The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (TV Series) A Cry for Justice (2004) User Reviews

The Inspector Havers Mysteries???

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 15 May 2021]

DC Havers stumbles into an investigation, her quick wits and observation win her some favour with the powers that be.

I should have noted in the previous episode, I really like Nathaniel Parker, he's very charismatic, I felt his performance and character went up a notch in the previous episode, that progression continued here, he's more commanding, however....

Once again, I feel that it's Havers who's the one that is driving the story, Small is once again the real standout for me, she's a tremendous actress, and the character just wants to get on with the job, and hunt the truth, Lynley needs a little push.

It's great to see that Will has become a regular character here, Al Weaver is such a talented actor, he's so fresh faced, but still has a real presence.

Always great to see the glorious Jenny Agutter, as always, she dazzles in every scene.

That car Lynley drives is quite special, I think it's a Bristol, where exactly is his Jenson?

This really does work as a murder mystery, as you are left wondering whodunnit, right until the very end. 8/10.

Havers goes undercover

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 22 September 2012]

In "A Cry for Justice," a woman is found dead in an apparent suicide, but it is actually murder. The investigation leads to a homeless charity that a suspicious reporter is dogging, run by a former model (Jenny Agutter) and her husband.

The newly reinstated Havers goes undercover as a secretary at the charity so she can nose around. The bodies start piling up and Lynley and Havers are led into a web of human trafficking, blackmail, and kidnapping.

On the home front, Lynley isn't as enthusiastic as he should be about Helen's pregnancy.

Very good story with a lot of twists.

Nathaniel Parker does a great job as the tenacious Inspector Lynley, who in this episode, gets to show his tough side more than usual. And we get to see Havers a little "done up" for a change.

As usual, my only problem is the dull Helen (Lesley Vickerage). I still can't understand why they got married because I don't know what attracted him to her in the first place. I understand she is recast in 2005 due to Vickerage having a baby.

Very entertaining.

Surprisingly captivating, thanks to the many twists in it

[philip_vanderveken · 8/10 · 10 November 2004]

There are already 14 TV movies in this series, but until now I hadn't seen one of it. Yet I was anxious to see it, because I know the excellent reputation of the BBC and its productions. The part of the series that I saw, "A Cry for Justice" is full of murder, blackmail, human trafficking,... and I have to say that I liked it very much.

The story starts with a woman that appears to have committed suicide, but a closer examination shows that she has been murdered. The detectives find a lot of money in a drawer, so it wasn't a robbery. It doesn't take too long before they see links to a rich couple, that already has been linked to several crimes...

A lot of this kind of stories is often very predictable and not very challenging to the viewer that wants to solve the mysteries for himself. This one is different, it's surprisingly captivating, thanks to the many twists in it. The producers certainly manage to get you on the wrong track all the time, but also manage to keep you interested. If you are a fan of detective stories and drama, this one should certainly be on your to view list. I reward this one with an 8/10.

Lots of secrets, lots of suspects

[ctyankee1 · 15 December 2012]

This is the story of a woman found dead in a house in her chair. It appears that Morag committed suicide until Havers sees the dead woman and does not believe it is suicide. Later the coroner says she has marks on her head and rules it a homicide.

The Lynley series is good but sometimes it has so many characters it is hard to know who Lynley suspects as a murderer. A number of murders take place in this episode and they all seem related to the dead woman in the chair.

A rich man and his wife that own a spa seem to be the connection to the people getting murdered. A young man named Daniel is connected with these characters. He is brought in for questioning and Lynley turns this into a intimidating session. Daniel was adopted and is trying to find out more about s real mother.

So questioning this young man by police Daniel has no legal support or parent to look out for him.. The way Lynley questions Daniel is interesting. It shows how a innocent person that may have reasons to be angry with the people murdered could probably confess to something they did not do.It shows how a cop can intimidate,scare and tell the person they know they did it and why. It tells me if you get contacted by police for questioning it is better not to be alone.This is a fake technique police do to get confession and they do get confessions by fear and lies.

The whole story is interesting and many people have reasons to kill the murdered victims. Lynley is too busy to bother with his pregnant wife but because of his investigation and babies involved it gives him a better love for his unborn child and pregnant wife..

Inspector Lynley and Havers in the City of Spires

[safenoe · 10/10 · 18 November 2016]

Here Inspector Lynley and Havers go crime fighting in Oxford. Actually Oxford city to be precise, because they (same with Morse and Lewis) are focused around the Oxford colleges in the city (there are some on the outskirts). The TV Oxford crimes aren't in the gritty and down-to- earth neighboring suburbs like Cowley, Blackbird Leys, Wood Farm , Rose Hill for some reason if you know what I mean.

Anyway, there's a baby surrogate operation to bust, and in the midst of this is the beautiful Jemma Sanderson, who with her husband, runs an exclusive Oxford club (no chavs please). Jemma is played by the beautiful Jenny Agutter (who steamed the screen in An American Werewolf in London).

Inspector Lynley unfortunately isn't paying enough attention to his pregnant wife, and Havers has to prompt him to do so.

In this episode Lynley and Havers don't have to confront any sweaty, obese and racist Oxford bus drivers.

For whodunnit fans rather than those who like legal accuracy

[Andrew_S_Hatton · 6/10 · 30 August 2015]

A complex thriller with twists and turns that are fascinating to follow.

From the opening scenes I thought we were being shown Oxford City but this is an urban story of anywhere in England. What with Morse, Lewis and Endeavour also advertising Oxford crimes, one wonders whether the tourist board is glad for the publicity or feels it shows the place in a bad light? With so many deaths - one expects another around the next corner at any moment after the second one, I wonder whether Lynley and co are a good advert for British police detective skills? The writer touches on interesting social aspects of both reluctant and enthusiastic parents and also about a demoted police sergeant starting out again. I think I would have preferred a drama focusing on such matters, and exploring them rather deeply in the manner of JB Priestly or Somerset Maugham. than just 'flag up' the issues without delving.

To me the people were believable - as portrayed - there really is that much malevolence and greed in society, though it is perhaps not as tightly packed as the dramatist here suggests.

I do not know the date the tales were originally written but by the time this was produced in 2004 it was no longer legal for any British Police Officer to interview a suspect without them being given the opportunity of having a lawyer present - very few reject that opportunity especially when serious charges are likely - as here. So it was a big flaw for the BBC to broadcast this without getting such a basic fact correct - I see a USA reviewer has commented on the consequences without realising that what we saw was illegal and would be likely to cause a great deal of trouble, when such a case came to court.

Maybe we need more dramas that involve BOTH the investigation AND court process - Inspector Lynley and Rumpole of the Bailey in one programme.

One of the worst I have seen so far

[preppycuber · 4/10 · 15 March 2020]

Terrible premise, bad script and two episodes in a row where the Havers character is forced on to the viewers as the star of the show. Quite uncharacteristically you see Lynley making wrong conclusions and unwilling to listen, usually seen attributed to lesser officers. Hope this is not a sign of how this series is going to change for the remainder.