Lynley solves a murder at home while bringing his fiancee to meet his mum. The sub-plots are just as interesting as the main plot. I have to read the next to find out what happens to Lynley next. ( )

Inspector Lynley, the eighth earl of Asherton, brings his bride to be to the family home (Howenstown). This celebratory trip is transformed into a nightmare when a local newspaper man is found dead and castrated in his home. The calm of this picturesque village is shattered embroiling Lynley in a case far outside his jurisdiction and too close to home. When a second death occurs, the investigation points to a killer within his own family, Lynley’s involvement suddenly becomes personal……..

The story is very complex, one that explains the background of several characters of this Inspector Lynley mystery series .After reading the 3 first books I had trouble with the sequences of events regarding the characters things seem to be out of synch. I was trying to remember what happened to them previously and I found it conflicted with the way they are presented now. The plot in my view is a bit flat, it starts out interesting enough but it drags on and on. The characters are self -absorbed, full of themselves compared to the previous books making it hard to relate to them. I agree with others who suggest it would have made a wonderful short story. ( )

Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley, Forensic scientist simon Allcourt St-James, and Lady Helen Clyde in a superlative mystery. Lynley, 8 earl of Asherton, has brough home to Howenstow, this young woman he as ask to be is bride. But the savage murder of a local journalist is the cataclyst for a lethal serie of events that shatter the calm of the picturesque Cornwall village and embroils Lynley and St-James in a case far outside their jurisdiction, and a little too close home. When a second death follows closely on the heels of the first Lynley finds he can't help taking the investigation personally because the evidence points to a killer within is own family. ( )

BOOK #6
REVIEW: I enjoyed this book. It had a perfect blend of humor and drama, however, there seemed to be more emphasis on relationships (family and romantic) than on the actual crime. I was also a bit dissapointed in the outcome of the murder as I had guessed early on who the murderer was. I was also upset that Havers only shows up for a quick moment. I couldn't figure out where this book takes place in relation to the others in the series. I know it is the third book, however, I think it takes place before the other two... I could be wrong since this isn't the usual practice... I guess this is what I get for not reading the books in order! I loved getting a glimps into the upper class in England and following Lynley throughout the book. It dragged on in the middle, but overall, it was a fun read!

FAVORITE QUOTES: "I victimise myself. I hear the word sale in reference to Harrod's, and I simply fall apart. Shoes, hats, pullovers, dresses. I even bought a pair of Wellingtons once, simply because they fit. So fetching, I thought, just the thing for mucking round Mother's garden." // "This can't be legal," she said. "Aren't we breaking and entering?" "Entering perhaps," Lady Helen replied cheerfully as she inserted the key in the lock without the slightest hesitation. "But hardly breaking. After all, we've got the key. Ah. Here we are. And not even a squeak to alert the neighbours." "I am the neighbours." Lady Helen laughed. "How convenient." // "I mean, how exactly would a prostitute build up a clientele? Through word of mouth?" // He thought about the energy people expend in seeking to avoid what they most need to face. They fill their lives with distration and denial, only to find at an unexpected eleventh hour that there is in reality no absolute escape. ( )

A dense, complex blend of formula whodunit with intense family relationships. Various members of Lynley's family circle join in the sleuthing, each with his or her emotional perspective on the suspects. Most original. ( )