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Search - A Place of Hiding
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Book Description:
A shocking murder calls forensic scientist Simon St. James and his wife, Deborah, to an isolated island in the English Channel. An old friend of Deborah’s, China River, stands accused of killing the island’s wealthiest benefactor, Guy Brouard. Forced as a child to flee the Nazis in Paris, Brouard was engaged in his latest project when he died: a museum in honor of those who resisted the German occupation of Guernsey. There is little evidence pointing to China--and Deborah and Simon are certain that her friend didn’t murder the inveterate womanizer.Members who requested this book also requested:
But if China didn’t kill Brouard, who did? There were many on the island who enjoyed his patronage--from his wives and business associates to his current mistress and the underprivileged teenagers he mentored--any of whom might have harbored a secret motive for murder. As family and friends gather for the reading of the will, Deborah and Simon find that seemingly everyone on the history-haunted island has something to hide. And behind all the lies and alibis, a killer is lurking. But before they can save their friend, the St. Jameses must delve into Guernsey’s dark history--both past and present--and into the troubled psyche of someone who may have exacted retribution for the most unspeakable crime of all.
In A Place of Hiding, bestselling novelist Elizabeth George marks new territory in the darker landscapes of human relationships. She tells a gripping, suspenseful story of betrayal and devotion, war and remembrance, love and loss...and the higher truths to which we must all ultimately answer.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Genres:
- Mystery & Thrillers >> Thrillers >> Suspense
- Mystery & Thrillers >> Authors, A-Z >> ( G ) >> George, Elizabeth
- Mystery & Thrillers >> General
Top Member Reviews
Sherri L. from WICHITA, KS wrote on 5/13/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Simon St. James and his wife, Deborah, are called to the island of Guernsey in the English Channel to help solve the mystery of the death of Guy Brouard, one of Guernsey's wealthiest inhabitants. China River, Deborah's friend, has been arrested for the murder, and her brother Cherokee has called them to come and investigate and try to clear her. There are other possible suspects the St. Jameses look at for the murder. Forced as a child to flee the Nazis in Paris, Brouard was working on opening a museum honoring those in Guernsey who resisited the German occupation of the island during World War II when he died. Everyone on the island seems to have something to hide, and the book takes several twists and turns before the killer is found. This is a long book, but worth reading.
Sharon C. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Elizabeth George can create a reading experience like few other writers. Her characters, plot and atmosphere are exquisitely developed.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
-(#12 of the Havers-Lynley series) This was about Debra and St. James. Back when Debra was in California, way before her and St. James were married, she had a close friend, China, who helped her thru her abortion. Now China is in trouble on an island in the English Channel and her brother Cherokee has come to ask for help. So St. James and Debra go to the island to see if they can help. This starts a series of mini-plots that George is known for. China is accused of murdering a rich tycoon (Guy) who lives on a huge estate on the island. There is evidence against China but it’s not very strong. So who could be the other suspects. Could it be Ruth, Guy’s sister? Adrian, Guy’s son? Or one of the many women in Guy’s life? Could it be the architect who was not awarded the contract for the museum Guy was funding to build? The museum was going to have an exhibit of antiques collected from the island from WWII. This was another very complex, suspenseful mystery. It wasn’t one of my favorites. It dragged in the middle. The last 100 pages were very exciting and made up for some of the middle’s monotony.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Usually Thomas Lynley is the chief detective in Elizabeth George's books. In this book, Ms. George has opted to have Lynley's good friends Simon and Deborah St. James investigating a murder with Lynley only on the sidelines. Elizabeth George is an excellent writer whose descriptions of London and the British countryside had me feeling like I was transported to those places. Her characters are also well drawn, especially Simon and Deborah. A murder of a beloved, wealthy resident of a country estate is at the center of the plot. China, one of Deborah's friends from the U.S. stands accused of the murder. She appeals to Deborah for help which Deborah responds to along with her husband Simon. I found Deborah a hard character to like at times. Her emotions are so intertwined with China's dilemma that she almost jeopardizes the police's and Simon's investigations. She refuses to listen to Simon and his objectivity, causing arguments between them. Simon's queries lead the police to release China. Other suspects pop up, including China's brother Cherokee. Overall, I found the characters, descriptions of the enviroment and the mystery itself interesting enough to finish ready this book. At over 700 pages I found it a little long. The identity of the murderer and especially the motive for the murder is quite a surprise at the end.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
An excellent read. Lots of interesting sub-plots, and the main plot keeps you in suspense until the last minute.
Marion K. from SAN DIEGO, CA wrote on 2/19/2006...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
George's Superintendent Lynley mysteries are great fun as British mysteries go. This is an especially engrossing story, featuring the forensic scientist Simon St. James and his wife. Lots of delightful twists and turns.
Rate These Member Reviews
Dorinda G. from FRANKLIN, TN wrote on 6/5/2008...This is a very good book. Keeps you quessing all the time.
Maryanne M. from WAPPINGERS FL, NY wrote on 7/8/2007...Love this book, characters are so real. Goold plot with really interesting depth of psyche.
Stacy H. (Back of the book;
An isolaated beach on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel is the scene of the murder of Guy Brouard, one of Guernsey's wealthiest inhabitants and its main benefactor. Forced as a child to flee the Nazis in Paris, Brouard was engaged in his latest project when he died; a museum honoring those who resisted the German occupation of the island during World War II. It is from this period that his murderer may well have come. But there are other on Guernsey who want Guy Brouard dead. As forensic scientis Simon St. James and his wife, Deborah, soon discover, seemingly everyone on the history-haunted island has something to hide...And behind all the lies and alibis, a killer is lurking.
In this latest from bestseller Elizabeth George, China River, recuperating from a failed love affair, agrees to accompany her ne'er-do-well brother Cherokee to the Channel Islands to hand-deliver a set of architectural drawings to an expatriate millionaire whose plans to fund a museum commemorating the war-time exploits of his Guernsey neighbors comes a cropper after he's found dead under suspicious circumstances. George spins an intricate and lively plot that spotlights the efforts of series regulars Deborah and Simon St. John to help Deborah's old friends free themselves; in the process, she introduces a fascinating cast of secondary characters, many of whom had much more obvious motives to wish Guy Brouard dead than the California siblings who seem tailor-made for a frame-up.
Carol H. from EVANSTON, IL wrote on 10/21/2006...Another absorbing Elizabeth George, this time focused on Simon and Deborah St. James, a friend of Deb's and a complicated saga about the German occupation of Guernsey and a planned memorial.
Lamont F. from LANCASTER, PA wrote on 9/9/2006...Another top-notch mystery by one of the best writers around.
Millie W. from SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV wrote on 8/20/2006...AS those who have read Elizabeth George's mysteries will know, she is a master storyteller. This book, which takes place on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel, is fully as compelling as her previous books. If you haven't read any of her wonderful books before, this is a good way to start!
Diana M. (my edition has a slightly warped bottom edge but is otherwise in good condition
Tracey W. from MARLBOROUGH, MA wrote on 7/16/2006...A masterful mystery story. Wonderful description of the island of Guernsey and how WWII effected the people - an often forgotten part of modern history. Strong characters. A real page-turner.
Mike W. from BEND, OR wrote on 7/8/2006...An isolated beach on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel is the scene of the murder of Guy Brouard, one of Guernsey's wealthiest inhabitants and its main benefactor. Forced as a child to flee the Nazis in Paris, Brouard was engaged in his latest project when he died: a museum honoring those who resisted the German occupation of the island during World War II. It is from this period that his murderer may well have come. But there are others on Guernsey who want Guy Brouard dead. As a forensic scientist Simon St. James and his wife, Deborah, soon discover, seemingly everyone on the history-haunted island has something to hide ... And behind all the lies and alibis, a killer is lurking.