One reviewer said she was about to give up on Elizabeth George before reading this book. I, myself, after reading it, do intend to give up on her. I have read all her books in the series and have saved then intending to reread them at some point. I now intend to discard them all. I usually do not read mysteries, but rather more serious works of more acclaimed authors, such as Murdoch. Hegi. Chabon, Cunningham, Patchet, Franzan, to name but a few. Besides the unfortunate ending, I found the book to be much too long and kept saying to myself "get on with it please". I shall have to search out another author other than George for my lighter reading. Oh ...  Read the complete review

The serial killer had been at work for some time before anyone noticed. Sometimes even the parents didn't realise that their son was missing. The boys were all in their early teens, usually they'd been in trouble with the police and they were of mixed race. The murders took place in different parts of London and the bodies were mutilated. When Acting Superintendent Lynley is given the case he has to contend with the trauma and pressure of further boys being murdered as well as the political pressures within a Scotland Yard striving to prevent a charge of institutionalised racism being made by the media. I'd just about decided to give up on Elizabeth George and ...  Read the complete review