Commentaires client les plus utiles
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3.0étoiles sur 5
NOT AS GOOD AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE..., Juil 11 2009
I have read many of the author's books, most of which I have greatly enjoyed, but this is the first one of her Chief Inspector Wexford books that I have read. While I do prefer her psychological thriller, I found some enjoyment in this book, just not as much as I expected. Though Chief Inspector Wexford is a solid character and well-characterized by the author, some of the other characters that pepper this book are less so. Moreover, I found the plot less than compelling.
The book revolves around two seemingly unconnected deaths that end up being linked. When the commonality is deduced and a third body turns up, the twists and turns abound. Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Wexford, in addition to having a full plate professionally, is dealing with a situation at home that is somewhat perplexing to him.
While I somewhat enjoyed this book, I definitely am a bigger fan of the author's psychological thrillers and mysteries, as I seem to find them more compelling and interesting, overall. I also found the ending to this book somewhat far-fetched and strained. Still, I will give the Chief Inspector Wexford series another whirl.
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2.0étoiles sur 5
Not my favourite mystery, Mai 2 2008
Slow, methodical detective work, rendering the content of this book a bit too slow itself, therefore not entirely to my taste. However, this is my first mystery by Ruth Rendell and I was not acquainted with its main characters and their personal history, which I understand follow a long succession of books. `Knowing' them beforehand may have been useful to appreciate this book a little more, but I have the feeling that my opinion after turning the last page would have been unaltered whether I did or not.
A BIT OF A *SPOILER* FOLLOWS UNLESS YOU HAVE READ THE AMAZON DESCRIPTION ABOVE AND SOME OF THE REVIEWS
In any case, their previous acquaintance would not have mattered with reference to the central theme in this book, which explores the murder of eighteen-year-old Amber in a quiet village in Sussex. Soon after, another young lady, Megan, disappears and is later found murdered. Although coming from very different social backgrounds, the police find out that the two girls knew each other and they had two things in common: youth -it goes without saying- and a child each. What could have led someone to kill them?
END OF *SPOILER*
Hard to pinpoint the facts as they are elusive up until the very last page of the book. They are also, along with the characters, quite muddled up and a bit hard to follow. Wexford's personal life and the one of some of his co-workers provide for a bit of a diversion, even though they all sooner or later connect with the central theme in a plausible juxtaposition.
All in all, it was not the best mystery novel I've read -and I read many-. What lacked here was a certain compactness within the characters which rendered the story less consistent than it should have been, considering the disturbing motive lurking behind the murders (which the reader picks up only toward the middle of the book
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5.0étoiles sur 5
Tragic Trades, Aoû 14 2006
Most mystery stories focus on either the detectives or the plot. End in Tears is a nice exception in that the crime context and the incidental characters are also a focus. The result is a very satisfying story that will leave you thinking deeply about the vulnerability of those who want to become mothers.
Here are the three major story lines:
1. Amber Marshalson, an unwed teenage mother, is murdered by being bashed in the head as she walks home after a night out with friends. The investigation soon reveals that Amber had been a target of an earlier attempt that had led to a similar car being smashed by a weight dropped from above. Who killed Amber is Chief Inspector Wexford's first focus. The investigation turns up that Amber was involved in some seemingly illicit activity. What had she been up to? Detective Inspector Burden is convinced that it's drugs, but Wexford is skeptical. The investigation is further complicated when her seeming partner is also murdered.
2. Chief Inspector Wexford's daughter, Sylvia becomes pregnant to provide a baby for her ex-husband's girl friend, Naomi, who cannot conceive. Family relations become quite strained over this decision.
3. Detective Sergeant Hannah Goldsmith finds herself attracted to Detective Constable Baljinder Bhattacharya . . . and the feeling seems to be mutual. But there are complications.
One of the best parts of the book is the way that Ms. Rendell points out the pressures on Wexford and shows how he uses small things . . . like his decisions to eat or not eat healthy foods . . . to handle the stress.
Anyone who loves the Wexford series will be delighted by this book. If you haven't read any books in the series, you'll find yourself engrossed . . . and wanting to read more. Feel free to go back and enjoy 19 earlier novels!
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de Ruth Rendell
de Ruth Rendell
de Ruth Rendell
de Ruth Rendell
de Barbara Vine
