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layl's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
amelienoemiee's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
This is the most boring book I’ve ever read.
marystevens's review against another edition
4.0
The story behind the murders of a nice family on Valentine's Day is another wonderful psychological thriller. We know the murderers on the first page but why did they do it? Such a nice warm family, so appreciative of their maid's excellent work, so kind and accommodating to her.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
(4.5) The craftsmanship (craftswomanship? craftsfolkship?) Ruth Rendell uses to write this nasty little thriller is exquisite. From the opening pages, you know what's going to unfold but it's the HOW that makes this book so good. Even in the brief time you see them, you get a deep sense of who the characters are which makes the plot turns more satisfying.
gmafts's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
minzzi's review against another edition
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
carolsnotebook's review against another edition
4.0
From the opening sentences, the book had my attention. "Eunice Parchman killed the Coverdale family because she could not read or write. There was no real motive and no premeditation; no money was gained and no security." We know from the first chapter, which is only two pages long, who was killed, when they were killed, and who the murderers were. The rest of the book relates what led up to the crime and the aftermath.
Eunice Parchman is illiterate, a fact that she is desperate to keep secret. The Coverdales are a decent enough family, intelligent, a little snobby, but overall well-meaning. All of the characters are well-drawn, none wholly good or bad. The tension comes from the interactions between their two worlds. Eunice may be illiterate, and yes that definitely affects how she sees and deals with people, but she's also a psychopath. A Judgement in Stone is a gripping study of how this particular character came to be a murderer. It's not one thing that pushed her over the edge, and she wouldn't have done it without her friend, a religious fanatic. Or maybe she would have, she'd killed before.
The story is told in the third-person by an upper class narrator. The voice is cold and witty, giving us a clear account of the events, but not really sympathizing with any of the characters. It's a dark story and the whole time you know what's coming, the pressure is building. Even the laugh out loud moments are grim.
"I can tell you, she really knows her job."
"So do boa constrictors," said Audrey."
"I don't know where I'd be without you, Eu-nicey, mother of Timothy."
Alive today, probably, and living in Tooting.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend A Judgement in Stone to every mystery reader. I loved it, but it's a slow building book. It's about the people and their interactions, their misunderstandings and missteps, not about clues and tracking down the killer. It can be funny, but not in a way everyone will appreciate. I definitely enjoyed it, if enjoyed is the right word.
Eunice Parchman is illiterate, a fact that she is desperate to keep secret. The Coverdales are a decent enough family, intelligent, a little snobby, but overall well-meaning. All of the characters are well-drawn, none wholly good or bad. The tension comes from the interactions between their two worlds. Eunice may be illiterate, and yes that definitely affects how she sees and deals with people, but she's also a psychopath. A Judgement in Stone is a gripping study of how this particular character came to be a murderer. It's not one thing that pushed her over the edge, and she wouldn't have done it without her friend, a religious fanatic. Or maybe she would have, she'd killed before.
The story is told in the third-person by an upper class narrator. The voice is cold and witty, giving us a clear account of the events, but not really sympathizing with any of the characters. It's a dark story and the whole time you know what's coming, the pressure is building. Even the laugh out loud moments are grim.
"I can tell you, she really knows her job."
"So do boa constrictors," said Audrey."
"I don't know where I'd be without you, Eu-nicey, mother of Timothy."
Alive today, probably, and living in Tooting.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend A Judgement in Stone to every mystery reader. I loved it, but it's a slow building book. It's about the people and their interactions, their misunderstandings and missteps, not about clues and tracking down the killer. It can be funny, but not in a way everyone will appreciate. I definitely enjoyed it, if enjoyed is the right word.
cootarooski's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazing book. The fact that the mystery is solved in the first sentence of the book made for a surprisingly suspenseful read. So many turns of chance and miscommunication throughout the story for the reader to observe, flinching and cringing along the way.
I am madly in love with writing that uses an economy of words, and Ruth Rendell does not disappoint. The beauty and intensity she inspires with such concise, effective phrasing is delicious.
I am madly in love with writing that uses an economy of words, and Ruth Rendell does not disappoint. The beauty and intensity she inspires with such concise, effective phrasing is delicious.
theretiredlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
A Judgement in Stone is considered to be one of author Ruth Rendell’s best books. It has a fantastic opening line: “Eunice Parchman killed the Coverdale family because she could not read or write.” Eunice is an uneducated woman who is hired by the wealthy Coverdale family as a live in maid. Eunice is peculiar. She shows little emotion and has trouble relating to people. Her secret shame is she can’t read or write. I had to look up to see when this book was originally published. It was 1977. I thought the way Eunice’s character was described throughout the book was terrible! The whole time I was reading it, I kept thinking maybe Eunice was somewhere on the autism spectrum and it wasn’t her fault she grew up poor and illiterate. Anyway, I’ve checked another book off Amazon’s list of 100 mysteries and thrillers to read in a lifetime.