Put On By Cunning
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Review
One of the best novelists writing today --P.D. James
The most brilliant mystery novelist of our time --Patricia Cornwell
Probably the greatest living crime writer in the world --Ian Rankin
[Wexford] has become an old friend who gets better with age --Herald
Rendell has quite simply transformed the genre of crime writing. She displays her peerless skill in blending the mundane, commonplace aspects of life with the potent murky impulses of desire and greed, obsession and fear
--Sunday Times
The most brilliant mystery novelist of our time --Patricia Cornwell
Probably the greatest living crime writer in the world --Ian Rankin
[Wexford] has become an old friend who gets better with age --Herald
Rendell has quite simply transformed the genre of crime writing. She displays her peerless skill in blending the mundane, commonplace aspects of life with the potent murky impulses of desire and greed, obsession and fear
--Sunday Times
Book Description
The eleventh in the Chief Inspector Wexford series.
A legacy to die for
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is still a fine, engaging mystery, but to be honest Put on By Cunning does lack the special little ingredient that marks out Rendell's best Wexford stories. Wexford himself doesn't seem quite as sharp, not quite such a presence, and there is nothing in this book that really makes it stand out as unique among her work, although as I say it is still a fine enough mystery and better than most books on the market today. I certainly don't think it could be much longer than it is (which is not something you could say of msot of her work - most of them beg to be lengthier, and the reader desperately wishes they were so, to prolong the experience. Wisely, though, Rendell keeps them at the length which is necessary) as it is not as hugely interesting as some of her books.
It tells the story of the investigation into the death of renowned flautist Sir Manuel Camargue, who is found dead in a snow-drift having ventured outside his house during the night. At first it seems a straightforward case of death by misadventure; a nice easy case for Wexford to tie up. However, wexford has his niggling doubts, which are strengthened by the return of Camargue's estranged daughter, now his heiress, after a considerable absence of 19 years.
As I say, Put on By Cunning is a fine enough novel by any standard, but just not quite as engaging or special or interesting as Rendell's novels usually are. Certainly not the one to start with. This probably requires an already healthy appreciation of the series.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this Wexford story: subtle and curious, Ruth Rendell really plays with our expectations of this kind of story. We know a twist is coming, but it's almost impossible to get even a glimpse of it. When it comes though, the conclusion is surprising yet feels inevitable and therefore satisfying.
There's some beautiful writing here: how economically yet vividly she evokes Kingsmarkham in winter, California in spring and then, at the end, the atmosphere of evening in a tiny town in the south of France. I've always thought Ruth Rendell was a mistress at describing the sky; and she does this without resort to fancy words for blue or unusual adjectives - plain language producing far from plain imagery.
Again, for these new editions, Arrow need to employ better proofreaders. This text appears to have been copy-typed fast and not checked. Typos every three or four pages: at least two "Wexfrods"; several dropped capitals; two-letter words inverted; and even a couple of sentences that simply don't make sense! Please sort this out, Arrow - the Chief Inspector deserves better than this!
There's some beautiful writing here: how economically yet vividly she evokes Kingsmarkham in winter, California in spring and then, at the end, the atmosphere of evening in a tiny town in the south of France. I've always thought Ruth Rendell was a mistress at describing the sky; and she does this without resort to fancy words for blue or unusual adjectives - plain language producing far from plain imagery.
Again, for these new editions, Arrow need to employ better proofreaders. This text appears to have been copy-typed fast and not checked. Typos every three or four pages: at least two "Wexfrods"; several dropped capitals; two-letter words inverted; and even a couple of sentences that simply don't make sense! Please sort this out, Arrow - the Chief Inspector deserves better than this!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I love Ruth Rendell and notice that this was one of her earlier ones and although it was ok I found it very slow and possibly would not recommend it. Also, as another reviewer said, this book had a large number of spelling mistakes. This needs to be looked at if this book is published again.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good writing but inexcusable publication
To my mind, this is Ruth Rendell at her best. We even get to see Wexford make some mistakes, making him very human! If I was the author, I would be ashamed of the publication. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Michael Higgin
terminal tedium
This is an early-ish Rendell and like practically all of the Wexfords she produced in the 60s and 70s, it is plodding and, generally, incredibly boring. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Dominic Swayne
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