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176th out of 3,368 books
—
7,793 voters
With No One as Witness (Inspector Lynley #13)
The police never suspected a serial killer was at large until they found the third murdered boy, the first white victim, his body draped over a tomb in a London graveyard. Suddenly a series of crimes "and" a potential public relations disaster have Scotland Yard on the defensive, scrambling to apprehend a maniac while avoiding accusations of racism.
Detective Superintendent...more
Detective Superintendent...more
Paperback, 784 pages
Published
February 28th 2006
by Harper
(first published January 1st 2005)
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Mar 11, 2009
Kelly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Mystery fans
Recommended to Kelly by:
Caitlin
Shelves:
mystery
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I read one of the early Elizabeth George novels years ago and didn't like it. George is an American writing police procedurals set in London. Having lived in London myself, I was put off by her unsure grasp of English social customs and mores. I don't know what possessed me to read this, but I must say George has come a long way in the intervening years. Not only is she more sure-footed in making her way through the English class system, her gift for plot has truly blossomed. The only real compl...more
This one was quite a ride. One of the best in the series, in my opinion. I almost didn't want to read it, having accidentally found out a major plot development in advance. But Ms. George's writing was spot on in describing how all the characters dealt with the situation. Very realistic. It was good to have Lynley & Havers back, although this one leaves you hanging whether they will be a team in the future. If you're a fan of the series, and the characters, this one is a "don't miss." Not ea...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Hörbuch Rezension:
Nach einer längeren Elizabeth George Pause habe ich jetzt endlich "Wo kein Zeuge ist" (2005) angehört und bin einigermaßen angetan. George hatte ich (wie auch Donna Leon) als Krimiserie zwischendurch abgelegt, weil die Qualität wegbröckelte. Jetzt nach angemessener Pause gefällt mir der Stil und das gesamte Britische wieder sehr gut. Die Story ist auf der persönlichen Ebene der Protagonisten hochdramatisch und der Fall auch bei weitem brutaler und raffinierter als man das sons...more
Nach einer längeren Elizabeth George Pause habe ich jetzt endlich "Wo kein Zeuge ist" (2005) angehört und bin einigermaßen angetan. George hatte ich (wie auch Donna Leon) als Krimiserie zwischendurch abgelegt, weil die Qualität wegbröckelte. Jetzt nach angemessener Pause gefällt mir der Stil und das gesamte Britische wieder sehr gut. Die Story ist auf der persönlichen Ebene der Protagonisten hochdramatisch und der Fall auch bei weitem brutaler und raffinierter als man das sons...more
I was exasperated by the monumental struggles with authority faced by Lynley, Havers and Nkata in this book. On top of their problems at work, too, Havers has to deal with an unpleasant situation at home, Nkata can't make any headway with Yasmin (and struggles with the recognition of his own weakness) and Lynley... well I won't go into that. All the personal drama is wrapped around the hunt for a serial killer who preys on those least likely to be missed. I enjoyed this book, in spite of the abo...more
I have followed this series from the first book and read them all in order. This one, took me by surprise and brought a tear to my eye, something that does not usually happen. Firstly, Ms. George for the first time went for a serial killer and also took on a difficult subject of what goes through the mind of a paedophile and their justifications for how they act. Mixed race 12/13 year old boys are being murdered with their bodies mutilated in London, and it takes four deaths before the police re...more
I had never read this series, but I knew Inspector Lynley and Constable Barbara Havers from the BBC TV series I had rented on NetFlix. I like the characters and the stories within the story, so was happy to find this book at one of our campsites, I think in Bakersfield at the River Run RV Park. It was as good a read as the BBC series was to watch. This episode had the prerequisite serial killer and side -stories about Lynley, who is wrapped very tight always, and his side-kick, Havers, whose lif...more
I did not like this book. I WILL NOT recommend it to anyone. That being said, I did listen to the whole story instead of quitting half way through.
I want to be truthful that there were things that I did like about the story. One, it kept my attention. Mainly because I'm one of those readers who is always trying to solve the crime before the characters do. There were enough potential suspects and persons of interest to make my guessing game difficult, but not so many that the story was cluttered....more
I want to be truthful that there were things that I did like about the story. One, it kept my attention. Mainly because I'm one of those readers who is always trying to solve the crime before the characters do. There were enough potential suspects and persons of interest to make my guessing game difficult, but not so many that the story was cluttered....more
Apr 30, 2010
Sandy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who love sophisticated crime stories
I know I wrote a review for this some time ago and I'm disappointed the system seems to have blipped said review into oblivion..... As with almost all George's books, I loved this one and was so dumbstruck and awed and distressed by the ending that I could not read the sequel to this particular story - 'What Happened Before He Shot Her'..... still haven't managed to get to it although I've read 'Color of Blood' I think it's called - the one that came after "What Happened..." ..... anyway.... I'l...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Stories often linger in memory for a long time. So I try to avoid un-enriching fiction that is too disturbing or indulges in extreme violence for its own sake. I hit the trifecta when I picked up "With No One As Witness" to read as it is too disturbing, too violent, and falls into the no enrichment category. During the reading of this book my thoughts hearkened back to the time my high school English teacher mentioned the writings of the Marquis DeSade during a discussion about authors, librarie...more
I just reread this book -- Elizabeth George is my favorite author, and I want to read her latest, What He Did Before He Shot Her -- but decided I'd re-read this which leads up to the new one. It was as good as ever -- she is such an amazingly good writer, her books never get old.
With No One as Witness by Elizabeth George. A.
This was a re-read for me. Before I start looking for the next one, I wanted to re-read this one. In this book George did a very artful job of presenting a police procedural with a serial killer of little boys. The usual problems between Lindley and Hilliard come to a boiling point. And there is ultimately a tragedy of great proportions. George does a wonderful job of presenting the initial grief processes for everyone involved. I’ve only lost one re...more
This was a re-read for me. Before I start looking for the next one, I wanted to re-read this one. In this book George did a very artful job of presenting a police procedural with a serial killer of little boys. The usual problems between Lindley and Hilliard come to a boiling point. And there is ultimately a tragedy of great proportions. George does a wonderful job of presenting the initial grief processes for everyone involved. I’ve only lost one re...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Jul 27, 2007
asteroidbuckle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Mystery Lovers
Shelves:
mysteries,
crime-fiction
Another great installment from one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth George. I already knew how it ended when I started reading it and was still shocked! One of the few books that has made me cry. Can't wait to find out what happens next to Lynley and Havers.
Jun 07, 2009
Lobstergirl
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Elizabeth George fans
Recommended to Lobstergirl by:
Sugar Rautbord
Shelves:
mystery-thriller,
fiction
Does anyone write about black people or write black dialogue more awkwardly than Elizabeth George? In her world, white people might say "He's expecting us" but black people would say, "He's 'xpecting us." Subtle! She also seems to think a reference to Little Black Sambo (a thought in the head of a black character) is cutting edge social commentary. Also, in every book she is sex-obsessed. This book features a NAMBLA-type organization and a serial killer after adolescent boys. If you omit the ver...more
Sweet god, this is a monstrously long book. Seven hundred pages? Six? I lost count. Having said that, remarkably little waffle considering there are long passages where not much happens apart from dead ends and red herrings, the pacing is pretty tightly kept up throughout. Then again, not what I'd call exactly gripping. The characters were very lightly sketched. The killer was adequately weird. Hm. Another very *competent* crime book, where the author produces a satisfactory brick of a book with...more
When Lynley is called in to investigate the death of an unidentified adolescent boy, he quickly realizes that there are other districts with similar murders that have been discounted as the victims were black or of mixed races and the murders were labeled as gang related. Lynley is sure they have a serial killer focused on adolescent boys. The situation would be difficult without the interference and micromismanagement from Assistant Commissioner Hilliers.
Although I always find George's Lynley...more
Although I always find George's Lynley...more
I love the Inspector Lynley Mysteries on PBS, and a friend had recommended the books to me. When I saw this on the library shelf, I just had to try one. I loved the book, but I do find the Inspector to be depressed. After reading the book, I know why.
A serieal killer is loose in London, but Scotland Yard doesn't realize it until a fourth body is draped over a tombstone. As the Inspector and his staff work through the clues, they deal with interference from upper management, an embedded reporter...more
A serieal killer is loose in London, but Scotland Yard doesn't realize it until a fourth body is draped over a tombstone. As the Inspector and his staff work through the clues, they deal with interference from upper management, an embedded reporter...more
This is the first of her books I've read and I must say I really did like it. I felt so sorry for the characters and the struggles they were going through - both in trying to solve theses horrible killings, and the internal struggles within the department itself. I just love Havers and Lynley. The only bad thing I can say about this book is that it was a bit long. There were some really slow parts that to me seemed to serve little purpose in moving the story forward. I realize it is just the aut...more
I've been an Elizabeth George fan off and on for years, and while I'm playing catch-up with her series, I love this book. It's angsty and full of action and emotion, for all of the major characters (and she has a few!) As with all her books, the balance between our 'core characters', the series characters, and the new characters she creates for this particular book is good and strong. I adore Lynley and Havers, and also Winston NKata, the newest of the 'core' players. While I knew to expect the...more
Book 13, in the Inspector Lynley series
I am happy to see with this instalment my beloved protagonists Thomas Lynley and his partner Barbara Havers back to the forefront and plunged into a suspenseful case complete with red herrings and gritty crime scenes. The book provides an intellectual challenge, its 600 pages or more is a kaleidoscope of complicated themes and sub-themes crisscrossed with a rich narrative that keeps us on the edge of our seat while tracking the numerous players that pop in...more
I am happy to see with this instalment my beloved protagonists Thomas Lynley and his partner Barbara Havers back to the forefront and plunged into a suspenseful case complete with red herrings and gritty crime scenes. The book provides an intellectual challenge, its 600 pages or more is a kaleidoscope of complicated themes and sub-themes crisscrossed with a rich narrative that keeps us on the edge of our seat while tracking the numerous players that pop in...more
I have been re-reading the Inspector Lynley series from the start, and this is the first one I remembered well. I'm guessing it left an indelible impression because it's such a devastating story. This time through I was aware of all the forehadowing. Lynley, Havers, and newly promoted Winston Nkata are investigating the serial murders of adolescent boys, and the path leads straight home. Havers is at her best when she's most vulnerable, and she's finally starting to understand herself better. Ly...more
Really liked this mystery. Impressive that although set in England, it was written by an American. George gets it right in terms of language, atmosphere and British stoicism.
The villian is particularly creepy - I'm never a fan of crimes against children, so be warned if that is sensitive for you, the murder scenes are gruesome and some of the secondary suspects also have disturbing connections to children. That said, I was thoroughly engaged with the main characters and will seek out other book...more
The villian is particularly creepy - I'm never a fan of crimes against children, so be warned if that is sensitive for you, the murder scenes are gruesome and some of the secondary suspects also have disturbing connections to children. That said, I was thoroughly engaged with the main characters and will seek out other book...more
Spoiler alert: so sad!! But another excellent entry in the Lynley series.
A serial killer is targeting adolescent boys in London. The problem is that no one noticed until the 4th victim - who was white. Now Acting-Superindent Thomas Lynley, who, in addition to working for Scotland Yard is also an Earl, is struggling to investigate in a coherent fashion with the media circling around crying of racism, since only cursory investigation went into the murders of the first three mix-raced boys.
I really...more
A serial killer is targeting adolescent boys in London. The problem is that no one noticed until the 4th victim - who was white. Now Acting-Superindent Thomas Lynley, who, in addition to working for Scotland Yard is also an Earl, is struggling to investigate in a coherent fashion with the media circling around crying of racism, since only cursory investigation went into the murders of the first three mix-raced boys.
I really...more
I've read all the Lynley books, up to and including this one. They had some minor irritations, especially in some of her depictions of Englishness, but were well crafted stories. Despite enjoying them though, I always felt that George rather piles the misery on her main characters. They seem to have more than the usual share. But with this book she surpassed herself. Was she trying to shock? The events at the end are gratuitous, have no real connection with the rest of the book. I can't understa...more
My first foray into the world of Inspector Lynley, the British detective created by American author Elizabeth George. My father-in-law has enjoyed this series so I thought I'd try one. In this installment a serial killer is preying on boys in a ritualistic manner. Leads are followed, evidence is uncovered, suspects are fingered -- you know the routine. Murder mysteries are really not my favorite genre and, while I appreciated George's apparent command of British vernacular and enjoyed the dramat...more
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| First Time Reader | 5 | 33 | Mar 15, 2013 06:11pm |
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Susan Elizabeth George is an American author of mystery novels set in Great Britain. Eleven of her novels, featuring her character Inspector Lynley, have been adapted for television by the BBC as The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.
She was born in Warren, Ohio, but moved to the S...more
More about Elizabeth George...
Susan Elizabeth George is an American author of mystery novels set in Great Britain. Eleven of her novels, featuring her character Inspector Lynley, have been adapted for television by the BBC as The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.
She was born in Warren, Ohio, but moved to the S...more
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“Of all my children, you were always the hardest on yourself. You were always looking for the right way to behave, so concerned you might make a mistake. But, darling, there are no mistakes. There are only our wishes, our actions, and the consequences that follow both. There are only events, how we cope with them, and what we learn from the coping."
"That's too easy," he said.
"On the contrary. It's monumentally difficult.”
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11 people liked it
"That's too easy," he said.
"On the contrary. It's monumentally difficult.”
“Everything in our lives," she said quietly, "leads to everything else in our lives. So a moment in the present has a reference point, both in the past and in the future. I want you to know that you--as you are right now and as you ever will be--are fully enough for this moment . . . ”
—
9 people liked it
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Mar 13, 2009 03:02pm