Abandoned by Booklikes
Government drone by day and book lover and geek girl by night!
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Great Book in Series That Focuses on Havers
Not too much to say except how much I loved this one. George focuses not on Lynley in this one, but also Havers for a good portion. We have a shocking crime and a reveal that I didn't see coming. There is some poor Deborah stuff going on, but it's not all encompassing like it has been in the last few books.
"In the Presence of the Enemy" follows a tabloid journalist (Dennis Luxford) who is told that unless he prints the truth about his first born on the front page of his newspaper, then he is going to be made to pay. What follows is a long winding road that eventually ensnares St. James, Deborah, and Lady Helen. They are asked to look into a kidnapping, but are told no police are to be told. Due to the fact that Luxford's first born is a ten year old girl named Charlotte Bowen who is a result of an affair he had with a conservative MP named Eve Bowen 11 years earlier. Unfortunately tragedy occurs which is how New Scotland Yard gets called in which is how Lynley and Havers become involved in the case. George deftly manages to juggle multiple POVs. I have to say that Havers POV's ended up being really great and I loved the juxtaposition between her and Lynley.
The development of Lynley and Haver's friendship and working relationship is still a highlight in this series. We still have Lynley pressing upon Lady Helen about marriage and this case throws things into a tailspin.
The writing was very good and each character's sections felt very distinct I thought. The flow was a bit uneven at first which I happen to notice in George's works. She takes a bit too long to set the stage.
The ending of the book was a huge surprise. We also have Havers showing us what's she's made of. I thought the ending was lovely though and smiled.