One of the better Lynley and Havers books

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This seemed to be a slight departure in style from the rest of the series, but that said a welcome one. I always prefer Havers as a character (I think I'd dislike Lynley in real life) and she has a great role in this mystery

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Banquet of Consequences?

The sheer unpleasantness of some of the key characters and my realisation was truly memorable.

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Thoroughly enjoyed (almost)

I really enjoyed this installation of the Inspector Lynley mysteries. I have read George for years, and whilst not quite as 'gritty' as some of the earlier work, storyline was a strong one. my only irritation was with the appalling accent of the Winston Nkata character. Simply awful. if you can't do the accent, then just don't try. half the time he sounded almost Welsh and the rest some strange Irish brogue came out.

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Slow

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Incredibly slow, takes 4 hours to start the main story, but then warms up.

Would you be willing to try another book from Elizabeth George? Why or why not?

Yes

What three words best describe Julie Teal’s voice?

accents terrible

Did A Banquet of Consequences inspire you to do anything?

No

Any additional comments?

The narrator is fairly good but when it comes to Nkata, who is a black Londoner the accent is more like a bad Welsh accent.

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Great story

This series has evolved so well. This is is a complex plot, entwined in a family riven with personality disorders, dominated by a matriarch to whom the truth is a stranger. Add in 'ex'-es accidental deaths, mysterious circumstances and Havers's burning passion to solve and resolve, against the confines of the her position and employer, and the Lynley/Havers series continues to strengthen in maturity and complexity. A great listen.

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Satisfying

I almost returned this book before I was far in due to the unexpected Tourette's outburst by one of the main characters, it filled me with dread, to be honest, I certainly wasn't looking forward to much of that. I left it for a couple of days then skipped a couple of chapters and I'm glad I did because this main character suicided. Now that isn't as awful as it sounds because he remains a major player all the way through. Bear with me. The story unfolds with many threads and storylines gradually woven together to make a wonderfully complex and satisfying tale. The "baddie" is signposted readily enough but to get to court takes a deal of work and all this comes together well. The only downside is the narrator. For the most part she does a fine job.. Except for one character to whom she gives a strange and bizarre accent. He is described as being London born, of African parents. The dialogue suggests Essex/cockney, innit, but his "voice" is clumsy and unbelievable. And it took many times of hearing him say Bub before I realised the word was Barb, the name. Honestly I don't know what Julie Teal was thinking when she settled on the accent. It's truly Cringe-worthy and I never got used to it. Having got that off my chest, I still think this is a good book.

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A good book.

I had no problem finishing this book. it was well written and an interesting story. A few surprise twists. A few moments of frustration with certain characters. My only real complaint is the narrator's voice of Nkata. It occasionally journeyed towards Welsh at times and I found it a bit off putting. Not enough to spoil the book though. I would recommend it to fans or Linley and newcomers to the series.

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Excellent end to the trilogy

Very good book the author still thinks the police are in the 1930s but by all the little errors it is still a great listen
The narrator attempt to voice a West Indies London accent is worth the listening alone made m laugh out loud, but well read in every other way.

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Not a typical Inspector Lynley novel!!!!!

I have read/listened to just about all of the Inspector Lynley novels. I enjoy them and particularly like the long listen on audible.

This one seemed as if it was written by a different author. The content ended up rather dark and there was too much unnecessary offensive language. Why was Barbara Havers suddenly given such unsavoury phrases? The language was appropriate for the character with Tourette’s type affliction, but not in some other places. At least Lynley didn’t resort to the gutter!

Having said that I listened to the end and enjoyed the twists and turns of the story and the final reveal. I enjoy the inconsequential detail in the novels.

Generally the narration was good. But why on earth was Winston Nkata laughable accent allowed to spoil the narration? Someone should have pulled it and re-recorded it. It was ridiculous and spoilt many passages.

So in summary - not for the faint hearted or easily offended. And unless you’re prepared to laugh at the pathetic accent given to Nkata, it will drive you mad.

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1 person found this helpful

Barbara Havers is back ...

I like this book very much. It is written in the usual Inspector Lynley style. I do like a book that switches between different views of the same story. You are kept guessing :-) There is one drawback though and that is the fact that someone decided to make all phone calls sound as if you are listening to the caller through a telephone left dangling on the cord. I found that a nuisance and not necessary at all..

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What an exquisite treat!

Finally a new Elizabeth George. And what a wonderful treat. I enjoyed every minute of it, as the characters and the story unfold.
Very well read also, apart from the West Indian voice of Winston Nkata, which is very difficult to get right.

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