Reading and Discussing Ruth Rendell

[Bill]

Ruth Rendell, a great, prolific mystery writer passed away 2 May 2015 at the grand old age of 85. Ruth Rendell was first published in 1964 with her first Inspector Wexford novel, From Doon with Death. Since that time she has written 24 Wexford mysteries, 28 standalones, a number of novels under the pseudonym Barbara Vine and a variety of short story collections. As we did with our P.D. James thread, I thought it would be worthwhile to open a thread for the discussion of the works of this great author. So feel free to add to the thread, discuss her books, etc. For myself, I just recently started obtaining her books and will hopefully starting the first Wexford mystery in the near future.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I am currently on a 5-book Rendell adventure, choosing the books that the Guardian stated were her "key" reads. I've finished From Doon With Death, the first Wexford novel, as well as Adam and Eve and Pinch Me (which had me in knots in the first 30 pages). Currently reading her Not in the Flesh, leaving two books to reread: A Judgement in Stone which is probably my favorite of hers as Rendell, and A Dark-Adapted Eye, my favorite of hers as Barbara Vine.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I have to say that I was not all that impressed by Not in the Flesh. It was a bit muddled and although I'm a huge fan of social issues in crime novels, it's much better when they actually are part of the crime rather than something peripheral.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I've now finished with A Dark-Adapted Eye, a Barbara Vine novel. That one is probably my favorite of all of her books. I love the way that she gives the reader a conundrum at the start, then reels you in little by little with bits of information that lead to other bits of information, etc.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

All righty then...my 5-book adventure is over and here are the results:

http://www.crimesegments.com/2015/05/...

[Bill]

I'm finally getting around to reading the first Inspector Wexford mystery, From Doon with Death. I'm looking forward to it.

[Jonathan]

Man, I love her. A DEMON IN MY VIEW is a chilling, engrossing novel.

[Susan]

Don't you find her books under the Barbara Vine name are darker and more twisted? I don't mean in a bad way but they definitely give my spine more electric thrills.

[Jane]

I think that was why she started to write under the name of Barbara Vine, she wanted to get away from the cosy Inspector Wexford and to write psychological thrillers. The first Vine I read was A Fatal Inversion and I can remember being really shocked by it but thinking it was brilliant at the same time.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Susan wrote: "Don't you find her books under the Barbara Vine name are darker and more twisted? I don't mean in a bad way but they definitely give my spine more electric thrills."

For the most part, yes. I do have to say that some of her nonseries novels as Rendell are just as dark -- Adam and Eve and Pinch Me and A Judgement in Stone are just as twisty and dark as anything she's written as Vine.

[Jane]

I haven't read any for a long time, maybe I should give them another go.

[Susan]

I think she has very different voices writing Rendell vs. Vine but you are right, Nancy, some of her stand alone Rendell's are pretty dark.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

She never wins in the group read polls -- it's frustrating!

[Arlene]

I have just started reading her books I find them immensely interesting and I don't see the ending coming,it's always a surprise,I love that.

[Susan]

Oh, I think she would be a brilliant choice.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Susan wrote: "Oh, I think she would be a brilliant choice."

I think people want more of what's current rather than what's old. Sometimes I think people don't know what they're missing. And that's a shame.

:(

[Angelina]

Only just seen this thread, ruth rendell is the best british author that has been alive during my lifetime, I started reading as a teen and I am still hooked as the characters always seem so real, I am currently reading her very last two books The Girl Next Door and Dark Corners. I have only recently come across them both at the library but can't bear the though of reading the very last to be honest as the end of an era for me.

If you are new to her books lucky you as you wont be disappointed. If you like true crime/serial killers books/films Thirteen Steps Down is a good start as it mentions john christie and 10 rillington place (if that gets you hooked on christie try the amazing richard attenborough film). And The Keys to the Street is just superb.

If not just read anything by her as she is the best thriller writer.

[Fictionophile]

I've long been a huge fan of Ruth Rendell and her alter-ego Barbara Vine. I think I've read all her books (and there are a LOT!) I was only every disappointed once... "Going wrong" just didn't seem to live up to her standards. Aptly named as I think she went wrong with that book.
Her Wexford novels are superb and I recommended them to all my mystery loving friends.
My two favorite novels of hers are "The tree of hands" and "The Bridesmaid".

[Terri]

Big fan of hers!!! Never been happy with the films that adapted her books. "The New Girlfriend" was not good.

[Iza]

I've read a few books by Ruth Rendell but many more by "Barbara Vine" - just loved them, but it's been so long that I should re-read them all again !

[Bojan]

I'm currently reading the Bestseller mistery/thriller of 2013. The Witch of Babylon. I'm near at the end,the story is great. Have u guys voted for the best thriller ? :)

Can't wait to read, Origin. Does anybody has a recommend for a good thriller from Paul Finch....or in general a good one? Kepler is my best writer,allready have read all his books. :)

[Peggy]

I'm new to this group, and was interested to see a discussion about my all-time favorite mystery writer. The Wexfords are my favorite, and I just finished a re-read of The Speaker of Mandarin. But I also like most of the standalones and some of the Vines. A Dark Adapted Eye is my favorite Vine by a good bit.

Looking forward to reading others' opinions of Rendell's books.

[Bicky]

Hi! I am also new to this thread. I strictly prefer the Wexfords which I have reread not a long time back. Based on this group's discussion I might try A Dark-Adapted Eye and The Girl Next Door.

[Fictionophile]

Bicky wrote: "Hi! I am also new to this thread. I strictly prefer the Wexfords which I have reread not a long time back. Based on this group's discussion I might try A Dark-Adapted Eye and The Girl Next Door."

Bicky I love the Wexford novels too. My favorite other than the Wexford novels is probably "Tree of Hands".
My tribute post to Ruth Rendell: https://fictionophile.wordpress.com/2...

[Bicky]

Excellent tribute. Since you seem to have tastes similar to mine, I will definitely read Tree of Hands. I will also be reading other tributes. Right now, I am in the middle of DCI Banks, who, of course, initially had some similarities to Wexford.

[Icewineanne]

Enjoy Banks also Bicky.

Book’s written under Vine are truly brilliant. Oddly I never read any of her Wexford series until they released a special anniversary edition of ‘Doon’ a couple of years ago. Not as good as her later works, but really looking forward to continuing with the series.
Onward to ‘Sins’ 😊