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hoboken's review against another edition
4.0
One of Rendell's best--interweaving of all the folks in the public housing project--the illogical decisions, the grudge holding--all secondary to the main plot. Lots of characters, even minor ones well rounded. Closely seen detail minutely rendered. This is what good fiction writing is.
ianl1963's review against another edition
3.0
Audiobook, read by Nigel Anthony; excellent.
Enjoyable enough.
Enjoyable enough.
sammy135's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
bookish_tam's review against another edition
3.0
I had mixed opinions on this, hence the 3 stars.. I’d maybe stretch to 3.5 but I think that’d be too generous.
Yeah, I enjoyed this book, it was ok. But I do think there’s more gripping detective/crime books out there. Don’t get me wrong, in some parts this book had me hooked and I did fly through quite a bit of it in the beginning, but eventually I started to get a bit bored and I think it could’ve been shorter. It waffled a bit in the middle. I also hated the fact she kept introducing new characters, it was a bit too busy for me.
Who killed Devenish? I think we all seen that coming.. but I liked how the book ended and Rendell wrapped everything up at the end. I especially didn’t see the whole ‘Anne’ thing coming.
Rendell reveals how crime varies and how it doesn’t discriminate between classes. She highlights the scary reality of domestic abuse, what goes on behind closed doors and how society deals with its issues and in my opinion that’s why she wasn’t solely focused on providing a gripping detective/crime novel.
Would I read it again? Probably not. But I would recommend simply as a kind of ‘eye-opener’.
Yeah, I enjoyed this book, it was ok. But I do think there’s more gripping detective/crime books out there. Don’t get me wrong, in some parts this book had me hooked and I did fly through quite a bit of it in the beginning, but eventually I started to get a bit bored and I think it could’ve been shorter. It waffled a bit in the middle. I also hated the fact she kept introducing new characters, it was a bit too busy for me.
Who killed Devenish? I think we all seen that coming.. but I liked how the book ended and Rendell wrapped everything up at the end. I especially didn’t see the whole ‘Anne’ thing coming.
Rendell reveals how crime varies and how it doesn’t discriminate between classes. She highlights the scary reality of domestic abuse, what goes on behind closed doors and how society deals with its issues and in my opinion that’s why she wasn’t solely focused on providing a gripping detective/crime novel.
Would I read it again? Probably not. But I would recommend simply as a kind of ‘eye-opener’.
lazygal's review
4.0
Another first read for an established author; I'm not sure if the series needs to be read in order (somehow I doubt it) but luckily I'm not that compulsive! There are several mysteries here, with one or two fading in importance as others come to the forefront during the year or so the book covers. The question of what to do with released pedophiles is covered, but not answered fully, as I suspect there is no real answer to this (can they be rehabilitated? can they truly pay their debt to society?). I'm now going to have to look for other Rendells and see whether they work as well for me.
gifflesnooks's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
marystevens's review
4.0
Another great Rendell mystery. This weaves together domestic violence, a schizophrenic family and the craziness surrounding the release of a pedophile from prison. Wexford’s daughter Sylvia figures prominently.
samirakatherine's review
3.0
Perfectly entertaining mystery novel, nothing spectacular, but original enough not to be dull.
angrygreycatreads's review
4.0
Harm Done is another book by Ruth Rendell, however it is much different due to being part of the Inspector Wexford series. The crimes start off right from the beginning. A very puzzling mystery, puzzling for Wexford as well, because even though it seems like the victims are okay, he doesn’t want to let it go. The third victim is an infant and that changes everything. The resolution here is actually quite tragic. Very good read.