Synopsis
The Evidence Exposed: The two-week course on 'Great Houses of Britain' brings together a varied group of enthusiasts. When one of their number turns up dead, Inspector Thomas Lynley makes a cameo appearance.
I, Richard: Malcolm Cousins has spent years in the single-minded pursuit of a priceless letter, probably written by Richard III on the eve of the Battle of Bosworth. But does he want it enough to kill for it?
The Surprise of His Life: When Douglas Armstrong has his first consultation with Thistle McCloud, he has no intention of murdering his wife. His mind, in fact, doesn't turn to murder until two weeks after consultation number four.
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Review
More akin to a trio of light literary snacks than the lengthy gourmet mysteries she usually serves, Elizabeth George's 11th, The Evidence Exposed is a collection of three short stories. In the first, a motley group of anglophiles are on a two week course at Cambridge studying the "Great Houses of Britain." Within their microcosm, jealousy, sexual tension and infidelities abound, so when one in the party suddenly dies, everyone is suspect. That is, until Inspector Lynley (A Great Deliverance, For the Sake of Elena) arrives on the scene.
The second tale, I, Richard, creeps into the mind of Malcolm Cousins, a bitter, middle-aged teacher with one goal: to obtain a priceless document that could clear the name of Richard III. If Cousins succeeds, he will re-write history and live like a king--but with one catch. He must murder his best friend.
In the Surprise of His Life Doulgas Armstrong thought he was just killing time before a prostrate examination when he first consulted psychic Thistle McCloud. However, her divinations strike at the core of his marital insecurities, fuelling a jealous passion. Six weeks and four consultations later, his cosmic obsession culminates in a dangerous lesson: Playing with destiny can have shocking results.
On par with watching a few episodes of the Twilight Zone, the 216 pages of The Evidence Exposed (including an extract of In Pursuit of a Proper Sinner) can be easily digested in an afternoon. This isn't meant to be a continuation of the Lynley-Havers series, but rather, a short diversion from the usual suspects. --Rebekah Warren
Review
George is excellent at slowly unfolding plot and atmosphere ... fine writing and sensitive handling of relationships. (Independent)
Immensely well plotted ... a first class, page-turning read (The Times)
Splendid writing and a very good mystery (Sunday Telegraph)
Tough, breathtaking mystery (Cosmopolitan)
Nailbitingly good (Company)
George at her most adroit . . . a collection that will win George many new readers (Internet review)
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