Believing the Lie, by Elizabeth George

"Everybody lies – every day; every hour; awake; asleep; in his dreams; in his joy; in his mourning; if he keeps his tongue still, his hands, his toes, his eyes, his attitude, will convey deception."  Mark Twain (1835-1910).  Robotham quoted Twain in his recent book, and Elizabeth George might have done the same.  Almost everyone in this book  lies and harbors secrets, whether for gain, out of fear, under orders, or for a number of other reasons and rationales.   Lynley is assigned to quietly investigate the drowning death of a man in Cumbria, and since he can't use police resources he asks Simon and Deborah St. James to assist.  In the course of the investigation, they uncover secrets that underpin or undermine the lives of many of the family members involved.