or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
More Buying Choices
344 used & new from $0.01
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
A Traitor to Memory
 
 
Share your own customer images
Search inside this book
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.
 
  

A Traitor to Memory (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: waxed jacket, Katja Wolff, Eugenie Davies, Sarah Jane (more...)
2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (183 customer reviews)
Price: $7.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
  Special Offers Available
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Want it delivered Tuesday, December 8? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
Ordering for Christmas? To ensure delivery by December 24, choose Standard Shipping at checkout. Read more about holiday shipping.

30 new from $4.43 308 used from $0.01 6 collectible from $4.90

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
  Hardcover, June 25, 2001 -- $0.98 $0.01
  Paperback, December 31, 2001 -- $12.99 $0.16
  Mass Market Paperback, August 26, 2002 $7.99 $4.43 $0.01
  Audio, CD, Abridged, Audiobook $29.95 $29.95 $5.09

Frequently Bought Together

A Traitor to Memory + A Place of Hiding + In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner
Price For All Three: $23.97

Show availability and shipping details

  • This item: A Traitor to Memory by Elizabeth George

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • A Place of Hiding by Elizabeth George

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner by Elizabeth George

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • This item is eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion. Eligible products include select Books, Single Copy Magazines, and Home & Garden items. Buy any 4 eligible items and get the lowest-priced item free. Here's how (restrictions apply)
  • Over a hundred thousand items are eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion. How do I find more eligible items?

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner

In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner

by Elizabeth George
4.0 out of 5 stars (132)  $7.99
A Place of Hiding

A Place of Hiding

by Elizabeth George
3.0 out of 5 stars (116)  $7.99
Deception on His Mind

Deception on His Mind

by Elizabeth George
4.0 out of 5 stars (55)  $7.99
In the Presence of the Enemy

In the Presence of the Enemy

by Elizabeth George
4.1 out of 5 stars (59)  $7.99
Playing for the Ashes

Playing for the Ashes

by Elizabeth George
4.3 out of 5 stars (50)  $7.99
› Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Families can be monstrous and their secrets dangerous, as New Scotland Yard detectives Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers have discovered. The pair are puzzled that the Hampstead police need their help investigating the vehicular murder of a middle-aged divorcée, until they find evidence that one of their own superiors once knew the dead lady very well indeed. But the circumstances of Eugenie Davies's murder appear to center on her children: Gideon, a famous violinist now undergoing psychoanalysis for his sudden inability to play, and the long-dead Sonia, a disabled baby whose drowning death was shrouded in secrecy for her virtuoso brother's sake--at the insistence of their father, Richard--but also trumpeted in the press as the infamous "nanny murder" of its day. The nanny, Katja Wolff, has recently been released from prison, having never spoken of the night Sonia drowned. Lynley, Havers, and their colleague Winston Nkata know that whatever secret Katja Wolff has been hiding must be the cause of Eugenie Davies's death, but before they can find out what it is, another deliberate hit-and-run occurs in their own backyard.

The suspects are many: Wolff; Eugenie's most recent suitor; her ne'er-do-well brother; Gideon's longtime mentor, who kept in contact with Eugenie in the years after she abandoned her husband and son; and a gentleman of many monikers who boarded with the family at the time of the drowning. Even Richard Davies, the dead woman's ex-husband, is under suspicion. But it's violinist Gideon Davies's quest into his family's past, undertaken to save his career, that sets the book's events in motion. His own telling of the story runs parallel to the author's own voice but is time-shifted. Along with the details of the police investigation, this paints a disturbing picture of what happens when the truth is obscured and a child's normal instincts sublimated.

A Traitor to Memory is massive, and it's hard not to spot a few flaws in a plot so complex. The dual narratives force abnormally slow reading, the motive for one murder and two near-murders is inexplicably glossed over, and many doughty Lynley/Havers fans will still wonder by the end what exactly happened in Sonia's bathroom. Yet Elizabeth George orchestrates the family-secrets theme like a maestro, and at least one of the second-chair players--such as Katja Wolff's beautiful, scarred lover Yasmine Edwards--may be a rising star in the series. George's fans will no doubt find this 11th entry in the series worthy of a standing ovation. --Barrie Trinkle --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



From Publishers Weekly

HClassical music, cybersex and vehicular homicide figure prominently in this sprawling epic, the latest in the bestselling Thomas Lynley series that has won George an enviable following on both sides of the Atlantic. This can only add to her growing reputation as doyenne of English mystery novelists. When Eugenie Davies is killed on a London street struck by a car, then viciously mangled as the driver backs over her Detective Inspector Lynley investigates. The suspects include J.W. Pichley, aka TongueMan, a cyber-roue with a penchant for older women; Katja Wolff, convicted murderess of Davies's infant daughter; and Major Ted Wiley, a bookstore proprietor in love with Davies. Inevitably, the trail leads to the dead woman's son, Gideon, a former child prodigy on the violin, now a renowned virtuoso suddenly and inexplicably unable to play a single note. Lynley and his longtime partners, Barbara Havers and Winston Nkata, unravel the mystery in their inimitable fashion, as the narrative turns backward, ever backward, in search of clues. Although some plot developments are initially confusing due to the book's occasionally non-linear style, the author's handling of narrative is consistently inventive. There are some amusing character sketches (including the skewering of an American Valley Girl to whom classical music is as foreign as Sanskrit) and some particularly moving moments. Faithful readers of George's previous mysteries should find this the most ambitious of the lot. (July 3)Forecast: With the BBC adaptation of the first Lynley case, A Great Deliverance, due to premier on U.S. TV this fall, George stands to scale new heights in sales.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Mass Market Paperback: 1024 pages
  • Publisher: Bantam (August 27, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0553582364
  • ISBN-13: 978-0553582369
  • Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (183 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #109,765 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category: (What's this?)

    #23 in  Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( G ) > George, Elizabeth

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

Elizabeth George
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Elizabeth George Page
Front Cover | First Pages | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:
Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
waxed jacket
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Katja Wolff, Eugenie Davies, Sarah Jane, Sister Cecilia, Richard Davies, Yasmin Edwards, Major Wiley, James Pitchford, Cresswell White, Wigmore Hall, Kensington Square, Barbara Havers, Jill Foster, Winston Nkata, Harriet Lewis, Ted Wiley, Missus Edwards, Raphael Robson, Chalcot Square, Jimmy Pytches, Number Fifty, Sixty Plus Club, Georgia Ramsbottom, Galveston Road, Valley of Kings
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:
Citations (learn more)
11 books cite this book:
See all 11 books citing this book

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

A Traitor to Memory
69% buy the item featured on this page:
A Traitor to Memory 2.9 out of 5 stars (183)
$7.99
Playing for the Ashes
9% buy
Playing for the Ashes 4.3 out of 5 stars (50)
$7.99
Careless in Red (Inspector Lynley)
8% buy
Careless in Red (Inspector Lynley) 3.2 out of 5 stars (162)
$7.99
With No One as Witness (Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers Novels)
7% buy
With No One as Witness (Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers Novels) 3.9 out of 5 stars (57)
$7.99
Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(11)
(7)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Agree with these tags?

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more
 

Customer Reviews

183 Reviews
5 star:
 (25)
4 star:
 (31)
3 star:
 (49)
2 star:
 (48)
1 star:
 (30)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
2.9 out of 5 stars (183 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars good writing, but VERY long and slow-paced, July 3, 2001
By "amrdmr" (Arlington, WA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Traitor to Memory (Hardcover)
Those who are hooked on Elizabeth George's characters and closely follow what happens to them will get a lot for their money in this book, although maybe quantity does not always best quality. This time, the spotlight centers on DI Lynley and his new wife, Helen, and his superior, Superintendent Malcolm Webberly and his wife, Frances. My personal favorite character, Constable Barbara Haverly plays quite a minor role, unfortunately for me. Other reviews outline the plot, so I won't reiterate it, just say that in my opinion, this book could have done with a bit of editing. No matter how outstanding the writing (and Ms. George is an outstanding writer), that in itself cannot hide the fact that the plot is draggy and repetitious. I had to force myself to continue around page 483, although I did find it worth it to get to the end, page 719. Also, unlike her earlier books, a sentence here or there seemed a bit awkward or self-concious. If you are new to the Elizabeth George detective series, I wish you the joy of finding a mine of truly superb mystery stories, with all the finest examples of plotting and characterization and supense. However, I would suggest first reading "Playing for Ashes" or "In the Presence of the Enemy". In my opinion, these are much more finely honed examples of her craft.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars An Ambitious But Flawed Addition to the series, July 5, 2001
By KM "kminfinity" (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Traitor to Memory (Hardcover)
Linley, Havers, and Co. are on the hunt for a vehicular killer...they need to figure out why someone killed Eugenie Davies, and the solution lies 20 yrs in the Davies family past. To make matters worse, their Chief, Webberly, is connected to the case. Somehow, the events also connect to the fact that Gideon Davies, then an 8 yr old prodigy, now a world class violinist, has lost his ability to play music.

The plot is convoluted, needing 700+ pages to reach its end. Tho there are some interesting characters, the style can be annoying---Gideon's psychiatric analysis via a journal he shares with his doctor alternates with the traditional narrative chapters. One problem seems to be that the time frame for the journal chpaters doesn't mesh neatly with the "real time" narrative chapters. In addition, I saw the major plot resolutions coming very early--which is fine if the characters and story offer some other strong interest....but I'm sorry to say that this time George fails in that department...

And for those who like to see a lot of character development with Linley, Havers, and the other recurring characters...it just isn't here this time.......Nkata gets the most action on the personal canvas, and even that is limited. There's a bit about Linley and Deborah that resolves an old issue tho....

If you've read the rest of the George Canon, then you'll like this book well enough, but it won't be a favorite......I advise new readers to try her earlier works....this one is NOT a good place to start....even if you aren't interested in the development of the recurring characters.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A LONG (AND I MEAN LONG) BUT ENJOYABLE MYSTERY, June 26, 2001
This review is from: A Traitor to Memory (Hardcover)
Eugenie Davies death was no accident. Someone struck her down with their car, and then continued to run over body, leaving nothing behind but a gruesome crime scene, and many questions.

What was Eugenie doing on the street that rainy night? Why was she carrying the name of the name that found her body? Who in her life would want her dead? And, is there a connection between her death and the brilliant violinist who lost the ability to play?

Detective Thomas Lynley wants answers, and once his investigation has begun he will discover more questions without answers, one of which will challenge him both professionally, and personally.

For the first time, Lynley's career is put on the line, as his superior, the man who put him on this case, had a connection to Eugenie Davies many years before in a major criminal trial.

Lynley enlists the help of his long time partners, Barbara Havers and Winston Nkata to untangle the web of secrets surrounding Eugenie's death.

'A Traitor To Memory' is a good, but VERY, VERY long mystery. Those familiar with George's previous works may be a bit surprised at the slow start the novel has, but as each secret is revealed, a new piece of the intricate puzzle falls into place. Well written (as usual), featuring a large cast of characters, and many plots twists, 'A Traitor To Memory' is a good book for a long weekend.

Elizabeth George has made a career of writing smart mysteries, that contain interesting characters, and gripping plots, and her latest is no exception. Fans should enjoy this new addition to the Lynley series despite it's length, and somewhat slow pacing.

Nick Gonnella

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Whew! done at last
I love E.G. but this one is way too long, confusing with the diary entries, too many loose ends left hanging and just plain boring in parts.
Published 5 months ago by M. Palmer

4.0 out of 5 stars Not the best in the series
"A Traitor to Memory" is another thick satisfying book by Elizabeth George. As with most of George's novels, the point of view shifts from character to character -- each... Read more
Published 11 months ago by S. R. Schnur

3.0 out of 5 stars Like a bran muffin - -a bit too dense for me
I do love a good Elizabeth George mystery, but this one was just too darned long for me. If it had been more compelling, the length wouldn't have bothered me. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Lois Lain

1.0 out of 5 stars To Read or Not to Read
Ms. George has always had a tendency to "drop the ball" when it comes to the denouement of her mystery. This book is no exception. Read more
Published on June 15, 2007 by Anne Keller Brideau

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved the story--disappointed & confused at ending
This review may give away too much of the plot if you haven't read it yet. A Traitor to Memory was such an absorbing novel that I didn't mind the 1000+ pages--more to look forward... Read more
Published on May 14, 2007 by J. Schissel

5.0 out of 5 stars Good to the last drop
I've found very few novels of this length to be enjoyable from beginning to end. James Clavell's Shogun and Whirlwind, come to mind, as does George R. R. Read more
Published on April 17, 2007 by C. S. Junker

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
I always enjoy this author's Inspector Lynley stories. Complex characters and very good mysteries.
Published on February 22, 2007 by K. Gamble

4.0 out of 5 stars Still better than her American competition
Well, I finished the 1000+ pages in my edition, so there were things worth hanging in for. It's hard to read Elizabeth George without being grateful that I'm not reading Grafton... Read more
Published on November 19, 2006 by Rob I. Horowitz

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb! Do not miss it!
I do not agree with all of the negative reviews. I could not put this book down. Superb writing, great narrative flow. Do not miss it!
Published on October 7, 2006 by Brandx

2.0 out of 5 stars Agree with negative reviews...
I agree with pretty much everything others have said. I am beginning to really become involved with our main characters, and this book barely featured them and lost my interest... Read more
Published on August 12, 2006 by B. Miller

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Look for Similar Items by Category

Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Books by subject:









i.e., each book must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.