Barbara Vine

[fromparistoberlin]

I am addicted, love her writing

read Astas Book (great), a Dark Adapted Eye (also great) and now halfway through a Fatal Inversion

soooo pleased I have a new writer to enjoy

Is she Ruth Rendall, writing under a pen-name, or am I thinking of someone else?

She is fab, one of my favourite writers. I can't recommend King Soloman's Carpet enough.

And yes she is Ruth Rendell. The Barbara Vine books are psychological thrillers, no Inspector Wexford.

I loved The House Of Stairs. Read it several times in the 90s and want to re read it now! totally captured the essence of London in the 60s. Also loved a Fatal Inversion and No Night is too long.

Think she may have a new book out soon??

Yes,new one called 'The child's child'
Out soon Ithink

Fatal Inversion is my favourite.

Shame all Ruth Rendell books are so expensive on the Kindle.

Much prefer the absence of Wexford!

Valiumredhead, I totally agree. A Fatal Inversion was the first story that got me into Barbara Vine (I much prefer the psychological stuff to the Wexford novels which tend to be very formulaic). Saying that, though, not all her 'Ruth Rendell' novels are Wexford ones. I seem to remember that The Bridesmaid was very good (no detectives involved) and also A Judgement in Stone. Well worth reading.

off to amazon! cheers

I love Ruth Rendell and Barbara Vine books too. I don't like the Wexford ones though.

My favourite is Adam and Eve and Pinch Me. I read it in one go, couldn't put it down! Some other good ones are the tree of hands, the crocodile bird, and a dark adapted eye.

Her earlier books are amongst my favourite novels,but have to say her last couple of books have been very disappointing.

I've just tried to read the Child's Child and was so disappointed I was on the verge of anger..! It is soooo bad! In my mind's eye I can see it popping up soon in charity shops as it is truly not worth keeping.
I gave up on it and browsed through to see if it would pick up but no.

Asta's book is one of my all time favourites, probably in my top 10 and one of those books I can read again and again.

I also really liked The Blood Doctor, though a bit grisly.

I love Wexford though and really enjoyed The Vault (Having already read A Sight For Sore Eyes')

Ah, yes, she's fantastic, though I do prefer her earlier books, too. King Solomon's Carpet and No Night is too Long are great. I must re-read these - thanks for the reminder that I have most of these on my bookshelf! :)

Have Child's Child on my kindle but not read yet.
Love Fatal Inversion,A Dark Adapted Eye,Blood Doctor,Brimstone Wedding,King Solomaon's Carpet.
Not as keen on Gallowglass,Hpuse Of Stairs,The Minatour.

I remember watching A Dark Adapted Eye with my mum. It was on in 2 parts on consecutive nights, just into the New Year IIRC. Celia Imrie gave a mesmeric performance as Vera.

I must disagree that the new BV novel is "bad". It's not like her characteristic mysteries full of impending doom, it's something different, and as well-written as ever. I think it's unfair to slate books because they're not what you were expecting - you may be disappointed, but it doesn't make it a bad book.

Grasshopper was the first one that I read.

I think I've read most of them now.

Since I called it bad.. it is not just because the story may be different from what I might have expected. I do not think it is well written.
Yes I was disappointed as I do expect her to write well, paint believable characters and give us a good story. I found all elements lacking.. the story is boring, the characters are nasty and feel more like drafts than real persons and the language does not flow.
So you might think it's unfair but there you go.