The Vault

I had just listened to this novel's prequel 'A Sight For Sore Eyes' and thought that I'd purchase this to complete the story. I'd previously listened to this book via a clunky old eight CD Audiobook, which I was sent a review copy of. Oh, thank goodness for Audible's ease of use!

Although I am more of a fan of Rendell's non-Wexford tales, this was a great entry point to the series. Reg Wexford, now retired and living with his wife Dora in his actor daughter's Hampstead coach house, becomes involved with the case of four bodies being unearthed in nearby St John's Wood when the current owner of the charming period property, Orcadia Cottage, decides to commission a basement extension. Wexford is taken on by the Met's Chief Superintendent Tom Eade as his 'unpaid advisor' and together they work together to crack the case.

It's really enjoyable and made me want to purchase all of the author's Wexford books. Oh Audible, I'm becoming poor because of you!

The narrator, Nigel Anthony, was excellent and managed to convey a convincing array of diverse accents.

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8 people found this helpful

Lovely reading, but fly buzzing in the background?

excellent narration, as usual, from Nigel Anthony, but I swear there was a fly buzzing in the background much of the time, which noise was particularly pronounced during the silences.

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Well retirement suits Mr Wexford

It has a certain liberation to be less restricted and less regulated. He could have been a Poirot ages ago. The story was very compelling but without reading the sight for sore eyes story before it’d be a lot more confusing. There were a lot of different characters and not all had any meaning in the end and without the original story it’d be more annoying to wade through the details to find the right path to the solution. This was one of the few books in the series where I felt the need to cut a few side stories out or reduce the actors which didn’t seem at all to be necessary. But no series goes without a couple of weaker parts and as long as it is still enjoyable to follow the story that’s ok and part of the parcel.

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The vault

I liked the way the story was a continuation from “ A sight for sore eyes “ incorporating a retired Reg Wexford. Very clever

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Enjoyable

Well worth a listen just a little bit dated.

Very well narrated by Nigel, I will look for more.

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Great performance

Really enjoyed this audiobook. The delivery by Nigel Anthony brought this intriguing story to life.

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Wexford moves to London

I was concerned about listening to the Wexford series out of order but needn't have been. This one seemed faster-paced than others, maybe because of the location change, and had a clever tie-in with another non-Wexford Rendell story (no spoilers!). I love Nigel Anthony's delivery and characterisation.

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Audible space

Narration was absorbing but space between each chapter was too long and broke the story.

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Brilliant both stand alone and follow on

Really enjoyed Wexford being part of the story and stands alone but had listened to the linked book. Very good.

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Nigel Anthony is my new favourite narrator

Of course this book is fabulous... it's Ruth Rendell. But Nigel Anthony's narration adds so much depth and colour. I am amazed by how he can portray so many different characters of both sexes with a slight inflexion here, a mild accent there. if you enjoy reading Wexford novels I strongly recommend you indulge yourself with an Audible version.

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