It started like this Varuna Varuna Varuna (Varuna is the rain god) Varuvai Varuvai Varuuvai! Dazzling psychological suspense. There were various phrases and words that left me baffled, perhaps due to the time period which was the 1950s. The first of the Inspector Wexford series with the faithful sidekick Burden. Being one who always gives everything more then one try, I imagine I'll read another of Rendell's books but will not be in a hurry to do so. From Doon With Death (Inspector Wexford, #1), Update, May 6, 2015: I am undertaking a Ruth Rendell "key" works project -- the books The Guardian recently noted as such the day of Ruth Rendell's death. The prose and epigraphs were good, which is why I’m giving this book a second star. This was my first Ruth Rendell and I started it with high expectations but was quite disappointed. The BLATANTLY GAY lipstick salesman could probably tell you, and he could have solved the mystery in one hot minute. I have become a fan. These are the hallmarks of crime legend Ruth Rendell. Inspector Wexford, in this book, has the awe-inspiring character development that will stand the test of times! Title: Parthiban Kanavu (Dream of Parthiban) Author: Kalki. She's certainly up there. Chapter Analysis of From Doon with Death Click on a plot link to find similar books! I think this book was a terrific example of it. A formidable Inspector Wexford is introduced to us when Margaret Parsons is reported missing, and is soon found dead out in a nearby curb. He claims it is totally out of character for his wife, Margaret, to disappear without word. by Ballantine Books. I've just reread this novel again after six years, and while I wouldn't change my rating, I will say that it was definitely a pleasure to have taken it up again. A shrouded web of lies entwine this fast-paced, unputdownable mystery as the mind reels with the gaining momentum of umpteen possibilities. From Doon with Death was the debut novel of British writer Ruth Rendell, first published in 1964. Thank you for your comment! The town of Kingsmarkham (Midhurst in Sussex) has a murder of a seemingly ordinary person. I have heard that her first book is a classic, and it absolutely was. Her characters--even the good-guy cops--. And, subscribe to read in your inbox! This is Rendell's first mystery, written in the '60s, and. I was not able to discover the killer and the surprise ending left me totally unsatisfied. Welcome back. I wished I could say I like it but truth is it was a boring read. I want to enjoy a lauded authoress and have the jury out for, My reread of the first of the Wexford series was different than my first time through the book. I had never read Ruth Rendell and had only vaguely heard of her when Scott Throw, in an interview, said she was the one mystery writer he always read. I was not able to discover the killer and the surprise ending left me totally unsatisfied. Whims and Fancies Of An Ethereal Childhood, How I Made $2,000,000 In The Stock Market, The Room On The Roof And Vagrants in the Valley. Rarely are people shot, they are usually killed quite discreetly, the detectives go around asking polite questions over tea, nothing blows up and at the end they sit down and explain it all clearly in case you dozed through an important clue. It took me about 4 days to read. [Mostly because of the time when it was published. From Doon With Death has a solid plot through the novel, and a blissful twist in the end, which I haven't even gone near to make sure I don't give any spoilers. Ronald Parsons almost prides himself on his dull and respectable life. I'm back with a post a day for a grand entry into 2020! It is a great murder mystery. Burdon tends to agree and contacts the police station. Every now and then I had to re-read a few sentences to try and understand the British words. Plot & Themes Composition of Book descript. This was the first in the Wexford series, and if it had been the first Rendell book I read, I would not have read another. Metacritic TV Episode Reviews, From Doon with Death, Part Two, Respectable housewife Margaret Parsons is reported missing and is later found strangled in … I dislike detective series, I find it to be lazy writing more often than not and generally stay away from them. My reread of the first of the Wexford series was different than my first time through the book. For some reason I had never read the Wexford novels before and it is a good beginning to the series. Cheers! I was about 2/3 through, thinking it was well written, interesting, but not yet sensing it was truly special. I think this book was a terrific example of it. There is a strong sociological commentary throughout, in this book in particular as far as class differences and sexual politics go and author's attitude is stunningly, notably progressive for the time. Ruth Rendell was a master at her craft, but this one, IMO, was not her best. I love British mysteries, they're so civilized. Highly conversational in tone, the book makes you hear the characters out in your brain as you read it. I've just reread this novel again after six years, and while I wouldn't change my rating, I will say that it was definitely a pleasure to have taken it up again. My feeling, however, was that I should wait to see how she resolved it before reaching a conclusion. Rendell's England is less than quaint (despite the amounts of tea put away), her world is distinctly darker and its denizens are distinctly more immoral. Though having read a lot of Patricia Highsmith, it shouldn't have surprised me that much. Looking to cozy up with a thrilling novel this winter? I am a fan of classis murder mysteries yet was not familiar with Ruth Rendell's writing (nor have I seen Inspector Wexford on television).