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honeybun_06's review
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
2.0
This book definitely feels outdated. It has the classic Crichton almost Sciency explanation that lead me to hope for a fun story, but he dropped the ball on this one. The storyline is a blur of connivence and predictability, the characters are inconsistent with themselves, and the female characters were there simply to be a romantic interest for the men. Skip this book and move on to something better.
I read this when it first came out and gave it 2 stars then. It was worse for the time passed.
I read this when it first came out and gave it 2 stars then. It was worse for the time passed.
notsonya's review
2.0
this book just wasn’t for me. a big part of why i disliked it because it wasn’t what i thought it would be (not in a good way). the author summarizes what’s gonna happen in the story right off the bat and then spends the remainder of the book writing about it in detail. it’s short, yet somehow excruciatingly long.
billymac1962's review
3.0
I think this may have been Ruth Rendell's first novel.
It was pretty good, and considerably more literate in style than her more recent works. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your tastes. But one thing has remained constant, and that is her ability to construct an interesting story.
I just noticed as I type this that I have used the term "construct" again as I did in the previous review. Interesting. This wasn't a conscious effort, really, and it's odd that Ruth Rendell
is the only writer I have described this way.
But her predominant strength is in this, particularly given the fact the the first line opens the novel with who killed whom, and why.
Even though you know what will happen, she can still hold your interest through the events leading up to this.
It was pretty good, and considerably more literate in style than her more recent works. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your tastes. But one thing has remained constant, and that is her ability to construct an interesting story.
I just noticed as I type this that I have used the term "construct" again as I did in the previous review. Interesting. This wasn't a conscious effort, really, and it's odd that Ruth Rendell
is the only writer I have described this way.
But her predominant strength is in this, particularly given the fact the the first line opens the novel with who killed whom, and why.
Even though you know what will happen, she can still hold your interest through the events leading up to this.
wenjoy's review
4.0
A classic study of character, using beautiful language that's not used often enough.
lizzynotbennet's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
arollinskoons's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
greybeard49's review
3.0
Very well written book and appreciated prose, structure, storyline etc.- just found it difficult to really enjoy - dearth of likeable characters and powerful but inexorable rollout a put off for me. Pity!
carolann331's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I turned the last page and that's all I could say for several minutes. Wow.
Rendell is a master. When I'm in the mood for another mystery, I'll be returning to her works.
Just, Wow.
Rendell is a master. When I'm in the mood for another mystery, I'll be returning to her works.
Just, Wow.