With No One As Witness, by Elizabeth George (2005) // Inspector Thomas Lynley # 13
This mystery novel is the thirteenth in the Inspector Thomas Lynley series. It had been nearly a decade since I read the last Lynley novel. While each novel is a stand-alone mystery, it seemed that there was a lot in this book that relied on considerable knowledge of the characters backstories. That being said …
New Scotland Yard officers, Inspector Lynley (Acting Superintendent Lynley in this volume) and his sidekick Constable Barbara Havers (she had apparently been demoted from Sergeant in the previous novel), have stumbled upon a serial killer. Three mixed race young boys were left for dead before Kimmo Thorne, a young white, gay female impersonator, turned up dead. The prior three bodies had been assumed to be runaways and their deaths weren’t thoroughly investigated. It isn’t until Kimmo’s body is found that the police compare notes and realize that all the deaths were committed in a similar fashion. To curb accusations of institutional racism, Winston Nkata was hastily promoted to Sergeant to serve as the face for the press briefings.
Lynley and his team’s investigation led them to Colossus, a low-budget organization intended to help at-risk children. The Colossus employees and volunteers all have checkered pasts. Could they have a hand in the murders? There also appears to be a link to shady organization called MABIL (Men And Boys In Love), a group of pedophiles who groom young boys for sex. When a fifth body is found, there are some substantial differences, leading the investigators to believe there may be a copy-cat killing.
In between following where the evidence may lead, the reader also gets a peek into the private lives of Lynley and Havers. Lynley’s wife is expecting their first child, while Havers lives her solitary life and tries to connect with her neighbor. Their lives are not without their own personal drama and tragedy. [Spoiler Alert: Lynley’s wife, Helen, was shot on her doorstep in the wealthy neighborhood of Belgravia. By the time she was transported to the hospital, too much time had elapsed, and she was brain dead. Both she and her unborn baby were taken off life support. Also, the book ends with Lynley appearing to turn in his badge.]
This book comes in at over 600 pages. While it kept my attention, it could have been pared down to about half that size. I also found one plot thread to have been resolved too quickly. Still, I enjoy reading about the gentry Thomas Lynley and his working-class side-kick, Barbara Havers.
Read: May 13, 2023
4 Stars
Other Books Read in the Series:
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