Payment in Blood audiobook – A Lynley Novel, Book 2

In the tranquil setting of my cozy bedroom, I embarked on a thrilling journey with Payment in Blood audiobook by Elizabeth George. The story unfolded as I lay comfortably on my bed, completely immersed in the world of mystery and suspense.

Elizabeth George, known for her unmatched writings such as Something to Hide and The Punishment She Deserves, has once again documented an intriguing tale. Davina Porter, the narrator, did a commendable job in bringing this story to life.

The plot revolves around a playwright who invites his cast to his remote Scottish Highlands home for a weekend retreat to work through their issues. However, when the housemaid discovers the writer murdered in bed, Thomas Lynley and his partner must uncover the culprit. Throughout the book, we encounter passive and dependent women, except for a female police officer who is portrayed as unattractive and difficult.

On the other hand, the male characters, although flawed, exude confidence and dominance. There is also a Black cop who is explicitly hired for his physical strength and teases the White detective about dating his sister. Lastly, there is a superfluous gay character towards the end who appears as a young, beautiful boy with an overly feminine voice.

Despite these minor flaws in character portrayal, this book is a brilliant piece of writing. The dynamics between Inspector Lynley and his Sergeant Havers are particularly fascinating as they come from opposite ends of England’s class system. As they solve mysteries together without fully understanding each other’s worlds, their relationship evolves in captivating ways. Elizabeth George’s storytelling prowess shines through in this incredibly engaging narrative filled with challenging murders and captivating love stories.