A Banquet of Consequences

Library Journal ★ 09/01/2015 George's 19th entry in her series featuring Scotland Yard's DI Thomas Lynley and DS Barbara Havers (after One Evil Act) finds Havers busy keeping her nose clean to protect her job. Lynley worries that her caution is making her a less effective police officer. Meanwhile, she tries to build some semblance of a life for herself by attending a lecture by a celebrated feminist author named Clare Abbot. When Abbot dies suddenly of heart failure, her editor and friend Rory Statham is suspicious and asks Havers to investigate. A second autopsy reveals evidence of poisoning. Lynley helps Havers finagle her way into overseeing the case in Dorset where the author had lived. Her digging reveals a great deal about Abbot's personal assistant. Apparently Abbot was researching the woman's background, but why? The mystery is slowly unraveled, and the solution is shocking. VERDICT Readers who relish a measured pace and steadily built suspense will be hooked by this psychologically complex crime novel. George's many fans as well those who enjoy Tana French or Louise Penny will also be enthralled. [See Prepub Alert, 4/13/15.]—Kristen Stewart, Pearland Lib., Brazoria Cty. Lib. Syst., TX