A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George

 

A murder has occurred in the small village of Keldale.  A local farmer has been decapitated in his barn; his teenage daughter charged with his murder.  Keldale is not used to murder; the only famous one was the death of a crying baby in the local monastery whose cries was giving away the location of those taking refuge there.  That death may not be real but legendary but an abandoned baby was found but died a few years ago.

To handle the case, Scotland Yard sends one of its best.  Inspector Thomas Lynley, who is also the eighth Earl of Asherton, is known for his perception and ability to unravel mysteries.  He is given Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, who has been serving time as a street officer after clashing with her last two inspectors.  Can this thorny woman who walks around with a grudge against authority and this aristocratic genteel man manage to form a working relationship and uncover the truth?

This is the first in Elizabeth George's series featuring Lynley and Havers.  It is interesting to go back to the beginning and see how their relationship started out and how they managed to work through their differing backgrounds to form the successful relationship that carried them through so many cases after this one.  Lynley's friendship with Simon and his former love with Debra is also explored as Simon and Debra are newly married in this novel.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.