Missing Joseph

By: Elizabeth George

Narrated by: Donada Peters

After a grisly death ruins a couple’s vacation, Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley must determine whether this small-town tragedy was an accident or the beginning of a sinister plot—a “totally satisfying mystery” (Denver Post) in the #1 New York Times bestselling Inspector Lynley series.

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“This rich, intricate novel is a perfect choice for anyone in the market for first-rate summer fiction.”—The Baltimore Sun

Deborah and Simon St. James have taken a holiday in the winter landscape of Lancastershire, hoping to heal the growing rift in their marriage. But in the barren countryside awaits bleak news: The vicar of Wimslough, the man they had come to see, is dead—a victim of accidental poisoning. Unsatisfied with the inquest ruling and unsettled by the close association between the investigating constable and the woman who served the deadly meal, Simon calls in his old friend Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley. Together they uncover dark, complex relationships in this rural village—relationships that bring men and women together with a passion, with grief, or with the intention to kill.

Critic reviews

“A totally satisfying mystery experience.”—Denver Post

“[George] proves that the classiest crime writers are true novelists.”—The New York Times

“Layered, intricate . . . deftly plotted, highly atmospheric.”—Publishers Weekly

“Perhaps Ms. George’s most satisfying puzzle yet . . . this rich, intricate novel is a perfect choice for anyone in the market for first-rate summer fiction.”—The Baltimore Sun

Slow but interesting

A little on the slow side but still interesting. Could have done without Sir James and his wife’s issues.

whiney

could be the era it was written but women are so whiney and insufferable, this one was more of a slog than the others. some beautiful writing here and there as always.

Chapter numbers

A good deal of confusion with the chapter numbers seems very careless to me A A competent copy editor would have been able to fix that problem

Not what I expected but quite good

To me this was definitely not a typical Inspector Lynley novel considering the rather explicit sex scenes. For awhile I thought I was reading a pornographic novel. I was also worried about the absence of Barbara Havers throughout most of the story. I was quite relieved when she helped wrap up the mystery.
I did find the narrator annoying at first, but she grew on me and I found the entire plot riveting with the final outcome just out of reach till the end!
I’m just hoping to see more of Sergeant Havers in the next mystery.

Bonking A Major Theme

SPOILER ALERT
This Lynley story has a lot of content about sexual activities, including a rape. The thing about Elizabeth George is that she's a very competent writer, so these descriptions are well done, and the narrator stops short (just) of chewing the scenery. So it comes down to whether you are comfortable with such content or not.
I'd have given this 3.5 stars if possible, but I didn't enjoy it as much as some of her other books partly because of the narration and partly because of the amount of space George devotes to all the bonking. (To be fair, George often gives lengthy descriptions, perhaps to the detriment of the plot.)