A review by bucherca49
Murder Being Once Done by Ruth Rendell

4.0

The book title and the book and chapter epigraphs are all taken from Thomas More's "Utopia." Rendell seems to be exploring English society of the late 20th century in terms of "Utopia." Wexford's doctor tells him to take a few weeks to relax. He and Dora stay with Reg's nephew, Howard Fortune, and his wife, Denise, while Wexford recovers from an embolism in his eye. His nephew is a Detective Superintendent with CID, and after a frustrating day or two of being a tourist in London, Wexford gets involved in a murder case Howard is working on, but one of the first things Wexford does is visit a statue of Sir Thomas More--reinforcing the theme of "utopia." What I enjoyed the most about the novel is Wexford's loss of self-confidence and his successful regaining of confidence in his ability to investigate a crime. The London detectives treat him as old, sick, and "from the sticks," but Wexford demonstrates his ability to investigate a case and to learn from his mistakes.