Reviews

The Best Man to Die by Ruth Rendell

laila4343's review against another edition

3.0

Wexford's wry humor is delightful. I'm seriously addicted to these mysteries.

bluestarfish's review against another edition

3.0

Two seemingly unrelated mysteries keep our police force puzzled for a while. (First one in the Wexford series that I've read where it actually feels like Wexford is properly the focus of the book.)

ianl1963's review against another edition

2.0

Robin Bailey read; not too bad, story just did not hold together for me.

Eventually a labour baroness, who writes about the working classes like a daily mail reporter.

2021 so positioning yourself in the time period rather difficult, what do you consult to get a rounded "picture" of society?

Retired so obviously too much time for contemplation, if only I had a brain to see deeper meanings.

pjgal22's review against another edition

4.0

This book was written 40 years ago, but it's still a great read. I love Rendell's Inspector Wexford series. Her mysteries are so well written, they practically read themselves. She knows just how to hook the reader and keep him/her turning the pages. In the past, many of the older books in the Wexford series haven't been available at the library, so I was thrilled to find this reissued paperback in the "new books" section. This is a short one (just 200 pages), but you actually get two mysteries playing out at the same time and, as always, the witty and endearing musings of Chief Inspector Wexford are an added treat.

git_r_read's review against another edition

4.0

A good British mystery is a joy to find. This is my first Ruth Rendell book and it won't be my last.

Inspector Wexford is the main character in this series and he is investigating the murder of Charlie Hatton, a lorrie driver and thug. Wexford also finds himself investigating the accident that kills a wealthy man and puts the man's wife in a coma.


It's a very well done mystery, with some very good twists, fab characters. Davina Porter is the perfect narrator for this.

slipperose's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

tomhill's review against another edition

3.0

Younger Wexford is a bit more temperamental and sometimes downright mean, but at least he has a personality. This is a very straightforward murder mystery which Wexford methodically solves, step by step. He's also a bit pompous and sexist here. Not sure if that's a reflection of the time the book was written, or just another way to shade his character. At least he's a bit more complicated and flawed. And in true Wexford/Rendell fashion, two seemingly separate mysteries turn out to be connected. Another standard, satisfying whodunit.

yeoldeeclair's review against another edition

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

helen___'s review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

eswee's review against another edition

2.75

Not very special, but a nice palet cleansing, straight forward murder mystery from the seventies. Relaxing to read.