Scan barcode
A review by andyshute
From Doon with Death by Ruth Rendell
3.0
This is the first Ruth Rendell book I’ve read, despite my many years of crime fiction. I loved the Inspector Wexford mysteries on TV as a kid though so I’ve always meant to seek them out.
The first story is a charmingly dated snapshot of what is increasingly a markedly different era, both socially and in terms of writing. There’s not much to signal the great character Wexford would come here but his gruff manner and quite intelligence gradually take over. I’m sure he develops over time but it’s still an assured start.
The mystery feels charmingly mundane though clearly would have been rather sensational at the time. I particularly enjoyed the small town view of 1960s British life, full of reach detail and quaint quirks, seen through a modern lense.
Terrence Hardiman does a solid job of narrating and it’s so short to be almost a novella. Still, a promising start and an interesting lead detective means the next one is ready to be downloaded. Sometimes, this is just what you need.
The first story is a charmingly dated snapshot of what is increasingly a markedly different era, both socially and in terms of writing. There’s not much to signal the great character Wexford would come here but his gruff manner and quite intelligence gradually take over. I’m sure he develops over time but it’s still an assured start.
The mystery feels charmingly mundane though clearly would have been rather sensational at the time. I particularly enjoyed the small town view of 1960s British life, full of reach detail and quaint quirks, seen through a modern lense.
Terrence Hardiman does a solid job of narrating and it’s so short to be almost a novella. Still, a promising start and an interesting lead detective means the next one is ready to be downloaded. Sometimes, this is just what you need.