Product Description

The "Evidence Exposed": The two-week course on 'Great Houses of Britain' brings together a varied group of enthusiasts. When one of their number turns up dead, Inspector Thomas Lynley makes a cameo appearance. "I, Richard": Malcolm Cousins has spent years in the single-minded pursuit of a priceless letter, probably written by Richard III on the eve of the Battle of Bosworth. But does he want it enough to kill for it? "The Surprise of His Life": When Douglas Armstrong has his first consultation with Thistle McCloud, he has no intention of murdering his wife. His mind, in fact, doesn't turn to murder until two weeks after consultation number four.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #967036 in Books
• Published on: 1999-11-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 176 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
More akin to a trio of light literary snacks than the lengthy gourmet mysteries she usually serves, Elizabeth George's 11th, The Evidence Exposed is a collection of three short stories. In the first, a motley group of anglophiles are on a two week course at Cambridge studying the "Great Houses of Britain." Within their microcosm, jealousy, sexual tension and infidelities abound, so when one in the party suddenly dies, everyone is suspect. That is, until Inspector Lynley (A Great Deliverance, For the Sake of Elena) arrives on the scene.

The second tale, I, Richard, creeps into the mind of Malcolm Cousins, a bitter, middle-aged teacher with one goal: to obtain a priceless document that could clear the name of Richard III. If Cousins succeeds, he will re-write history and live like a king--but with one catch. He must murder his best friend.

In the Surprise of His Life Doulgas Armstrong thought he was just killing time before a prostrate examination when he first consulted psychic Thistle McCloud. However, her divinations strike at the core of his marital insecurities, fuelling a jealous passion. Six weeks and four consultations later, his cosmic obsession culminates in a dangerous lesson: Playing with destiny can have shocking results.

On par with watching a few episodes of the Twilight Zone, the 216 pages of The Evidence Exposed (including an extract of In Pursuit of a Proper Sinner) can be easily digested in an afternoon. This isn't meant to be a continuation of the Lynley-Havers series, but rather, a short diversion from the usual suspects. --Rebekah Warren

Review
'George is excellent at slowly unfolding plot and atmosphere ... fine writing and sensitive handling of relationships.' -- Independent 'Immensely well plotted ... a first class, page-turning read' -- The Times 'Splendid writing and a very good mystery' -- Sunday Telegraph 'Tough, breathtaking mystery' -- Cosmopolitan 'Nailbitingly good' -- Company 'George at her most adroit ... a collection that will win George many new readers' -- Internet review

Sunday Telegraph
'Splendid writing and a very good mystery'

Customer Reviews

Bite-sized George that leaves you wishing for more.
I read this because I had read all ten of her novels one after the other, and was desperate for more. The book contains three short stories: all containing the wonderful characterisation she displays in her full length novels. 'The Evidence Exposed' is a short crime story that contains a tantalising glimpse of Lynley, some superb characters, but a slightly unsatisfactory story. The following two stories are superb. They both have a grim inevitability about them, and you read them desperately, dreading the result. Two skilful portraits of men ruled by obsession... 'I, Richard' is a gem for Ricardians, and 'The Surprise of His Life' is a convincing trip to George's native America.

Not as good as her novels, but what could be?

Not the best read but worth a look
Anyone buying this for Inspector Lynley will be dissapointed by this book of three short stories as he only makes the briefest of appearances in the first and not at all in the second or third. Despite this, the book is still an entertaining read. The stories are well written and thought out, there is a twist in the tail of all three and, although not as gripping as some of her other work, the short plots of murder are ideal for reading in one sitting. The first story, "The Evidence Exposed" tells of the sudden mysterious death of the husband of an obnoxious American woman during a group visit to an English country house. "I, Richard" is a wonderfully researched and carefully planned story of a historain obsessed by the life and death of Richard III. I guarantee the plot twist at it's conclusion that I guarantee will raise a smile. "The Surprise of His Life", the last of the three stories is slightly darker in tone - the ending of this one is just a surprising, but not as humerous as "I, Richard". A good book to take on a short bus ride.