Reviews

A Dark-Adapted Eye by Barbara Vine

janey's review against another edition

4.0

Exactly what I needed and wanted. I'm ill and my attention span is affected, and so I needed something a little lighter to fill the spaces between naps. This was just on the border of incomprehensible to me, due to the somewhat complicated family tree, but at some point the pieces clicked together. This book is so different from the frantic pace of the Gone Girls and the Girl on the Trains that are shoved at us today, and yet so much more serious and thoughtful than the "cozy" mysteries in which the fact of a murder is taken rather lightly, and it is a much better book for these differences.

the_dire_raven's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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

5.0

hecaldwell's review against another edition

4.0

I didn’t think I would enjoy this book I was surprised. The end I think could have been stronger. I felt the book sort of fizzled out towards the end. The main bulk of he book was so descriptive so I whipped through that element but as it came to an end I wanted it to end. I got a little bored

sadie4d's review

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

danbamkiwi's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

tomleetang's review against another edition

2.0

Rather mind-numbing detailing of family genealogies and other biographical minutiae meant to lend psychological depth. Reflects on memory while documenting life in the 40s. Not one of Ruth Rendell's strongest efforts.

plankpot's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

3.75

dvalk's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-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

5.0

kmac2022's review against another edition

informative mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

shoelessmama's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is my second book by Ruth Rendell and I'm quickly becoming a fan. This was a slow-burn and a character study that kept me completely riveted. In both books I've read of hers so far she begins by telling you who the murderer is and then proceeds to take you on a psychological journey of what got the murderer there and filling in any blanks along the way, including the specifics of the crime and scene. Absolutely loving what this author does to send tingles down my spine and will be seeking out more.