Believing The Lie by Elizabeth George

 

When Inspector Lynley is called upstairs to the head of detectives, he knows it won't be good news.  Earl Bernard Fairclough's nephew, who he raised as a son, has drowned.  The coroner has declared it an accident but Fairclough isn't sure and wants Lynley to come investigate.  But he wants it done in secret, including from Lynley's immediate superior.

With no other option, Lynley sets about packing for the trip.  But he asks his friends, Simon and Deborah, to go also, undercover and pretending not to know him.  Simon is a forensic expert and can check the local coroner's work while Deborah is a photographer and can use that to get to know the family.

There are many suspects, most of whom have a motive.  One daughter lives with an ex-husband and either of them could take over Ian, the nephew's position as presumed next head of the family business.  The other daughter is a blackmailer who has sponged off her parents for decades.  The only son spent years addicted to drugs and has recently returned home with a wife, who has her own secrets.  Ian had come out as gay shortly before his death and left his family and his teenage son has fallen apart.  Then there is the earl's mistress...

This is the seventeenth Inspector Lynley mystery.  Most of the usual characters are here, although Lynley's staff is not much in evidence.   There are twists and turns and dead ends but throughout it all, Lynley works to find the truth, even if it turns out not to be a truth the family wants to hear.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.