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Catherine's list on the best mysteries that feature two detectives
There are 21 books in the Inspector Lynley series. The newest book is Something to Hide which came out in 2022.
2
Payment in Blood
Payment in Blood
An isolated Scottish mansion is the venue for a reading of a controversial new play by a West End theatre company. But on the very first evening, the playwright is savagely murdered, and Inspector Thomas Lynley faces the most testing case of his career.
For one of the suspects is…
3
Well-Schooled in Murder
Well-Schooled in Murder
4
A Suitable Vengeance
A Suitable Vengeance
5
For the Sake of Elena
For the Sake of Elena
Elena Weaver, in her skimpy dresses and bright jewellery, exuded intelligence and sexuality. A student at St Stephen's College, Cambridge, she lived a life of casual but intense physical and emotional relationships, with scores to settle and targets to achieve. Until someone, lying in wait on the bank of the…
6
Missing Joseph
Missing Joseph
When Deborah St James hears of the unexpected death of Reverend Sage, her sadness has a very personal tinge. For their paths had crossed some months earlier at a particularly vulnerable time for Deborah, and she had found herself confessing her intimate anguish to this sympathetic stranger.
When she realizes…
7
Playing for the Ashes
Playing for the Ashes
When the body of England's leading batsman, Kenneth Fleming, is discovered in the burnt-out shell of a country cottage, it looks like a clear-cut case of arson. Further investigation reveals an almost embarrassing multitude of suspects for murder: from Fleming's lover to his son, nearly everyone in contact with Fleming…
As the editor of a popular left-wing tabloid, Dennis Luxford has made a career out of scandal. But this time the scoop involves his own daughter. To save the life of his child, Luxford must expose the girl's mother - Eve Bowen, now Under Secretary of State for the Home…
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Vee's list on the best novels about families disguised as mysteries
10
In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner
In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner
When the body of Nicola Maiden, the daughter of a retired Scotland Yard undercover officer, is found near an unidentified body in the middle of a pre-historic stone circle in Derbyshire, the newly married Inspector Lynley is asked to lead the investigation into the deaths.
Lynley must get to the…
11
A Traitor to Memory
A Traitor to Memory
12
A Place of Hiding
A Place of Hiding
The sudden death of Guy Brouard after his morning swim shocks the residents of Guernsey. A generous patron and benefactor of the island since his arrival there a decade ago, his demise puts a question mark over many cherished projects.
When a young American woman is charged with the murder,…
13
With No One as Witness
14
What Came Before He Shot Her
The shocking conclusion of Elizabeth George's previous bestseller, With No One As Witness, saw the wife of New Scotland Yard's Thomas Lynley gunned down in the street outside her home. Under arrest for the crime is a twelve-year-old boy, Joel Campbell. What possible motive could he have? What chain of…
15
Careless in Red
16
This Body of Death
DI Thomas Lynley is still on compassionate leave after the murder of his wife. The discovery of a body in a Stoke Newington cemetery offers Isabelle Ardery, his temporary replacement at the Met, the chance to make her mark with a high profile murder investigation.
Persuading Lynley back to work…
17
Believing the Lie
Detective Inspector Lynley is approached by business magnate Bernard Fairclough for a confidential review - not a formal investigation - of the circumstances of his nephew's demise. The coroner's verdict is accidental death.
Recovering from the murder of his wife, Lynley has personal reasons for welcoming a spell away from…
19
A Banquet of Consequences
Inspector Lynley investigates the London end of an ever more darkly disturbing case, with Barbara Havers and Winston Nkata looking behind the peaceful facade of country life to discover a twisted world of desire and deceit.
The suicide of William Goldacre is devastating to those left behind. But what was…
20
The Punishment She Deserves
Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers and Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley are forced to confront the past as they try to solve a crime that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of a quiet, historic medieval town in England
The cozy, bucolic town of Ludlow is stunned…
A hugely complex and entertaining novel - Star Pick*, The Times Crime Club
Elizabeth George delivers another intelligent, intricate mystery - New York Times
Superlative . . . This is a memorable addition to [the Inspector Lynley] series - Publishers Weekly (starred, boxed review)
Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers and Detective…