A Great Deliverance

novel by George

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July 19, 2026

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A Great Deliverance is the debut novel by American author Elizabeth George, published in 1988. This mystery novel introduced the characters Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley of Scotland Yard and his assistant, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. The novel was critically acclaimed, winning the Agatha and Anthony awards for best first mystery novel in 1989. Its success allowed George to pursue writing full-time. The term "deliverance" itself can mean salvation from danger or evil, or a decision reached after consideration, such as a jury's verdict.1

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Elizabeth George
…years in California before publishing A Great Deliverance (1988), in which she introduced her characters Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley of Scotland Yard, an aristocrat, and his working-class assistant, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. The novel won the 1989 Agatha and Anthony awards for best first mystery novel and the 1990 French…
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…years in California before publishing A Great Deliverance (1988), in which she introduced her characters Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley of Scotland Yard, an aristocrat, and his working-class assistant, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. The novel won the 1989 Agatha and Anthony awards for best first mystery novel and the 1990 French…
Read More