Rating  - Not Up to her Usual Best
Elizabeth George is one of the best British Mystery writers today - even though she is American. Her books are deeper psychological portraits, and have the recurring characters of Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers, among others. In her last book, the author got herself in a bit of a jam; having killed off Lynley's wife, and having Lynley resign from New Scotland Yard, she somehow needed to write him back into this book. Unfortunately, she had limited success. To be honest, I got tired of reading about Lynley feeling sorry for himself.
The book unfurls in a small community in Cornwall, and deals with the death of a local boy, a surfer and reluctant rock climber. Lynley literally stumbles across the body while walking along the coast in a bout of self pity. While never officially engaged in the investigation, he helps out the local investigator, and soon Havers enters the picture as well. There is never anything black and white in Elizabeth George's books, which is part of their attraction, and the murder is both solved and unsolved.
Lots of information about surfing in the UK - I had no idea they did surf in the UK. Fine writing, but I hope the next book puts Lynley back where he belongs, in London, back on the job, and no longer wallowing in self pity. Few writers hit the mark with every book; George just missed it with this one.
Rating  - Fantastic
Elizabeth George has not lost her touch with her latest novel "Careless in Red". I found the book as extremely compelling, as all of her books have been. She continues to shine as an outstanding author, drawing out intensly interesting stories complemented with the best drawn charecters I have ever read. Bravo! Please continue to write additinal books. It is a long wait for avid readers of the Lynley mysteries.
Rating  - Thank goddess for Havers
I love Lynley. I love Havers, and all the New Scotland Yard personnel they entail. Never thought I cared about Helen, until she was killed. ("Without any witness" and "What came before he shot her" are mandatory reading. These are tour de force novels, regardless of the series. The former is the only mystery that has ever made me cry.) "Careless in red" was the hoped-for continuation of the Lynley-Havers series.
"Careless in red" is a very good read, but I hope it is merely a transition to new work. The story is interesting and certainly in the George tradition. Lynley is sort-of back, a little too interested in the new attractive woman to be believed. Havers is her wonderful self. The character of the new police chief in the small town Lynley stumbles upon is also terrific. (I could envision a new series featuring her and Havers.)
Whatever direction Ms. George decides to take with Lynley and Havers, I'm there -- as long as they don't realize they are "meant for each other." The characters are the ultimate pairing, and their new relationship provides many new directions. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Rating  - A Tedious Read
This is the first Elizabeth George book I have read and it will be my last. It was so hard to get through and could have easily been 150 pages shorter in length. To much useless information. Do I really care if the Detective is computer dating? I think I have wasted my time.
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