Rating: 
Summary: Very solid psychological thriller!!!
Review: I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I like how seemingly random bits of the story all come together to create a very satisfying ending. The pace and feel of the novel made me think of Patrick McGrath novels and the character of Senta made me at time think of The Magus (one of the greatest books ever!!). If you like psychological thrillers, stories about people who become involved in situations they had no right being a part of...this book is for you!!!
Rating:
Summary: Very solid psychological thriller!!!
Review: I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I like how seemingly random bits of the story all come together to create a very satisfying ending. The pace and feel of the novel made me think of Patrick McGrath novels and the character of Senta made me at time think of The Magus (one of the greatest books ever!!). If you like psychological thrillers, stories about people who become involved in situations they had no right being a part of...this book is for you!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A truly scary story
Review: I was housebound with a snowstorm outside. A perfect time to take this book, with a drink, and read in bed. I had a hard time putting it down and read much later than I should have.Senta, the mysterious bridesmaid, proved to be a bit more mysterious than imagined. Philip missed a lot of signals and not only from her. He didn't realize that his mother had another man friend and wasn't really feeling jilted by Gerard. Philip seemed too tied up with himself to notice what others were doing. Interesting story of how it all ended with mistaken identities and lack of communication. A winner, however.
Rating:
Summary: A truly scary story
Review: I was housebound with a snowstorm outside. A perfect time to take this book, with a drink, and read in bed. I had a hard time putting it down and read much later than I should have. Senta, the mysterious bridesmaid, proved to be a bit more mysterious than imagined. Philip missed a lot of signals and not only from her. He didn't realize that his mother had another man friend and wasn't really feeling jilted by Gerard. Philip seemed too tied up with himself to notice what others were doing. Interesting story of how it all ended with mistaken identities and lack of communication. A winner, however.
Rating:
Summary: TWISTED FEELINGS,UNPREDICTABLE PLOT YOU'LL LOVE IT
Review: NOT MANY THINGS TO SAY ABOUT SUCH A MAGNIFICENT BOOK.THE MORE YOU READ IT THE MORE YOU LIKE IT.YOU WILL THANK ME FOR SUGGESTING IT WHEN YOU READ IT.
Rating:
Summary: The best Ruth Rendell novel I've ever read
Review: Not since Rendell's Master of the Moor have I read a more disturbing, more gripping book by her. Senta Pelham is an enigma; beautiful, amoral, and as not-of-this-world as the statue of the goddess Flora she resembles. The narrative teases us by resisting closure all the way till the last five or so pages; we are never sure about the veracity of Senta Pelham's stories, and like her victim/boyfriend Philip Wardman we keep hoping that the stories are fantasies, especially when these claims to truth become more frightening. If you've never read Ruth Rendell, start with this one. You'll be hooked.
Rating: 
Summary: just couldn't get into it
Review: not up to ruth's usual status. i found philip stupid, naive and shallow. boy what you won't do for love and sex. the characters were unconvincing and stilted. i believe if i were in philip's place i certainly would have investigated the ravings of senta. christine was so childish it was totaly unbelievable. just too bizarre to be taken seriously as mystery. i was greatly disappointed in this book.
Rating:
Summary: The best, by the best
Review: One of Rendell's greatest gifts is her ability to show what happens when a normal person crosses paths with a sociopath. The hero has no idea what he's met up with because he's too decent to think that way; he and his girlfriend talk past each other in the most chilling way. It's like watching a slow-motion train wreck. I couldn't disagree more with the reviewer who says the ending is dull and disappointing; it's the most dramatic and horrifying ending I've ever read. The last three pages are a tour de force of writing; it just doesn't get any better. "They [the police] would come for this, though. They'd come for this." Gives me chills every time! Do yourself a favor--read it!
Rating:
Summary: The best, by the best
Review: One of Rendell's greatest gifts is her ability to show what happens when a normal person crosses paths with a sociopath. The hero has no idea what he's met up with because he's too decent to think that way; he and his girlfriend talk past each other in the most chilling way. It's like watching a slow-motion train wreck. I couldn't disagree more with the reviewer who says the ending is dull and disappointing; it's the most dramatic and horrifying ending I've ever read. The last three pages are a tour de force of writing; it just doesn't get any better. "They [the police] would come for this, though. They'd come for this." Gives me chills every time! Do yourself a favor--read it!
Rating:
Summary: Relentlessly gripping
Review: Philip Wardman is a young man working for Roseberry Lawn Interiors. He is of quiet, sedate character and he hates violence of any kind. At his sister's wedding, Philip meets her bridesmaid Senta Pelham and falls in love with her. She has a white complexion and silver hair thus resembling Flora, the stone statue in Philip's mother's garden. Philip's love for Senta grows passionate until one day she claims that they both have to kill somebody to seal their love for each other. And so begins an awkward journey through sick and weak minds, through an emotional, erotic and irrational relationship. Mrs Rendell's novel is appalling, shocking, convincing and relentlessly gripping. Mr William Gaminara offers a respectable performance in this audio book and I enjoyed very much listening to his reading.
Philippe Horak / phorak@gibz.ch
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