Elizabeth George Books In Order

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Publication Order of Inspector Lynley Books

Publication Order of Saratoga Woods Books

Publication Order of The Abandonment of Hannah Armstrong Books

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Death Sentences: Stories To Die For Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Susan Elizabeth George is an American author who writes mystery novels set in the backdrop of Great Britain. A former English teacher, the author’s work is known for its exquisite details and characterization. She has had many novels reach the top of the bestsellers list, and has written characters that have the ability to stick with readers. Eleven of her novels were adapted for the BBC television series, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. The series extended for six years delighting her novel fans and creating a new generation of television fans.

Early Life

Elizabeth George was born in Warren, Ohio on February 26th, 1949 to Anne George and Robert Edwin. Her older brother is author Robert George. Anne George was a nurse and Robert Edwin worked as a manager for a conveyer company. When she was 18 months old, Elizabeth George’s family moved to the San Francisco bay area, for sunnier skies. She majored in English at the University of California, Riverside and also received a teaching certificate from the university.

After college, George became a public school English teacher. In her spare time, she worked to receive a master’s degree in counseling and psychology. Elizabeth George started the Elizabeth George foundation. In 1997, Ever the astute student, she then went on to receive an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Cal State University Fullerton in 2004.

In 2010, George was awarded an honorary Masters in Fine Arts from the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. She received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Cal State University Fullerton in 2004 and was awarded an honorary Masters in Fine Arts from the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts in 2010.

Career

Elizabeth George published her first novel, A Great Deliverance, in 1988. The novel introduces Detective Thomas Lynley and his partner, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. It also features Lynley’s girlfriend, Lady Helen Clyde, and his childhood friend, Simon St. James. She wrote the novel in only 21 days. A Great Deliverance won the Anthony and Agatha awards and received the-French-award, LeGrande-prix-de-Litterature Policiere.

Her novel, Well-Schooled in Murder, received the German MIMI, an award dedicated to excellent international mystery works. Elizabeth George has over 23 published novels. Her work is translated into more than 21 different languages. Like a fine wine, the author s work gets more exquisite with age. “Playing for the Ashes” was her first novel to make the New York Times bestseller list. Elizabeth George’s writing is as eloquent as it is twisted; and the author wouldn’t have it any other way.

George has always been fascinated with the dark side of human nature. In all of her mysteries she takes the reader through the complex emotions and psychological processes that accumulate to equal murder. Although an American, George’s writing style is more akin to the great British authors of old. Her long descriptions, and people filled stories, give them an air of realism that can only come with patience and a brilliant mind. At the center of George’s novels are a plethora of characters, laced with a multilayered plot.

What makes her novel so rich is her portrayal of the relationships between characters. The same vibrancy that George brings to character making, she also brings to her shocking and sometimes devastating murder scenes. The deaths are violent and realistic. She has mastered shifting suspension from one person to the next, making her novels not only thrilling, but psychologically challenging. George’s skills as a mystery writer could most definitely write a series of standalone books, however, many of her readers enjoy reconnecting with her characters as new books are written.

The Detective Lynley Series

A Great Deliverance (1988)

In her novel debut, George introduces the world to Detective Thomas Lynley and his partner, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. They are called to investigate the murder, and decapitation, of a man in the countryside of Yorkshire. As the two delve into their investigation, they are met with a plethora of secrets, lies, and scandals in the small town. One of which will lead them to a killer.

Payment in Blood (1989)

In the second novel of the Detective Lynley series, Lynley and Havers find themselves investigating a murder on a sprawling estate. Under pressure to keep the investigation from the press, the duo must investigate a power theater producer, tow starlets and a oma the Lynley has feelings for. While Lynley prefers to handle the situation with delicacy, Havers is outraged with his approach and investigates on her own.

Television and Film Adaptations

Elizabeth George’s books have not only thrilled readers across the world, they have wowed audiences on television for six seasons. The-Inspector-Lynley-Mysteries is a BBC-television series based on the characters and stories of Detective Inspector Thomas “Tommy” Lynley of Scotland-Yard, played by Nathaniel-Parker. The series also featured Lynley’s partner Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, played by Sharon-Small.

Not only does the crime fighting duo solve murder mysteries, the series delve into the character’s lives and their relationships with each other. The series also dealt with issues regarding gender and class, as Lynley is an earl, and his partner has a working- class background. All of the first two seasons are dedicated to the storylines from the Elizabeth George novels, though her characters and plots have been dramatically altered for the television audience.

The later seasons were original stories created for television. The series first aired on March 12, 2001. For six seasons the show inspired and riveted audiences, making Elizabeth George a household name. In August 2007, the BBC decided to cancel the series because of low ratings. The fans of the series mounted a campaign to save it through petitions. Most of the exterior shots for the show were filmed at the Bircham-Dyson-Bell solicitors offices on Broadway in central London.

For over 20 years, Elizabeth George has thrilled and intrigued audiences with her intricate plotlines and characters. Her ability to breathe life into characters, to create tension, and to make mysteries are unparalleled. Although George has made a multitude of novels that have topped the bestsellers list, none have made as much of an impact as the Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley series. This series was so popular that it was adapted into a long standing television series that brought fans intriguing mysteries for six seasons.

Book Series In Order » Authors » Elizabeth George

11 Responses to “Elizabeth George”

1. Roy Barnett: 11 months ago

   I would love some insight how Elizabeth, as an American, can so accurately write not only in an English style but also so convincingly about the England, or Britain, which her stories inhabit.

   Watched all the BBC Films, twice, before atarting to read the books, which I buy in Harback because I’ve never believed paperbacks were actually proper books.

   KInd regards
   Roy Barnett
   Devon UK

   Reply
2. Jim Dashwood: 1 year ago

   I have just read Careless in Red by Elizabeth George
   Am I missing something as I cannot see how she came up with the title?
   Please advise?
   Thanks

   Reply
3. Carol Gordon: 2 years ago

   I am waiting anxiously for the next Lynley novel! Please tell me when i will be able to purchase it.
   Since Lynley said towards the end of Nothing to Hide that he was not quite ready to return to Howenstowe permanently, I am hoping another suspenseful novel is in the works!!!!!

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4. Stephen Kahn: 2 years ago

   Dear Elizabeth (If i may be so presumptuous, I am about to finish SOMETHING TO HIDE, your latest book. While I hesitate to mention this is such distinguished company, we have something in common. I do not speak a word of Wolof (which I presume you do) although my brother (Barry Kahn) spent time in Senegal with his first spouse (who was something of a word that rhymes with itch) and became fluent in Wolof, which I would assume you still remember a word or two or two hundred. Anyway, our historical trails have cross trails of slime as you attended Cal State University Fullerton in 2004 and I have a mere Masters degree from University of California at Northridge where I taught English and joined something called the TEACHERS CORP and taught English at a very dangerous “high school” in Seattle
   called Rainier Beach where students of different races (and even species, if you count Neanderthals) were often on the verge of killing each other. I do not exaggerate. You show great familiarity with police work. I did in fact bring down a cult in Oregon (a cult called “Cerro Gordo”) involving a case that went to the Oregon State Supreme Court. My wife Christina, who is far more intelligent than I am, will possibly forgive me if you contact me, though I am not sure how to provide more information without violating rules of conduct which I barely comprehend. Although my wife was born in the “small town” of Los Angeles I am an atheist Jew who attended an orthodox synagogue at the age of 10 which was just across the street from a “reform” synagogue where man our rabbi said “We do not talk about them! Do not mention this again, Stephen!” Some of our members had tattoos on their arms. Although I never did “formal” police work, I did undercover work for— well never mind —anyway if I have not sent you off to slumberland I will say no more no more no more no more. Take your own sweet time, but as I was born in Chicago on January 25, 1944 I dare not say any more any more any more I promise to bore you to death to death …

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5. Ken Whitehead: 2 years ago

   Love the Inspector Lynley mysteries, and I have purchased all the BBC seasons staring Nathaniel-Parker.

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6. sharon reid: 3 years ago

   Looking for the book
   Loving God even more by Elizabeth George

   Reply
   • Graeme: 3 years ago

     That’s a different Elizabeth George. Amazon appears to have it.

     Reply
7. kate O'Donnell: 3 years ago

   Just read A Great Deliverance. I wonder why EG chose to include a reference to Huntington’s Chorea now termed Huntington’s Disease. My son died of Huntington’s Disease in 2019. It’s so little known and so, always, fatal.

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8. Horst Haßold: 4 years ago

   I am fascinated by ma first Elizabeth George Book “Wer Strafe verdient” and I now wish to read ore of her books in Énglish.

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9. Dana Weneta: 4 years ago

   Hi Elizabeth! I met you as Susan in Svusd! My mother loves mystery books and i was wondering if you have Audio books…she has macular degeneration. I think she would love your books! She now listens to books through Alexa and also has a cassette player! I am theilled with all your accomplishments!

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   • Dolores lembeck: 3 years ago

     I’ve read most of Elizabeth George’s books and have enjoyed them.very much. I was thrilled to find d the televised books on BritBox. I love the main characters lynley & havers and the way they work with each other. Some of her books are too wordy but the stories are great. I wrote to her many years ago and she was gracious enough to send me a written reply. That was before we had the internet. Snail mail. Many thanks for many hours of reading pleasure.

     Reply