A Sleeping Life

By: Ruth Rendell

Narrated by: Nigel Anthony

Length: 5 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

The body found under the hedge was that of a middle-aged woman. With nothing more to go on than what appeared to be a sardonic gleam in the wide and staring eyes of the victim, It’s time for Wexford and his team to get pro-active. From a seemingly unremarkable death comes an intricate web of lies and deception. A wallet found in the victim’s handbag leads our hero, Inspector Wexford to a Mr. Grenville West, a writer whose plots revel in the blood, thunder, and passion of dramas of old; whose current whereabouts are unclear; and whose curious secretary--the plain Polly Flinders--provides the Inspector with more questions than answers. And when a second Grenville West comes to light, Wexford faces a dizzying array of possible scenarios--and suspects--behind the Comfrey murder.

©1978 Ruth Rendell (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

chapters are repeated

This is a good book, but each chapter has been put on twice, 1, 1, 2, 2, etc. This is annoying

6 people found this helpful

Another great tale of Inspector Wexford.

I particularly enjoyed this one, despite quickly uncovering the solution, and having to wait for the Inspector and his team to catch up - but it was a fun ride all the same.

Other highlights were the descriptions of 1970s London - oh, if only we could visit Hampstead in that day instead of today!

1 person found this helpful

quirky and cool!

as always... Rendell manages to keep you guessing.. Narration pretty good also. a good read!

Twists and turns

Inspector Wexford seems to be stumped on this one, with many digressions I certainly didn't expect. Excellent narration. I only wish the book had been longer.

Dated, but still enjoyable

I like Inspector Wexford and I enjoy returning to the Wexford series, but they are now very dated. The plot was very interesting but some of the language and attitudes in the book are a bit uncomfortable for a modern reader. The narrator was excellent and I enjoyed listening to this book.

1 person found this helpful

Good mystery though a little dated

Typical Rendell - a rather twisted tale with comfortably familiar characters. The attitudes to feminism, race and homosexuality are very dated though so it's uncomfortable at times. The narrator is excellent - he sounds exactly as you would expect Wexford to sound and is very good at the other characters too. Good narration is so important and I'd definitely look out for others he's done.

A Sleeping Life

A first class story Keeps your imagination going at speed right up to the final chapter. It is good fun trying to guess how or where the story is going only to be proved wrong
Gordon

,,
K

Powerful plot, extraordinary twist

As is usual with the Wexford stories, this one is meticulously plotted and is almost impossible to unravel oneself until Wexford explains at the end. Beautifully written, remarkably imagined and most intriguing to think about

page turner

cancelled my plans for the day so I could finish it in one sitting. brilliant

Excellent plot.

Would you listen to A Sleeping Life again? Why?

Not yet but may in the future. It' s a good Rendell as is usual.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Didn't have a favourite.

Have you listened to any of Nigel Anthony’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Nice voice - didn't grate.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but didn't.

Any additional comments?

Ruth Rendell's books vary. Some I have read I didn't enjoy but I enjoyed this one.