Superbly read

This is frustratingly unclear at the end, who killed X is not quite revealed. This lack of clear resolution of the ending is similar to other Barbara Vine books and sometimes I don't mind; as it's more the telling and the situation around events, than the cut and dried nature of the crime, but this is one I really wanted to know.

Sian Thomas narrates this audio book superbly; I really loved it because she brought the characters to life.

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2 people found this helpful

great listen

Unusual story and beautifully narrated. Her speaking voice was a joy to listen to and the accent judged just right for the protagonist/diarist.

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2 people found this helpful

Not her best

Not her best but nonetheless I listened to the ending, which I found rather weak in terms of wrapping up the story.

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Intriguing story

I kept forgetting this was written by Ruth Rendell under the name of Barbara Vine; it was so different from other books I have read by her, reminiscent of Daphne Du Maurier. It was a very slow build up, and I can imagine that many readers who like a fast paced mystery might give up on it after a few chapters. I became intrigued by the picture she was building up, the setting of the scene, and the characters she described. The writing is beautiful, so much better than the popular mysteries one reads today.

Sian Thomas performed brilliantly and her voice helped to keep my interest and attention during the early chapters when I wasn’t sure where this was going. So glad I stuck with it.

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offensive about autism

Major trigger warning for ableist, pathologising language about autism, schizophrenia, mental illness. The story is set in the late 1960s, but it was published in 2005. No excuse for this. It's enjoyable writing otherwise and the narrator is very good, but the ableism is unbearable.

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The Narrator put me off, I'm afraid.

I felt she wasn't paying attention and often phrased sentences badly. I am sensitive to voices but can usually overcome any issues, but in this case I stopped listening.

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Another slow burn Vine

This book was saved by the extremely entertaining narration. I loved the characters and the way they were portrayed. However the book was lacklustre. It was a “keep you company” book but certainly not gripping at all. I am an avid Rendell fan but as I work through the Vine books I’m finding the ones I enjoy are becoming few and far between. Really disappointed.

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excellent listen

very good story line. Sorry it ended. very well read well done ti the author.

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The Minotaur

This is a great story. Ruth Rendell when writing as Barbara Vine introduces the most interesting characters. Her books always have useful information and interesting quotes. The narration is superb.

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5 people found this helpful

Excellent Ms Vine

Can't praise this enough. Story and narration are so well done. Sian Thomas knows her job and has a wonderful understanding of the text, which makes the story flow. Her characters are three-dimensional and fully formed. More like this, please. Thank you.

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