Four or five days ago, I discovered the books behind the TV series. What I hope to hear from those who read this forum is their critical judgment of Elizabeth George in general and this series in particular. (well before I got the first one, actually the one where Lynley's wife gets croaked off, I ordered #1 and #2 of the series). How many of these are there? Are they more or less even in quality?

A Great Deliverance

Payment in Blood

Well-Schooled in Murder

A Suitable Vengeance

For the Sake of Elena

Missing Joseph

Playing for the Ashes

In the Presence of the Enemy

Deception on His Mind

In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner

A Traitor to Memory

A Place of Hiding

With No One As Witness

What Came Before He Shot Her

Careless in Red

 Hi John,

 I believe this is the correct order for the series. I found the earlier books to be better written than the last few. In a previous post I commented that, with the exception of the last few books, the series has been well-paced, multi-layered mysteries with interesting plot twists and great dialogue. The last few books have had an element of personal melodrama that did not appeal to me. What Came Before He Shot Her is really not part of the series – it is the back story of the child murderer in With No One As Witness. Generally I enjoy the books that feature Lynley and Havers prominently. Simon and Deborah are featured prominently in A Place of Hiding and Missing Joseph and I did not find them to have the same element of suspense. 

Posting spoilers without a warning is not considered sporting around here!

Having said that, I think that the Lynley/Havers series is exceedingly well written and even throughout.  They are not perfect and there are books that I enjoyed better than others but overall, it's a very good series and one of my personal favorites.  If you like British procedurals (even though George is an American), you should enjoy this series.

I also hate when someone puts in a spoiler without a warning, really not done by most readers with good reason!!

I like the books but think George has way too much descriptive junk in her books. They would be better if they were more tightly written. Having said that I am still reading them but can only read one of hers every month or so. I am just now reading In the Presence of the Enemy. I picked these up because I love Deborah Crombie and had read all of hers, thought these might compare but IMO they aren't in the same league at all.