Watching the Rain Fall

This may very well become a book blog. But this entry is going to focus on Elizabeth George.

Elizabeth George is best known for her Inspector Lynley series. Most are familiar with this series through the PBS Mystery! specials of the series (starring Nathanial Parker and Sharon Small). George is an American who can with amazing accuracy write about English culture and society. The main characters in the Lynley Series are (of course) Detective Inspector Thomas (Tommy) Lynley, DC Barbara Havers, Simon St James and his wife Deborah, and his assistant Lady Helen Clyde.

The first book starts with Lynley, the Eighth Earl of Asherton (don’t worry, it’s not just you, no one seems to know why he ever entered the police force), being partnered with the unpleasant Barbara Havers. She is angry, confrontational and working class but also too assertive and intelligent for her own good. Naturally she is displeased with being shuffled around the male dominated group of detectives at the Metropolitan Police, and this seems to be the worst assignment yet. Over the next few books the unlikely pair works out a partnership and a friendship as Barbara’s life seems to unravel and Tommy’s seems to come together.

Simon is an independent forensic scientist often hired by New Scotland Yard, and life long friend of Tommy (went to Eaton together), and is married to a photographer, and the daughter of his manservant, and about fifteen years his junior, Deborah. His assistant Helen Clyde is another long time friend, who more for something to do than need, assists Simon in his lab.

Like Barbara the reader steps into a group of characters with a fully formed history and the complexities that come with them. Over the first few books the reader collects the histories of the entire group. And of course in proper mystery fashion, just as everything seems to be going swimmingly (which of course is a relative term) it all falls apart.

I’ve become increasingly attached to the characters while finding the mysteries engaging and well written. Anyone who enjoys mystery, or English culture should enjoy this book.

Her latest installment is Careless in Red and is due for release on May 6, 2008.