Bella (Kiki)
asked
Elizabeth George:
Many people say the tone of the books changed once Lady Helen Clyde was killed. (I applaud that decision; there aren't many authors who have the courage to do that.) Some say they became darker, more convoluted, and quite a bit longer, and the character of Lynley changed as well (of course). Do you, yourself notice this change, and did you intend it? Or is it an organic outgrowth of what came before?
Elizabeth George
Length first: Playing for the Ashes was the longest of my novels, and Helen was still alive for it. So I wouldn't say her death has caused the novels to become longer.
My novels have always been rather dark, as I attempt to write about social issues that are part of the UK today...or when I was writing a particular novel. Barbara Havers provides moments of levity that, I hope, offset the generally bleak world that is part and parcel of investigating a murder. No one would ever accuse me of writing a tea cozy, that's for sure.
My novels have always been rather dark, as I attempt to write about social issues that are part of the UK today...or when I was writing a particular novel. Barbara Havers provides moments of levity that, I hope, offset the generally bleak world that is part and parcel of investigating a murder. No one would ever accuse me of writing a tea cozy, that's for sure.
More Answered Questions
Anamaria
asked
Elizabeth George:
I found my first Lynley book in the crew mini library, about 15 years ago, while working on cruise ships. I became a fan right away, and in the next few years I read all your other books. Trying to understand how John Fowles influenced you, I recently read "The Collector", and, as I arrived to the chilling end, I thought a sequel written by you would be amazing. Have you ever considered something like that?
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