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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
I seem to be on a Ruth Rendell kick these days, but I actually liked this one more than the others. Perhaps, that's because there's no sign of Hannah in this one? (Poor Hannah, maybe I'll warm up to her some day)
I figured out part of the mystery mid-way through, but there were a few twists that I hadn't anticipated.
So far, all the Rendell books I've read have a theme to them and this one concerned abused women. She handled the subject well, illustrating not only the despair the women feel but the inadequacies of the law to protect them and the strained resources to give them aid.
I figured out part of the mystery mid-way through, but there were a few twists that I hadn't anticipated.
So far, all the Rendell books I've read have a theme to them and this one concerned abused women. She handled the subject well, illustrating not only the despair the women feel but the inadequacies of the law to protect them and the strained resources to give them aid.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Rendell truly knows how to write characters. In a few sentences even minor ones are highly visible from down the street.
This one is about domestic abuse—physical and mental—and the toll it takes on all around it. And, it’s got a crowd mob scene that is worthy of any action movie. The final sentence made me go “oh yeah!!”
I very much appreciate that I don’t have to know Wexford to read any book in the series, and frankly forget whatever I know from book to book (so just as well).
This one is about domestic abuse—physical and mental—and the toll it takes on all around it. And, it’s got a crowd mob scene that is worthy of any action movie. The final sentence made me go “oh yeah!!”
I very much appreciate that I don’t have to know Wexford to read any book in the series, and frankly forget whatever I know from book to book (so just as well).
While I did enjoy this a lot more than No More Dying Then I still found some of the characters a little stilted and awkward, particularly Wexford and Burden at times which as two of the main characters is not ideal. The story itself was quite engrossing although the numerous interlinking story lines did detract from each other a little as the book had moments when it didn't seem to be going anywhere in particular and had lost a bit of direction. The rest of the characters were quite mixed with some coming across very realistic and believable while others seemed more like caricatures. Overall not a bad read but not one of the best, I think I'm just not in tune with Rendell's style of writing.
sad
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
I have always enjoyed Ms Rendell on television but I think this is the first of her books I have read. I am glad to read in another review that this is not typical of herr writing so may risk trying another one. I don't know how experienced she is with working class people or estates or how much research she did but the characters seem generic - poor, unemployed, lazy, thick, changing partners, not taking sufficient care of their children, not keeping their houses clean and neat. More like how wealthier people see the less fortunate. This became really irritating for me.
I was expecting a murder mystery but this didn't happen until quite near the end of the book. I was able to guess the murderer and see through the red herrings. I don't think this can be her best work. Found it tedious to get through; loads of irrelevant details and minor characters given full names completely unnecessarily
I was expecting a murder mystery but this didn't happen until quite near the end of the book. I was able to guess the murderer and see through the red herrings. I don't think this can be her best work. Found it tedious to get through; loads of irrelevant details and minor characters given full names completely unnecessarily
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.
Audiobook, read by Nigel Anthony; excellent.
Enjoyable enough.
Enjoyable enough.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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’.