The Vault: An Inspector Wexford Novel

As usual, a good story by Ruth Rendell...but I recognize it from a much longer story in which we see the murders, the sealing up of the door, the artists and his girlg\friend 30 years before, and much more which I shall not give away. So, I am not sure what is going on.
If you are a Ruth Rendell reader, I assure you - you have read this.

NA

Inspector Wexford, because he is so bright, but so human. Has doubts and foibles like anyone. Enjoy his habit of introspection on all things he thinks and sees.

No refelection on Mr. Crosley but I listen to books being read because I am doing other things and it is convenient. I read books in both forms. One over the other is chosen because of location, primarily in my car or the kitchen.

Not that I can think of.

Wexford is very analytical and has a great relationship with his wife of many years. He works with people, not in cross purposes. He is way too patient with his children, but that is part of him. Patience.

I enjoy the Insp. Wexford series but was a little miffed that he had retired. I think that I'm going to go back and reread from the beginning of this series. I don't like that Wexford is thwarted in his investigations by no longer having a badge. He gets the job done, but it's just not as satisfying to me without the power of the office behind him.

As a fan of Ruth Rendell I was quite excited to get and listen to The Vault. It didn't quite live up to the writing quality of her other books, but was engaging all the same. For fans of her detective series this is a must. It moves him into his next stage of life and how he deals with it. The mystery is intriguing, but unwinds a little slowly. The reader is very good with English accents and suggests class, age and gender well.

very slow story and presentation. Extraneous sub plots add nothing to book. This is my first book by this author and may be the reason I felt characters not well developed.

I like the way it brings an old Rendell story (A Sight for Sore Eyes) and the Wexford series together.

Yes, for the same reason given above and also revealing how Wexford is adjusting, or trying to adjust to retirement. Rendell is very good at weaving various strings of a plot together, revealing just enough here and there.

I am a long time listener to the Wexford series and always enjoyed the way Crossley portrays his characters by just a subtle change of voice, more like an attitude than an alteration of register.

The obvious point was where Wexford and Sheila have their emotional exchange after she and her sons have taken over his house. But I find the times Rendell writes with Wexford and his grandchildren always very moving.

It does make me a bit nervous to now that Chief Inspector Wexford is retired, I can't imagine a time where I won't be able to look over his shoulder as he investigates. It's rather selfish of me, I know, to keep him from his well-deserved rest.

Although, this Ruth Rendell mystery does not rank as one of my favorites - I thought the storyline was engaging and felt the narrator did an excellent job.