Reviews

Murder Being Once Done by Ruth Rendell

bucherca49's review against another edition

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4.0

The book title and the book and chapter epigraphs are all taken from Thomas More's "Utopia." Rendell seems to be exploring English society of the late 20th century in terms of "Utopia." Wexford's doctor tells him to take a few weeks to relax. He and Dora stay with Reg's nephew, Howard Fortune, and his wife, Denise, while Wexford recovers from an embolism in his eye. His nephew is a Detective Superintendent with CID, and after a frustrating day or two of being a tourist in London, Wexford gets involved in a murder case Howard is working on, but one of the first things Wexford does is visit a statue of Sir Thomas More--reinforcing the theme of "utopia." What I enjoyed the most about the novel is Wexford's loss of self-confidence and his successful regaining of confidence in his ability to investigate a crime. The London detectives treat him as old, sick, and "from the sticks," but Wexford demonstrates his ability to investigate a case and to learn from his mistakes.

ju__lgn's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I read a french translation. 

ceeceerose's review against another edition

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4.0

Rendell’s Chief Inspector Wexford is at it once again…this time in London, where he’s recuperating after a heart attack. But Wexford doesn’t know the meaning of the word REST, especially when he stumbles into a case of multiple murders.

lnatal's review against another edition

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3.0

From IMDb:
Wexford collapses from overwork so is put on a month's leave. Instead of resting though, he decides to go and visit Mike, who is seconded to London. Although he should be resting, Wexford's dreams have drawn him towards Mike's case of a young murdered girl left lying in a vault, and a strong connection to the baby adoption business.


4* Going Wrong
4* The Keys to the Street
3* The Fever Tree and Other Stories
4* A Judgement in Stone
3* Fall of the Coin
4* People Don't Do Such Things
3* The Girl Next Door
2* To Fear a Painted Devil
3* Dark Corners
3* Live Flesh
4* The St. Zita Society

Inspector Wexford series:
3* From Doon With Death (Inspector Wexford, #1)
3* A New Lease of Death (Inspector Wexford, #2)
3* Murder Being Once Done (Inspector Wexford, #7)
3* Some Lie and Some Die (Inspector Wexford, #8)
3* Shake Hands Forever (Inspector Wexford, #9)
3* A Sleeping Life (Inspector Wexford, #10)
3* The Veiled One (Inspector Wexford, #14)
4* Kissing the Gunner's Daughter (Inspector Wexford, #15)
3* Harm Done (Inspector Wexford, #18)
3* The Babes in the Wood (Inspector Wexford, #19)
3* End in Tears (Inspector Wexford, #20)
TR Wolf to the Slaughter (Inspector Wexford, #3)
TR The Best Man to Die (Inspector Wexford, #4)
TR A Guilty Thing Surprised (Inspector Wexford, #5)
TR No More Dying Then (Inspector Wexford, #6)
TR Death Notes (Inspector Wexford, #11)
TR Speaker of Mandarin (Inspector Wexford, #12)
TR An Unkindness of Ravens (Inspector Wexford, #13)
TR Simisola (Inspector Wexford, #16)
TR Road Rage (Inspector Wexford, #17)
TR Not in the Flesh (Inspector Wexford, #21)
TR The Monster in the Box (Inspector Wexford, #22)
TR The Vault (Inspector Wexford, #23)
TR No Man's Nightingale (Inspector Wexford #24)