A riveting book very skillfully narrated. I really enjoyed every minute of it. 5 stars.

Bad writing, bad read

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Someone should have mentioned to Davina Porter that this book was not written by Enid Blyton and that she didn't need to act out every blade of grass, car, brick, house, mood or expression. Very bad read. Don't even start me on the clumsy Italian .... not her fault entirely, Elizabeth George shares much of the blame for putting it there in the first place.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Utter frustration. I have never yelled at a book so much. Barbara Havers used to be such an interesting, quirky character now she's just a moron.

Any additional comments?

I think the Lynley series has finally jumped the shark.