Deception on his Mind : A keep-you-up-all-night mystery featuring Lynley, now appearing on BBC1 and iPlayer

The standalone novel in the bestselling series that inspired BBC''s Lynley

Balford-le-Nez is a dying seaside town on the coast of Essex. But when a member of the town''s small but growing Asian community is found dead near its beach, the sleepy town ignites with unrest.

While the Pakistani community demonstrates ad argues that the murder is a crime of hate aimed at an entire ethnic group, local police turn their attention to the leader of the Pakistani demonstrators, a young man who has long been a thorn in their side.

Working without her long-time partner, Detective Inspector Lynley, Sergeant Barbara Havers must probe not only the mind of a murderer and a case very close to her own heart, but also the terrible price people pay for deceiving others . . . and themselves.

Praise for Deception on his Mind

''A rich, multi-layered novel . . . All the important contemporary themes are covered and handled with a skill and sureness of touch that only years of practice can achieve . . . It all feels so right and real''
Guardian

''She can compete with the best . . . A book worthy of her immense talent''
The Times

''A gripping detective story . . . George builds up a complex picture of racial struggles and cultural differences''
Woman & Home

''A rich blend of crime, culture and class''
USA Today

''There is a mad scramble when the newest Elizabeth George mystery comes in. We fight over it; outright thefts off people''s desks are not unknown; we fall on our knees and beg to borrow it . . . [Deception on his Mind] is a winner''
Denver Post