Elizabeth George is renowned for her intricate and suspenseful mystery novels featuring Inspector Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers. Many readers wonder about the best way to approach her extensive bibliography – should they read the books in order written or chronological order? The answer, as with many beloved series, depends on your preference. This guide will clarify both options and help you decide which approach suits you best.
Elizabeth George Books in Order Written
This is the order in which Elizabeth George originally published her novels. This method allows you to experience the evolution of her writing style and the development of the characters as George herself discovered and refined them. It provides a sense of a journey alongside the author and her creation.
- A Great Deliverance (1988)
- Payment in Blood (1989)
- Well-Schooled in Murder (1990)
- Missing Joseph (1991)
- For the Sake of Elena (1993)
- A Place of Hiding (1995)
- The Killing Game (1996)
- In the Presence of the Enemy (1998)
- With No One As Witness (2000)
- What Came Before He Shot Her (2002)
- I Bury Your Dead (2004)
- Come Home for Christmas (2005) - This is a novella, often found alongside other works.
- The Unwilling Widow (2007)
- The Punishment She Deserves (2009)
- A Suitable Vengeance (2011)
- Careless in Red (2013)
- The Daughters of the Reckoning (2016)
- The Traitor's Game (2019)
Elizabeth George Books in Chronological Order
While the books in order written provide a fascinating authorial journey, the chronological order offers a different kind of satisfaction. It allows you to follow the progression of the cases within the storyline, experiencing the events as they unfold in the timeline of Lynley and Havers' careers. Note that this can be slightly tricky to pin down definitively, as precise dates aren't always explicitly stated within the books themselves. However, a generally accepted chronological order exists based on contextual clues.
(Note: Determining the exact chronological order can be debated amongst fans. The following is a commonly accepted version.)
- A Great Deliverance
- Payment in Blood
- Well-Schooled in Murder
- Missing Joseph
- For the Sake of Elena
- A Place of Hiding
- The Killing Game
- In the Presence of the Enemy
- With No One As Witness
- What Came Before He Shot Her
- I Bury Your Dead
- The Unwilling Widow
- The Punishment She Deserves
- A Suitable Vengeance
- Careless in Red
- The Daughters of the Reckoning
- The Traitor's Game
- Come Home for Christmas (Novella – placement varies slightly depending on the timeline interpretation)
Which Order Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the best reading order depends on your personal preferences. If you value experiencing the author's creative process and the unfolding of her style, read the books in order written. If you prioritize following the chronological timeline of the cases and the characters' careers, stick to the chronological order. Both approaches offer a rich and rewarding experience within Elizabeth George's captivating world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are there any standalone Elizabeth George books?
No, Elizabeth George's books featuring Inspector Lynley and Barbara Havers are all interconnected and should ideally be read within a chosen sequence. While Come Home for Christmas is a shorter novella, it still adds to the character's overall narrative.
How many Elizabeth George books are there?
Currently, there are eighteen novels and one novella in the Inspector Lynley series.
What makes Elizabeth George's books so popular?
Elizabeth George's popularity stems from the intricately plotted mysteries, complex and well-developed characters (particularly the compelling dynamic between Lynley and Havers), and the rich atmospheric descriptions that transport readers into the settings. Her novels are both intellectual and emotionally engaging.
Is there a specific order to read the Inspector Lynley novels?
As detailed above, there are two common ways to approach the series: by publication date or by chronological order within the story's timeline. Choose the order that best suits your reading preferences.
