It Keeps Going and Going....

If you could sum up Believing the Lie in three words, what would they be?

Bit too long

What was one of the most memorable moments of Believing the Lie?

The gender twist

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

Excellent differentiation between genders and ages - fantastic job

Any additional comments?

I adore Elizabeth George, so I couldn't wait to get this. It is good, but once the mystery was solved, I had a hard time listening to all the loose ends getting wrapped up. Some of it them were too cheesy for me. I want more Havers, Lindley and murder!

13 people found this helpful

A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT FROM A GREAT AUTHOR

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

It is just too long and too confusing. Elizabeth George is one of my favorite authors but this book feels like a mish-mash of short stories written by rookie writer wannabes compiled into a 23 hour painful mess!

Has Believing the Lie turned you off from other books in this genre?

I've read or listened to many of George's prior books in the Inspector Lynley series and loved them, except for #16 "This Body of Death". It wasn't as good as its predecessors but it was no where as bad as THIS one!!!!

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Davina Porter is the reason that I decided to give George another chance. But she has nothing to work with here. Porter is great with different characters, sexes, dialects and accents. However, there are so many characters in this book - most of them forgettable - that Ms. Porter didn't stand a chance of delivering her usual masterful performances. By hour 10, everyone begins to sound alike.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT! Followed by acute narcolepsy! I turned on this book last night, without utilizing the sleep timer. I immediately fell into a deep sleep and slept for 10 hours straight until my phone battery went dead. I suffer from chronic insomnia and normally take a sedative to get 3-4 hours of sleep. But, thanks to this awful book, I may be able to flush my meds down the toilet!

Any additional comments?

After missing out on 10 hours of this book while sleeping, when I went back to the book, I felt as if I hadn't missed a thing! I was already confused over the multiple weak story lines and a kazillion uninteresting characters BEFORE sleeping through almost half of this book. The main character, Inspector Lynley, gets totally lost in this offering. It is just too long! I don't think Elizabeth George could stand listening to this hot mess.

I normally buy my audiobooks based on the reviews of Audible members. Unfortunately, I failed to read the reviews here. I bought this book because I'd just finished a great 4 book series narrated by Davina Porter, along with the author's reputation. I should have read and heeded the reviews. .

11 people found this helpful

Not Elizabeth George's best...

I really wanted to love this book. All of my favourite characters were back - Lynley, Simon, Deborah, Barbara - and there were many twists and turns, plots and counter-plots - usually something that I enjoy. But there were too many stories within the story, making the writing seem a little forced. Many of the characters were simply unlikeable, including, at some points, the grieving Lynley. Deborah St. James was particularly unsympathetic in this book - dishonest and foolish - something I was somewhat sad to see. People aren't perfect but I prefer even flawed heroes/heroines to remain noble. There were some story lines that had real "heart" (like the one involving Freddy and Minette); others that were torn from the headlines with, I felt, the desire to shock but which only felt empty to me. I remain a fan of Ms George and sincerely hope that she will pick up the plot points delivered in the very last paragraph of Believing the Lie in her next book. I care about what happens next....

21 people found this helpful

Bizarre turn from an established storyteller.

Would you try another book from Elizabeth George and/or Davina Porter?

I would only buy an earlier work of Elizabeth George - I'm afraid this indicates a downhill trajectory.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I'm looking for another mystery.

What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

The narration matched the characters quite nicely, either strong or simpering. It made the entertwined stories easier to follow.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Any additional comments?

I was quite disappointed and afraid this shows the author is losing touch with reality. The original premise doesn't make sense, and sends the main characters to a place improbably full of people with every kind of sexual secret. The gay men are all liars, cheaters or pedophiles, and the author works in way too many homophobic slurs and weird sexual connections. The main characters have lost all depth except self absorption. This is my last George book.

30 people found this helpful

Results Not Typical

If "typical" is the Elizabeth George of the early 2000's, then this is yet another digression, or actually a series of digressions packaged into a novel. After dropping Elizabeth George while trying to wade through one of the several books that came between "A Traitor to Memory" and the present day, I was eager to try her again. However, I was again disappointed with the byzantine story arcs, the wealth of unnecessary detail, and the protracted scene development. I also had to ask, when in the middle of a particularly overdone scene, how important is this to the main story? And is there a "main" story? This novel seems to have the curious paradox of elaborate backstories on the one hand, combined with not enough detail on the other.

I would not recommend this - simply because the reader receives not nearly enough benefit compared to the effort involved. Technically, George is masterful, and manages abundant detail and descriptive passages with grace and expertise. However, she leads the reader into one disenchanted forest after another, which cannot be seen for the trees.

Davina Porter's narration is excellent, as usual. Her characterizations are relatable, precise, and the reader always knows who is speaking. But she's not enough to give this book the boost it needs to stay on track.

20 people found this helpful

Excellent!

Where does Believing the Lie rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best I've heard.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The story kept me listening all weekend. The long story with intricate plot lines are riveting. You never know if Elizabeth is going to save someone or not and it keeps you wondering and worrying. She has no favorites in age, gender, etc.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Tim's problems are so devastating.

4 people found this helpful

A very enjoyable listen - but not George's best.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth George and have read all her books. My first listening experience of her books was

Would you be willing to try another book from Elizabeth George? Why or why not?

Yes. As I said although this was not her best, she's a wonderful writer and not every book can be a masterpiece.

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

Great accents, captured the personalities of the key characters well.

4 people found this helpful

Great stuff; I just don't get the negative reviews

Any additional comments?

It was just what I would expect from Elizabeth George - delectable. Wonderful, complex characters you've come to know and love. Intriguing multiple storylines. (Audible, PLEASE offer more of this author's UNABRIDGED past works.) And Davina Porter's narration, as always, is perfect.

8 people found this helpful

Quickly becoming a former fan.

Would you try another book from Elizabeth George and/or Davina Porter?

I love Davina Porter as a narrator and I used to eagerly look forward to Elizabeth George's novels, but this last outing angered me even more than the last. Her treatment of every single non-heterosexual character in this installment was appalling and frankly unforgivable.

What could Elizabeth George have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

She could have eliminated extraneous, whiny and cliched characters to deliver a story with more depth and resonance. Tightening up of the narrative could have also done wonders.

Do you think Believing the Lie needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

There will surely be a follow up, but I'm staying clear.

17 people found this helpful

Good to read Inspector Lynley again

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to someone who is already familiar with Inspector Lynley books or with the BBC TV series. Otherwise, by the time the listener knows all the characters, he/she will be finished with the book. The plot is twisted; it does keep your interest, but the book's climax was disappointing (Is that giving too much away?)

Who was your favorite character and why?

Freddie was my favorite character. He just seemed to always know what to do, although he never made a show of it.

What about Davina Porter???s performance did you like?

Great reader. Distinguished her voice for each and every character and I don't know how!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I wanted to strangle some characters - actually, almost all of them!

3 people found this helpful