Inspired by the Amanda Knox case, Elizabeth George has her series character Dr Barbara Havers whipping up tabloid support over the kidnapping of a teenage girl in Italy. Her boss, Inspector Lynley, then goes to Italy and the huge difference between our policing methods and the Italians’ makes for a wonderfully different police procedural thriller. It’s a big novel, over 700 pages so lots to get stuck into.
When Hadiyyah Upman disappears from London in the company of her mother, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers is as devastated as the girl's father. They are her close friends as well as neighbours, but since the child is with her mother, nothing can be done. Five months later, Hadiyyah is kidnapped from an open air market in Lucca, Italy, and this triggers an investigation in the full glare of the media spotlight. Barbara's clever manipulation of the worst of London's tabloids forces New Scotland Yard to become involved. But rather than Barbara herself, her superior officer DI Thomas Lynley is assigned to handle a situation made delicate by racial issues, language difficulties, and the determination of an Italian magistrate to arrest and convict someone - anyone - for the crime.
Praise for Elizabeth George: 'Presses all the buttons to make us hoover her stuff up Daily Telegraph She
's a designer of fastidious mosaics that never fail to intrigue. -- Guardian Her crime novels combine Victorian craftsmanship, psychological observation and ingenious plotting. George's celebrated attention to detail keeps the reader totally immersed. Bliss. -- Saga Ms George is the connoisseur's crime writer. Like fine wine, her words need to be savoured. -- Sunday Express The author writes brilliantly and has an incredible ability to set a scene and create characters you want to know more about. -- Sun'
Author
About Elizabeth George
Elizabeth George is the author of highly acclaimed novels of psychological suspense. She won the Anthony and Agatha Best First Novel awards in America and received the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière in France. In 1990 she was awarded the prestigious German prize for international mystery fiction, the MIMI. Her novels have now been adapted for television by the BBC. An Edgar and Macavity Nominee as well as a New York Times and international bestselling author, Elizabeth George lives on Whidbey Island in the state of Washington.
