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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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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Utterly wonderful narration

How I loved listening to this. I have read the book three times as there is so much packed into the story but the audible version has raised it to the highest level. Perfect on every way, all the voices are believable. I could happily start all over again.

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a good story

I have never read this author before, I liked it enough to read more of her books.

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Intriguing to the end

I loved this book, Sián Thomas’s narration was utterly superb and the story totally intriguing from the offset. I loved learning about the family members, what characters they all were! I wasn’t sure it was ever going to turn as dark as other Barbara Vine books i’ve listened to, which surprised me, as usually, I’ve found they follow that same kind of darkness from the beginning. However, this one was different, somehow, and tho eventually the twists seeped in, the story felt much lighter. I thoroughly enjoyed it and once again listened intently at every opportunity. As always, I have now ordered my hard copy….I’m getting a right little Barbara Vine library occurring in my bookcase. Her books are just so good, they need to be read time and time again.

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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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excellent listen

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

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