Oct/ Nov 2013 Group Read - Thirteen Steps Down by Ruth Rendell

[Bill]

Book 2 of the Oct/ Nov group read is by Ruth Rendell. Thom will be leading these discussions. Enjoy!

[Mollydee]

Bill wrote: "Book 2 of the Oct/ Nov group read is by Ruth Rendell. Thom will be leading these discussions. Enjoy!"

When does the discussion start? I have only been on since the middle or end of September. I have not read a BOTM therefore not in a discussion. I think here, I was already reading something. As far as my other groups, one book I am having a problem getting into but I just read today so are a lot of people. The other one, and this is my fault for not looking at the genre, is a YA and I cannot get through it. This book sounds really good and I would love to read this and the Tom Clancy book but I will probably choose this. But I am itching to talk about a book! I was hoping, in one group, one book I already read, was up for voting for BOTM. It lost by a close margin.

[Bill]

As soon as you want Molly. I'd say that generally the discussion is a bit slow at first. Folks who've read before will comment, but others will wait until they finish. If you've read and want to discuss right away, try not to spoiler too much for folks who haven't read yet.. Good luck next time.

[Mollydee]

Bill wrote: "As soon as you want Molly. I'd say that generally the discussion is a bit slow at first. Folks who've read before will comment, but others will wait until they finish. If you've read and want to di..."

okay thank you so much that helps me a lot :)

[Laura]

I've just ordered it and am looking forward to reading it next week

[Ann]

How long do I have to read it? More or Less?

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

Hi Ann, Officially the group reads go from the 15th to the 15th of each month, so in this case it would be Nov. 15th. In reality, we never close the threads for the group reads and as you can see in the folder there are several past group reads still being discussed.

[Carol]

I have been listening to this book as I madly knit away on a sweater for my grandson. This is my first Rendell novel that does not feature Inspector Wexford. The Wexford series is more a mystery/police procedural. This story is a psychological thriller! It is a peek into the minds of some very interesting characters. Max Chellini is a man who starts out seeming fairly normal. He becomes obsessed with a serial murderer, and a beautiful woman. I am enjoying this so far!

[Laura]

I'm quite excited about reading this and commenting on here as I've never contributed to a book club before..

[stan]

I have read this. It's different It's brilliant Rendell at her very best

[Jan C]

Got it from the library this morning. I had to take the large print copy - may be able to read it without my glasses. Regular size print copy was checked out.

[Allana]

I read this a while ago, so I had a look again to see if I remembered it correctly and wrote a review.
I'm a Ruth Rendell fan and this is not my favourite Rendell book by any means, but well worth reading. I'm glad it came up as a group read, because I had forgotten all about it.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I finished it tonight. It's not my favorite Rendell, but I think it was very interesting and worth the time. I think this old proverb is applicable: "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride."

I was expecting a mystery, but it is a psychological thriller. Somehow, though, it wasn't a Big Bang ending for me, but I'm not saying it fizzled, either.

The omniscient viewing into each character's head robbed it of energy for me, because it was a little overdone in the inner spotlights. Yet, as I read, the inner thinking became the energy driving the book forward, but it lost momentum, too. I think I was expecting the plot to break out into a run but it continued being a slow jog to the end. So, for me, the book was a good read, but it wasn't exciting.

I really wish there had been more about 'Hecate'! Otto was the most fun character for me, and Nerissa surprised me the most by the end of the book. I did not expect her to take charge of herself so sharply once the fantasy popped.

[Carol]

I finished the book and I agree with the previous comment. Not my favorite Rendell. I prefer her Wexford series. However, the book was well done.
I also wasn't thrilled with the ending. Everything was tied up but it lacked something. It seemed to end without the reader being there.
I enjoyed the trip through the characters' thoughts, and the characters themselves were interesting. The "ghost" seemed a bit of a stretch, but I guess he showed the reader how far from reality Mix really was.
Great author, OK book. If you haven't read Rendell before do try another of hers.

[Evelyn]

darn haven't started it yet but I was hoping it was part of the Wexford series which I really enjoyed. I like a book with a strong plot but not alot of introspection as this appears to not be. I don't understand why some authors veer away from a successful series to try something different, most times it doesn't work well.

[Sandy]

Agree a slow start. Seems to be a lot of foreshadowing. Mix so wants to be famous. So far I like the fact that we hear everyone's thoughts.

[Laura]

Not started either yet just finishing the last of the Peter May trilogy The Chessmen. A good read!

[Evelyn]

hmm haven't started to read it yet but haven't heard anything too promising yet to encourage me to read it. I do like her other ones in her series.

[Sandy]

It could be that the presentation in the book on the kindle is different than a paperback, but it should have a blank line spacing between character shifts. It gets very confusing. Character build is good but kinda predictable - especially Mix. A bit less than halfway through. Good enough to keep reading but no problem putting it down and going to sleep. :-)

[Jan C]

Wasn't aware this was on kindle. I took out the large print edition from the library. This was the only edition I could find.

I don't know if it is just me but I am finding this to be a creepy book. Not sure I'll continue with it.

[Laura]

I have just started it, but it seemed familiar and it seems it was made into an ITV drama. I can't say I'm enjoying it that much, as it's full of descriptions of architecture and not much else so far

[Sandy]

Book complete - it definitely got better as it went on. Trying the spoiler thing on something not really a spoiler I hope. (view spoiler)[Though I thought the ending rather dull. Definitely don't get the last part. What reason was that in there for? Did not see the point at all!(view spoiler)[. Can someone tell me if they can see 3 sentences or 7 sentences? (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Pcdoctorswr]

First time reading Ruth Rendell. Found book slow paced, lot of detail. Read entire book, gave it 3 stars.