Monday, May 21, 2012

Monday Mystery-Ruth Rendell


My placement in the book store on Saturday where I had a book signing was in the used book/coffee and goodies section. Behind me, to my delight, were the shelves of mystery/thriller authors. Browsing the names, I was pleased to note I'd read at least one book from most of the authors.  Many years ago was the phase of reading when I went through many mystery authors. I can't remember why I'd only read the one book from some authors, but I'm thinking probably because it scared me and that was why I didn't pick up another by most of the authora.

I know that was true with Ruth Rendell, though it was after starting a third one of her books that I stopped reading her books. In case you missed it when I stated my flaw before, I'm a scaredy cat. As a child the abominable snowman on "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" scared me and I never watch a scary movie or read a scary book. I have nightmares, and I don't like having them. If I'm reading a book and it starts to scare me I won't read any more, and I won't pick up another book by that author for fear it will be scary too.

If only I could remember the title of the Rendell book I couldn't finish. I only know she got so deep into the sadistic mind of the villain I couldn't keep reading, and I picked up another nicer book to read so I could go to sleep. I read the book at a time in my life when I was home alone at night a lot. My  husband was a truck driver and could be gone for days at a time. With me already being a scaredy cat and then being alone, it wasn't a good combination.

Ruth Rendell (who also writes as Barbara Vine) has done well with her mysteries and thrillers. One of her well known characters is Chief Inspector Reginald Wexford. He is the leading detective in her Inspector Wexford series.  This series was made into a British television show running form 1987 to 2000. Many other of her works have been made into television shows and movies. Many thought The Monster in the Box released in 2009 would be the last Inspector Wexford book. But while he is now a retired inspector he hasn't retired from solving mysteries. His latest book is The Vault.

Have you read any of Ruth's books? If so which one and was it scary? I wouldn't mind reading her again if I don't get scared. ;0)

2 comments:

Becky said...

I don't remember reading any of Ruth's books. I think I might of read one of her books written by Barbara Vine, since that name is more familiar with me. I will have to check out her books and see if I would like to read them or not.

Paty Jager said...

Becky, she's a good writer, just too wickedly graphic for me.