I didn't realize until I had plowed through almost half of this that it was a prequel. Just didn't like it. ( )

This is a prequel in that we learn more about most of the main characters past. Barbara Havers features very little but I really enjoyed it nonetheless and look forward to continuing this series. ( )

A Suitable Vengeance is the fourth of the Lynley-Havers series by Elizabeth George, however, it deals with events that happened prior to the very first book of the series, A Great Deliverance. It has plenty of background for Lynley fans and also reveals a great deal of the Lynley family history. Unfortunately DS Havers plays only a cameo role which is a shame because she would have brought a touch of reality to a highly melodramatic tale. Previous books have hinted at some sort of a triangle between Lynley, St. James and Deborah and this book will finally answer them. It's way too long and really overwritten but as a fan of the series I found it interesting to fill in some of the character's background.

In this book, the main action is set in Cornwall where Lynley plans to introduce his fiancee, Deborah Cotton. "A Suitable Vengeance" starts out extremely slowly. In fact, the first murder, that of a local newspaperman, doesn't occur until at least a quarter of the way through. If it had been a straight murder story rather than a vehicle to explore the histories of our main characters it might have been more interesting. The murderer ended up being a surprise for me but I was so annoyed at the Harlequin-like, self-pitying relationships between Lynley, St. James and Deborah that by the time I got there I no longer cared.

The descriptions of Cornwall are excellent, providing a convincing sense of place and an atmospheric backdrop. Hopefully, in her next novels George will return to the approach that worked well in the first three novels, where she writes a great mystery that any observant reader can solve and, along the way, deepens the reader's understanding of some very likable characters. I'm still a fan and have already picked up number 5 of the series, For the Sake of Elena.
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Seriously you guys. I hard shrugged this book throughout. Why George decided to throw out a book that shows events that took place before the first book in the series baffles me. Also there's just a look at Havers and that's it. I cannot read a whole book following Lynley and St. James again. My head was done in. Also the casual way that everyone reacted when a character was almost raped just made my jaw drop. Also the plot line following who murdered several people and why was beyond convoluted.

"A Suitable Vengeance" I think takes place at least 3 years before the start of "A Great Deliverance." In this we have some of the same characters we know today (Lynley, St. James, Lady Helen, and Deborah) but of course at different places in their lives. We see Lynley in a relationship and engaged. We know that St. James has feelings for her, but because of an accident leaving him disabled he is reluctant to be with her. Lynely asks Deborah and others to come to his family home, Howenstow, in order to formally propose to Deborah. Of course a murder takes place that leaves a lot of questions and then leads to the death of another person. Lynely and St. James start investigating when it appears their family members (Lynlely's brother and St. James's sister) may be involved in some way.

Lady Helen continues to be the best thing about this series. I ended up despising Deborah through this whole book pretty much. She's exhausting. Lynely seemed to just be there and most of the story hangs on St. James. I don't mind being in his POV for the most part, he seems to be constantly struggling to not show people what he is feeling. We get a brief glimpse of Havers and I was ticked. Seriously, you need Lynley and Havers together, you can see without her in his life and vice versa. I think if Havers had been on the scene you would have had someone on the scene to look at things that they all kept overlooking in their rush to protect others or lie to each other about the habits of the rich and titled.

The writing was fine, the flow was off though. I just didn't follow much of what anything was going on and we kept having twists and people going well so this is what happened and then it would be, nope this is what really happened. I ceased caring after about the third or fourth revelation.

The ending was just a letdown. I already know what happened with all of the parties in this story so I didn't care. The resolution to the murders had me going okay...that's super complicated. I felt like I needed a flow chart to understand how everyone and thing was linked together. ( )

When journalist Mick Cambrey is found dead, castrated, local opinion is that he got what was coming to him. Inspector Lynley of Scotland Yard investigates the murder in his hometown Howenstow where he knows everybody from his childhood. As the investigation proceeds another murder occurs.
A Suitable Vengance is the fourth book by Elizabeth George about Inspector Lynley and I listened to an audio edition of it published by Bantam Audio Publishing of 1991. I jumped right into A Suitable Vengance and I felt it worked well as a standalone. I am curious what happened to Lynley in the 3 previous installments. In this early release Havers only makes a brief “guest appearance” working with the local investigator. She has not met Lynley at this point.
The story is set in and around idyllic Cornish village of Howenstow. He takes on the investigation assisted by Simon St James. As they are outside their jurisdiction, they are not working in any real professional capacity; more or less as private citizens when investigating the murder of Mick Cambrey.
The plot of A Suitable Vengance has a number of fascinating elements. We get to read about cocaine trafficking, experiments with cancer drugs, cross dressing, posh lifestyle and complicated, bad relationships.

Main character is Inspector Thomas Lynley, 8th Lord Asherton who is heir to the Howenstow estate, has a seriously complicated relationship with his estranged mother following her infidelity. Fortunately as the story progressed, they both to become a little more mature about the incident.

Secondary character Peter Lynley is Inspector Lynley’s younger brother who is a drop out of Oxford. He is addicted to cocaine and lives from one fix to the next. I felt very sorry for him as he felt abandoned by his older brother when very young and kind of gave up on his own life.
To choose a favorite character in this story feels hard. Thomas seemed to be the hero and Peter more of tragic character. My least favorite I think was the first victim’s father Harry Cambrey, who was creating and trying to keep up a lie about his son to shield the family from prejudice.

My favorite part of the plot was descriptions of the posh lifestyle of the Lynleys. Reminiscent of environments from Downton Abbey set in a crime fiction story. It included everything from dinner parties and big social events to descriptions of the manor house itself.

A Suitable Vengance (Inspector Lynley #4) by Elizabeth George is a story with a mix of very fascinating elements ranging from cocaine trafficking to drug experiments. Including twists and turns a very surprising ending. As I am curious about the main character’s relationships, I will definitely go back and pick up on that storyline.
Fans of Elizabeth George would love A Suitable Vengance, as would readers of crime fiction.
Similar authors to explore might be Louise Penny or P.D. James.
Thank you to Kristiansand Public Libraray for providing me with this audio CD edition of A Suitable Vengance which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions in this review are completely my own.

My rating: 4 stars / 5
Main reasons: exiting plot, great character development, surprise ending ( )