A Traitor to Memory

Inspector Lynley, Book 11

By: Elizabeth George

Narrated by: Donada Peters

Elizabeth George "reigns as the queen of the mystery genre", raves Entertainment Weekly, which named her novel In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner one of the 10 best books of 1999. The author who has enthralled millions with masterworks of dazzling novels of literary suspense returned with her most astonishing work yet.

"Ms. George proves that the classiest of crime writers are true novelists," proclaimed the New York Times, and each of her previous 10 novels had been an instant international best-seller. With A Traitor to Memory, George returned to the themes that had made her a master of the genre she had made distinctly her own - the classic detective story that is also a richly rewarding tapestry of passion, loyalty, and betrayal. She is a writer like no other, and her novels mark a magnificent literary achievement.

"To listen is to be, but to play is to live...." So believes Gideon Davies, 28-year-old musical wunderkind, a virtuoso violinist whose talents are internationally celebrated. When Gideon finds himself center stage, unable to play, his tortured search for his music - and for the truth behind the appalling event that shaped his life - will lead him to the very heart of love's darkest manifestations.

©2001 Susan Elizabeth George (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"This can only add to her growing reputation as doyenne of English mystery novelists.... [S]ome particularly moving moments." (Publishers Weekly)

"A superbly paced, all-consuming treat.... George has the ability to display and then dissect her characters in a painfully realistic way. If dogged police work is what you demand from mysteries, hit the sidewalk with these complicated British detectives." (USA Today)

"Wrenching ... George still stands several rungs up the ladder from her more superficial rivals." (Kirkus Reviews)

Pretty good

This one had some good parts but I knew easily what had happened to the baby. This book ensures reading the next to know about a lot of loose ends.

Well done

I have been reading Elizabeth George’s books and I find them well-written, in line with other authors I like — P D James, Louise Penny, Donna Leon and Ann Cleeves. I haven’t submitted reviews but wanted to for this book as there have been some negative reviews. If you enjoy reading the Detective Lynley series, don’t bypass this book. It is well worth the read.

at her best

Brilliant and complex. The use of the psychotherapy to tell the story is perfect and the ending magnificent.

Unsettling

A lot of loose ends in this story. It seemed overly long and the ending was , well, bizarre.

As ever, deep and engrossing

This one was powerfully psychoanalytic in its plotting. Layers of stories upon stories. I guessed the endpoint but admired how she kept on foiling the reader at every turn with something else.

What a great writer

I read everything and anything she writes . Hope she keeps them coming I’ve read pretty much every book

Drama Drama Drama

Confusing at times. Not clear where the story was. Rehashing of Gideon’s  timeline for growing up in the chaotic house. The end of the story was disappointing for all the detail about the deaths of the characters. Anti-climactic arrest of Richard. Libby, smashing his violin I wanted to murder her.

Too long

This book is a listening marathon. This book became a burden to finish. IMO, cutting three hours off this book would have been greatly appreciated and still maintained the story line.

A must listen.

Complex, insightful & illuminating. I've read this book 2x and listening to it increased it's impact and allowed me to get deeper into it. A Remarkable book actually. I enjoy long complex stories and mysteries. Over the years of reading this series, seeing some of the abridged stories on DVD and now listening to the books, including this one - well, my respect for Elizabeth George as an observer of the 'human condition' and especially as a writer who has in a sense created an alternate universe peopled with remarkable characters has only increased. Thanks to the Author and the Narrator and all who produced this edition.

The Books are the Bedt

I have just seen a number of the television series of inspector Lynley
And the books are so much better
My goal ……. Read the complete series