This Edgar Award finalist from the New York Times-bestselling author is a “suspense mystery of the highest order” (The New Yorker). For London’s Chief Inspector Reg Wexford, it wasn’t an official call. He was just being neighborly when he agreed to talk to Joy Williams about her missing husband, Rodney. Apparently, he went to Ipswich on business and never came home. Wexford has an idea what … home. Wexford has an idea what happened: He most likely ran off with one of his girlfriends.
However, there are a few nagging concerns, like Rodney’s suspicious letter of resignation and his abandoned car. And is it just a fluke that his disappearance coincides with a rash of stabbings–all straight through the heart, all with male victims. Wexford’s detective instincts must take flight in order to bring down a murderer. Or two. Or three. Because, behind the seemingly placid domesticity of his Sussex neighbors, there is a growing web of tangling secrets, double lives, and triple-crosses.
“Rendell, winner of the Mystery Writers of America’s prestigious Edgar Award, is regarded as one of the top mystery writers working today. With An Unkindness of Ravens, she shows, once again, that reputation is well-deserved” (Los Angeles Times).
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Ruth Rendell is predictably marvelous. British police procedural mysteries at their best with fabulous titles.
Well, Shucks. We didn’t really think he ran away since that would make for a pretty short book. The circumstances of a salesman’s death grow stranger and stranger as Wexford adds more suspects….as one new clue after another opens up possibilities. I was hoodwinked far into the book! Only at the end did I know how it was all done. My reading time …
I read this book many moons ago. Like all Rendell books it’s one still on my bookcase shelf.
For a book that was published in 2010, the characters felt dated: the outfits and descriptions of feminists seemed out of the early 1970’s. I wonder if Rendell just sat on this for thirty or forty or fifty years? I figured out a big plot chunk due to a clunky giveaway that she’s done before. Since I enjoy the main character I read it anyway. But – …
An intelligent crime story with good twists and good characterization. The subplot of Mike Burden’s expected baby and his wife’s depression during pregnancy is as good as the mystery element.
I just can’t finish this boring book. There are too many red herrings and confusing characters. I give up. Not finishing this book. I no longer care who killed Reg or why.
Story seemed to jump around a lot and was hard to follow, and not really all that interesting. Didn’t leave me wanting more Rendell.
Liked it!
Well-constructed mystery plot
Anything Ruth Rendell has written is a great mystery book, this book was no exception. I recommend reading it.
Love anything she had ever done. Wish there were more out there.
Not up to Randell standards.
First Ruth Rendell Book. I’ll read more. Kept me on edge the whole time…
so sad that ruth rendell is no longer w/us. she was such an erudite writer,,,,she sent me the dictionary many times ,,her knowledge of the flora and fauna of england was amazing. i would read anything she has written
I’m always intrigued by Ruth Rendell’s books. Her characters are well drawn and interesting. I enjoyed this book!
Not her best book but I like Inspector Wexford.
This is pure Ruth Randell. The characters are old friends to the readers of this author. The plot offered its usual surprise
As a birder, I enjoyed picking up a few new hints about birds. Good mystery, too.
Ruth Rendell’s plots are original and difficult to predict. The characters are complex and conflicted.
i have always loved Ruth Rendells books