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.

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30 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

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....

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22 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

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.

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20 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A Lynley Shame

What would have made Believing the Lie better?

A plot would have been nice.

What do you think your next listen will be?

A Ngaio Marsh novel or Michael Connelly.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I'm sure she did her best. However,she gave a reading that sounded like someone were dying. A reading from a Sunday school teacher would have been more interesting.I have noticed that a good narrator performance, sometimes makes a mediocre plot enjoyable. It's too bad that this was not the case here. I will certainly not by anything narrated by Davina Porter in the future.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Believing the Lie?

Good editing would have improved this book tremendously.What editor let this pitiful book be published as it is! The detail was written in the most pathetic manner. There was too much boring, uninteresting, and extraneous detail about the family in Cumbria; Most of this could have been cut. The Affair with the Inspector's supervisor could have been done away with for certain. The intimate scenes were written as if one were going to the Dentist for a Root Canal .If this is an Inspector Lynley novel wouldn't it have been nice to include he and his team in the story! If I could I would get a refund. The author seems to be loosing her touch I may never read one of her novels again.

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18 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

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.

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17 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

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!

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13 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

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. .

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11 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

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.

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8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

One of my favoirte authors. NOt disappointed!

What did you like best about this story?

I love all the characters, They are like old friends in this series.

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

As always....easy to listen to...and I am very discerning when it comes to readers.

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

No...Just really enjoy reading books written by Elizabeth George

Any additional comments?

I often base my choices on what other reviewers say. I like this author so much I decided to forge ahead and purchase it...I love a good long book for 1 credit!! And i was not disappointed at all. I really enjoyed this listen!

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4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

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.

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4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile