Star U. (macgyvershe) reviewed What Came Before He Shot Her (Inspector Lynley, Bk 14) on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Ms George, writer of the Inspector Lynley mysteries, is a woman who gives good read.
This is an exhaustive study of the events that lead to death of a woman that the shooter didn't know or could ever hope to know.
The social strat, the dark purposes, the struggling youth who have little or nothing to believe in and a family torn by loss, dysfunction and the damages inflicted by secrets and social misunderstandings.
It was a complete page turner, but don't look for a fairy tale ending. This is the real world and nothing is given.
This is an exhaustive study of the events that lead to death of a woman that the shooter didn't know or could ever hope to know.
The social strat, the dark purposes, the struggling youth who have little or nothing to believe in and a family torn by loss, dysfunction and the damages inflicted by secrets and social misunderstandings.
It was a complete page turner, but don't look for a fairy tale ending. This is the real world and nothing is given.
Georgette N. (gcn43) reviewed What Came Before He Shot Her (Inspector Lynley, Bk 14) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Very different Elizabeth George's other books. I had a hard time reading the dialect at first but then it all fell into place. The book delivers a hard punch. You should at least read the one or two books that precede this one.
Stephanie S. (punkinema) -
Helpful Score: 3
Story of 3 children in the ghetto of London and how they cope. Not really a murder mystery but rather a story of poverty, gangs and how adults cope. Very sad. Absolutely great story writing however.
Lynn J. (FElynn) reviewed What Came Before He Shot Her (Inspector Lynley, Bk 14) on + 106 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I have been a long time Elizabeth George fan and I must say I put off reading this book for a very long time; mainly due to the poor reviews. I did not think I would like it as well as her others.
I was wrong.
Although I have enjoyed most of her other books, I found this book outstanding. I almost said I "really enjoyed" but that phrase does not fit this book. This book is far too troubling to be "enjoyed".
The book has remarkable character development and whether you love them or hate them, all of the characters will effect you. This is one of those books where you almost dread turning to the next page because you do not want to see what you know is coming next. The book and the tragedy that is the life of its characters will haunt you long after you read the last page.
Yes, the other reviewers are right this is NOT a mystery. It is the story of several people and the tragic decisions that they make in an effort to salvage their own lives and sometimes the ones around them.
I finished this book a month ago but almost daily I ask myself what they could have done differently. Their history, environment, politics and society all play equal parts in this drama.
Without a doubt, this is George's BEST and STRONGEST novel. Despite its length I plan on recommending it to my book club. I can't imagine a better book to spark a great discussion.
I was wrong.
Although I have enjoyed most of her other books, I found this book outstanding. I almost said I "really enjoyed" but that phrase does not fit this book. This book is far too troubling to be "enjoyed".
The book has remarkable character development and whether you love them or hate them, all of the characters will effect you. This is one of those books where you almost dread turning to the next page because you do not want to see what you know is coming next. The book and the tragedy that is the life of its characters will haunt you long after you read the last page.
Yes, the other reviewers are right this is NOT a mystery. It is the story of several people and the tragic decisions that they make in an effort to salvage their own lives and sometimes the ones around them.
I finished this book a month ago but almost daily I ask myself what they could have done differently. Their history, environment, politics and society all play equal parts in this drama.
Without a doubt, this is George's BEST and STRONGEST novel. Despite its length I plan on recommending it to my book club. I can't imagine a better book to spark a great discussion.
Vicki S. (curledupwithabook) -
Helpful Score: 1
Took me about three weeks to get 2/3 of the way through this book. Although well written, it was exceedingly, unrelentingly depressing. I actually looked for other things to do to avoid reading this book. Here's the problem: the author gets you to care for the main characters (children) in this book and then surrounds them with people who care about them, but who are hopelessly incapable of providing for them. Add to this a corrupt criminal justice system and some sociopathic hoodlums and you have a recipe for despair.
The few morsels of light the book provided were not sufficient to leave the reader anything, but anxiety-ridden for several hours after putting the book down for the night. The worst part is that I'm sure George's depiction of the situation is pretty true-to-life, making me even more depressed because there's nothing I can do about it. So, having hundreds of other books on my bookshelf, I opted to skim through the final chapters to assuage my (morbid) curiosity and will now move on to something a bit more relaxing - maybe a serial killer book. LOL!
The few morsels of light the book provided were not sufficient to leave the reader anything, but anxiety-ridden for several hours after putting the book down for the night. The worst part is that I'm sure George's depiction of the situation is pretty true-to-life, making me even more depressed because there's nothing I can do about it. So, having hundreds of other books on my bookshelf, I opted to skim through the final chapters to assuage my (morbid) curiosity and will now move on to something a bit more relaxing - maybe a serial killer book. LOL!
