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The fallen curtain, and other stories
A stranger lures a child into his car with the promise of sweets. A young man spots his fiancee's double in a public park of ill repute. An executive visits the secluded home of a former employee whose intentions are frightfully unclear. A modest soul weds the woman he rescues from suicide--only to fall victim to an unfathomable form of possessiveness?. In the eleven tales gathered in The Fallen Curtain , Ruth Rendell lays bare the twisted inner workings of the unbalanced mind.
182 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1976
59 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Rendell
447 books1,615 followersA.K.A. Barbara Vine
Ruth Barbara Rendell, Baroness Rendell of Babergh, CBE, who also wrote under the pseudonym Barbara Vine, was an acclaimed English crime writer, known for her many psychological thrillers and murder mysteries and above all for Inspector Wexford.
Ruth Barbara Rendell, Baroness Rendell of Babergh, CBE, who also wrote under the pseudonym Barbara Vine, was an acclaimed English crime writer, known for her many psychological thrillers and murder mysteries and above all for Inspector Wexford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 20, 2020
These are compelling short stories, but very dark. Once I started reading one, I had to finish it. I hate when the good meet terrible ends which happens here a few times. Mostly bad people meet other bad people and both suffer.
April 2, 2016
Another perfect collection of short suspense tales from the late Ruth Rendell. This collection includes my favourite tale of Rendell's short tales, The Venus Fly Trap. 'The Fallen Curtain', 'The Fever Tree', and 'Piranha to Scurfy' are three of the best short story collections I have ever read. If you haven't delved into Rendell's world yet, find any one of these three collections, lock the doors, and lose yourself.
March 17, 2013
Wonderfully entertaining stories. These doomed and murdering characters, animal lover, sex hater, compulsive cleaner, held my attention through every story.
January 13, 2023
La obra de esta autora ha sido todo un tremendo hallazgo. La encontré de casualidad buscando libros con el título planta y al iniciar con el cuento (que en español da título a la antología) me encontré una tremenda historia sobre la condición del lado más oscuro de la humanidad sostenida sobre un símil simbólico ejecutado de forma magistral. Leí los demás relatos y en cada uno hallé historias desgarradoras sobre el deseo, el miedo, la pasión y lo humano. Incluso (si nos ponemos ñoños académicos) una muestra de cómo hacer intertextualidad al crear una obra sobre las bases de otra y que igual sea una tragedia. Este libro de Ruth Rendell se ha vuelto uno de mis referentes de cabecera.
April 23, 2024
Of the [mystery] writers who died in recent years - Westlake, Block, "McBain," Grafton, etc. - none has been as painful a loss as Rendell. Some of her books stood out for their clever plots, but it was her writing style which made them worth rereading and rereading again. The title story of The Fallen Curtain is a an example of how she provides the undramatic framework on which the reader builds, deciding for himself the shape of the horror and its perpetrator.
Rendell is rightly famed for her penetrating insight and her ability to construct/illuminate characters whose thinking (and hence behavior) differs profoundly from what we think of as normal. That said, I acknowledge my similarity to "Almost Human"’s Dick. "Did scum like that ever pause to think of the sufferings of the trapped animals, left to die in agony just to have their pelts stuck on some rich bastard’s throat?" You and I can share a padded cell, Dick.
April, 2024: picked up The Fallen Curtain just to check on something, ended up re-reading the whole thing once again. There was no one better than Rendell at her best. This collection of short stories would provide a fine introduction to her work for those not yet familiar with it. RECOMMENDED.
Rendell is rightly famed for her penetrating insight and her ability to construct/illuminate characters whose thinking (and hence behavior) differs profoundly from what we think of as normal. That said, I acknowledge my similarity to "Almost Human"’s Dick. "Did scum like that ever pause to think of the sufferings of the trapped animals, left to die in agony just to have their pelts stuck on some rich bastard’s throat?" You and I can share a padded cell, Dick.
April, 2024: picked up The Fallen Curtain just to check on something, ended up re-reading the whole thing once again. There was no one better than Rendell at her best. This collection of short stories would provide a fine introduction to her work for those not yet familiar with it. RECOMMENDED.
January 10, 2017
I devoured these stories, even though some of them I had seen as TV adaptations in the Ruth rendell series. Rendell is definitely a master of psychological fiction and I much prefer her short stories and stand alone novels to her detective series, although these are also good. In each one there is a dreadful sense of menace, of something coming but you're never quite sure what. Even though they are an easy read compared to some literary stories, they still contain layers of meaning with regard to human behaviour and motivation. As a writer myself, I admire Rendell so much it sometimes spoils my reading experience because I am analysing her prose as I go along. If only I could write stories like her, sigh.
March 24, 2012
Eleven short stories that deal with individuals suffering from mental illness and unbalanced personalities. These tales by a master storyteller are plausible enough to keep readers awake at night.
March 10, 2022
Šitas apsakymų rinkinys buvo truputį spooky, nors nieko antgamtiško čia nebuvo, vien tik kažkoks esminis žmogiškos prigimties atgrasumas.
Man, žinoma, labai patiko.
Apsakymų premisos:
1. The Fallen Curtain - vyriškį dar vaikystėje buvo pagrobęs kažkoks vyras, o jis nieko neatsimena. Kaip gi jis su tuo tvarkysis?
2. People Don't Do Such Things - pora susidraugauja su mergišiumi rašytoju, o jo istorijos paįvarina anų nuobodoką kasdienybę.
3. A Bad Heart - pavaldinį atleidęs godus verslininkas sutinka pas atleistąjį darbuotoją pavakarieniauti, o ta vakarienė jam ima atrodyti kažkokia įtartina.
4. You Can't Be Too Careful - jauna moteris obsesyviai bijo įsilaužėlių, bet privalo susirasti butokę, kad sugebėtų toliau mokėti nuomą. Kaip priversti butokę laikytis visų jos taisyklių ir nepasirodyti išprotėjusiai?
5. The Double - labai gera ir creepy istorija. Jaunuolis parke pamato moterį, kuri labai panaši į jo sužadėtinę, tik vyresnė. Sužadėtinė prietaringa ir mano, kad sutikti antrininkę - tai nelaimė.
6. The Venus Fly Trap - viena nepakenčiama pagyvenusi ponia visur tamposi kitą, kuklesnę, ir nuolatos demonstruoja savo pranašumą.
7. The Clinging Woman - jaunuolis išgelbsti merginą nuo savižudybės ir ta jam labai dėkinga.
8. The Vinegar Mother - labai gražiai, kaip vaikystės prisiminimas, parašyta istorija apie tragediją draugės namuose.
9. The Fall of a Coin - vyras ir žmona nekenčia vienas kito ir apsistoja kokiame tai prastame viešbučio kambarėlyje.
10. Almost Human - samdomas žudikas nekenčia žmonių, bet labai myli šunis.
11. Divided We Stand - viena iš seserų paaukojo savo karjerą, kad prižiūrėtų sergančią piktą motiną, ir nori, kad dabar motinos priežiūrą perimtų kitą, bet ši nenori.
Man, žinoma, labai patiko.
Apsakymų premisos:
1. The Fallen Curtain - vyriškį dar vaikystėje buvo pagrobęs kažkoks vyras, o jis nieko neatsimena. Kaip gi jis su tuo tvarkysis?
2. People Don't Do Such Things - pora susidraugauja su mergišiumi rašytoju, o jo istorijos paįvarina anų nuobodoką kasdienybę.
3. A Bad Heart - pavaldinį atleidęs godus verslininkas sutinka pas atleistąjį darbuotoją pavakarieniauti, o ta vakarienė jam ima atrodyti kažkokia įtartina.
4. You Can't Be Too Careful - jauna moteris obsesyviai bijo įsilaužėlių, bet privalo susirasti butokę, kad sugebėtų toliau mokėti nuomą. Kaip priversti butokę laikytis visų jos taisyklių ir nepasirodyti išprotėjusiai?
5. The Double - labai gera ir creepy istorija. Jaunuolis parke pamato moterį, kuri labai panaši į jo sužadėtinę, tik vyresnė. Sužadėtinė prietaringa ir mano, kad sutikti antrininkę - tai nelaimė.
6. The Venus Fly Trap - viena nepakenčiama pagyvenusi ponia visur tamposi kitą, kuklesnę, ir nuolatos demonstruoja savo pranašumą.
7. The Clinging Woman - jaunuolis išgelbsti merginą nuo savižudybės ir ta jam labai dėkinga.
8. The Vinegar Mother - labai gražiai, kaip vaikystės prisiminimas, parašyta istorija apie tragediją draugės namuose.
9. The Fall of a Coin - vyras ir žmona nekenčia vienas kito ir apsistoja kokiame tai prastame viešbučio kambarėlyje.
10. Almost Human - samdomas žudikas nekenčia žmonių, bet labai myli šunis.
11. Divided We Stand - viena iš seserų paaukojo savo karjerą, kad prižiūrėtų sergančią piktą motiną, ir nori, kad dabar motinos priežiūrą perimtų kitą, bet ši nenori.
February 20, 2013
This 1981 copyrighted paperback is a collection of eleven short stories written by Ruth Rendell. Most of these stories were published in the Ellery Queen mystery magazine in the early to mid 1970's.
The stories range from mystery to the macabre, with some wit and dark humor. I didn't realize these were short stories when I picked this one out. As a collector, this is one I will keep. I did enjoy most of the stories. Think along the lines of the Twilight Zone and you'll have a fair idea of what type of stories these were.
I'm not a big fan of short story collections for the most part, but this one was interesting as a novelty sort of thing.
Overall a C+
The stories range from mystery to the macabre, with some wit and dark humor. I didn't realize these were short stories when I picked this one out. As a collector, this is one I will keep. I did enjoy most of the stories. Think along the lines of the Twilight Zone and you'll have a fair idea of what type of stories these were.
I'm not a big fan of short story collections for the most part, but this one was interesting as a novelty sort of thing.
Overall a C+
November 15, 2024
The Fallen Curtain by Ruth Rendell
I read the title story in a collection first published in 1976
When Richard was 8 years old, he disappeared for several hours leading to panic at home and a frantic search by the police. When he turns up unhurt everything is fine until he mentions he went for a ride with a man in his car. His mother assumes he was molested, even though there is no physical evidence to corroborate that. By the time he is 18, Richard is haunted by those events, even though he still remembers nothing. When he visits the site where his troubles all began and sees a young boy playing there, he invites the lad to go for a ride in his car. Slowly, he begins to recall the events of that fateful day.
My thoughts -
We warn our children to avoid strangers, especially those offering some candy or seeking help locating a missing puppy. In this tense version of possible version of these circumstances, you will find yourself on the edge of your seat with anticipation. Does the young man intend to inflict harm on the young similar to what may have happened to him or is something else brewing. Nicely done and therefore 3 solid stars in accordance with my rating system - Good - better than average.
I read the title story in a collection first published in 1976
When Richard was 8 years old, he disappeared for several hours leading to panic at home and a frantic search by the police. When he turns up unhurt everything is fine until he mentions he went for a ride with a man in his car. His mother assumes he was molested, even though there is no physical evidence to corroborate that. By the time he is 18, Richard is haunted by those events, even though he still remembers nothing. When he visits the site where his troubles all began and sees a young boy playing there, he invites the lad to go for a ride in his car. Slowly, he begins to recall the events of that fateful day.
My thoughts -
We warn our children to avoid strangers, especially those offering some candy or seeking help locating a missing puppy. In this tense version of possible version of these circumstances, you will find yourself on the edge of your seat with anticipation. Does the young man intend to inflict harm on the young similar to what may have happened to him or is something else brewing. Nicely done and therefore 3 solid stars in accordance with my rating system - Good - better than average.
May 17, 2024
Rendell is one of my heroes. Every story in this collection is different, every one a gem.
And the last one in the collection? Completely chilling.
And the last one in the collection? Completely chilling.
February 4, 2021
Wonderful
January 25, 2022
Dit is zeker niet het beste boek van Ruth Rendell. Vooreerst heeft het niks te maken met haar later zo beroemd geworden inspekteur en verder zijn de ouderwetse verhalen nogal voorspelbaar.
Geschreven in 1976 is dat niet zo verwonderlijk, detectives en thrillers zijn ondertussen flink geëvolueerd.
Toch merk je hier al de kenmerkende meeslepende stijl van de langere verhalen van Rendell, het boek verveelt nooit echt, ook al kan je de uitkomst al wel raden.
De karakters zijn psychologisch goed onderbouwd, er zijn er nooit te veel van om het overzichtelijk te houden en op het einde zit er nog een plotwending in, die voor de oplettende lezer eerder al aangekondigd werd.
Het titelverhaal is wel heel speciaal en zal vooral door hondernliefhebbers gesmaakt worden.
Geschreven in 1976 is dat niet zo verwonderlijk, detectives en thrillers zijn ondertussen flink geëvolueerd.
Toch merk je hier al de kenmerkende meeslepende stijl van de langere verhalen van Rendell, het boek verveelt nooit echt, ook al kan je de uitkomst al wel raden.
De karakters zijn psychologisch goed onderbouwd, er zijn er nooit te veel van om het overzichtelijk te houden en op het einde zit er nog een plotwending in, die voor de oplettende lezer eerder al aangekondigd werd.
Het titelverhaal is wel heel speciaal en zal vooral door hondernliefhebbers gesmaakt worden.
September 2, 2011
Eleven stories and each one of them gave me a chill. Ruth Rundell is a merciless writer, sparing nothing in her depiction of the ordinary person and the consequences of their, quite ordinary yet destructive actions. Nothing supernatural here but enough to give one nightmares.
August 20, 2015
Pretty good (11) short stories! More intriguing story content than Colin Dexter's standalone books so far, at least for me. :)
Good english, interesting themes, well-crafted!
Good english, interesting themes, well-crafted!
January 8, 2022
Simplemente excepcional, La planta carnívora y otros relatos, es una magnífica colección de historias que enganchan rápidamente, gracias a unas tramas dinámicas y sorprendentes que consiguen horrorizar al desprevenido lector.
No conocía a Ruth Rendell, autora de estos portentosos relatos, pero me ha parecido una escritora excelente que maneja a la perfección el relato breve. Su estilo de escritura es sencillo, fluido y elegante. Cuenta con una prosa rítmica y ágil, un lenguaje meramente funcional y unas descripciones capaces de conseguir que los elementos más normales produzcan pavor. Sin embargo la calidad literaria de sus personajes es muy variable y depende del relato en cuestión, siendo en algunas narraciones excelentes y en otras muy mejorables.
Las historias que se narran en La planta carnívora y otros relatos, no presentan un nexo común evidente. Son meros relatos que resultan inquietantes y no dejan indiferentes a nadie. Así pues, en esta selección nos encontramos con secuestradores sentimentales, crímenes originales, paranoias destructivas, obsesiones peligrosas, celos enfermizos, etc. Un compendio de situaciones cotidianas que en las manos de Rendell, se transforman en relatos perturbadores, con giros argumentales inesperados y desenlaces imprevisibles, que consiguen desconcertar y aterrar al lector por su increíble verosimilitud. Y es que aquí no hay vampiros, fantasmas o licántropos. Sólo gente corriente en situaciones que le pueden ocurrir a cualquiera. Y eso da mucho más miedo que cualquier historia con elementos sobrenaturales.
En suma, La planta carnívora y otros relatos, es un libro impactante que explora los límites del horror en la vida diaria, y consigue que veas con otros ojos las escenas habituales que se suceden en tu día a día.
Una excelente recomendación para todos aquellos que quieran conocer nuevos horizontes del relato de espanto, así como para el público en general. Su lectura, definitivamente, no decepciona.
No conocía a Ruth Rendell, autora de estos portentosos relatos, pero me ha parecido una escritora excelente que maneja a la perfección el relato breve. Su estilo de escritura es sencillo, fluido y elegante. Cuenta con una prosa rítmica y ágil, un lenguaje meramente funcional y unas descripciones capaces de conseguir que los elementos más normales produzcan pavor. Sin embargo la calidad literaria de sus personajes es muy variable y depende del relato en cuestión, siendo en algunas narraciones excelentes y en otras muy mejorables.
Las historias que se narran en La planta carnívora y otros relatos, no presentan un nexo común evidente. Son meros relatos que resultan inquietantes y no dejan indiferentes a nadie. Así pues, en esta selección nos encontramos con secuestradores sentimentales, crímenes originales, paranoias destructivas, obsesiones peligrosas, celos enfermizos, etc. Un compendio de situaciones cotidianas que en las manos de Rendell, se transforman en relatos perturbadores, con giros argumentales inesperados y desenlaces imprevisibles, que consiguen desconcertar y aterrar al lector por su increíble verosimilitud. Y es que aquí no hay vampiros, fantasmas o licántropos. Sólo gente corriente en situaciones que le pueden ocurrir a cualquiera. Y eso da mucho más miedo que cualquier historia con elementos sobrenaturales.
En suma, La planta carnívora y otros relatos, es un libro impactante que explora los límites del horror en la vida diaria, y consigue que veas con otros ojos las escenas habituales que se suceden en tu día a día.
Una excelente recomendación para todos aquellos que quieran conocer nuevos horizontes del relato de espanto, así como para el público en general. Su lectura, definitivamente, no decepciona.
July 26, 2022
Ruth Rendell had a fearlessly original imagination. In these eleven stories she explores crimes that cannot be simplified by a description. In the title story, a young man struggles to recall the brief hours when he was kidnapped. In "People Don't Do Such Things," an accountant and his wife befriend a writer, who is as different from them as could be--until they find he isn't, or they aren't.
"A Bad Heart" follows a boss who is persuaded to dine with a man he has just fired, despite his desire to sever the relationship. His misgivings increase as does the poor weather and he struggles to get through the evening. Della Galway proves the truth of her guiding principle in "You Can't Be Too Careful" when she rents a room in her flat to another woman. A chance encounter in a park leads one woman to believe she has seen her double, in a story so named ("The Double"). Two old classmates meet again, as different in character as in appearance in "Venus' Fly-Trap." In "His Worst Enemy," a man rescues a woman before she can commit suicide, and falls in love. Grateful to have been saved, she devotes her life to him. Perhaps the saddest story is "The Vinegar Mother," in which a young wife becomes involved with a neighbor and his adult son. "The Fall of a Coin" finds a long-married and bitterly unhappy couple in a hotel room waiting for the boss's daughter's wedding in the morning. A contract killer in "Almost Human" breaks all his own rules. A sister takes over the care of her declining mother while the second sister balks at the idea of taking in the old woman to give her sister a break, in "Divided We Stand."
Each story is a careful delineation of characters stretched to the max, or suddenly gifted with a moment of compassion and wisdom, kindness and acceptance.
"A Bad Heart" follows a boss who is persuaded to dine with a man he has just fired, despite his desire to sever the relationship. His misgivings increase as does the poor weather and he struggles to get through the evening. Della Galway proves the truth of her guiding principle in "You Can't Be Too Careful" when she rents a room in her flat to another woman. A chance encounter in a park leads one woman to believe she has seen her double, in a story so named ("The Double"). Two old classmates meet again, as different in character as in appearance in "Venus' Fly-Trap." In "His Worst Enemy," a man rescues a woman before she can commit suicide, and falls in love. Grateful to have been saved, she devotes her life to him. Perhaps the saddest story is "The Vinegar Mother," in which a young wife becomes involved with a neighbor and his adult son. "The Fall of a Coin" finds a long-married and bitterly unhappy couple in a hotel room waiting for the boss's daughter's wedding in the morning. A contract killer in "Almost Human" breaks all his own rules. A sister takes over the care of her declining mother while the second sister balks at the idea of taking in the old woman to give her sister a break, in "Divided We Stand."
Each story is a careful delineation of characters stretched to the max, or suddenly gifted with a moment of compassion and wisdom, kindness and acceptance.
March 21, 2018
'The Fallen Curtain' comprises eleven short stories that delve into a variety of subject matters ranging from insanity to murder with a compelling underlying psychological tone.
Some standouts include:
You Can't Be Too Careful - Strongly influenced by her upbringing, Della is obsessed with being cautious. She constantly locks doors and rechecks to make sure she hasn't left anything unlocked. Moving into her own flat is a dream come true until the arrival of her new flatmate whose carelessness drives her up the wall.
The Double - A couple is enjoying a relaxing time at the park until the woman notices another woman who looks like her doppelganger. This sighting disturbs her greatly but little does she know what the future holds..
The Clinging Woman - A man saves a woman who was trying to commit suicide. When she visits him to thank him, one meeting leads to another and soon it gets harder for them to breathe easy.
Divided We Stand - Two sisters couldn't live more different lives. While Marjorie has ample freedom, Pauline spends most of her time looking after their mother. When Marjorie learns that Pauline is seeing a doctor who finds this arrangement unfair, she finds herself worrying about what might happen next.
Overall, 'The Fallen Curtain' was a quick and fun-filled read which explored the dark side of humanity.
Some standouts include:
You Can't Be Too Careful - Strongly influenced by her upbringing, Della is obsessed with being cautious. She constantly locks doors and rechecks to make sure she hasn't left anything unlocked. Moving into her own flat is a dream come true until the arrival of her new flatmate whose carelessness drives her up the wall.
The Double - A couple is enjoying a relaxing time at the park until the woman notices another woman who looks like her doppelganger. This sighting disturbs her greatly but little does she know what the future holds..
The Clinging Woman - A man saves a woman who was trying to commit suicide. When she visits him to thank him, one meeting leads to another and soon it gets harder for them to breathe easy.
Divided We Stand - Two sisters couldn't live more different lives. While Marjorie has ample freedom, Pauline spends most of her time looking after their mother. When Marjorie learns that Pauline is seeing a doctor who finds this arrangement unfair, she finds herself worrying about what might happen next.
Overall, 'The Fallen Curtain' was a quick and fun-filled read which explored the dark side of humanity.
September 23, 2018
Good but predictable stories from once a masterful writer with top notch talent for psychologically suspenseful novels. Unfortunately it doesn't seem the case with short stories. Her skills as novelist are probably hampered by the shortness of this exercise. Her tales never seem to emanate those chills and thrills through unforeseen coincidences and analytical character study that permeate all her greatest novels. From page one you know already what, how and when it all going to happen. There was not a single story in this collection that made me sigh from apprehension, sudden twist or unexpected development. It's way below any domestic tale a la Shirley Jackson or Celia Fremlin.
They're definitely above average but not original.
They're definitely above average but not original.
July 22, 2025
An accidental find that turned out to be surprisingly good. Although I see now that the author is quite famous and wrote about a gazillion novels, she was new to me.. I don't normally read much fiction and I'm not that crazy about the "murder mystery" genre, nor am I particularly fond of British writers, but these stories were great. They have a classic sort of Hitchcock, Agatha Christie vibe, with a bit of a Twilight Zone-ish twist.. a bit of irony, some dark humor. Short and quick reads, very engaging, with a delightfully macabre flavor. A bit old fashioned, but it suits the style, and didn't detract from the stories at all in my opinion. Looking forward to reading some more of Rendell's short fiction.
March 26, 2019
An enjoyable collection of short stories in which murders are driven by everyday peccadillos which can push people into hatred, madness and exasperation. The stories aren’t driven by exciting or unpredictable plotlines – most of them are fairly obvious in their denouement – but by the wonderful way in which Rendell explores the psychology of ‘everyday’ murders and the place of the mundane in such acts. The only critique I would have is that the stories feel a bit dated (they were first published in the 1970s), especially in their stereotypical portrayal of most female protagonists as high-strung, unreasonable and hysterical. But overall, it was an enjoyable read – I give it 3.5 stars.
August 2, 2025
Effective. The stories here are all more or less domestic thrillers; Rendell writes in a dry, conversational style which both makes for easy reading and allows her to ramp up smoothly from very mundane beginnings to shocking endings. She's consistently interested in abnormal psychology- every story has characters with odd neuroses and paranoias- but, interestingly, she never resorts to using an actively unreliable narrator for shock/twist value; that is, her narrator characters are often oblivious of important facts, but they never actively lie to or conceal information from the reader- all the dramatic irony is "aboveboard."
January 8, 2018
En español fue publicado como La planta carnívora y otros relatos. Tiene una narrativa pulida y, en general, fluida, pero en conjunto se puede predecir el final de la mitad de los cuentos y algunos tienen finales precipitados, sobre todo si se tiene en cuenta el ritmo pausado que le antecede por el desarrollo de la historia. Aún así, se pueden disfrutar como bocados de literatura para ocupar tiempo en un viaje, por ejemplo.
July 25, 2022
I read Rendell's first book and thought it lacking, so I hadn't bothered with anything written by her since. This collection of short stories was quite good, though, as I not only enjoyed the mysterious and clever aspect of many of them, but I also got to re-experience Rendell's writing without having to slog through 200+ pages of a single story that may not pan out (like the earlier novel I read). This one's a fine book to read if one is into suspenseful stories.
April 5, 2025
I'm not a fan of short stories. several of these ended oddly and I am left wondering exactly what the outcome was. Did something happen or did nothing happen? Did the daughter not realize for two years that a Dr was her mother's caregiver and not her sister? Did the gas serp out of the coin operated machine kill the wife like she tried to kill him? The weirdness of a man proposing after dating only 3 weeks. Too many ways the stories could have ended, it leaves me unfulfilled.
October 15, 2020
I usually find Rendell's suspense/thrillers to be better than her mysteries, and this collection of stories puts her talent on full display. Published in the 1970's, so sometimes a bit dated, but the darker side of human nature somehow never seems to change and these remain chillingly effective.
November 8, 2020
Not a big fan of short stories, but I do like Ruth Rendell, and I liked these. I read just one or two a day at the same time as I was reading a biography. I didn't want too many short stories with psychological twists in my head at the same time. :)
January 14, 2022
Haven’t read a Ruth Rendell in a long time so I really enjoyed these short stories. Many remind me of Edgar Allen Poe and her way with the short story form places her in the company of many of the most distinguished writers of the genre. Lots of suspense and twists.
August 9, 2022
As a Ruth Rendell fan I enjoyed reading this. The stories vary in quality but I think are of historic interest for Rendell fans. The different social/moral values of the 1970s are striking to a contemporary reader.
September 23, 2022
Read Ruth Rendell's Edgar winning The Fallen Curtain and you will think what she wants you to think, go where she leads you, and sit in stunned silence when she pulls the rug from under your feet. This is a superb collection of horror fiction.
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