The Punishment She Deserves: A Lynley Novel

Absorbing as always. I love Barbara Havers, who always retains her essential self while changing outwardly. Here she takes up tap dancing, and loses weight. Lynley, the perfect gentleman, finally takes steps to make his "guv" seek help with her drinking. I couldn't put it down, and I didn't want it to end.

Although the cast of characters and their interrelationships was a bit extensive, and possibly convoluted, it was George's great writing and character and plot development that kept me up far too late at night. The complement of routine characters were well represented - no spoiler alerts!

EG does it again! Who could make a more idiosyncratic and enjoyable team than Linley and Barb. Colorful doesn't begin to cover it. The thriller is complex and the characters are interesting and well drawn. You can't wait to the end when the complexity is finally unraveled. A great read.

Started out in a typical complex story with Barbara and Isabelle on an investigation. But less than half way in it switched to Lynley and Havers investigating and working with that teamwork only they have. In the final pages we see the maturity and growth of the characters that has been developing in the series.

Lynley and Havers are an interesting pair who feed off each other’s ideas, backgrounds and interests. Both are driven to get the job done and reach a successful conclusion to their case. Lynley is definitely the leader and Havers so sometimes reluctant to follow. A winning combination!

This book could have easily been 200 pages shorter -- you can skip paragraphs on every page -- but I love Barbara Havers and highly recommend all of the books in the series. Read the others first so you can appreciate this one, which has many references to past escapades.

I have read all of Elizabeth Georges books in the Lynley series and although this wasn't the best, it was very enjoyable and interesting as long as you suspend belief about the status and background of Thomas Lynley, a common thread running through all the books.

I love the wonderful character development. You feel like you know the characters personally. I literally couldn't put the book down. I have loved every minute of every book Elizabeth George has written. This book was one of her best every. Can't wait to read her next book.

Great addition to the Inspector Lynley and Sgt. Havers series. This book is Elizabeth George at her finest - bringing in disparate characters and events into a fascinating mystery while, at the same time, continuing to deepen the characters in her series.

loved it...i've read all the lynley novels except the last (which got terrible reviews)...as to this one, i was sad to see it come to a close, which always means that i've enjoyed the book immensely...for any elizabeth george fan a must read.

Received this book in a timely manner in brand new condition. Tnx Seller. Have read all Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley/Sgt. Barbara Haver’s books. Big English mystery fan. Couldn’t wait for Her newest one - did not disappoint. 5 Stars!

Elizabeth George is a great writer. The book is well written, intricately plotted, and the characters well developed. The relationships among the characters is fascinating. The plot holds attention throughout the book. These books just get better all the time.\

I have read every book following Lynsey and Havers trials with great enjoyment.I feel the crimes and mysteries are lacking not interesting or particularly dark. The side line is still great with the battle of the different characters and their issues.

I have read and loved every book she has written. Her stories are so completely realized. Each character is so fully developed that you feel you would recognize them if you met them on the street. She is truly a gifted writer and I am always sad to come to the end of the book as I know I will need to wait too long for the next to be published.

Elizabeth George is my all time favorite for a good Britush mystery! I have read every single one of the Lynley series and this one did not disappoint. All of the characters are complex and real, the setting is vivid and the language and storytelling top notch. (The worst part is I finished it and just have to wait now for the next one.)

I have read every one of Elizabeth George's books, and have enjoyed them all. Inspector Lynley is always inspiring, and Barbara Havers is always a hoot. Their abilities to get to the bottom of things is amazing and always interesting. A very good series!

Took a while to sort through and understand where this book was going. Good to leave London behind and some personal lives that were getting boring. Enjoyed learning about Ludlow area. Story got better in second half of the book and speeded up to a good ending.

I enjoyed reading this novel very much. The author's rich writing style, subtle crafting of the tale back and forth, and the characterizations were all very enjoyable. The final clue was interesting and enjoyable. The family dynamics George described were intense and suspenseful. The only thing I missed from the author's previous works were the inner conversations of the inspector. There were plenty of other inner conversations of key characters but I enjoy the depth oh Lynley's musings and found less here than in other novels.

Elizabeth George's books keep getting better and better! I love how the relationship between Det. Lynley and Barbara Havers has grown. I love that I can't figure out "who did it" until WAY at the end of the book! Can't wait for her next book!!!

No one captures the quiet desperation of normal people like George and her mysteries are complicated and fascinating. Her British setting is compelling and the relationship between DI Tommy Lynley and DC Barbara Havers is great. I never tire of Barbara's turn of phrase especially her euphemisms for sex. She's hysterical.

Loved this book. Love all "Lynley" stories. This one is especially good because I didn't think there would be any more. It was a surprise that Elizabeth George brought the character back to life. It was great reading.

The long, complicated, and riveting is what Elizabeth George does best. More Havers without Lynley in the first part, and a lot of character exposition for more minor players, which may set up future sequels as well.

This one was ok and delivered her main characters and a new set of local characters in a new local setting. The setting was not that exciting or quirky as other books. Linley and barbara were less crazy leaving DI Ardsley's alcoholism as the "staff problem".

Story was far,far too long and detailed. Ardery’ s drinking problem was sad, but too wordy. All that said, the story kept me guessing to the point that I finished it!
I was left wondering if the Yard is as full of distasteful characters as the novel would have us believe.

I liked the book very much. The characters were alive and Ms. George wrote them true to their personalities in the books written before. Although it wasn't a surprise as to who was the culprit, it was written more as to understand why the culprit killed.

Although the story bogged down a little in the middle this was a thoroughly enjoyable who dunnit. Lynley and Havers are well developed,interesting characters and the story had many good twists and turns.

Another great Lynley novel! And this one is chuck full of really awful mothers. Don't read this on Mother's Day, but do read it ... you'll love all the interesting characters and all the plot twists plus the antics that Barbara gets into.

This story wove together a lot of storylines from the past and I really enjoyed the way they came together. I hope there is a future book, but if there wasn't, while not everything was resolved or finished, it would be a satisfactory ending.

The main(?) plot revolved around re-investigation of a "suicide" by investigators from New Scotland Yard under threatened law suit by the deceased' father. The (2nd) re-investigation went along as a thorough police procedural, though by the end, I was uncertain whether there was more that circumstantial evidence by which to convict the perp of murder. But over half the story revolved around family turmoil, mainly with adolescent children entering college, but secondarily with the alcoholism of one of the Scotland Yard chiefs, now divorced and separated from her twin boys. Of course the turmoil was related to the investigation, but it produced a lot of unrealistic filler in its over-done traumas. In the end I regretted the effort to slog through this mess.

The beloved characters from previous novels evolve furthet in this one. The complexities of the case and the characterization is very good. You will feel as if you’ve been to England and gone through the investigation yourself.

Barbara, Lynley, and friends are back with a large cast of suspects and victims. Readers may want to keep up with how their favorite regulars are doing. Extra complex plot to keep track of, but well done as usual for George.

I read a lot of books, especially mysteries, and the Lynley books are my favorite. Elizabeth George is the only author that I read, who writes a 700 page novel, and makes me wish it were longer. This book is excellent.

Elizabeth George has made another wonderful story with many interesting new characters and returning favorites. The plot is so good that the reader is always wondering what would come next
The ending is very satisfying and makes you want to have more from the author and returning characters. Too bad we have to wait so long for another Lynley story.

George does not disappoint in "The Punishment She Deserves ". The main characters (Lynley and Havers) are true to form, Ardry is more complex and interesting, and the new characters were diverse and interesting. This was a great read!

I have read the majority of Elizabeth George's books and this one was one of the best. She has continued to develop her characters through all the changes in their lives. The plot of this book is one that keeps unfolding as each character misinterprets the intentions of the others. All are misguided in their care for each other through love distorted by events in their lives. Excellent read!

George is back and on her game. Great Lynley book with all the twist turns and beautiful vocabulary. I do hope another is coming for this page turning series. These books could stand alone however I Am happy they don't .

I look forward to every Elizabeth George book. Great plot, marvelous characters, and Havers and Lindley. The problem with this book is that when it is finished it is a long long wait for the next one. Really one of her best.

Love the Lynley mysteries and the PBS shows. But for some time now I have been waiting for a spirited, focused and engaging novel. The last 3 or 4 have been lacking for me. It is too bad. I gave this one 3 stars for the characters and not the writing nor the story. I am so glad others still seem to enjoy and give great ratings. Of course, it is still Lynley and Havers, characters I could never forget. I had to read 3 other books along the way to boost my energy to finish.

Started a bit slow and it seems George made Havers 2 dimensional, even a caricature. The plot was well conceivrd as always but setting up the characters at the beginning was slow and laborious to read.

Ms. George's books are so interesting and well written. There's the mystery and then there are the characters' individual stories. I do think there were times when fewer words could have been used for a description or conversation.

E George at her finest. Human frailties and their resolution. If only we could resolve them in life in several chapters She clearly described the agony of addiction and malevolent manipulation. She allows her readers to experience the pain and suffering felt by the perpetrator of these deficiencies as well as the pain this behavior delivers.