The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (TV Series) In the Presence of the Enemy (2003) User Reviews

A very solid episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 6 April 2021]

The child of Dennis Luxford, a conservative leaning newspaper editor, and Eve Bowen, a left wing MP is kidnapped, not wanting to alert the Police, they call on the help of Helen Clyde.

Another very good episode, which really does have a strong story, and great list of characters. It's nice that Helen is central to the story, and not just shoehorned in as a bit part player. It was nice to see Havers placed in a bit of peril, Small once again totally runs away with it, she's an amazing actress.

A very dramatic ending, my only criticism, I felt like Sophie Okonedo was underused.

Maybe the killer's identity isn't a huge surprise after an hour or so, but it's more the impact of their actions, and the date of one of our Detectives.

I am a little surprised that Lynley continues to chase after Helen so badly, she seems only half interested in her, but he continues to pursue her.

Very good, 8/10.

very good Inspector Lynley

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 2 June 2012]

From season 2 of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries is "In the Presence of the Enemy," which concerns kidnapping, murder, politics, and mental instability.

The editor of a newspaper, Dennis Luxford (James Hazeldine), finds out that his child by a left-wing black politician, Eve Bowen (Sophie Okonedo), has been kidnapped. Luxford himself is a conservative; Bowen is a government minister and the two have never revealed their connection or that they have a child. Luxford is warned that he must publish the details of his first-born, or she will be killed.

Unfortunately, the girl is found dead, and later, his son Leo is kidnapped. Lynley (Nathaniel Parker) and Sergeant Havers (Sharon Small) have to go back into the past and to another town to solve the mystery and hopefully get Leo back in time.

Lynley's love interest, Helen Clyde (Lesley Vickerage), is a friend of Luxford's and tries to help him, which in turn complicates her relationship with Lynley.

Excellent entry into the series, with everyone in top form. I can never figure out what Parker sees in Clyde, but that's another story. The script and production values in this episode are excellent. Highly recommended.

Murder and kidnapping in brisk, suspenseful mystery...

[Doylenf · 6/10 · 25 December 2007]

NATHANIEL PARKER and SHARON SMALL discover that a mother's lie about an incident in her past causes her son to wreak vengeance on an innocent man in IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ENEMY. An excellent performance by JAMES HAZELDINE as Dennis Luxford is at the center of the story.

Once again, the mystery deepens as the plot weaves its way around the tale of a kidnapped girl who is murdered before the ransom demands can be met, a wealthy newspaper editor who almost loses a second child, his son, when he fails to meet the demands of the kidnapper, and various plots and turns involving a cast of suspicious characters.

As is true in the best mysteries, the real culprit is not revealed until the ending is close and turns out to be the least likely among some shady characters.

Another well done, well plotted yarn that tells an intriguing tale of a murder that has its secrets buried in the past.

Eh. This episode is just eh

[dianafriedmn · 4/10 · 9 December 2020]

I don't know why so many people like it. Haverly, "what if we can't get to him, Sir?" Like she hasn't been a detective with the Met for six years.

What the hell is wrong with Helen and her mood swings. One moment she's in love with Lynley and the next she wants to break up, then she wants to sleep with him, then she wants him out of her life. It's just stupid.

And is there anyone who didn't figure out who the murderer is after 42:45? Definitely below average episode.

Too obvious

[xbatgirl-30029 · 5/10 · 8 December 2021]

I felt like a version of Havers watching this episode. She doesn't like rich people. I was feeling absolutely no sympathy for the politicians and newspapermen especially. I can understand a bit of what Havers is supposed to be going through having to help people she dislikes. I felt the most sympathy for the adoptive father. His anger seemed very understandable rather than suspicious.

I will say, up until this episode I was wondering if Helen was miscast, because she's so not likable. Now I'm convinced the problem is the writing. We were only ever told from the start she was an old friend of Lynley's. Then told that he liked her. But we've never actually seen much of any reason why he would feel that way. Aside from the first episode, she's had scant positive qualities and hasn't really gotten along with him. He comes across as bizarrely obsessed actually, at least in my opinion, and it's the series's one big negative. The poor actress is just playing the part she was given.

Anyway, I had a lot of time to ponder all this because this episode was a little tedious - so many unlikeable characters. Also the guilty party was so obvious from the instant they show up, way too over the top creepy and bizarre.