New Lynley Series by Elizabeth George

Defying the conventions of mystery novels, Elizabeth George has allowed something tragic to happen to a central character in the series, which revolves around a British nobleman, Lynley, and his frumpy, working-class partner, Barbara Havers. In the new book, the investigators from New Scotland Yard battle a serial killer who preys on teenage boys in London.

"With No One As Witness," which was released in March 2005, is in its seventh printing, with about 200,000 copies out.  The book has already made its way to the top of best seller lists around the United States. Much of the appeal of the Lynley books, which have been adapted into a TV series produced by the British Broadcasting Corp. and WGBH in Boston, stems from George´s unconventionally complex main characters and the way they evolve over the course of the novels.

Elizabeth George, in an interview, says the offending plot was necessary to the overall story arc of her characters. She was surprised by the criticism but dismissed claims that she has done irreparable harm to the series, which has played out over 12 previous novels and a book of short stories. "Whether the readers like the book or don´t like the book, I always like to think my intentions are to grow as a writer," she said. "If I were governed by what I thought the reader wanted to read, then I would run the risk of writing formulaic books that the reader would soon grow tired of."