Just One Evil Act by Elizabeth George 719 pages

Elizabeth George is one of my favorite authors but I almost didn’t read Just One Evil Act because Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers is my least favorite character, I didn’t want to wait 700 pages to find out who the killer was and I had too many other books to read. But it’s Elizabeth George and I have to say I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed one of her books so much. The daughter of Barbara’s friend and neighbor is kidnapped in Italy and Barbara and Inspector Lynley work together and at odds to bring her back. But Barbara is too close to the situation and puts her job, her life and her friendships at risk to save the girl. I loved traipsing around the Italian countryside but I wasn’t too fond of all the Italian since most of it wasn’t translated and I had to guess what was going on. It was easier to just skip over it. When the denouement came with still hundreds of pages left I was at first surprised and then delighted. I really didn’t want it to end.

Just One Evil Act by Elizabeth George, 736 pages

This is the 18th book in the Inspector Lynley series by Elizabeth George.  I didn't love this one, but I did want to finish it.  The story is long and convoluted and involves action in both England and Italy. One frustrating aspect of the book is that there is quite a bit of Italian dialog.  Sometimes Elizabeth George lets us know what was said and sometimes she doesn't.  Geesh!

For those who have read the series, this book focuses mostly on Scotland Yard Detective Sargeant Barbara Havers, her neighbor Professor Taymullah Azhar and his daughter Hadiyyah.  The book picks up right where "Believing the Lie" (#17) ended.  Barbara pretty much goes wild in this book, first helping Azhar find Hidiyyah and then struggling to protect him when he runs amuck with the law.  I just found it difficult to believe as a reader that Barbara would go so far. 

Inspector Thomas Lynley is here too and it is nice to see him putting his life back together.  (No spoilers here about what happened previously.) 

I also enjoyed a new character, Chief Inspector Salvatore Lo Bianco, who is based in Italy but I hope he gets the opportunity to interact with Lynley and Havers in future books.