A Place of Hiding

FROM THE PUBLISHER

An isolated beach on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel is the scene of the murder of Guy Brouard, one of Guernsey's wealthiest inhabitants and its main benefactor. Forced as a child to flee the Nazis in Paris, Brouard was engaged in his latest project when he died: a museum in honor of those who resisted the German occupation of the island during world War II.

It is from this period of time that his murderer may well have come. But there are others on Guernsey with reason to want Guy Brouard dead: from his wives and business associates to his current mistress and the underprivileged teenagers he mentored. Indeed, Guernsey is revealed as a place of secrets, and forensic scientist Simon St. James and his wife Deborah soon discover that seemingly everyone on the history-haunted island has something to hide. Behind all the lies and alibis, a killer is lurking. In order to bring this person to justice, the St. Jameses must delve into Guernsey's dark history - both past and present - and into the troubled psyche of someone who may have exacted retribution for the most unspeakable crime of all.

SYNOPSIS

An isolated beach on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel is the scene of the murder of Guy Brouard, one of Guernsey’s wealthiest inhabitants and its main benefactor.

FROM THE CRITICS

USA Today

A Place of Hiding is one of George's best. There are two qualities that set her apart from others in this genre: Her plots are excellent ￯﾿ﾽ complex but patterned with clues and revelations that are true to the story. The stories are alternately told from the viewpoints of all the main characters, including the victim, which provides a window into their psyche without unmasking the murderer. — Susan Kelly

The Washington Post

George's plotting is sure-handed, but her greatest strength lies in characterization. She has the gift of which Anthony Trollope was perhaps the foremost exemplar in English: giving full, self-justifying due to every character, including, in this case, a disappointed local architect who had been led to believe he would design the museum, and Brouard's cancer-ridden sister, who isn't sure she can both fight to uphold his wishes and cope with her own looming death … As a mystery novel -- no, as a novel pure and simple -- A Place of Hiding is entertainment of a high order. — Dennis Drabelle

Publishers Weekly

Fans disappointed by George's atypical story collection, I, Richard (2002), will be relieved to find the bestselling transatlantic author back at the top of her form. This exquisitely plotted mystery bursts with well-developed characters, notably forensic scientist Simon St. James and his photographer wife, Deborah. Lured by the free airline tickets and the $5,000 fee, China River, an old friend of Deborah's, and her half-brother, Cherokee (their mother was into the hippie counterculture), agree to fly from sunny California to rainy England to deliver a package containing architectural drawings to Guy Brouard, a rich landholder on the Channel island of Guernsey. The drawings are for a museum Brouard plans to build on the island honoring those who resisted the WWII German occupation. When the philandering philanthropist gets murdered and the police arrest China, Cherokee turns to Simon and Deborah for help. Curiously, for all the victim's wealth, no one seems to benefit from his death. The theme of hiding-of hopes, of the past, of secret places-underpins this intricate story about friendship, anger, loyalty and betrayal. Comic touches provide some relief as the suspense builds to an unexpected and explosive climax. With her flair for language, George reinforces her reputation as one of today's finest mystery writers. (July 29) Forecast: The broadcast this summer of four new mystery episodes on PBS featuring George's Inspector Lynley, who makes a cameo appearance in A Place of Hiding, may help lengthen the novel's run on bestseller lists. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Although this is the 12th title in George's "Thomas Lynley" series, Scotland Yard detective Lynley and his partner, Barbara Havers, play very small roles here as forensic scientist Simon St. James and his wife, Deborah, step into the spotlight. China River and her brother, Cherokee, are hired to deliver blueprints for a museum that millionaire Guy Brouard plans to build on the island of Guernsey, in the English Channel. When Guy is found dead, and China is accused of killing him, Cherokee goes to London to seek the assistance of China's old friend, Deborah. Soon Simon and Deborah are investigating the murder, discovering that several other people, including Guy's children, have motives. While plenty of plot twists and turns will keep readers glued to the page until the climactic end, there are almost too many distracting subplots, including a second murder that is never investigated or mentioned again after it happens. George also devotes a lot of space to analyzing Simon and Deborah's relationship, and, unfortunately, Deborah comes off as too childlike, while Simon is very domineering. Nevertheless, George's latest is an enjoyable read and is recommended for most public libraries, especially those with a George following.-Carrie A. Herrmann, Boone Cty. P.L., Union, KY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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