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Originally Posted by HarryT
I have to take Elizabeth George in small doses - I've only read the first seven so far (the last one I read was "Playing for the Ashes"). I probably read one about every 6 months or so. I have to be in the right "mood" to read one; they can be very "depressing".
I understand what you mean about Ian Rankin - I think the early Rebus books are a lot better than the later ones.
Colin Dexter's "Inspector Morse" series, on the other hand, are among the small list of books that I read over and over. I never tire of them. I love the "Morse" TV series, too.
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i saw the Morse TV series as well, i agree, brilliantly done. really a great adaptation, for once. and great books too, although i've not read all of them.
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Originally Posted by Patricia
Well, the later ones get even more depressing, Harry. I've read all of them and have decided not to bother any more. I even gave away the paper copies.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
Oh dear, that does sound ominous  . I'll try the next couple and see how the story develops. I'm getting a bit fed up with his never-ending love affair with "Lady Helen" - just MARRY the woman, why don't you? |
yes to be honest i'm not too eager to try Elizabeth George again for a while (if at all). and i won't say anything specific so as not to spoil things for you but the ones i've read are not in order (i read what i could find at my library) and yes, the later ones do get even worse. i had a hard time getting through the last one i read.
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Originally Posted by tompe
What I reacted to was the whole upper/lower class thing. It seemed to me that she had read Dorothy Sayers and tried to imitate it in some way.
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yes i agree with that. also, there seems to be a very "american" feel to the intrigues : i think i feel the american story-telling tradition (including the noir / hardboiled genre) coming through despite her attempts to stay in the english style. i'm not sure how well i can explain this but for instance where the Inspector Rebus mysteries are bleak, Elizabeth George's books are sordid. There's a sort of sensational quality to them which seems very american to me, despite the english setting.