“Elizabeth George reigns as queen of the mystery genre. The Lynley books constitute the smartest, most gratifyingly complex and impassioned mystery series now being published.” — Entertainment Weekly
“George’s best since A Great Deliverance.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“[A] dark, chilling tale of desperation and revenge.” — Booklist (starred review)
“A refreshing departure...[George] took a gamble with this one, and it pays off brilliantly.” — Time magazine
“Elizabeth George’s profoundly moving new novel seems destined to be remembered as the ultimate whydunit...George is in top form here.” — Washington Post Book World
“[A] searing examination of the lives of one horribly dysfunctional family. . . . A stinging indictment of a society unable to respond effectively to the needs of its poorer citizens.” — Publishers Weekly
“This novel resonate[s] long after the story is told.” — Globe and Mail (Toronto)
“A tour de force from a writer flexing her muscles as she’s never done before....Absolutely riveting.” — Entertainment Weekly (Grade: A)
“Dickensian in its heft, its vividness of characters and bleak London settings, and its rage at society’s faillures.” — Seattle Times
“Compels our attention and compassion. Gripping and intense, this is modern crime writing at its finest.” — Rocky Mountain News
“Another winner from the current master of the classic English mystery” — Atlantic Monthly
“George is a brilliant writer. Her characters are vivid, and her storyline moves with a seeming inevitability that allows us to believe all the unexpected turn of events.” — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“George pulls out all the emotional stops.” — Washington Times