Playing for the Ashes Audiobook By Elizabeth George cover art

Playing for the Ashes

Inspector Lynley, Book 7

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Playing for the Ashes

By: Elizabeth George
Narrated by: Donada Peters
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"The story begins with my father, actually, and the fact that I'm the one who's answerable for his death. It was not my first crime, as you will see, but it is the one my mother couldn't forgive."

In her astonishing New York Times best-seller, acclaimed author Elizabeth George reveals the even darker truth behind this startling confession. Playing for the Ashes is a rich tale of passion, murder, and love in which Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers once again find themselves embroiled in a case where nothing - and no one - is really what it seems.

Intense, suspenseful, and brilliantly written, Playing for the Ashes will make listeners "search out the sleuthing pair's first six adventures...a treasure", as Cosmopolitan predicted in their review.

©1994 Susan Elizabeth George (P)2018 Random House Audio Crime Thrillers Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Crime Thriller Exciting

Critic reviews

"A perfect choice for anyone in the market for first-rate summer fiction." (The Sun, Baltimore)

"Those who haven't discovered Elizabeth George ... should rush to read Playing for the Ashes." (Us Magazine)

"Gritty and satisfying." (New Yorker)

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Intriguing Mystery • Surprise Ending • Excellent Narration • Engaging Storylines • Thoughtful Themes
Highly rated for:
All stars
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Believable, sympathetic characterization
Lucid writing
Excellent English usage : such a rare experience !
Hold the attention

Insightful

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I really liked this book. To be honest, it's long and I felt an emotional toll after I finished it. It included some realities that are hard to think about but I feel the author did a really good job. In places, my heart ached. Through the characters you were able to see and feel how making bad choices affected not only themselves but their loved ones.

There were a few different storylines going on and even after listening to 3/4 of the book I could not see how these were all going to be brought together, let alone solve the mystery. However, the author was able to tie everything up and the mystery had a surprise ending.

This is not a "fluff" mystery. Readers who are looking for an intriguing mystery that will make them think and reflect will enjoy this book.

Intriguing Mystery

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Of all the Lynley novels this is the most satisfying. All our inner circle are there, but several other worlds are meticulously and sensuously created and intertwined. I wish you joy!

Extraordinary

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A whopping good read with a large number of possible suspects to the murder of a famous English cricket player found asphyxiated in his bed in the cottage he shared with his mistress. As is becoming normal with George's characters, the personal relationships are featured but don't take over the book, there are side-plots aplenty that introduce the reader to animal rights activism, cricket leagues and culture, and now introduced Barbara Havers new neighbors...an attractive Pakistani gentleman and his 8 year old daughter ("My mother is on vacation in Canada"). Is there a future romance for Barbara? The runup to the reveal at the end is one of the best I've read this year. Again, I had read this years ago, but didn't remember how it ended, so the pleasure was there again.

Best one yet in the series

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Good story that presents well-drawn characters (as usual) faced with moral dilemmas. I liked that George simply presented controversial topics without analysis and stayed off the soapbox. If you listen to this one, you'll have to spend a good deal of time with completely narcissistic characters.

Choices, Choices

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This was an engaging and thought-provoking novel—deeper and more layered than the preceding (also very good) books in the series. Match that with Donada Peters’ excellent narration and character voices and George’s vivid prose, and the result is a great listen. My only disappointment in the series is that the main characters are flatter and less developed than the temporary characters around whom each mystery revolves. Nonetheless they are likable and interesting, and I seem to be along for the ride!

Best Lynley so far

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This one kept me wondering all the way to the end. Great job to the author for this one. I liked it very much.

Interesting book

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I am enjoying listening to the Inspector Lynley Series in order. The back story is as enjoyable as the mystery!!

My favorite Elizabeth George novel so far!

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Love the author and narrator, but this mystery has too many unnecessary branches. It’s the only novel by Elizabeth George that I wish I had not read.

Lost interest

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this story was darker than the previous books in the series and I initially felt that I didn't want to read it, but fortunately I kept going, and I was pulled right in. The strength of love and the human response to love or it's lack is explored through romantic, parent -child, and friendship relationships. The plot develops carefully giving weight to several possibilities without revealing the mystery until the end.

A lot to ponder

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