A good read that is written in an old fashioned style that introduces the main characters and sets up the series. Razor-sharp dialogue. She has been married to Damian Schnabel since September 4, 2010. From Doon with death by Rendell, Ruth, 1930-2015. From Doon With Deathis Ruth Rendell's first novel, and also marks the literary debuts of protagonists Chief Inspector Reg Wexford, and his partner in crime-solving, Inspector Mike Burden. If you know me, you know that it's amazing I read a book in 4 days. Burdon tends to agree and contacts the police station. This is a VHS transfer. This is the first book by Ruth Rendell I've read (I know, shame on me). For me, the choice of murder victim in this novel stood out. I picked this up at the Book Thing and it was very good. Pretty standard mystery fare, including the resolution, though apparently the resolution was Very Shocking at the time. To find the killer, Wexford must first discover a motive From Doon with Death (Inspector Wexford #1) by Ruth Rendell, February 13, 1988, Fawcett edition, Mass Market Paperback in English She was previously married to Robert Glenister. It took me about 4 days to read. From 1964, when her country copper, Reg … “You’re supposed to be a detective. Ruth Rendell has been one of my favorite authors for 40 years, but I've never been sure (or, more likely, have forgotten over time...) how to pronounce her surname. Rendell's England is less than quaint (despite the amounts of tea put away), her world is distinctly darker and its denizens are distinctly more immoral. These are the hallmarks of crime legend Ruth Rendell. Amanda Redman was born on August 12, 1957 in Brighton, East Sussex, England as Amanda Jacqueline Redman. [9780099203506] One of the best novelists writing today.' June 26th 2007 There were various phrases and words that left me baffled, perhaps due to the time period which was the 1950s. These are the hallmarks of crime legend Ruth Rendell, "the best mystery writer in the English-speaking world" (Time magazine). From Doon with Death. The first of the Inspector Wexford series with the faithful sidekick Burden. However, no one would accuse a career as prolific as Rendell's as lazy and there is something very appealing about her work. [Mostly because of the time when it was published. WOW! This was my first Ruth Rendell and I started it with high expectations but was quite disappointed. This was the first in the Wexford series, and if it had been the first Rendell book I read, I would not have read another. I've been listening to the Currently Reading podcast quite a bit these days. I believe that Ruth Rendell is British as this book is set in England. Chief Inspector Reginald "Reg" Wexford is a recurring character in a series of detective novels by English crime writer Ruth Rendell. by Ballantine Books. With no useful clues and a victim known only for her mundane life, Chief Inspector Wexford is baffled until he discovers Margaret's dark secret - a collection of rare books, each inscribed from a secret lover and signed only as 'Doon'. The novel introduced her popular recurring character Inspector Wexford, who went on to feature in 24 of her novels. Dazzling psychological suspense. The story was later made into a movie in 1988. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. Refresh and try again. See guidelines for writing about novels. It seemed like it was time to get acquainted. Her groundbreaking debut novel, From Doon With Death, was first published in 1964 and introduced the reader to her enduring and popular detective, Inspector Reginald Wexford, who went on to feature in twenty-four of her subsequent novels. When Margaret is found murdered, it is up to Wexford and Burdon to unravel Margaret's past and discover what led to the death of a quiet, suburban housewife. There is nothing extraordinary about Margaret Parsons, a timid housewife in the quiet town of Kingsmarkham, a woman devoted to her garden, her kitchen, her husband. Her characters--even the good-guy cops--are conflicted, flawed, stubborn, and utterly human, and her genre fiction is the best of its kind. Razor-sharp dialogue. These are the hallmarks of crime legend Ruth Rendell, “the best mystery writer in the English-speaking world” ( Time magazine). She is an actress, known for Sexy Beast (2000), New Tricks (2003) and Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001). Dazzling psychological suspense. I read, now, for deeper glimpses into Rendell's craft, and I'm not disappointed. Amanda Redman, Actress: Sexy Beast. Man, was I wrong and I'm so pleased about it. An extraordinary death. I read, now, for deeper glimpses into Rendell's craft, and I'm not disappointed. I want to enjoy a lauded authoress and have the jury out for, My reread of the first of the Wexford series was different than my first time through the book. From Doon With Death is a little dated, though that’s hardly surprising from an author who’s always been interested in the world as it is. He claims it is totally out of character for his wife, Margaret, to disappear without word. Ruth Rendell was an exceptional crime writer, and will be remembered as a legend in her own lifetime. From Doon with Death: Part One. With worldwide sales of approximately 20 million copies, Rendell was a regular Sunday Times bestseller. This is the 1st book in the Inspector Wexford series by author Ruth Rendell. The trampled grass led to the body of Margaret Parsons. All Episodes (86) Next. No one believed Mr Parsons' fears for his missing wife. I am a big fan of Ruth Rendell and have read and enjoyed many of her books, both stand alones and the Wexford series. Ruth Rendell was an exceptional crime writer, and will be remembered as a legend in her own lifetime. Wexford was introduced in From Doon With Death as a police detective in Kingsmarkham, a fictional town in Sussex. See all 7 questions about From Doon With Death…, Meet the Authors of Spring's Biggest Mysteries. There's an art to writing a police procedural that is also a village mystery, and Rendell is the consummate artist. Who is Doon? From Doon with Death, now in a striking new paperback edition, is her classic debut novel—and the book that introduced one of the most popular sleuths of the twentieth century. Ruth Rendell was an exceptional crime writer, and will be remembered as a legend in her own lifetime. With no useful clues and a victim known only for her mundane life, Chief Inspector Wexford is baffled until he discovers Margaret's dark secret - a collection of rare books, each inscribed from a secret lover and signed only as 'Doon'. It must have taken fifteen years to obtain the series volume I needed and get started. Ronald Parsons almost prides himself on his dull and respectable life. My feeling, however, was that I should wait to see how she resolved it before reaching a conclusion. The story begins when Inspector Mike Burdon is alerted by a neighbour that his wife is missing. Recommended. Back then, in the early 1990s, I was a novice mystery writer eager to learn from a master. Although a fairly short novel, it is filled with intrigue as Wexford and Burden investigate the murder of a seemingly friendless, quiet wife named Margaret Parsons. Razor-sharp dialogue. An extraordinary death. Now, I've written quite a few mysteries myself and I know what to look for. Add him to my list of preferred readers, pleasantly British, expressive, with good variation between different characters. The characters in FDWD certainly weren’t immune to the effects of the conclusion. Her groundbreaking debut novel, From Doon With Death, was first published in 1964 and introduced the reader to her enduring and popular detective, Inspector Reginald Wexford, who went on to feature in twenty-four of her subsequent novels. The novel introduced her popular recurring character Inspector Wexford, who went on to feature in 24 of her novels. The crux of the story is who is Doon? With no useful clues and a victim known only for her mundane life, Chief Inspector Wexford is baffled until he discovers Margaret's dark secret - a collection of rare books, each inscribed from a secret lover and signed only as 'Doon'. A very enjoyable cosy mystery - the first in the Inspector Wexford series. Dazzling psychological suspense. Seemingly a classic British murder mystery, much like Christie, whom Rendell apparently disliked and strived to get away from comparisons to, and yet in retrospect very different. From Doon with Death, now in a striking new paperback edition, is her classic debut novel—and the book that introduced one of the most popular sleuths of the twentieth century. From Doon With Death: (A Wexford Case) - Ebook written by Ruth Rendell. There is a strong sociological commentary throughout, in this book in particular as far as class differences and sexual politics go and author's attitude is stunningly, notably progressive for the time. First edition, first impression, of the author's first book, and the first of the Inspector Wexford thrillers. The story of the book is filled with psychological suspense with dazzling sequences. If you ask us, it's always the perfect time to lose yourself in a page-turning mystery. There were various phrases and words that left me baffled, perhaps due to the time period which was the 1950s. Absolutely. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Ruth Rendell, Novelist Who Thrilled and Educated, Dies at 85", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=From_Doon_with_Death&oldid=1003630486, Articles needing additional references from November 2012, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 29 January 2021, at 22:36. Previous. Ruth Rendell was a. I am a big fan of Ruth Rendell and have read and enjoyed many of her books, both stand alones and the Wexford series. Until two days later she was discovered in the woods, her face swollen and her clothes damply clinging to her lifeless body. This early entry in the Inspector Wexford mystery series shows the author developing her characters and demonstrating the psychological insights into crime that she would later perfect. Though having read a lot of Patricia Highsmith, it shouldn't have surprised me that much. This article about a crime novel of the 1960s is a stub. It’s all, you know, fine. From Doon with Death, now in a striking new paperback edition, is her classic debut novel—and the book that introduced one of the most popular sleuths of the twentieth century. However, no one would accuse a career as prolific as Rendell's as lazy and there is something very appealing about her work. I found it extremely tedious and dull. I think this book was a terrific example of it. Is it REN-dyl or Ren-DELL? It is a great murder mystery. Seemingly a classic British murder mystery, much like Christie, whom Rendell apparently disliked and strived to get away from comparisons to, and yet in retrospect very different. I think this book was a terrific example of it. For a story published in 1964 it must have been quite shocking to readers. Plots that catch and hold like a noose. Every now and then I had to re-read a few sentences to try and understand the British words. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. At this somewhat late date in life, I thought it about time I explore Ms. Rendell's mysteries, and her psychological From Doon with Death is about a poor dull woman called Mrs. Parsons who gets murdered in a forest. This one wasn't marvelous but I could see a lot of potential for her to develop the inspector into a great character. I dislike detective series, I find it to be lazy writing more often than not and generally stay away from them. The first novel of the Inspector Wexford series was released under the title ‘From Doon With Death’. She's a dowdy housewife and her demise can't be explained by regular motives. From what I can tell, this is not only the first book in Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford series, but also her first published novel. Her groundbreaking debut novel, From Doon With Death, was first published in 1964 and introduced the reader to her enduring and popular detective, Inspector Reginald Wexford, who went on to feature in twenty-four of her subsequent novels. Start by marking “From Doon With Death (Inspector Wexford, #1)” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Thank goodness I purchased it off the Barnes & Noble sales table. From Doon with Death was the debut novel of British writer Ruth Rendell, first published in 1964. This time through I've noticed much more than I did the first time -- back then I think I was looking much more for plot and storyline, where now I'm tending to focus more on people and what makes them do what they do. Plots that catch and hold like a noose. Back then, in the early 1990s, I was a novice mystery writer eager to learn from a master. It was published by the Ballantine Books publication in the year 1964. Mrs. From Doon With Death is the first of these . I will definitely read more of the series. Update, May 6, 2015: I am undertaking a Ruth Rendell "key" works project -- the books The Guardian recently noted as such the day of Ruth Rendell's death. From Doon with Death (Inspector Wexford #1) by Ruth Rendell, September 12, 1980, Ballantine Books edition, Mass Market Paperback in English Season 5 | Episode 7. The town of Kingsmarkham (Midhurst in Sussex) has a murder of a seemingly ordinary person. This book definitely meets my requirements. Being one who always gives everything more then one try, I imagine I'll read another of Rendell's books but will not be in a hurry to do so. Why in the world would any one go to the bother of killing and dumping a boring, plain woman like Margaret (Godfrey) Parsons? Her groundbreaking debut novel, From Doon With Death, was first published in 1964 and introduced the reader to her enduring and popular detective, Inspector Reginald Wexford, who went on to feature in twenty-four of her subsequent novels. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. I was not able to discover the killer and the surprise ending left me totally unsatisfied. A good read and a story written in 1964 that was out there in its plot. I found it extremely tedious and dull. Ruth Rendell, Lady Rendell of Babergh, also known as Barbara Vine, who has died aged 85, was a literary phenomenon. From Doon with Death by Rendell, Ruth and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.co.uk. This was the first in the Wexford series, and if it had been the first Rendell book I read, I would not have read another. For some reason I had never read the Wexford novels before and it is a good beginning to the series. The prose and epigraphs were good, which is why I’m giving this book a second star. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published Burdon tends to agree and contacts the police station. I was not able to discover the killer and the surprise ending left me totally unsatisfied. Please come join us for the discussion. Ronald Parsons almost prides himself on his dull and respectable life. There is nothing extraordinary about Margaret Parsons, a timid housewife in the quiet town of Kingsmarkham, a woman devoted to her garden, her kitchen, her husband. There is nothing extraordinary about Margaret Parsons, a timid housewife in the quiet town of Kingsmarkham, a woman devoted to her garden, her kitchen, her husband. I didn't think that mystery novels had anything new for me to discover. The story begins when Inspector Mike Burdon is alerted by a neighbour that his wife is missing. The BLATANTLY GAY lipstick salesman could probably tell you, and he could have solved the mystery in one hot minute. Although the identity of the victim's lover "Doon" would not be much of a surprise to the 21st century reader, at the time of its release it was considered ground-breaking and daring, and this novel immediately garnered Rendell international critical attention. From Doon with Death , now in a striking new paperback edit… From Doon with Death, now in a striking new paperback edition, is her classic debut novel—and the book that introduced one of the most popular sleuths of the twentieth century. There's an art to writing a police procedural that is also a village mystery, and Rendell is the consummate artist. This is the early 60s, so characters mention a new exam called the A-level that’s been introduced and the victim is a 30-year-old, childless housewife – a character that would be impossible to write realistically today, unless she was married to money. Welcome back. TV-14 | 1h 48min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | Episode aired 10 November 1991. From Doon With Death is the first of these . The trampled grass led to the body of Margaret Parsons. First published in 1964, this is the first Chief Inspector Wexford mystery. [1] The story was later made into a movie in 1988. I dislike detective series, I find it to be lazy writing more often than not and generally stay away from them. I've just reread this novel again after six years, and while I wouldn't change my rating, I will say that it was definitely a pleasure to have taken it up again. The trampled grass led to the body of Margaret Parsons. Now, I've written quite a few mysteries myself and I know what to look for. Plots that catch and hold like a noose. Another classic Inspector Wexford staring George Baker and Christoper Ravenscroft. I have become a fan. When Marg. Other than that, it was a very quick read as it is only 200 some pages. I've just reread this novel again after six years, and while I wouldn't change my rating, I will say that it was definitely a pleasure to have taken it up again. For some reason I had never read the Wexford novels before and it is a good beginning to the series. Her characters--even the good-guy cops--. "From Doon With Death" is the 1st novel in a series featuring Chief Inspector Wexford and Detective Inspector Mike Burden in the imaginary market town of Kingsmarkham in the district of Sussex (UK). Margaret Parsons, a fairly ordinary housewife who, with her water board official husband Ron, has recently moved to Kingsmarkham, is found murdered in a field. Ruth Rendell was a master at her craft, but this one, IMO, was not her best. To see what your friends thought of this book. I wished I could say I like it but truth is it was a boring read. And so, for a non quaint, psychological mystery that relies on neither sex nor violence, this is a very good read. We’d love your help. Publication date 2009 Topics Wexford, Inspector (Fictitious character) -- Fiction, Kingsmarkham (England : Imaginary place) -- Fiction, Police -- England -- Fiction, Police, Wexford, Inspector (Fictitious character), England Publisher I have finally given myself the gift of Ruth Rendell's classic Rexford mysteries, because I got the 1st one for a good price on Audible, read by Terrence Hardiman. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. P. D. JamesLove and death,' said Chief Inspector Wexford. Thank you. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read From Doon With Death: (A Wexford Case). Rendell's England is less than quai. When I learned that Ruth Rendell had passed away recently, I was reminded that I have been wanting to give her mysteries a try for some time and immediately requested this book, the first featuring Inspector Wexford, and her first stand-alone mystery, To Fear a Painted Devil, from the library. Both were first published in the 60s and seem a bit dated, especially the moral issue at the heart of this story, which probably seemed terribly shocking in 1964 but not so much fifty years later. Further suggestions might be found on the article's talk page. First published in 1964, this is the first Chief Inspector Wexford mystery. There is nothing extraordinary about Margaret Parsons, a timid housewife in the quiet town of Kingsmarkham, a woman devoted to her garden, her kitchen, her husband. My reread of the first of the Wexford series was different than my first time through the book. All the men in the case take one look at her photo and pretty much dismiss the most common motive. This time through I've noticed much more than I did the first time -- back then I think I was looking much more for plot and storyline, wh. This is a reread for me in preparation for our first Ruth Rendell buddy read in the English Mysteries book club starting May 1. Wexford doesn't really make a strong impression as a leading character (in fact quite a good amount of the investigating falls to his partner, the aptly named Inspector Burden), but he shows much potential, intellectual and emotional astuteness and solid detecting skills. Well, detect.”. Several copies were sent to libraries, making copies like this unmarred by library labels or stamps uncommon. From Doon with Death was the debut novel of British writer Ruth Rendell, first published in 1964. I am a fan of classis murder mysteries yet was not familiar with Ruth Rendell's writing (nor have I seen Inspector Wexford on television). I was about 2/3 through, thinking it was well written, interesting, but not yet sensing it was truly special. Predictable and charmless. He made his first appearance in the author's 1964 debut From Doon With Death, and has since been the protagonist of 23 more novels (plus some short stories). 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