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pjgal22's review against another edition
4.0
So happy to have finally had the chance to read the first Inspector Wexford mystery. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book can proudly share a bookshelf with her later installments. Although relatively short, it is a well-crafted mystery, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Both Wexford and Burden are introduced in this book and although we aren't given much insight into their personal life, their personalities are already pretty well developed. I have to admit that I solved the mystery a little sooner than I was supposed to, making Wexford's 'big reveal' at the end a little anticlimactic, but I'm not sure I would figured it out so soon had I read this book during the era in which it was originally published.
bibliozabs's review against another edition
3.5
Slow start but picked up. Somewhat dated but it was written 5, 6 decades ago? To be expected. Absolutely reading the following books.
maggie73's review against another edition
3.0
Dated, as I believe RR has said herself, but still enjoyable. The debut of Wexford.
lisa11111's review against another edition
3.0
It was an interesting mystery, but a little jumpy. They seemed to assume things in figuring out the case, without solid proof. This was the first novel of MANY however and I understand she gets better. I enjoyed it and will try the next one.
slipperose's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Can’t believe this was my first Ruth Rendell. Absolutely loved it. A bit genre defying. Is it murder mystery, a psychological thriller, or just great literary fiction? Not sure where to put it. This was her first published novel, so looking forward to seeing how her writing develops from here.
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This started out as a simple "missing person" story, introducing the detective, Inspector Wexford, and his colleague Inspector Burden, in a truly unspectacular way. A young and ordinary housewife, Margaret Parsons, does not return home to her husband as she does every evening without fail. As Inspector Wexford follows his leads, the story adds layers of complexity to result in a highly original and satisfying conclusion. This is my next mystery series for sure.
ibookalatte's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
avidreadergirl1's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is quite an opening on a series with slow but constant things evolving towards an unforeseen conclusion.
Detective Wrexford and his team are trying to solve the case of a woman strangled and abandoned in the woods nearby.
Overall, I liked that there was no stereotypes and the plot didn’t get lost in too many inane details. The characters are well defined and the evolution of the investigation was very interesting.
This is definitely a series I’ll keep reading.
Detective Wrexford and his team are trying to solve the case of a woman strangled and abandoned in the woods nearby.
Overall, I liked that there was no stereotypes and the plot didn’t get lost in too many inane details. The characters are well defined and the evolution of the investigation was very interesting.
This is definitely a series I’ll keep reading.
arsinoeb72fd's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5