The Inspector Lynley Mysteries - Series 6

I really enjoy the Inspector Lynley stories. I hope this is NOT the last!
Who do we tell to ask for more?!

Somehow not as convincing as Midsommer Murders, but endearing in its own way. Perhaps, because it is not fully convincing as "something British". It does have a charm of its own, however.

It seems that this will be the final series, and more's the pity, since it does set a high standard and, with all its faults, should be preferred over so many products.

This 6th in the Inspector Linley Mystery series is excellent mysteries in its presentation, plot, dialogue and under-current issues. The portrayed relationship between the two main characters keeps a certain personal tension, as well as a tension with the Scotland Yard politics. The plot indicates the intricancies of the attempts to solve a crime to charge the correct perpetrator--who has woven a web of covertness. Highly recommended whether the first or as part of the continuing series from the beginning.

I have long been a fan of Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley series, and when the BBC series based on it came out, I watched every one of them. Nathaniel Parker played the inspector to the hilt; I was impressed not only with his portrayal of Lynley's genius as a detective, but also with his hypersensitivity, hangups, and insecurities. Sharon Small was the perfect Barbara Havers, another fish out of water where society is concerned, but also a skilled detective. Both characters had to deal with family problems, and neither of them, at least in the first series, had much success with romance. In short, the characters are beautifully human, and the actors did a great job of portraying them.

This series was no exception. Elizabeth George's books are rather long for mystery novels (which I like, because I read fast), and the stories, therefore, had to be edited. However, neither plot nor character suffered from that. The shows were fast-paced and intriguing, and even though I'd read most of the books they were based on, I never once got off the edge of my chair. And now they say that this will be the last Inspector Lynley series? I sure hope not! If so, this will be a major loss to British mystery.

I would have reviewed every other series of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries by giving them five stars. I think this one is more disappointing for two reasons; the BBC clearly took an abrupt decision to end the series, and the suddenness of that decision can be felt in the unsatisfactory last scene of the final episode [of the two, I much prefer 'Limbo', despite some plot inconsistencies]. The scriptwriting, especially in the final episode, is poor, and I think the story was based largely on a real crime. Lynley's language and behaviour have changed so totally from previous episodes that he reminds me of an ill-bred thug rather than a well-bred aristocrat. I found myself wondering if the scriptwriter had read the books at all.

I still give it four stars because of the quality of the acting of Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small. Even given a badly-written script they did a superb job as they have done throughout. Their partnership [both in character and as actors] is one of the most compellingly fascinating I have ever seen on TV.