A Judgement in Stone - Ruth Rendell

Ruth Rendll is a wizard. A wizard at carrying out research and as a result, a wizard at creating ‘real’, believable characters. Although, in this instance it’s difficult to figure out just how she did that research. If people in the position of the ‘heroine’, Eunice Parchman, are genuinely as defensive about their impediment as Rendell makes the reader believe, then how was she able to wheedle the facts from those same people? More than likely, Ruth Rendell has the finest of ‘connection’ within the psychology departments of our finest universities, other than that, she must be able to read minds. ...  Read the complete review

This is one of those books which simultaneously draws and horrifies......you know what happens, and slowly the how and why becomes clear to the you as Rendell slowly but surely weaves her web of suspense...... This is one of her most fascinating books psychologically, and the terrible truth is that the story both enthralls and convinces that this *could* be real life.......it is well researched and even more brilliantly written than most of Ruth Rendell's impressive range of award-winning crime novels. The reader is forced to watch the horrifying plot unfold as the most improbable killer slaughters an entire family enjoying a peaceful evening listening to ...  Read the complete review

This has to be the best and most heartrending of all Ruth Rendell's novels. Its basis is simple - a woman takes a job as a live-in cleaner with a rich family and ends up killing them with the assistance of the local religious nutter. Why does she do it? Because they find out that she can't read. If that sounds as if it is an improbably plot which is so ridiculous that it cannot be made believable then you are not familiar with Ruth Rendell's unique ability to weave the psychological aspects of her characters together to create a thoroughly realistic plot. These characters develop and carry you with them until there is no other option left other ...  Read the complete review

This novel is a masterpiece, a short and wonderful story that you can see happening. Rendell has so many strengths in her writing, but the one I find most overwhelming and awe inspiring is her ability to really draw people. To make you understand how ordinary people can find themselves in the most god awful of circumstances. How your mind can create the reality that you ultimately work from. It is true that this novel works from an almost "true crime" point of view. Once you have a Rendell in your hands, you are hesitant to give it back. It becomes a part of you. I have rarely read a Rendell/Vine novel without declaring in the first 50 ...  Read the complete review