scj's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.5
jant8's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
casvelyn's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
5.0
Whoa, I so did not see that coming.
The first Vine book I read was [b:The Blood Doctor|508915|The Blood Doctor|Barbara Vine|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266572729s/508915.jpg|3373001] and while I could figure out where the book was going, it was still compelling.
This book is great. You think you have it figured out, then you're wrong. Then you think "aha", but still no.
My only quibble is that three of the chapters were rather, well, dry. I understand why they were dry (it was trial transcripts), but still.
Awesome. Vine does a really good job with the character of Ann. The behavior fits and some of the dialogue is wonderfully done.
The first Vine book I read was [b:The Blood Doctor|508915|The Blood Doctor|Barbara Vine|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266572729s/508915.jpg|3373001] and while I could figure out where the book was going, it was still compelling.
This book is great. You think you have it figured out, then you're wrong. Then you think "aha", but still no.
My only quibble is that three of the chapters were rather, well, dry. I understand why they were dry (it was trial transcripts), but still.
Awesome. Vine does a really good job with the character of Ann. The behavior fits and some of the dialogue is wonderfully done.
christinem's review
3.0
I wish I could give this more than 3 stars, because on the whole I really enjoyed it. I was engrossed by the story and by the mystery it offered, and I loved the ending. But there were two points when the author seemed to go so far from the main story that I got bored and started questioning which story they were actually trying to tell. I hoped that by the end the incredibly long detours would make sense, but I still cannot see how the 60 page account of something the protagonist was researching was warranted. This and another, slightly shorter, detour broke the flow of the story and were hard to persist through.
peanotsilent's review against another edition
4.0
Dividing books in terms of genres is such an unfair practice, especially when genre literature is somehow always considered inferior compared to "real literature". This is truer for books like this, books which transcend genre trappings.
Gripping, yet moving. I had forgotten what it was like to finish a book in a day because not finishing it was not an acceptable option.
Gripping, yet moving. I had forgotten what it was like to finish a book in a day because not finishing it was not an acceptable option.
samhouston's review
4.0
Book is inscribed to me this way: "To Sam with best wishes, Ruth Rendell as Barbara Vine. Also in Ms. Rendell's hand is printed: "signed at Waterstone Books, Manchester, England, March 1993" I think the North American version of the book is titled "Anna's Book."
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