About 3/4 through. The story is indeed a mystery, however Rendell’s social commentary regarding inherent racism in a small English village, viewed through the eyes of everyone’s favourite Inspector Wexford, is becoming irksome. OK, I get it… there are black people in society! All white folk should treat “them” in just the same way as their fellow caucasians. But by going on and on and on is Rendell really achieving anything more than appearing racially hypocritical? Having said that, there is certainly a craft to crime writing and Rendell displays the twists and turns for which she is renowned - my head is full of potential suspects and the list keeps growing as the body count rises!
Finished at 4.45am this morning (this is why I think it would be best if I stayed away from the crime genre). The ending is, as one would expect, a bit of a curveball but not unsatisfying and Rendell manages to bend her general social critique regarding racism toward a more specific and heinous sub-topic (which I won’t reveal for those of you looking to pick this book up from us). In short, I liked it - it challenged and entertained.
About 3/4 through. The story is indeed a mystery, however Rendell’s social commentary regarding inherent racism in a small English village, viewed through the eyes of everyone’s favourite Inspector Wexford, is becoming irksome. OK, I get it… there are black people in society! All white folk should treat “them” in just the same way as their fellow caucasians. But by going on and on and on is Rendell really achieving anything more than appearing racially hypocritical? Having said that, there is certainly a craft to crime writing and Rendell displays the twists and turns for which she is renowned - my head is full of potential suspects and the list keeps growing as the body count rises!
Finished at 4.45am this morning (this is why I think it would be best if I stayed away from the crime genre). The ending is, as one would expect, a bit of a curveball but not unsatisfying and Rendell manages to bend her general social critique regarding racism toward a more specific and heinous sub-topic (which I won’t reveal for those of you looking to pick this book up from us). In short, I liked it - it challenged and entertained.