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kvburton657's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
davidlz1's review against another edition
3.0
I applaud Ms. Rendell's efforts to delve into people's psyches. In general, people are disturbing. Their ability to rationalize events in a fashion that is amenable to them is downright creepy. We either know someone or have been that someone who has experienced that temporary bit of insanity when a relationship is over and both parties are not on the same footing. At first, I thought Guy took it to a new level, but the genius of Ms. Rendell's writing is that she has brought to life a character that could be very much real. It is not that fantastical.
It was enjoyable to watch the psychopath's mind unfold as the story was told. I thought Ms. Rendell brought the story to a close, but the ending of the book was a bit abrupt and, quite frankly, weak. She had a lot of material that she could have worked with to end the story, but I think she had become bored by that point. I would have rated the book higher had the ending been better written.
It was enjoyable to watch the psychopath's mind unfold as the story was told. I thought Ms. Rendell brought the story to a close, but the ending of the book was a bit abrupt and, quite frankly, weak. She had a lot of material that she could have worked with to end the story, but I think she had become bored by that point. I would have rated the book higher had the ending been better written.
em_beddedinbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Rendell did well here to start slow and then build up the pace to come to a slightly unexpected finale.
This is the story of an obsessive love of a hoodlum gangster turned entrepreneur, albeit with shady dealings, towards a young middle class girl from a normal family, who had initially been his girl friend.
The lady , Leonora wants nothing more to do with him, has a steady and decent boyfriend whom she is going to marry. Guy, the hoodlum is not ready to accept that Leo loves anybody else and thinks she is still in love with him. He stalks her and makes her emotionally labile. William, her fiance and her huge extended family rally around her and this becomes a game of wits which turn nasty towards the end.
The end was not what I expected and Rendell managed a slight twist to her usual ending.
This is the story of an obsessive love of a hoodlum gangster turned entrepreneur, albeit with shady dealings, towards a young middle class girl from a normal family, who had initially been his girl friend.
The lady , Leonora wants nothing more to do with him, has a steady and decent boyfriend whom she is going to marry. Guy, the hoodlum is not ready to accept that Leo loves anybody else and thinks she is still in love with him. He stalks her and makes her emotionally labile. William, her fiance and her huge extended family rally around her and this becomes a game of wits which turn nasty towards the end.
The end was not what I expected and Rendell managed a slight twist to her usual ending.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
5.0
So when is obession not obession? And how many of the British are snobs? Read this. This is a great book that deals with shifts in belief and trust. It is at once complex and simple. Totally enjoyable.
fictionophile's review against another edition
1.0
Although Ruth Rendell is one of my favourite authors, I disliked this particular novel. The title is apt in that I think this time she went wrong...
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