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A Great Deliverance  (Thomas Lynley, Bk 1)
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A Great Deliverance (Thomas Lynley, Bk 1)
Author: Elizabeth George

Book Information
Publisher: Bantam
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780553278026 - ISBN-10: 0553278029
Publication Date: 1989
Pages: 432


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio Cassette

Book Description:
To this day, the low, thin wail of an infant can be heard in Keldale's lush green valleys. Three hundred years ago, as legend goes, the frightened Yorkshire villagers smothered a crying babe in Keldale Abbey, where they'd hidden to escape the ravages of Cromwell's raiders.

Now into Keldale's pastoral web of old houses and older secrets comes Scotland Yard Inspector Thomas Lynley, the eighth earl of Asherton. Along with the redoubtable Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, Lynley has been sent to solve a savage murder that has stunned the peaceful countryside.  For fat, unlovely Roberta Teys has been found in her best dress, an axe in her lap, seated in the old stone barn beside her father's headless corpse.  Her first and last words were "I did it.  And I'm not sorry."

Yet as Lynley and Havers wind their way through Keldale's dark labyrinth of secret scandals and appalling crimes, they uncover a shattering series of revelations that will reverberate through this tranquil English valley--and in their own lives as well.

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Similar books to this author and title:
Payment In Blood  (Thomas Lynley & Barbara Havers)Well-Schooled in Murder (Inspector Lynley, Bk 3)A Suitable Vengeance (Inspector Lynley, Bk 4)For the Sake of Elena  (Lynley & Havers, Bk 5)Missing Joseph  (Inspector Lynley, Bk 6)


Genres:

Top Member Book Reviews

Cameron-Ashley H. (BigGreenChair) wrote on 4/2/2007...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

I love Elizabeth George novels--they always have a complicated plot you can't figure out right away or even until the end when it's revealed--unlike a lot of other murder mystery writers where you've got it figured out way in the beginning. And the characters are each full-bodied.

Rosemary F. (canadianeh) wrote on 10/29/2008...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

What can I add that no one has said yet about this g-r-e-a-t mystery writer. Forget the TV series! It's a pale shadow compared to the books. What's really neat about the book is that you see the story from the perspectives of so many of the characters. And such a lot of intriguing layers! Great mystery writing.

Ruth R. (yomamaruth) wrote on 6/9/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

And this is where it all began...Thomas Lynley working a case with Barbara Havers. This won several awards for best debut novel in the mystery genre-and well deserved!

katzpawz wrote on 10/20/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is the first in her Lynley/Havers series of tightly written, thought provoking novels. The way Ms. George creates characters, they feel as if they really are your friends, neighbors and/or enemies. WARNING: If you read this book you WILL become seriously addicted to excellent mystery writing!

Loretta G. (myshistory) wrote on 9/23/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Agatha winner for best first novel, although it is not a cozy by any means. It has a much more complex plot than the TV version. This book has some violent scenes.

Kerry J. (luv2read4fun) wrote on 7/22/2009...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

If you enjoy great murder mysteries set in the UK, you'll definitely enjoy this series. The characters are well developed, as is the plot. I kept thinking I knew who "done it" and the ending was a complete surprise. It made me want to begin reading all of the Thomas Lynley series! I'm definitely an Elizabeth George fan now.

Kim C. (kim11) wrote on 9/20/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Great story line, if a bit dark at the end...

Mary M. (leakey387) wrote on 9/12/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is the first book by Elizabeth George I have ever read but believe me it won't be the last

Carole W. wrote on 6/20/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

If you are a Lynley-Havers fan, this book is a must-read. It chronicles their first case together and the beginning of their successful partnership and provides a lot of underlying information about the other personal relationships that run through this series. To top it off, the murder investigation has enough twists and turns to satisfy any mystery lover.

Chris H. wrote on 6/13/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Named one of the century's 100 favorite mysteries by the independent mystery booksellers association. Highly gripping murder mystery.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Loretta F. (rettaliny) wrote on 9/7/2008...


I'm just starting this series and I enjoyed this first book in the series so much that I'm looking forward to read them all.

The story was very good. I really like all the characters and the setting of England is great.

My reason for not giving 5 stars was that I felt the author left me with questions about the personal lives of the characters.

Betty W. (Bet) wrote on 11/21/2007...


This is the first time I haave read this author, it was a very good murder mystery

Valesca L. (FitMommyOf2) wrote on 4/23/2007...


To this day, the low, thin wail of an infant can be heard in Keldale's lush green valleys. Three hundred years ago, as legend goes, the frightened Yorkshire villagers smothered a crying babe in Keldale Abbey, where they'd hidden to escape the ravages of Cromwell's raiders.

Now into Keldale's pastoral web of old houses and older secrets comes Scotland Yard Inspector Thomas Lynley, the eighth earl of Asherton. Along with the redoubtable Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, Lynley has been sent to solve a savage murder that has stunned the peaceful countryside. For fat, unlovely Roberta Teys has been found in her best dress, an axe in her lap, seated in the old stone barn beside her father's headless corpse. Her first and last words were "I did it. And I'm not sorry."

Yet as Lynley and Havers wind their way through Keldale's dark labyrinth of secret scandals and appalling crimes, they uncover a shattering series of revelations that will reverberate through this tranquil English valley—and in their own lives as well.

Tabetha G. (Tabetha) wrote on 3/31/2007...


Lynley has been sent to solve a savage murder that has stunned the peaceful country side. For fat, unlovely Roberta Teys has been found found in her best dress, an axe in her lap,seated in the old stone barn beside her fathers headless corpse. Her first words were * I did it. And I'm not sorry*

Shirley J. (NoShushing) wrote on 1/7/2007...


The beginning of the Lynley/Havers series, in which they work together for the first time.

Sharon S. (SharonS312) wrote on 12/17/2006...


To this day, the low, thin wail of an infant can be heard in Keldale's lush green valleys. Three hundred years ago, as legend goes, the frightened Yorkshire villagers smothered a crying babe in Keldale Abbey, where they'd hidden to escape the ravages of Cromwell's raiders.

Now into Keldale's pastoral web of old houses and older secrets comes Scotland Yard Inspector Thomas Lynley, the eighth earl of Asherton. Along with the redoubtable Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, Lynley has been sent to solve a savage murder that has stunned the peaceful countryside. For fat, unlovely Roberta Teys has been found in her best dress, an axe in her lap, seated in the old stone barn beside her father's headless corpse. Her first and last words were "I did it. And I'm not sorry."

Yet as Lynley and Havers wind their way through Keldale's dark labyrinth of secret scandals and appalling crimes, they uncover a shattering series of revelations that will reverberate through this tranquil English valley--and in their own lives as well.

Susan R. wrote on 11/25/2006...


Inspector Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers are sent to solve a particuarly savage murder; but things are not always what they seem. Fat, unlovely Roberta is found in her best dress, an axe in her lap, seated next to her father's headless corpse. A great who-dun-it.

Lorraine D. (corporateparalegal) wrote on 8/11/2006...


Inspector Thomas Lynley and Det. Sgt. Barbara Havers travel to Yorkshire to solve a savage ax murder.

NancyAnn T. (ArrowGold) wrote on 6/15/2006...


Scotland Yard Inspector Lynley (who also happens to be the eighth Earl of Asherton, along with Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, set out to solve a savage murder that has rocked the peaceful country side of Keldale. The solution of this crime will ruin the tranquility of this English valley.

Barbara M. S. (SWEETIE) wrote on 6/14/2006...


Another great Inspector Thomas Lynly mystery set in Yorkshire. If you haven't discovered Elizabeth George, you're missing a treat.


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