I’m reading Elizabeth George’s nonfiction book about writing, Write Away. To see how she uses the techniques she writes about, I picked up one of her novels, Careless in Red, for Book Beginnings on Fridays.
Book Beginnings is a fun meme hosted by Rose City Reader blog. To participate, share the first sentence or so of a novel you are reading and your thoughts about it. When you are finished, add your URL to the Book Beginnings page linked above. Hope to see you there!
Careless in Red by Elizabeth George (2008)
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Summary: Grieving over the murder of his pregnant wife, former Detective Superintendent Thomas Lynley has been on a long solo walk along the coast of Cornwell when he stumbles onto a body. Although the young man appears to have fallen accidentally, it becomes apparent his death is a murder. Usually the lead investigator, this time Lynley is a witness or even a possible suspect.
First Sentence:
He found the body on the forty-third day of his walk.
Discussion:
In the previous novel, Lynley had resigned because of the death of his wife. As a fan, I want to know will he go on with his life or will he return to Scotland Yard? Finding a body is promising that he will return in some capacity. Can’t wait to delve into this one.
56
The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice. The premise is simple. Turn to page 56 in the book and pick a quote.
Thomas Lynley returned to them then…He handed over the clothing the DI asked for. It’s absurd, Dairdre thought. He’s going to catch his death if he wandered round like that: no jacket, no shoes, and just a thin white boiler suit of the type worn at crime scenes to ensure that the official investigators did not leave trace evidence behind.
Apparently a boiler suit is a pair of white coveralls.
Although Elizabeth George is an American who lives on the West Coast, she writes mysteries set in Britain with accurate details like this. I can’t imagine how she writes the setting and vocabulary so authentically.
What do you think? Have you ever read a novel by Elizabeth George? Would you like to give this one a try?
Wouldn’t that be awful to find a dead body. Terrifying. My Friday quotes
Yes, it would be terrible to find a dead body, especially after so recently suffering a loss of your own.
I haven’t read anything by Elizabeth George, and this is actually the first time I’ve heard of Careless in Red too. I like the quotes.
Glad you like the quotes. She is an amazing writer.
I absolutely adore Elizabeth George’s Lynley novels, so I’m going to have to read this one too. I think I’ve read them all out of order though so maybe I should start from the beginning… I also didn’t know she’d written a book about writing itself, so that is also going on the list! Thanks for sharing and have a lovely weekend 🙂
Juli @ A Universe in Words
Having read some of the earlier ones years ago, I’m starting about the middle of the list. It is hard to stay in order, but I think they work okay as stand alone novels.
I am intrigued! Thanks for sharing, and here’s mine: “LAST GIRL GHOSTED”
Yours sounds perfect for Halloween!
I have never read anything by Elizabeth George no, but she is on my TBR list. I think it’s very clever to read her book on writing and see the “results” for yourself.
Have a good weekend and happy reading!
Elza Reads
Thanks. It does add a some really interesting insights. Sometimes knowing what goes on behind the scenes makes the read less enjoyable, but this made it better.
I’m so intrigued!!! Happy weekend!
I’ve never read this author, but this really sounds like a book I would like.
This author has been on my must try list for a long time–thanks for highlighting her work!
I’ve not read this author before, but this book sounds really good. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂