Rating: 
Summary: An eerie tone-mystery very much in the Vine style
Review: That Ruth Rendell writes a certain type of book -- very different from Rendell mysteries -- under the name and voice of another writer is astute. This is a dark, psychological mystery in the completely in the Vine style, dependent more on the twists of the mind (and there are some wonderfully twisted minds here) than on plot. Her books are particularly tasty in that they have no particular protagonist; I'm not sure who I was "rooting for" in this one. But Vine comes up with some unusual characters whose behavior is quite unpredictable. Not top of the Vine, but very satisfying
Rating: 
Summary: Probably Rendell's Only Love Story
Review: There is probably no other writer with as cold and bleak a vision as Ruth Rendell. Even in her slightly warmer incarnation as Barbara Vine, her take on human foibles and on matters of love tends to be chilly and steely-eyed. (Some people dislike her for this reason -- not me, I think she's amazing.)Rendell has said that she created the new "Vine" line to be able to take a more human, personal viewpoint than she did in the Rendell books -- well, perhaps so, although the main character Tim Cornish, from whose viewpoint this is told, is vintage Rendell, i.e., hard to like. Tim is not evil but confused, self-absorbed, befuddled by emotions, weak and fumbling. That said, this haunting novel stands out among Rendell's/Vine's other superb works -- and that's saying something, as she is probably the finest writer in the mystery/thriller, bar none. Like her other books, this one features a sinuous plot that keeps springing subtle and believable changes on you, and characters that are just odd enough to be interesting yet still realistic, and throughout, her elegant and poetic writing. It's also her only real love story. Yes, many of her novels feature the theme of obsessive love -- that's one of her recurring favorites -- but rarely does love do anyone any good in a Rendell or Vine novel. But, without spoiling the ending, let me note that when I finished this novel I was shocked to discover that for the first time, she'd actually written a book where she gave love a chance to succeed. That in itself is remarkable, and the way she pulls it off, even more so. If you've never read Rendell or Vine, this is a terrific one to start with (personally I don't think the Vines, other than this and "The Brimstone Wedding" ever came up to the Rendell quality). If you're already a fan, well, there's nothing I need to add.
Rating:
Summary: What a marvelous novel!
Review: This book has no main character; it has a narrator, but he is only part of the story...The homosexual professor who loves the narrator is a complex, loving, obsessive character whose life ends in tragedy. The girl with whom Cornish falls in love is also a tragic character, as is her love with Cornish. Cornish survives, but his live is merely a streaming banality; however, it can be argued that he prefers his dull life to the tempestuous loves with the woman and the professor. I believe that this book is one of Rendell's best, perhaps her best. Too often in her later fiction she offers the reader atmosphere that is actually just padding, immaterial to the novel. In this story her atmosphere, her tone and mood, her complex characterizations and her ability to draw the perceptive, sensitive reader into the lives of the main characters--particularly the professor--gave this reader chills, vicarious love, and ultimately streams of tears. AN OVERPOWERING NOVEL; READ IT...NOW!!! (almost a good as Cook's Breakheart Hill and Taylor's The Four Last Things.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent novel of psychological suspense
Review: This is one of the best books I have read this year. It does start out slow but once I become hooked I could not put it down. The characters, including the protagonist, are somewhat unsympathetic and the fact that Vine can keep your interest intact is laudable. The atmosphere of this book is incredible. The locales, ranging from an Alaskan cruise to a frigid English coastal town, are excellently described. But perhaps the best part of the book are the wonderful twists and turns that this strange tale takes.
Rating: 
Summary: Homosexuality, Obsession, Alienation
Review: Those themes were hammered in with a complete lack of subtelty on every page. I bought this book because I'd never read a Ruth Rendell novel that wasn't at least a 4 stars, and most I've found to be 5 stars. But this one had me loathing to finish it. The narrator goes on and on about his homosexuality in such detail and frequency, that the this becomes the focus of the book, rather than merely something about him. He has meaningless then obsessive sexual relationships (which he also goes on about in detail), intimating throughout that he killed someone, but to tell the truth, the author made me feel so little for him or the people in his life, that it was difficult to see this through to the end. Disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: Long On Psychology, Short on Thriller
Review: To those who need an adrenaline rush before page 10, this is not the book for you. My first assessment of "No Night Is Too Long" was that it was monstrously slow starting. Upon reflection, I don't think it could be structured any other way. The story's effect hangs on our thorough understanding of Timothy's point of view contrasted with how others see him. Tim is atrociously self-absorbed yet almost without personal vanity. He is a recreational liar, but never to himself. It takes a good and sufficient time to develop this young man, and if he were not developed, the story would have no meaning. The reader must see beyond Tim's startling beauty. Given the visuality of Ms. Rendell/Vine's prose, it takes a long lead-in for readers to see Tim plain and unadorned. Think of young Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. I have always been convinced those two would stop traffic whether famous or not, and not one person would be aware (or care) if they were sensitive, caring, or struggling. They would be thinking: "Wow!" This is Tim Cornish. When Tim meets Dr. Ivo Steadman, (who else but Rupert Everett?) he is certain he must be in love because he has never felt this way before. He has had a few dilatory girl friends that didn't stir him, only occasionally "scratched an itch." So what was this? The shortness of breath? The obsessing for Ivo's presence? This was something startlingly new and different, and it must be love! Tim found it also had a very short duration. As soon as Ivo dropped his Rochester/Heathcliff airs of arrogance and disdain, Tim was quickly out of love and into contempt. Alas, poor Ivo who made more and more frantic and futile efforts to entice and ensnare the errant Tim. I couldn't help but sympathize with Tim at this point. Have you ever had anyone (be it a discarded lover or your great-aunt Sally) shower you with attentions and pleadings of which you wanted no part? It makes monsters of us all. The stage is set. Ivo more or less forces the reluctant and sulky Tim on a cruise of the shores of Alaska. Tim meets the beauteous Isabel in Juneau while Ivo is off lecturing. And now the story quickly picks up a headlong pace. Ms. Rendell/Vine has us hooked good and proper, and we are in for some mind-boggling surprises. The key to this book is obsession, not romance. The author deftly ties up the loose ribbons and presents us with a nicely wrapped finished package. Though I don't believe this book is as powerful as "A Dark Adapted Eye," it does demonstrate the author's great versatility and goes way beyond "well developed characterization." You can't help thinking, "there, if not by the grace of God, go I" I would recommend it for when you are in a pondering mood.
Rating:
Summary: Long On Psychology, Short on Thriller
Review: To those who need an adrenaline rush before page 10, this is not the book for you. My first assessment of "No Night Is Too Long" was that it was monstrously slow starting. Upon reflection, I don't think it could be structured any other way. The story's effect hangs on our thorough understanding of Timothy's point of view contrasted with how others see him. Tim is atrociously self-absorbed yet almost without personal vanity. He is a recreational liar, but never to himself. It takes a good and sufficient time to develop this young man, and if he were not developed, the story would have no meaning. The reader must see beyond Tim's startling beauty. Given the visuality of Ms. Rendell/Vine's prose, it takes a long lead-in for readers to see Tim plain and unadorned. Think of young Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. I have always been convinced those two would stop traffic whether famous or not, and not one person would be aware (or care) if they were sensitive, caring, or struggling. They would be thinking: "Wow!" This is Tim Cornish. When Tim meets Dr. Ivo Steadman, (who else but Rupert Everett?) he is certain he must be in love because he has never felt this way before. He has had a few dilatory girl friends that didn't stir him, only occasionally "scratched an itch." So what was this? The shortness of breath? The obsessing for Ivo's presence? This was something startlingly new and different, and it must be love! Tim found it also had a very short duration. As soon as Ivo dropped his Rochester/Heathcliff airs of arrogance and disdain, Tim was quickly out of love and into contempt. Alas, poor Ivo who made more and more frantic and futile efforts to entice and ensnare the errant Tim. I couldn't help but sympathize with Tim at this point. Have you ever had anyone (be it a discarded lover or your great-aunt Sally) shower you with attentions and pleadings of which you wanted no part? It makes monsters of us all. The stage is set. Ivo more or less forces the reluctant and sulky Tim on a cruise of the shores of Alaska. Tim meets the beauteous Isabel in Juneau while Ivo is off lecturing. And now the story quickly picks up a headlong pace. Ms. Rendell/Vine has us hooked good and proper, and we are in for some mind-boggling surprises. The key to this book is obsession, not romance. The author deftly ties up the loose ribbons and presents us with a nicely wrapped finished package. Though I don't believe this book is as powerful as "A Dark Adapted Eye," it does demonstrate the author's great versatility and goes way beyond "well developed characterization." You can't help thinking, "there, if not by the grace of God, go I" I would recommend it for when you are in a pondering mood.
Rating:
Summary: Barbara at her Best
Review: Vine titles are the darker side of Rendell's mysteries and this one is typical; the story unfolds slowly and dramatically. The format, consisting in large measure of articles mailed to the speaker-subject of the book, is unusual and deftly handled. Vine/Rendell is in my opinion the best mystery writer alive and one of the best authors in any category. I'm a fan.
Rating:
Summary: Barbara at her Best
Review: Vine titles are the darker side of Rendell's mysteries and this one is typical; the story unfolds slowly and dramatically. The format, consisting in large measure of articles mailed to the speaker-subject of the book, is unusual and deftly handled. Vine/Rendell is in my opinion the best mystery writer alive and one of the best authors in any category. I'm a fan.
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