Review of "The Punishment She Deserves: An Inspector Lynley Novel" by Elizabeth George

In this 20th book in the 'Inspector Lynley' series, Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Sergeant Barbara Havers look into the alleged suicide of a deacon. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the characters is a plus.





*****

In the English town of Ludlow, Community Support Officer Gary Ruddock handles minor infractions, like kids binge drinking and the like.



So when an anonymous caller accuses the local deacon, Ian Druitt, of pedophilia, Ruddock is instructed to bring Druitt to the local nick, from which he'll be transferred to Shrewsbury - which has a 'real' police force.



Before Druitt can be moved, however, he's found dead in his cell - an apparent suicide. Ruddock, who left the prisoner alone, is on the hot seat - but an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) clears him of criminal misconduct....and Ruddock gets to keep his job.

Ian Druitt's father, who has money and connections, doesn't believe his son committed suicide and contacts his Member of Parliament - who gets New Scotland Yard (the Met) on the case. The Met's Assistant Commissioner, Sir David Hillier, sends Detective Chief Superintendent Isabelle Ardery and Sergeant Barbara Havers to Ludlow, in hopes they'll endorse the IPCC's work and put paid to the matter.





Both Hillier and Ardery have an ulterior motive as well: they want to find a reason to transfer Sgt.Havers - who's a thorn in their sides - to the boonies....so they're rid of her for good.

Once the detectives get to Ludlow, Ardery - who's a spiraling alcoholic with personal problems - does a shallow 'by the book' investigation, wanting to get back to London as soon as possible. Havers, however, makes more thorough inquiries. This gets Havers into trouble with Ardery.....but ends with Havers and Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley going back to Ludlow to re-investigate Pruitt's death.



Once Havers and Lynley begin a 'real' investigation, they discover that things are amiss in Ludlow. For instance: the CCTV camera that would have shown the anonymous caller who accused Pruitt of child abuse was moved; the police station parking lot was used for sexual liaisons; the county's Assistant Chief Constable had CSO Ruddock 'keeping an eye' on her son Finn - a college boy who partied hard; a girl had been assaulted; and more. Everyone is keeping secrets, though, and Havers and Lynley have to winkle them out to learn the truth about Pruit's death. In this they're aided by Sergeant Winston Nkata back at the Met, who's a whiz with computer searches.



The book has a complex plot and a rich cast of characters. The characters include a Ludlow physician of Indian heritage and her drug-using British husband; indifferent college students who share a house and are 'friends with benefits'; a cadre of women who belong to a glider club; a couple who's 'waiting for marriage'; a vicar who worked with Ian Pruitt; and more. The detectives interact with many of these people while they're looking into Pruitt's demise, which turns out to be a wrongful death.

One of the big pleasures of this series is following the private lives of Lynley and Havers, who've been through a lot since they became detective partners. In this book, widowed Lynley is still dating veterinarian Daidre Trahair - who only makes a token appearance in the story (thank goodness) 👍;



And Barbara Havers and Met secretary Dorothea Harriman are taking tap dancing lessons - so they can improve their fitness and lose a few pounds. The women are preparing for a dance recital, and Barbara FORBIDS Lynley from attending. Do you think he listens? Ha ha ha. 😃

I enjoyed this addition to the series, and strongly recommend it to mystery fans.

Rating: 4 stars