Title: In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner
Author: Elizabeth George
First published January 1, 1999
718 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780553575101 (ISBN10: 0553575104)
Rating: 4.12
Overview
While taking her dog for a walk on the moors near Nine Sisters Henge, in the north of England, an old lady discovers the lifeless body of a young man, stabbed to death. The police arrive quickly and not far from there, they find the body of a young woman, killed by a violent blow to the head.
Did the victims know each other? Was there a connection between them?
Why did the murderer kill them in two different ways? Thomas Lynley, a friend of the young woman’s father, is in charge of the investigation.
With the help of Sergeant Winston Nkata and Barbara Havers, who he has been avoiding since her last misconduct, he must unravel the threads of a terribly complex story with multiple ramifications. It quickly becomes clear that Nicola Maiden, the murdered young woman, was not the studious and well-behaved student everyone thought she was, and that the other victim had some very troubling activities.
Every lead that arises seems to complicate the case even more. Who were the two young people?
Why were they killed? And most importantly, who killed them?
About the Author
Susan Elizabeth George is an accomplished American author who specializes in writing mystery novels that are set in Great Britain. Her Inspector Lynley character has been adapted into eleven television shows by the BBC under the title The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.
Although she was born in Warren, Ohio, Susan moved to the San Francisco Bay Area when she was very young. She pursued English in her academic career and obtained a teaching certificate.
While teaching in the public school system, she also earned a degree in psychology.
Susan’s first published novel, A Great Deliverance, was released in 1988. The book features the character of Thomas Lynley, Lord Asherton, an inspector from Scotland Yard who comes from a noble background.
He is assisted by Barbara Havers, who comes from a working-class family. Lady Helen Clyde, Lynley’s girlfriend and later wife, is also portrayed as coming from a noble family.
The novel also introduces Lynley’s friends Simon and Deborah St. James.
It’s worth noting that Susan Elizabeth George should not be confused with the other author named Elizabeth George who writes Christian literature.
Editoral Review
In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner, written by Elizabeth George and first published on January 1, 1999, offers a captivating murder mystery that combines both police procedural and psychological thriller in one. As an esteemed author of crime fiction, George’s unique style is evident in this novel, with a seamless blend of descriptors, dialogue, and detail that bring each character and scene to life.
The book is set in the fictional town of Winslough, located in England’s Lake District, where two hikers discover the remains of a young woman on a mountainside. The victim, Nicola Maiden, is soon discovered to be a woman with many secrets, which lead detectives Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers to delve deep into her past.
Along the way, they encounter a cast of fascinating characters, including spiritualists, therapists, and seemingly benevolent family members. George’s skill at character development shines through in the book.
Each character is carefully crafted to reveal their motivations and backgrounds, which are crucial in piecing together the mystery. Lynley and Havers, the two primary detectives, are a pair of opposites that balance each other expertly.
Lynley is refined and upper-class, while Havers is rough around the edges and comes from a working-class background. Their differing perspectives are integral in gradually uncovering Nicola’s secrets.
One of the book’s primary strengths is how it expertly tackles the themes of love, loss, and redemption while weaving a riveting story. The novel expertly handles the effects of trauma on both the victim and the surviving family members.
Through its exploration of the characters, the book delves into themes that remain relevant in today’s society but were taboo at the time of its publication. George manages to tackle these weighty issues while creating a novel that remains a page-turner with an unpredictable ending.
In contrast, some critics could argue that the book is overly convoluted, with too many red herrings, which could make it difficult to follow at times. Nevertheless, this flaw pales in comparison to the book’s strengths, which are numerous.
Readers who appreciate the intricacies of a well-crafted mystery will find In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner to be a satisfying read. For those who have read other books in George’s Inspector Lynley series, they will find this book to be a welcome addition to the series.
It is also an excellent introduction to new readers hoping to explore George’s works. Therefore, I recommend this book, and I give it a score of 8.5 out of 10.
George’s In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner stands out as an excellent example of crime fiction that manages to balance substance and style masterfully.
