By Liz Soares
It is a fact well-known to Elizabeth George fans that the immediate thought upon gazing at one of her newest books, thick as they are, is: “What part of my life do I have to give up in order to read this behemoth?”
And that the thought, upon finishing the book—much sooner than one had anticipated, and without the suspension of showers, breakfast, or even cleaning the litter box—is: “Do I really have to end my relationship with this story here?”
George’s most recent contribution to her oeuvre is as exciting as it is hefty. I’m talking 573 pages, by the way. Our old friends Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers are, of course, on board, along with Chief Inspector Isabelle Ardery, her administrative assistant, Dorothea Harriman, and Detective Sergeant Winston Nkata.
They are at the center of a case that takes them deep into the worlds of publishing, feminism, and online matchmaking services.
The book is structured to provide the reader with background into the lives of the Goldacre family in the years leading up to a murder. After the murder, the investigation ensues.
Caroline Goldacre is a mother from hell, dominating the lives of her two sons. Will is troubled, has a misshapen ear, and suffers from a form of Tourette’s Syndrome. Charlie is a successful psychologist, and married, but Mom tries to rule his life too. Caroline hates her first husband, a plastic surgeon, and forced her second spouse into running what turns out to be a successful bakery company.
Caroline is prone to tirades. She’s a drama queen. "'Of course I’m in a state!' Caroline cried. Other tea takers looked in their direction, interest on their faces. Caroline ignored them as she went on. 'And you sit there…look at him just sitting there staring like I’ve come from Mars.'" The scene ends with her flinging herself at her son, Charlie. "Take me home," she cried out. "Charlie, please. Take me home."
Caroline and the baker, Alastair MacKerron, live in Shaftesbury, Dorset, a quaint town which is also home to famed feminist writer Claire Abbott. Caroline begins working as Claire's assistant, and tries to run Claire’s life, too.
This is where worlds collide. Dorothea has taken Barbara under her wing and proposes to make her over into a more feminine woman. When a speed-dating adventure goes comically awry, Barbara wanders into a speech Claire Abbott is giving in London, and decides to buy one of her books to give to Dorothea. Barbara meets Claire’s editor, Rory Statham, and observes Caroline in action.
When Barbara reaches Claire with her book to be signed, the author chortles at the detective’s T-shirt. It states: “On the 8th day, God created bacon.” Claire wants one that says “clotted cream.” Barbara agrees to get one for her.
So when one of the women in the group turns up murdered in a Cambridge hotel room, Barbara knows she wants to get involved. But Barbara’s still on Isabelle’s bad list, after her last misadventure in crime solving, so Thomas Lynley has to step in to ensure his team gets the case.
The intriguing murder at the core of the story involves a rare and volatile poison, but A Banquet of Consequences is just as much about family secrets and the mysterious ways of love.
Will Goldacre has his Goth girlfriend, Lily, a tattoo artist. Alastair has taken up with his top staffer, Sharon. India Elliott is torn between her husband, Charlie Goldacre, and her new friend, Nat. Thomas is confused about his relationship with Daidre Trehair, a vet at the London Zoo.
The one character who really steals the show, however, is Rory Statham’s service dog, Arlo. He is not only endearingly protective of his mistress, but he enlivens every scene he is in. At one point, Thomas has to spirit him in to Scotland Yard, much to Isabelle’s dismay.
Barbara is as endearingly pigheaded and tasteless as ever. While she and Winston are in Shaftesbury, investigating, she decides one night that she needs to make dinner. Winston is a gourmet cook, but Barbara doesn't try to outdo him. "She grabbed up tinned beef goulash and tinned beetroot, and then went in search of something that would do for a starter. She settled on savoury biscuits with orange marmalade accompanied by tuna-and-mayo paste, and then made a selection of pudding by scoring a frozen toffee-pecan Dream Pie." Barb prepares the meal while smoking, then hides the butts and all the packaging.
A reader could think that, at 573 pages, a few loose ends might be left dangling; perhaps some glaring inconsistencies would emerge. No. This is a well-structured novel that reconnected me with some of my favorite fictional characters and introduced me to some fascinating, albeit despicable, new ones. Like I said, I was sorry to see it end.
A reader could think that, at 573 pages, a few loose ends might be left dangling; perhaps some glaring inconsistencies would emerge. No. This is a well-structured novel that reconnected me with some of my favorite fictional characters and introduced me to some fascinating, albeit despicable, new ones. Like I said, I was sorry to see it end.
