 "Not my favorite Wexford novel" | 2009-10-18 |
| - Reviewed By sb-lynn |
There are no spoilers in this review:
I am a HUGE Ruth Rendell fan. I have read all of her books, including those she has written under her pseudonym of Barbara Vine. For those not familiar with her work, she writes magnificent psychological suspense and mystery novels under both the Rendell and Vine names, and a detective series with Inspector Wexford under the Rendell name.
This is a Wexford novel, and as much as I love her books, I admit I am the least enamored with this series, especially some of the latter ones. This is the case with this story.
Brief summary, no spoiler - Inspector Wexford sees a man crossing the street and immediately recognizes him as someone from his past. He is a man named Eric Targo, and Wexford has always believed him responsible for a murder that Wexford first helped investigate as a young policeman. It wasn't that there was evidence per se of Targo's involvement - but more instinct and the oddness of Targo's subsequent behavior that lead Wexford to conclude his guilt, and suspect him of being a sociopath serial killer. But what has been his motive?
Rendell weaves this narrative story with that of a coworkers personal interest and investigation of the possible forced marriage of a young Muslim girl. The two stories become intertwined and coalesce by the end.
Personally, I thought the second story line involving the young girl detracted from the book. It seemed too much like social commentary on Rendell's part, and I thought the parts of the book that dealt with her story seemed contrived and frankly, a slow-go for me.
The parts involving Targo were different, and for those of you who are Wexford fans, it's a lot of fun for us to go back and time and find out about Wexford's past - including his past girlfriends and relationships, and what he was like as a young policeman.
I have always said that a mediocre Rendell is still better than most of the mystery fiction out there, and I think that is the case here. She is just a wonderful writer. But if this is your first experience with this series, I would suggest going back and reading some of the earlier Wexford novels, and not this one. |
| |
 "No wonder this authoress is so highly regarded" | 2009-10-17 |
| - Reviewed By professorneal |
| Would you believe I'm just now discovering Ruth Rendell having read this novel and her latest written as Barbara Vine? Needless to say, I'll be rectifying that lapse on my part although I won't promise to read all 70 of her previous books. Although this is the first Inspector Wexford mystery I've read, I didn't feel any lack from not being better acquainted with him because there's plenty of background here as the whole history of his contacts with Eric Targo, a possible serial killer, is revealed. Wexford is convinced that Targo is responsible for at least two of the murders he has investigated, and after a long absence, Targo reappears again stalking Wexford. A new murder bears all the earmarks of the earlier two and Wexford becomes the stalker determined to bring Targo to justice this time.Interwoven with this pursuit is Wexford's partner's wife Jenny's concern that a Pakistani girl is being forced into an arranged marriage rather than being allowed to follow her own heart.In time, of course, the two plots merge and we find ourselves in the capable hands of possibly the foremost crime writer of our time. Recommended without reservations. |
| |
| ""I will get him for what he's done."" | 2009-10-13 |
| - Reviewed By booklover10 |
In Ruth Rendell's "The Monster in the Box," Chief Inspector Reginald Wexford takes center stage. In his mind's eye, he relives his early days as a policeman and even recalls his youthful romances. Why this sudden attack of nostalgia? Wexford's obsession with the past results from a renewed sighting of his nemesis, Eric Targo, whom Wexford believes has killed before and may kill again. The problem is that Wexford does not have a scintilla of proof that Targo has committed murder, and for many years, Wexford "had kept silent because he knew no one would believe him." Targo has stalked, smirked at, and mocked Wexford, knowing that the chief inspector cannot touch him. Has Wexford's intense dislike of this man colored his thinking? Is it possible that Targo is guilty of nothing more than being an obnoxious bully? Finally, desperate to confide in someone, Reg reveals his suspicions to his long-time partner, Mike Burden.
Eric Targo, who is short and muscular, was born with a disfiguring purple-brown birthmark on his neck. Over the years, he has married repeatedly, embarked on a number of business ventures, and traveled from place to place. The first Mrs. Targo said of her husband, "He likes animals better than people. Well, he doesn't like people at all." After a decade of having no contact with Targo, the chief inspector still bitterly regrets his inability to bring this fiend to justice. Now that Targo is back in Kingsmarkham, Wexford has another chance to complete his mission. Another subplot involves Moslem parents named Mohammed and Yasmin Rahman, whose sixteen-year old daughter, Tamima, is an excellent student. However, Tamima is a bit too interested in boys and her family might want to arrange a "safe" marriage for her before she strays too far afield. Rendell demonstrates how the huge wave of immigration from Asia is changing the face of England and setting the stage for ugly religious and cultural conflicts.
"The Monster in the Box" is a well-constructed novel in which Rendell gives us a fascinating peek at the young Wexford as he tries to make his mark in his chosen profession. Reggie is a richly developed and appealing character whose compassion, good judgment, insight, love of learning, and willingness to admit his mistakes are thoroughly refreshing. Rendell's literate writing flows effortlessly, the dialogue is sharp and often amusingly sardonic, and her descriptive writing is vivid and concise. This book would be worthwhile solely for the back story of how Reggie met and married and his wife after a series of unproductive relationships.
The Targo plot is chilling. Wexford is convinced that this individual has ruthlessly killed a number of men and women whom he barely knew. However, what is his motive (if indeed he has one)? Furthermore, unless Targo strikes again and is caught in the act, there is nothing that Wexford can do. He recalls old murder cases that may have been Targo's handiwork and investigates a new one that hits much too close to home. Gradually, Wexford closes in on a brute who may be the epitome of evil or simply an unpleasant person who, for some reason, has become the focus of Reggie's intense dislike. Ruth Rendell plays with our minds and keeps us guessing in this multi-faceted and engrossing novel of psychological suspense.
|
| |
| "Out Of The Past" | 2009-10-13 |
| - Reviewed By filmfan3 |
Eric Targo is a creep, but is he a serial killer? That's the question for Inspector Reginald Wexford in THE MONSTER IN THE BOX. Many years ago, when he was a young cop on the beat, Wexford suspected the strange little man of committing several random murders in Kingsmarkham, Wexford's town in southern England. Wexford never had any evidence or proof, so he never mentioned his suspicions to anyone. Targo knew the young cop suspected him, and he took to taunting him in a weird way--following him around and staring at him. Then he disappeared. Over the years, Wexford's suspicions became a secret obsession.
Now, after many years, Mr. Targo is back in Kingsmarkham, and Wexford's old obsession has resurfaced. He's even begun to stalk Targo, just as he, himself, was once stalked. But is Targo really a monster? Was he ever? Or is it all in Wexford's imagination? Wexford finally breaks his long silence, telling his police partner, Mike Burden, everything he knows and suspects about the man. Mike doesn't believe him at first, but then there's a new murder very much like the old ones....
Ruth Rendell is my favorite mystery writer, and this new book is a real treat for fans. In telling Wexford's history with Eric Targo, Rendell gives us unusual glimpses into his past--including his bachelor days and how he met, courted, and married his wife, Dora, and the eventual births of their daughters, Sylvia and Sheila. These flashbacks arrive throughout the new story, providing a detailed portrait of the inspector. I've been reading his adventures for 30 years now, but I never learned as much about him as I did here. Another bonus for longtime readers is the mentioning of several earlier Wexford cases, including From Doon with Death: The First Inspector Wexford Novel (Mortalis), Murder Being Once Done, and Road Rage (A Chief Inspector Wexford Mystery). A great new mystery plus a great trip down Memory Lane--what could be better than that? Highly recommended.
|
| |
International Available
![Under the Dome: A Novel by Stephen King [Hardcover]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41%2BHQnGT-2L._SL500_AA100_.jpg)
![Check Prices on Under the Dome: A Novel by Stephen King [Hardcover]](images/v2/check_prices.png)
