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iluv2fly1's review against another edition
1.0
This book is really dated. Although I'm not really sure this level of ridiculousness ever existed (sexist, but also in a stupid way). The story is a bit of that classic detective story where one guy figures it all out at the end.
andyshute's review
3.0
I’ve mixed feelings about this one. The mystery at the heart, while starting off promising, evolves into a secondary plot consideration, summating in a bland and anticlimactic whimper.
However, the main focus of the novel is on Mike Burden’s disintegrating life following the (off page) death of his wife. Portraying the stiff buttoned up Burden as a collapsing wreck of a man, overcome by grief, erotic lust and poor judgement it’s a ballsy and at times raw angle taken by Rendell. Given that it comes 6 books into a series, it’s an impressive feat, albeit one that can make for difficult reading at times. It’s rare to see this level of character development in a long running series (at least in a single book), yet it provides a satisfying and emotionally rewarding journey.
Interesting approach. I’m curious now to see how the events here impact on subsequent stories.
However, the main focus of the novel is on Mike Burden’s disintegrating life following the (off page) death of his wife. Portraying the stiff buttoned up Burden as a collapsing wreck of a man, overcome by grief, erotic lust and poor judgement it’s a ballsy and at times raw angle taken by Rendell. Given that it comes 6 books into a series, it’s an impressive feat, albeit one that can make for difficult reading at times. It’s rare to see this level of character development in a long running series (at least in a single book), yet it provides a satisfying and emotionally rewarding journey.
Interesting approach. I’m curious now to see how the events here impact on subsequent stories.
kuglar's review against another edition
2.0
I tend to think Burden is a bit a jerk and, boy, is he a total asshole in this one. Sleeping with a parent whose child is missing, jealous of that child and rather seeming to wish it wouldn’t be found. His usual intolerance and sexism is cranked up to 110. His (first) wife has died and her lookalike (but somehow not twin) sister is there taking care of HIS kids and HIS house and he totally takes her and the fact that she gave up her career to help HIM for granted.
Two stars off because, really, what kind of “hero” isn’t unreservedly glad when a missing 5 year old is found? Especially when the five year old belongs to his beloved girlfriend? It beggars belief.
Wexford was good as usual. The book was well written and well edited, again as usual.
Two stars off because, really, what kind of “hero” isn’t unreservedly glad when a missing 5 year old is found? Especially when the five year old belongs to his beloved girlfriend? It beggars belief.
Wexford was good as usual. The book was well written and well edited, again as usual.
saareman's review
4.0
Kidnapped or Murdered?
Review of the Arrow Books/Cornerstone Digital Kindle eBook edition (2010) of the original Hutchinson hardcover (1971)
This continues my 2023 binge read / re-read of Ruth Rendell's (aka [a:Barbara Vine|47687|Barbara Vine|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1263385982p2/47687.jpg]) novels and it is the 6th in the Inspector Wexford series. Part of the joy with Wexford is the number of literary quotes and allusions which Rendell inserts into the text, but which are usually not explained. The above quote is an exception as it hints that the name "Mr. Casaubon" is associated with writer George Eliot. We can share and enjoy Wexford's surprise that the small time crooks he meets would have any knowledge of the Middlemarch novel.
Cover image for the original Hutchinson hardcover edition from 1971. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
No More Dying Then is otherwise a novel about a child abduction which hints back to an earlier disappearance and possible murder of another child in the same vicinity. Wexford's assistant Mike Burden is still mourning the loss of his wife and is distracted from his police duties. An extensive subplot involves him becoming involved with the divorced mother of the 2nd abducted child and the reader will become concerned that the woman may in fact be a suspect. The tension increases when the body of the first child is found even while the second is still missing. It is all wrapped up with a twist ending.
Another favourite quote from the book:
Trivia and Links
No More Dying Then was adapted for television as part of the Ruth Rendell / Inspector Wexford Mysteries TV series (1987-2000) as Season 3 Episodes 1 to 3 in 1989 with actor George Baker as Inspector Wexford. You can watch the entire 3 episodes on YouTube
Review of the Arrow Books/Cornerstone Digital Kindle eBook edition (2010) of the original Hutchinson hardcover (1971)
Wexford gave a tiny sigh, the outward and audible sign of an inward and outraged scream. ‘I don’t believe it,’ he said thinly. ‘Just enlighten me as to which one of you two intellectuals is acquainted with George Eliot.’ Far from living up to Monkey’s image of a man intimidated by the police, Mr Casaubon had brightened as soon as Wexford spoke and now rejoined in thick hideous cockney, ‘I see him once. Strangeways it was, 1929. They done him for a big bullion job.’ ‘I fear,’ Wexford said distantly, ‘that we cannot be thinking of the same person. - Inspector Wexford reacts upon being introduced to blackmailer 'Mr. Casaubon' by small-time crook Monkey Matthews. Mr. Casaubon is otherwise the name of a character in [a:George Eliot|173|George Eliot|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596202587p2/173.jpg]’s (penname of Mary Ann Evans (1819-1880)) novel [b:Middlemarch|19089|Middlemarch|George Eliot|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568307771l/19089._SY75_.jpg|1461747].
This continues my 2023 binge read / re-read of Ruth Rendell's (aka [a:Barbara Vine|47687|Barbara Vine|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1263385982p2/47687.jpg]) novels and it is the 6th in the Inspector Wexford series. Part of the joy with Wexford is the number of literary quotes and allusions which Rendell inserts into the text, but which are usually not explained. The above quote is an exception as it hints that the name "Mr. Casaubon" is associated with writer George Eliot. We can share and enjoy Wexford's surprise that the small time crooks he meets would have any knowledge of the Middlemarch novel.
Cover image for the original Hutchinson hardcover edition from 1971. Image sourced from Wikipedia.
No More Dying Then is otherwise a novel about a child abduction which hints back to an earlier disappearance and possible murder of another child in the same vicinity. Wexford's assistant Mike Burden is still mourning the loss of his wife and is distracted from his police duties. An extensive subplot involves him becoming involved with the divorced mother of the 2nd abducted child and the reader will become concerned that the woman may in fact be a suspect. The tension increases when the body of the first child is found even while the second is still missing. It is all wrapped up with a twist ending.
Another favourite quote from the book:
Night is a time for conjecture, dreams, mad conclusions; morning a time for action.
Trivia and Links
No More Dying Then was adapted for television as part of the Ruth Rendell / Inspector Wexford Mysteries TV series (1987-2000) as Season 3 Episodes 1 to 3 in 1989 with actor George Baker as Inspector Wexford. You can watch the entire 3 episodes on YouTube
swashb's review against another edition
1.0
I know the author was very successful and has a large following but I ma not going to be one of them. This was my first Inspector Wexford novel and what I discovered was the book was not at all about him but rather about the sexual frustration of one of his subordinates and his attempt to find a missing child. The only mystery here was who was going to sexually satisfy the DI.
caitibeth's review against another edition
2.0
Mystery was moderately interesting. The soap opera stuff about Burden's personal life was not interesting to me at all.
Hopefully going forward there's more mystery, less soap opera.
Hopefully going forward there's more mystery, less soap opera.
sams84's review
2.0
I was quite disappointed by this book, knowing Rendell's reputation I expected a gripping and tense story with characters that I could sympathise with or love to hate. Instead I found the story only mildly engrossing and many of the characters intensely shallow or incredibly irritating. I found Burden particularly annoying and spent pretty much the entire book want to give him a good hard slap while telling him to get a grip (which I doubt is how Rendell wanted him to come across). The only saving grace of the book is the underlying stories behind the disappearances of Stella and John and the humanity and sense of loss these hold, and had these been a bigger part of the book it would've been far better. Overall a bit of a disappointment but hinting at something better.
csw217's review against another edition
3.0
I couldn’t quite follow this story for some reason, but I blame myself as I think I read it too quickly.
fern17's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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
1.25