Inspector Lynley Book 2
Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and detective sergeant Barbara Havers travel to a remote Scottish estate to investigate the murder of playwrite Joy Sinclair, who was stabbed in her bedroom (a locked room mystery).
When they arrive, they find that Lady Helen Clyde was in the room next to the murder victim’s, and she was not alone. Helen joined her new partner, an actor called Rhys Davies-Jones, who invited her to come along for the weekend. Blinded by jealousy, Lynley focuses on Davies-Jones as a suspect. Whereas Havers has her eyes set on Lord Stinhurst as the murderer. Lynley’s pursuit of Davies-Jones drives a wedge between him and Helen.
Up until now, Thomas hadn’t realised he had fallen in love with Helen, who has always been a very good friend to him (and she was in love with him all along but aware of his feelings for Deborah Cutter – now St. John).
I really enjoyed this book, I had read it in the early 90s so it was a re-read for me. Looking forward to the rest of the series, some of which are re-reads as well.
Read for The 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2026
Prompt 50: Set in a castle
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
