Believing the Lie Audiobook By Elizabeth George cover art

Believing the Lie

An Inspector Lynley Novel

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Believing the Lie

By: Elizabeth George
Narrated by: Davina Porter
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About this listen

After writing 16 Inspector Lynley novels, New York Times best-selling author Elizabeth George has millions of fans waiting for the next one. As USA Today put it, "It's tough to resist George's storytelling, once hooked." With Believing the Lie, she's poised to hook countless more.

Inspector Thomas Lynley is mystified when he's sent undercover to investigate the death of Ian Cresswell at the request of the man's uncle, the wealthy and influential Bernard Fairclough. The death has been ruled an accidental drowning, and nothing on the surface indicates otherwise. But when Lynley enlists the help of his friends Simon and Deborah St. James, the trio's digging soon reveals that the Fairclough clan is awash in secrets, lies, and motives.

Deborah's investigation of the prime suspect - Bernard's prodigal son Nicholas, a recovering drug addict - leads her to Nicholas's wife, a woman with whom she feels a kinship, a woman as fiercely protective as she is beautiful. Lynley and Simon delve for information from the rest of the family, including the victim's bitter ex-wife and the man he left her for, and Bernard himself. As the investigation escalates, the Fairclough family's veneer cracks, with deception and self-delusion threatening to destroy everyone from the Fairclough patriarch to Tim, the troubled son Ian left behind.

Crack another case with Inspector Lynley.©2012 Elizabeth George (P)2012 Penguin
Detective Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Traditional Detectives Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Marriage

Critic reviews

"A multiplicity of subplots and a richness of physical detail.... The terrain and the weather are objective correlatives to the characters' stormy patches. Meanwhile, the story strands are untied and retied in satisfying and often moving ways." (The Wall Street Journal)

"Elizabeth George is a superstar of the crime-fiction world, British Inspector Division. Deservedly so: Her tales always provide nuanced character studies and insights into social issues along with their intricate mysteries." (The Seattle Times)

"Devilishly complicated." (Entertainment Weekly)

What listeners say about Believing the Lie

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  • Overall
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I believed!

As much as I admired this book I do wish Inspector Lynley would get over his wife's death and throw himself into the centre of the action again. However despite the lack of Lynley, Believing the Lie is a very well constructed book. One of of Lynley's old flames, Deborah St James, is a main character in this story and frankly she gave me the pip - in fact many of George's female characters can be annoying but the brilliantly drawn Barbara Havers (also pushed to the margins in this book) makes up for all of them. I'm not a fan of Davina Porter as a narrator but I think I'm one of the few. You won't find a lot of gory murders in this book, it's an engrossing story of lies creating serious consequences for those who tell them and those who believe them.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Started slowly but finished well

Just don't give up on this at the beginning because it starts so ploddingly slowly. Elizabeth George hasn't failed to deliver before so I had faith and kept going. It blossomed and
delivered!! You cant really fail with Inspector Lynley and good old Barbara sorting things out. It's not my favorite but still worth the read...

It ends with a definite lead int the next book...and I cant wait for that one.

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1 person found this helpful

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I Finished It, but...

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would make fewer story lines and develop the new characters more fully.

What was most disappointing about Elizabeth George’s story?

I usually love her books, but this one was so convoluted that is was tough to finish.

Which scene was your favorite?

I always enjoy Barbara Havers scenes with Inspector Lynley. Those kept me going.

Was Believing the Lie worth the listening time?

no

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Another Great Mystery

Elizabeth George weaves realistic characters into several storylines, some that overlap and some that stand alone. Great listening in a car or while doing chores.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent!

Where does Believing the Lie rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best I've heard.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The story kept me listening all weekend. The long story with intricate plot lines are riveting. You never know if Elizabeth is going to save someone or not and it keeps you wondering and worrying. She has no favorites in age, gender, etc.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Tim's problems are so devastating.

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5 people found this helpful

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Suspense and character

Not difficult to be utterly taken by Elizabeth George - she is one of the best crime novel writers ever. And I really appreciate the audio productions of her books hence would be delighted to find the earlier E. George novels (that I have all read) soon as audio books. I surely would buy them all!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Believing the Lie

A well told story with great characters and a twist ending. If you like inspector Lindley, you will like this book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Classic Elizabeth George (which is a good thing)

I love mysteries and Elizabeth George has been one of my favorite authors for over 20 years. But this is the first audiobook of hers I have tried. Even though it is one of the few stories I partially figured out, I still really enjoyed it. Lots of twists and turns plus good narration made it a great listen.

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George is a consistently excellent storyteller

If you could sum up Believing the Lie in three words, what would they be?

riveting, well written, addictive

What did you like best about this story?

I love the way Elizabeth George consistently weaves a story together with no lack of continuity and with over the top intrigue! This story had my full attention from beginning to end. Her prose is delicious and her character development is unmatched. I'm sad that I discovered her so late in my life but very glad I finally did find her.

Have you listened to any of Davina Porter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this is the first one but I do think she's very good.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Deadly family secrets revealed

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Not as good as usual but worth the credit for fans

I have been a longtime Elizabeth George fan and have read every one of her books. They can sometimes be tough to get through, so I wondered at Davina Porter's narration, but her performance was wonderful. George's characters, always so layered and unique, shine through in this audiobook...but the story! A barely-there excuse for the ever-crush worthy and luscious Lynley to waste his multitude of talents. Is there a crime? Isn't there a crime? (And at some point: Who cares if there's a crime?) I have to admit, I felt a little insulted. It just isn't a very smart plot. Also if you hated Deborah St. James before (really...couldn't George have killed HER off instead of Helen?) you will find her especially grating in this book.
But, here's the rub, if you are a Lynley fan you are probably going to get this book. I keep giving George just one more chance based on the genius of her earlier books in this series. Her characters really feel like old friends and her descriptions of London and small town England are always spot on. I feel comfortable with her novels. But maybe that's the problem. Her books have become cozy. They used to be intense and intelligent. They challenged me. I used to say I loved reading Elizabeth George because I always felt she was smarter than me. But sadly with this book I am brought one step closer to walking away from her future books and just revert to re-reading her older ones. In fact, if you have never read Elizabeth George, please don't start with this book! Come on, Elizabeth George, it's time to knock another one out of the park in the Lynley mystery series.

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