Just One Evil Act

A Lynley Novel

By: Elizabeth George

Narrated by: Davina Porter

#1 New York Times bestselling author of A Banquet of Consequences Elizabeth George delivers another masterpiece of suspense in her Inspector Lynley series: a gripping child-in-danger story that tests Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers like never before.

Barbara is at a loss: The daughter of her friend Taymullah Azhar has been taken by her mother, and Barbara can’t really help—Azhar had never married Angelina, and his name isn’t on their daughter’s, Hadiyyah’s, birth certificate. He has no legal claim. Azhar and Barbara hire a private detective, but the trail goes cold.

Azhar is just beginning to accept his soul-crushing loss when Angelina reappears with shocking news: Hadiyyah is missing, kidnapped from an Italian marketplace. The Italian police are investigating, and the Yard won’t get involved, until Barbara takes matters into her own hands—at the risk of her own career.

As both Barbara and her partner, Inspector Thomas Lynley, soon discover, the case is far more complex than a typical kidnapping, revealing secrets that could have far-reaching effects outside of the investigation. With both her job and the life of a little girl on the line, Barbara must decide what matters most, and how far she’s willing to go to protect them.

Critic reviews

Praise for Believing the Lie:

"A multiplicity of subplots and a richness of physical detail...The terrain and the weather are objective correlatives to the characters' stormy patches. Meanwhile, the story strands are untied and retied in satisfying and often moving ways." —The Wall Street Journal

"Elizabeth George is a superstar of the crime-fiction world, British Inspector Division. Deservedly so: Her tails always provide nuanced character studies and insights into social issues along with their intricate mysteries." —The Seattle Times

"Devilishly complicated." —Entertainment Weekly

"A dense, twisty plot with characters who reveal the sad spectrum of human dereliction." —People

"George's...ability to continually enhance the portraits of Lynley, Havers, and other recurring characters while generating fully fleshed new ones for each novel is nothing less than superlative, and her atmospheric prose, complete with lovely and detailed descriptions of her setting, combines to add literary gravitas to her work....A worthy addition to her portfolio and one that simultaneously disturbs and satisfies." —Richmond Times-Dispatch

“This is one of her best.” – Daily American on Believing the Lie

“George’s many fans…will be thrilled with this new episode in the lives of her lovable cast of characters.” – Library Journal on Believing the Lie

“Believing the Lie is so fascinating that even at a thundering 606 pages, I wished for at least 10 more.” – Mystery Scene on Believing the Lie

“A worthy addition to her portfolio and one that simultaneously disturbs and satisfies.” – Richmond Times Dispatch on Believing the Lie

“George is a master of interweaving character perspectives to reveal her mysteries” – Sheknows.com on Believing the Lie

“George's strengths--character development, plot twists and shocking tragedy--continue to shine.” – Shelf Awareness on Believing the Lie

“A book of twists, turns and, to be blunt, fantastic writing…A complete A+ for the mystery realm.” – Suspense Magazine on Believing the Lie

“A page-turning plot.” –World Magazine on Believing the Lie

“[Lynley is] one of the great character portraits in contemporary crime fiction.” – The Boston Globe

Italy

I enjoyed the Italian action and characters. Havers near hysteria became exhausting but I guess it was critical to advancing the plot. Davina Porter is the best narrator so far for this series.

Endless

I found the storyline hard to follow with its endless to and fro between London and Italy. The love interest story line is preposterous to the point of seeming like satire. Have I just outgrown this series, or has it jumped the shark?

Spot On!!!!

As usual it is like being with old friends and their lives ups and downs. Each word letting one feel what they are feeling. Thank you dear author.

,,perhaps the best in the series

everything was excellent. great narrative twists and turns. Putting Barbara Havers in Italy was a brilliat touch. the perormance was outstanding.

Could hardly stop listening !

Barbara Havers is my latest hero! Love the Italy setting and the characters such a passionate mystery