Elizabeth George Books in Order Inspector Lynley Series List

Elizabeth George, author of 21 crime novels in the Inspector Lynley series has been publishing first-rate police procedurals since 1988. Her novels have featured on the New York Times bestseller list and have been adapted for television. Although Elizaeth George books are set in the UK and her main character Thomas Lynley is an English aristocrat (8th Earl of Asherton), she is actually an American and an anglophile.

Who Is Elizabeth George?

Elizabeth George (Susan Elizabeth George) was born February 26, 1949, Warren, Ohio, U.S.A. She is a highly regarded American novelist, prolific writer and the creator of the popular mystery series Inspector Lynley. Although she has lived most of her life in California she now lives quietly in the state of Washington in the vicinity of Seattle.

Elizabeth George is also well-known for her creative writing workshops and her bestselling books on the craft of writing: Write Away and Mastering the Process from Idea to Novel. In addition she has published a young adult fiction series starting with The Edge of Nowhere set on Whidbey Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle in Washington State.

Is there a new Inspector Lynley book?

Elizabeth George is still writing Inspector Lynley novels though not as prolifically as previously. The Elizabeth George complement of Inspector Lynley novels has just had a recent addition with the publication of Something to Hide in 2022 bringing her total to 21 Inspector Lynley novels in all. It is currently the latest novel in the series in terms of the timeline following on from A Banquet of Consequences Book 19 and The Punishment She Deserves Book 20. Read a Review of Something to Hide

Is it Necessary to Read Inspector Lynley Novels in Order?

If you are wondering if you need to read all of Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley books in the series in order well the answer is not necessarily. Each novel is stand alone however, both Lynley and Havers go through major life upheavels and crises throughout the series and if you were to read the more recent books before tackling the older ones then you might find it a bit disjointed. My recommendation is that you start with the first couple of novels in the series and continue from there reading each in the order of publication.

What is the Reading Order of the Inspector Lynley novels?

The complete list of Inspector Lynley novels in reading order is as follows:

1. A Great Deliverance (1988)
2. Payment In Blood (1989)
3. Well-Schooled In Murder (1990)
4. A Suitable Vengeance (1991)
5. For The Sake of Elena (1992)
6. Missing Joseph (1993)
7. Playing For The Ashes (1994)
8. In The Presence Of The Enemy (1996)
9. Deception On His Mind (1997)
10. In Pursuit Of The Proper Sinner (1999)
11. A Traitor To Memory (2001)
12. A Place of Hiding (2003)
13. With No One as Witness (2005)
14. What Came Before He Shot Her (2006)
15. Careless in Red (2008)
16. This Body of Death (2010)
17. Believing the Lie (2012)
18. Just One Evil Act (2013)
19. A Banquet of Consequences (2015)
20. The Punishment She Deserves (2018)
21. Something to Hide (2022)

Watch Interview with Elizabeth George on Believing the Lie

Lynley and Havers Relationship is the Key to the Series Popularity

One of the reasons why Elizabeth George novels are so popular is the winning combination of Scotland Yard's crime busting duo Lynley and Havers. Somewhat dour and plodding right-hand woman Detective Inspector Barbara Havers is the perfect foil for the self-assured and suave Inspector Lynley. While from completely different walks of life (he's a toff and she's working class) they come to trust each other and solve many a curly murder mystery together.

A lot of people wonder if, and perhaps hope, that the connection between Tommy Lynley and Barbara Havers will develop into a romantic relationship. If you are wondering then the short answer is no they don't fall in love or there is no romantic interest between them. Nevertheless they have an endearing friendship and mutual respect for one another which is the basis of their working relationship and why they become such important people in each other's lives.

That's not to say all runs smoothly between Havers and Lynley: their dynamic, the tension, the bickering, it's compelling. Lynley, at times, finds Havers stubborn and intractable while she is annoyed with his tendency to be too rule-bound and high brow. They have everything against them in fact, not just differences in personality but gender and class too and yet somehow together they make a great pair of sleuths.

Does Lynley end up with Havers?

No but at the end of the series they are both unattached. They have a very close personal relationship as well as working relationship but it is not romantic.

In Which Book Does Inspector Lynley's Wife Die?

Helen Clyde, Lynley's long-term friend, becomes his wife. She is played by Emma Fielding in the pilot episode of the TV series. Seasons 1-3 Helen is portrayed by Lesley Vickerage and by Catherine Russell in series five.

In With No One as Witness Tommy Lynley's wife Helen is shot.

18 months later he is in a relationship with Daidre, a vet he meets in Careless in Red

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries TV Series

Elizabeth George books have wide appeal and most of the early titles were the basis of the BBC TV series starring Nathaniel Parker as Detective Inspector Lynley and Sharon Small as Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. The show had 24 episodes over 6 seasons and aired in the UK between 2001 and 2008. The Inspector Lynley Mysteries TV Series is available on selected streaming services and to buy on DVD at Amazon.

Where is the Inspector Lynley Series Set?

The Inspector Lynley series of crime novels is set in England. Both Lynley and Havers are attached to Scotland Yard and much of the action takes place around London and Oxford. However, many of the novels are set in more remote locations. In the TV episodes for example the following locations were used:

A Suitable Vengeance - Trerice Manor (Elizabethan manor house) in Cornwell was used as Howenstowe, Lynley's ancestral estate

Missing Joseph - Set in the fictional town of Winslough based on picturesque Slaidburn in Lancashire

Deception on the Mind - Filmed in Walton showing locations such as Walton Pier, The Regency Hotel and the Pillar Box at the Naze

What Year is Inspector Lynley Set?

Elizabeth George published her first Inspector Lynley, A Great Deliverance, in 1988. All events in the Inspector Lynley series take place in modern day England and the timeline runs pretty much parallel with publication dates.

What Car Does Inspector Lynley Drive?

In the books Inspector Lynley drives a Bentley. In the TV series he is seen with two different classic cars:

Season 1: 1973 Jensen Interceptor Mk II.
Season 2: 1968 Bristol 410 brown (limited series sports saloon produced 1968-1969).

Barbara Havers drives a mini.



If you are a fan of Elizabeth George books or simply enjoy a good police procedural keep this list of Inspector Lynley series in reading order handy as a reference.

Related Links

Inspector Lynley Mysteries BBC TV Series
Elizabeth George Official Website
Something to Hide by Elizabeth George Book 21 Inspector Lynley Series Review
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