A Great Comfort

“Unhappy people say lots of things they don’t really mean and do lots of things they wouldn’t otherwise do just to try to forget their unhappiness.” Truth.

56.12 A Great Deliverance

I am not a re-reader.  I just can’t focus on rereading books when there are so many more to be discovered, but I do love the feeling of comfort reads.  So instead of returning to old favorite books, I return to favorite characters, Inspector Lynley and DS Havers certainly fit that bill.

I was first introduced to this pair while student teaching.  Well Schooled in Murder was the best way to get anxious to graduate high school seniors through those last weeks of British Literature.  Many even admitted to it being the first book they had actually read in high school – based on both plot and an appalling lack of Sparks Notes.  Then PBS adapted the series and I have watched every episode, so when I need to book to just read read  I love a good old Lynley.

This is the first in the series and I think quite well done, although I am probably giving it a bit of space simply because I know what else is to come.  I loved seeing Havers and Lynley feeling each other out and getting to know one another – although I had forgotten that Lynley is blonde in the books.  I also hated seeing the weaknesses in both characters because I know how they continue to struggle with them through the series, especially Havers.  Overall, the plot was a bit bloated with outside characters and red herrings, but over all it is a very satisfying mystery if a little dated.