How does it compare to audio works by the same author?
Quite good
Advantages:
readable, mysterious, interesting plot
Disadvantages:
no sympathy for main character
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Elizabeth George gets top marks for attempting to stray from her normal settings and principal characters. I felt that she met with partial success, and would recommend A Suitable Vengeance as a decent, but not incredible read.
The Setting: The channel island of Guernsey. George paints the island in its off-season with eloquence and skill. I enjoyed reading the novel principally because I felt transported across the ocean to the place I traveled as a child. She highlights the Islanders' passions and prejudices, as well as the quirky traits and expressions that define any isolated community.
The Story: The victim is Guy, a French philanthropist who made his money elsewhere and has retired to Guernsey. He appears to have no enemies--until a probing investigation reveals him as an incurable womanizer who tires of one thing easily. The accused is China, an old roommate of Deborah's from California, who was in Guernsey accompanying her brother on a business trip.
The Characters: DI Lynley and DS Havers get a break in this novel. The investigation is conducted by the St. Jameses--primarily Deborah. This is where I think the author faltered. While they make wonderful peripheral characters in her other books, neither Simon nor Deborah is a strong enough character to hold the novel together. Both seem bogged down by their own pettiness and character flaws. As a reader, I could never trust that the investigation was in capable hands (as I do with Lynley and Havers).
The Assessment: I was glad to read the novel. It was a great read, and I enjoyed it immensely. I would recommend it, but not as strongly as I would several other books by the same author.
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
