Elizabeth George - For the Sake of Elena

review by Brian Lowen on show 16th Feb
I have always enjoyed the detective series on BBC TV, The ‘Inspector Lynley Mysteries,’ so was looking forward to reading this book as it featured the man himself, with his sidekick Sergeant Barbara Havers and I was not disappointed as it is a great story.

In the TV series the investigation by the two detectives takes prominence, but in this book it is almost a sideline as the story deals more with the families of the suspects and the victims.

Elena Weaver, in her skimpy dress and bright jewellery exuded intelligence and sexuality. A student at St Stephen’s College, Cambridge, she lived a life of casual but intense physical and emotional relationships, with scores to settle and targets to achieve.
Until someone, lying in wait on the bank of the river Cam, where Elena went running early every morning, bludgeoned the young woman to death.

Inspector Thomas Lynley , from the CID, volunteers to take on the case, mainly because his girlfriend is living in Cambridge at the moment.
The story goes deeply into all aspects of love and what it means to each partner – something which to me has always been quite simple – once you have found the right person of course. Each person who knew Elena is investigated which results in an assortment of blind leads about sexual harassment, pregnancy, unrequited love, jealously and illicit affairs.

Her Father’s story also evolves, dealing with his relationship with his former wife, (Elena’s Mother) his new wife and his mistress and his aspirations to gain the Penfold chair – the top spot in the subject of history at his college where he is one of the Dons.

Then we also have the complications with Lynley’s love affair and with Havers’ problems dealing with her dotty Mother.

The book is a real emotional mixture – a bit difficult at times keeping track of all the characters, but they are all beautifully described, but poor Havers doesn’t appear as attractive as she is in the TV series!

A very good read and very enjoyable, especially if you know Cambridge well, as the area of the crime is well described, and true to life, with the exception of St Stephen’s College, that is! Recommended if you like good detective stories.